RESTAURANTS
BEST AMERICAN/
CONTINENTAL
RESTAURANT
GRAMERCY TAVERN
42 E 20th St (212) 477-0777
www.gramercytavern.com
Since opening in 1994, Gramercy Tavern has
consistently been one of the top-rated and
most popular restaurants in NYC. Located
in a historic landmark building near Union
Square, it’s earned awards for its contemporary
American cuisine. Chef Michael Anthony’s
seasonal menu features food from local
farms and other suppliers. Currently, during
COVID, diners can order popular items like
grilled hangar steak a la carte in the Tavern
or outdoors, or opt instead for a five-course
tasting menu in the dining room. Or opt to get
your meal to go or delivered instead. Whichever
option you choose, you can’t go wrong so call or
go online to make reservations or to receive a
delivery today!
BEST ASIAN
CUISINE/
ASIAN FUSION
RESTAURANT
TAO DOWNTOWN
92 9th Ave (212) 888-2724
www.taodowntown.com
Celebrate a special event at TAO Downtown,
which offers a distinct sense of arrival and
discovery and is the first 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. You can also bring
Tao Downtown to your home or office; its offpremise
catering services range from a small
drop-off and set-up to full-service events such as
a birthday celebration, office luncheon or family
gathering.
BEST ATMOSPHERE
ABC COCINA
38 E 19th St (212) 475-5829
www.resy.com
ABC Cocina in Manhattan hopes to offer
customers that walk through the doors more
than just a meal or a night out, it wants them to
have a memorable experience when they step
into the restaurant. This is why the restaurant
prides itself not only on its extensive menu, but
also the atmosphere that it sets. ABC Cocina has
a romantic and mystical ambiance that is both
enchanting and eclectic, making it the perfect
stop on date night. The menu is always changing
to reflect ABC Cocina’s aim to celebrate local
cuisine as well as international culture. Combine
this ever-changing menu with its unique
atmosphere and you are sure in for an evening
that you will never forget.
BEST BARBEQUE
DINOSAUR BAR-B-QUE
700 W 125th St (212) 694-1777
www.dinosaurbarbque.com
With locations in Harlem and Brooklyn,
Dinosaur BBQ is an iconic institution in New
York and the tristate area. This meat-lovers’
dream restaurant takes the BBQ seriously,
with its humble beginnings at the Harley
Rendezvous, a massive motorcycle gathering in
Albany in 1983. Founder John Stage constructed
hi pit out of a 55 gallon drum and served to
a salivating crowd that has never stopped
begging for more. This once-food truck now is
now an award-winning enterprise with seven
locations. But what has remained consistent
is John’s commitment to good, well-sauced,
deliciously seasoned meat. Fresh, homemade
and unyielding in depth of flavor, Dinosaur BBQ
is a triumph of Southern food with an evolving
palate that never disappoints.
BEST BREAKFAST
CLINTON ST. BAKING COMPANY
4 Clinton St (646) 602-6263
www.clintonstreetbaking.com
You can have a BECSPK (bacon, egg and cheese
with salt, pepper, ketchup) or your can have
Mexican chocolate pancakes with crunchy
churro bananas. It’s your choice, but if you want
to experience the best breakfast in NYC, head
to Clinton Street Baking Company and indulge
in any of the delectable choices it offers. Know
that it takes every health and safety precaution
and offer take out services for those who opt to
indulge at home. This is a place to relax, enjoy
and devour a breakfast that you would never,
could never conceive of at home. This is where
you take visiting relatives, or begin a new birth
year or satiate after a break up or to rehash a
promising first date. It’s a celebration on a plate!
BEST BRUNCH
CLINTON ST. BAKING COMPANY
4 Clinton St (646) 602-6263
www.clintonstreetbaking.com
Best brunch in New York is a tough category
to dominate but without hesitation, readers
chose Clinton Street Baking Company, the cult
favorite of the brunch set, who dine on freshly
baked scones and drink bellinis as a Sunday
ritual. Brunch items include the divine hangover
cure chicken (organic) and waffles and its
iconic pancakes. Husband and wife team Neil
Kleinberg and DeDe Lahman are authors of
the Clinton Street Baking Company Cookbook:
Breakfast, Brunch & Beyond from New York’s
Favorite Neighborhood Restaurant, and targets
of Bobby Flay’s blueberry pancake challenge;
this Clinton Street eatery is the recipient of wellearned
32 BETHPAGE BEST OF THE CITY 2021 WINNERS GUIDE BESTOFTHECITY.COM
accolades and monumental fanfare. One
bite and you’ll be another one of the dedicated
brunch enthusiasts.
BEST CAJUN
RESTAURANT
HOT N JUICY CRAWFISH
243 W 14th St (646) 682-9492
www.hotnjuicycrawfish.com
Spicy seafood fans should hit up Hot N Juicy
Crawfish for a tasty meal. Founders Tim and
Laina grew up loving “seafood and fun” and
opened up their first 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 – crawfish.
Since its inception, the pair has opened up
nearly 15 locations across the United States,
introducing the masses to its hot and spicy
seafood combos. Try pounds of crawfish,
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 (212) 755-0900
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. This catering hall’s world
renowned hospitality is legendary, and the
secret to its success is rooted in knowing what
its 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 neo-renaissance
artwork draping the walls and ceilings. Its
event space is perfect for any elegant occasion,
including nonprofit and corporate events.
2021
/www.gramercytavern.com
/www.taodowntown.com
/www.resy.com
/www.dinosaurbarbque.com
/www.clintonstreetbaking.com
/www.clintonstreetbaking.com
/www.hotnjuicycrawfish.com
/www.cipriani.com
/www.gramercytavern.com
/www.taodowntown.com
/www.resy.com
/www.dinosaurbarbque.com
/www.clintonstreetbaking.com
/www.clintonstreetbaking.com
/BESTOFTHECITY.COM
/www.hotnjuicycrawfish.com
/www.cipriani.com
