BEST AMERICAN/
CONTINENTAL
RESTAURANT
GRAMERCY TAVERN
42 E 20th St
(212) 477-0777–www.gramercytavern.com
For more than two decades, Gramercy Tavern
has served up some of the most innovative
contemporary American cuisine in the city.
Thanks to Chef Michael Anthony’s “everevolving
seasonal menu” — made up of a
carefully crafted selection of appetizers,
entrees, desserts and wines, the Tavern has
maintained its special place among NYC’s
notable eateries. The upscale and chic vibe
in their historic building gives customers the
perfect excuse to dress up and enjoy a night
on the town. In addition to providing excellent
service and food, the Gramercy Tavern
also has a long history of extending their
hospitality to other parts of the community
through diff erent kinds of charitable
initiatives.
BEST ASIAN CUISINE/
ASIAN FUSION
RESTAURANT
TAO DOWNTOWN
92 9th Ave
(212) 888-2724–www.taodowntown.com
Celebrate a special event at TAO Downtown
that off ers a distinct sense of arrival and
discovery and is the fi rst TAO venue where
guests descend into a multi-level space. The
subterranean restaurant, located in the heart
of Chelsea, is intended to look and feel as if it
has been there for decades and only unearthed
recently to reveal the artifacts within. Upon
arrival, guests immediately encounter a long
corridor with a dragon scale patterned screen
and Chinese calligraphy murals mounted
on weathered brick walls. Or, bring Tao
Downtown to your home or offi ce; its off -
premise catering services range from a small
drop-off and set-up to full-service events such
as a birthday celebration, offi ce luncheon or
family gathering.
BEST ATMOSPHERE
ABC COCINA
38 E 19th St
(212) 475-5829–www.abchome.com
A restaurant’s atmosphere can truly make or
break your entire dining experience, and a
great atmosphere will make you feel right at
home. The atmosphere at ABC Cocina off ers
a romantic and mystical experience that will
have you feeling welcomed and comfortable
throughout your dining experience. ABC
Cocina’s atmosphere pairs eff ortlessly with
the restaurant’s ever-changing menu, which
off ers a number of alluring options depending
on what time of day you stop by. ABC Cocina
is passionate about off ering local craft and
international dining options that are sourced
with the freshest, safest ingredients to nourish
your body. Seating fi lls up quickly, so don’t
forget to make a reservation!
BEST BARBEQUE
MIGHTY QUINN’S BARBEQUE
103 2nd Ave
(212) 677-3733–www.mightyquinnsbbq.com
Barbecue in New York City is not easy to
come by and purists argue that one cannot get
proper barbecue outside of the South. Mighty
Quinn’s Barbecue was founded by pitmaster
Hugh Magnum who had memories of delicious
barbecue meals paired with a deep admiration
for the soul of real barbecue. Patrons are
invited to pick their meat of choice and watch
as it is hand carved per order. Meats and
poultry are seasoned with perfect spice blends
and smoked over wood for many hours. The
possibilities are endless at Mighty Quinn’s
and include gorgeous slabs of beef and pork,
meat-fi lled sandwiches, chicken wings and rice
bowls with vegetables and meat. Hearty side
dishes include french fries, savory mac and
cheese and sweet corn fritters.
BEST BREAKFAST
JACK’S WIFE FREDA
224 Lafayette St
(212) 510-8550–www.jackswifefreda.com
Breakfast and brunch fans can enjoy plates of
comfort food inspired by the cuisine of Israel,
South Africa and New York at Jack’s Wife
Freda. The story began when Freda and Jack
married in 1930 in Johannesburg. Years later,
their grandson Dean and his wife Maya began
working in downtown food establishments
and wanted to open up a place of their own.
So in 2012, Jack’s Wife Freda was born in
SoHo with newer locations popping up in the
West Village and Chelsea. Patrons can enjoy
breakfast, lunch and dinner as well as classic
cocktails seven days a week. Some of the
restaurant’s tasty bites include a rosewater
waffl e and green shakshuka, chicken kebabs,
grilled eggplant baguette and bloody mary
mussels with fries.
BEST BRUNCH
TIO PEPE
168 W 4th St
(212) 242-6480–www.tiopepenyc.com
Tio Pepe is a storied West Village restaurant
that has been serving authentic Spanish
cuisine to diners for over 40 years. With a
thoughtfully curated menu featuring timehonored
classics and a stellar bar program
off ering Spanish beer, wine and seasonallydriven
cocktails, Tio Pepe has become a
beloved institution in New York City’s everchanging
culinary landscape. Serving dinner
seven days a week, lunch on Fridays and
brunch on Saturdays and Sundays, Tio Pepe’s
culinary program is largely centered around
the restaurant’s Spanish-style wood fi red oven,
which imparts a unique, smoky fl avor to many
of their dishes. The restaurant’s traditional
Spanish decor is warm and inviting with rich
earth tones accented by vibrant Spanish tiletopped
tables.
BEST CAJUN
RESTAURANT
HOT N JUICY CRAWFISH
243 W 14th St
(646) 682-9492–www.hotnjuicycrawfi sh.com
Spicy seafood fans should hit up Hot N
Juicy Crawfi sh for a tasty meal. Founders
Tim and Laina grew up loving “seafood and
fun” and opened up their fi rst restaurant
location in Las Vegas. During their frequent
trips to Vegas, they noticed that the city was
missing an element amongst the glitz and the
glamor–crawfi sh. Since its inception, the pair
have opened up nearly 15 locations across
36 BETHPAGE BEST OF THE CITY 2020 • WINNERS GUIDE • BESTOFNEWYORKCITY.COM
the United States, introducing the masses
to their hot and spicy seafood combos. Try
pounds of crawfi sh, shrimp, crab, mussels and
lobsters with a plethora of seasoning and spice
combinations. Spice levels range from baby
spice all the way to extra spicy and seasoning
blends include Louisiana, juicy cajun, garlic
butter, lemon pepper and hot n juicy.
BEST CATERING HALL
CIPRIANI 25 BROADWAY
25 Broadway
(646) 723-0826–www.cipriani.com
What started as a dream to open a bar in
1931 has since evolved into four generations
owning and operating a number of worldclass
restaurants and catering halls,
including Cipriani 25 Broadway. Their world
renowned hospitality is legendary, and the
secret to their success is rooted in knowing
what their customers want. Cipriani 25
Broadway’s interiors will make you think
you were transported to Italy. This New York
landmark’s great hall features high ceilings,
gorgeous marble columns, and Italian neorenaissance
artwork draping the walls and
ceilings. Their event space is perfect for any
elegant occasion, including nonprofi t and
corporate events.
BEST CHEF
MICHAEL ANTHONY–GRAMERCY
TAVERN
42 E 20th St
(212) 477-0777–www.gramercytavern.com
Gramercy Tavern has made a name for itself
as one of America’s favorite restaurants since
Danny Meyer opened its doors in 1994. The
renowned eatery has welcomed guests to dine
on delicious, contemporary American cuisine
for over two decades. Executive Chef Michael
Anthony joined Gramercy Tavern in 2006 and
has led the restaurant to win multiple awards
from the New York Times and the James
Beard Foundation. The restaurant off ers two
menus for guests to choose from. The a la carte
Tavern menu is available during the afternoon
and the evening and features rustic fare like
heritage goat ragu and duck liver mousse. The
pre-fi xe Dining Room menu off ers a threecourse
meal with choices like beer tartare,
tilefi sh and apple upside down cake.
RESTAURANTS
/sh.com
/BESTOFNEWYORKCITY.COM