BETHPAGE BEST OF THE CITY 2021 WINNERS GUIDE BESTOFTHECITY.COM 35
BEST RESTAURANT
WITH A VIEW
GRAND BANKS
Pier 25 Hudson River Park (212) 660-6312
www.grandbanks.org
Few restaurants in the city offer views that
are as awe-inspiring as Grand Banks, located
aboard the historic wooden schooner Sherman
Zwicker. To get an idea of just how great the
view is, all you have to do is take a look at the
images featured at its website. Grand Banks
was inspired by the floating “oyster barges”
that lined Manhattan’s waterfront in the 18th
and 19th centuries. Unlike most restaurants
that offer views only in select seating, every seat
aboard the ship’s deck offers a great view. The
Pier Deck, meanwhile, overlooks Grand Banks
and is open to those who just drop by without
a reservation. To experience the unforgettable
view at Grand Banks, be sure to call or go to its
website to make reservations today!
BEST ROMANTIC
DINNER
BEAUTY & ESSEX
146 Essex St (212) 614-0146
www.beautyandessex.com
When going on a date night, whether it’s a first
date or a parent’s night out there is nothing
better than finding the perfect restaurant.
Beauty and Essex is here for your next evening
on the town, not just to serve you great food but
take you on an experience. When you first walk
into the restaurant you will find the restaurant’s
resident pawn shop, which houses a collection of
vintage jewelry, musical instruments and a ton
of other treasures. The best part is everything
in the shop is available for purchase, so you
can grab your date a little gift on the way out.
While dining why not try one of the restaurants
share plates this way you can get extra cozy at
the table.
BEST SEAFOOD
RESTAURANT
GRAND CENTRAL OYSTER
BAR & RESTAURANT
Grand Central Terminal, Lower Concourse,
42nd St (212) 490-6650
www.oysterbarny.com
Since it recently reopened after its temporary,
pandemic-caused closure, patrons are once
again able to experience the seafood offered
at Grand Central Oyster Bar & Restaurant at
a location one might least expect to find fine
seafood: right in the middle of Grand Central
Terminal in Midtown Manhattan. You might
start your meal with either the creamy New
England or tomato-based Manhattan clam
chowder. Main dishes range from whole broiled
flounder to multiple other types of fresh fish
filets and whole fish, offered broiled or pan
fried. But the real reason most diners come here
is to sample one or more of its multiple oyster
varieties. So, once its doors open again, be sure
to get cracking and drop by for a visit!
BEST SOUL FOOD
AND SOUTHERN
RESTAURANT
SYLVIA’S RESTAURANT
328 Malcolm X Blvd Frnt (212) 996-0660
www.sylviasrestaurant.com
At Sylvia’s Restaurant, customers can enjoy the
taste of southern soul food in the historic village
of Harlem. Founder and Owner Sylvia Woods,
known as the “Queens of Soul Food”, established
the business in 1962 as a small luncheonette
consisting of 15 stools and six booths. It has now
flourished into a family-owned enterprise which
includes Sylvia’s Restaurant, Sylvia’s Also, a
full-service catering hall, Sylvia’s Catering and
Special Events Division, and a line of Slyvia’s
food products. If you’re thinking about where to
get the best soul food, be sure to visit Slyvia’s for
a filling meal that will probably have you coming
back for more.
BEST SPANISH
CASA MONO
52 Irving Pl (212) 253-2773
www.casamononyc.com
Casa Mono is Manhattanites’ favorite Spanish
restaurant for a countless number of reasons.
Besides the incomparably fresh food offerings—
like its razor clams a la plancha or pulpo (baby
octopus) with fennel and grapefruit, traditional
offerings like skirt steak with romesco and
onion mermelada and innovative dishes like
bone marrow with smoked trout roe—it is
committed to sustainable food practices, calling
its dedication to people, profits and the planet a
“triple bottom line.” Located next to its popular
Bar Jamon, Casa Mono is not just a meal, but
an experience. With its carefully chosen wine
selections, homemade desserts and trained staff
who is knowledgeable and as invested in your
dining experience as you are, Casa Mono is a
true winner.
BEST STEAKHOUSE
KEENS STEAKHOUSE
72 W 36th St (212) 947-3636
www.keens.com
Anyone in the mood for a perfectly cooked steak
should stop by Keens Steakhouse, recipient of
the James Beard Foundation’s 2013 America’s
Classics Awards. Beginning in 1885, Albert Keen
owned and operated what was then known as
Keens Chophouse in the Herald Square Theatre
District. Famous actors of the day would come to
Keens between acts at the neighboring Garrick
Theatre. Today, Keens is the only survivor of the
historic district. Its present-day menu includes
a raw bar with oysters, Little Neck clams and
lump crab cocktail. For the main event, order
Keens’ legendary mutton chop and prime cuts
of beer including New York sirloin, T-bone steak
and filet mignon. Finish dinner with a sweet
treat like New York cheesecake or a hot fudge
sundae!
BEST TEX MEX
TOLOACHE
251 W 50th St (212) 581-1818
www.toloachenyc.com
The toloache is a flowering plant famous in
Mexico for its use in love potions. And New
Yorkers love the contemporary Tex-Mex
creations served up at this midtown Manhattan
bistro (and Upper East Side location) named
after that plant by chef-owner Julian Medina.
Toloache’s menu of mouth-watering fare
includes such favorites as tacos, quesadillas
and enchiladas. But they are far from your
run-of-the-mill versions of those dishes. For
example, the taco varieties include Suadero,
which comes with braised brisket, avocado,
red onions, cilantro, tomatillo, salsa and
horseradish crema. Then there’s the Costilla Y
Tuetano made with beef short ribs. Plus, there’s
freshly-made guacamole in your choice of mild,
medium or spicy. So corral your friends or
loved ones together for lunch or dinner here
soon!
BEST THAI
RESTAURANT
THAI VILLA
5 EAST 19th St (212) 802-9999
www.thaivillanyc.com
Thai Villa has the classic dishes that fans of
Thai food are familiar with, like Pad Thai
and Tom Yum hot and sour soup. However,
where Thai Villa really soars is with specialties
that include considerably less-known dishes
including Shrang-Wa-Goong, a salad with
grilled prawns, red onion, ginger, lemongrass,
cilantro, scallions and lime leaves — a dish that
was first prepared many years ago for Thai
royalty, according to Thai Villa. Other unique
entrees include Ped Ron (Crispy Five Spice
Duck), a deep fried half duck with batter-fried
eggplant in tamarind sauce. Along with the
great food is service that stands out just as
much. To sample the fine dining experience,
call for reservations!
BEST UPSCALE/
FINE DINING
GRAMERCY TAVERN
42 E 20th St (212) 477-0777
www.gramercytavern.com
It is no surprise that diners continue to point
to Gramercy Tavern as their favorite upscale/
fine dining restaurant in New York City. And
perhaps the best way to experience the most
upscale/fine dining possible while visiting the
restaurant is to select the five-course tasting
menu option exclusively offered in The Dining
Room. Chef Mike Anthony makes sure that the
dishes continually evolve based on seasonality
and what local farmers and purveyors
have available. As of this writing, the five
courses included marinated scallops, grilled
asparagus, poached halibut, sumac-crusted
duck breast and, for dessert, strawberries
and cream, providing a perfect ending to an
impeccable dining experience.
BEST VEGAN
RESTAURANT
CANDLE CAFE
1307 3rd Ave (212) 472-0970
www.candlecafe.com
Restauranteurs know that amazing vegan
food is an important niche and have stepped
up to the dining plate in recent years. None
more than Candle Café, one of three Candle
restaurants dotting the city. The Café
serves gourmet, creatively thought-out and
constructed vegan offerings that satisfy both
the diner and the planet. It aims to prepare
nutritious, energizing food that leaves little
carbon footprint, is served in eco-friendly
packaging and has thoughtfully sourced
ingredients – without skimping on flavors.
Owners Bart Potenza and Joy Pierson share
the same plant-based vision, propelled and
financed by a lucky lottery ticket on a Friday
the 13th back in 1993. Since then they have
taken the culinary world by storm and created a
home for health and earth conscious diners.
BEST VEGETARIAN
RESTAURANT
AVANT GARDEN EAST VILLAGE
130 E 7th St (833) 329-4588
www.avantgardennyc.com
Those who aren’t vegetarians always seem to
have big opinions on vegetarian friendly meals
or dishes, a lot of the times these are not very
popular opinions. Avant Garden looks to change
all of this by offering vegetarian friendly meals
that are packed with flavor and quality. The
restaurants’ goal is not only to change people’s
mind about what a vegetarian meal looks like
but also make the world a better place one
plate at a time. Avant Garden’s menu includes
house made spaghetti and scorched cauliflower.
If you feel like you can squeeze in dessert the
restaurant offers drool worthy cakes such as
almond and ginger. Pair it with one of its highquality
wines for a meal to remember!
/BESTOFTHECITY.COM
/www.beautyandessex.com
/www.oysterbarny.com
/www.sylviasrestaurant.com
/www.casamononyc.com
/www.keens.com
/www.toloachenyc.com
/www.thaivillanyc.com
/www.gramercytavern.com
/www.candlecafe.com
/www.avantgardennyc.com
/www.grandbanks.org
/www.grandbanks.org
/www.beautyandessex.com
/www.oysterbarny.com
/www.sylviasrestaurant.com
/www.casamononyc.com
/www.keens.com
/www.toloachenyc.com
/www.thaivillanyc.com
/www.gramercytavern.com
/www.candlecafe.com
/www.avantgardennyc.com
