Your Guide to High-End Dining in NYC

I am always intrigued when passing by the best Michelin-Starred and other fine restaurants so that New Yorkers and visitors never run out of options on where to eat. Whether it is trendy downtown places or culture-specific themes, New York has world-class dining with white tablecloth service in all manner of cuisines.

On my last trip to New York City, I am very fortunate that indoor dining had opened back up, and experienced some of NYC’s best dining options. 

It seems that NYC is returning to its indoor dining with a total capacity in restaurants by July 1^st, 2021. Travelers from all corners of the world visit NYC to experience different cuisines with region-specific menus.

NYC relentlessly focuses on the City’s infrastructure, and hospitality, and unleashes different cultural cuisines by opening up new restaurants to raise the bar during unprecedented times. 

Even popular Bollywood actress Priyanka Chopra Jonas brought the flavor of India to NYC through her new restaurant SONA Indian fine dining cuisine will be opening up soon.  

Here are some of the best fine dining places in The City for delicious and refined fare for celebrating a special occasion or just looking to enjoy NYC’s best! —— According to my experience.

Oldest Italian Restaurant Left on Mulberry Street in Little Italy, Manhattan

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Umberto’s Clam House is a destination for locals, tourists, and celebrities alike. This innovative Italian restaurant serves up some of the best food with fresh ingredients such as Antipasti, Burrata, Butternut squash Ravioli, and many more.

It’s all delicious and very reasonable considering the quality. Whatever your fave condiment is, get ready to chow down and enjoy NYC’s best!

In 1972, Umberto Ianniello opened his first restaurant, which is still keeping tradition through the generations. Umberto is all about many new exciting dishes: Short Rib Ragu Over Penne, Spiedini a la Romano, and more.

Umberto also serves a few vegetarian-friendly dishes like Butternut squash Ravioli and hand-picked Italian wines that are just as varied and creative as the food.

RH Rooftop Restaurant in Historic Meatpacking District 

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Experience the great brunch at the Restoration Hardware Rooftop that has an exceptional view of the City.

It’s a beautiful mix of the outdoor garden, trickling fountains, and pleached London plane trees in the Meatpacking district, where you can get design inspiration for your megayacht while eating American food. 

By Famed Chicago restaurateur Brendan Sodikoff, this historic meatpacking spot is an excellent restaurant that scaling taste is large and far-reaching itself too seriously.

The food is primarily high-end for comfort food dishes like epic burgers and the unforgettable RH Scramble, Avacado toast, and truffled fries. The brunch ranges from options like thick-cut pork belly bacon to prosciutto and délice board and burrata to kale caesar salads and wild mushrooms  – but you can trust that and fill your boots. 

RH is all about many new exciting dishes for the table: crispy artichokes, artisanal Warm Baguette, and more.

RH also serves a few vegetarian-friendly dishes like Avacado Toast, burrata, and Mimosa, rosé, coffee, tea, including Brooklyn Brewery Lager beer.

RH world-class hospitality offering in 5 U.S. cities, including Toronto, Canada.

Paisley NYC Timeless India in Tribeca, NYC

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One of my favorite cuisines! I have continuously poured my love for Indian food. I found at Paisley nearly the same flavors and embodiment of timeless India that I grew up with—taking you on a food journey through my amazing country, which you can enjoy at this upscale dining at Paisley in TriBeCa, NYC.

There’s a Chicken Tika Masala curry, a relatively modern invention, a popular dish from the northern part of India, and vegetarian Paneer (cottage cheese) Tikka Masala (Rajawadi Paneer) that’s also popular in India.

A restaurant experience like this run by a talented Michelin-Starred Chef Peter Beck is pulling from his experience working in New Delhi, Mumbai, and NYC. 

Dishes range from classic curries, and veggie-forward options like Samosas, Kabab, and soups/salads served with tangy sauce and chutney to whole rice and Chaat dishes and those based around chickpeas and tamarind chutney.

Expect innovative uses of authentic and fresh ingredients and spices. To drink, visitors can indulge in a memorable cocktail, like drop the beet, Tribeca trifecta, or silk road, or something more wellness-focused like a Nojito with after-dinner desserts Gulab Jamun or coconut pudding.

Related: Listen to this Podcast New York State of Mind!

Related Article: DISCOVER NYC POST COVID-19

Places you must visit in the Big Apple

230 Fifth Rooftop Igloo Bar in Manhattan

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Kick back, relax, and join the fun in The City for brunch or late-night munching to get cozy on winter nights.

Grab your friends & family and head down to finger-licking, bottomless “Friday dining” with a stunning view of the empire state building and New York City Skylines. 

230 Fifth Rooftop, down fifth avenue, Manhattan, the most extensive indoor and outdoor rooftop garden, serves elegantly prepared dishes inspired by an array of international cuisines, like their hummus plate, buffalo chicken wings, chips, and guacamole.

Also, note their array of brunch entrees with French toast, huevos rancheros, and for the particularly hungry, house-made fried pickles and prepared platter menu. Cocktails and wine drinkers can enjoy a mojito, bellini, mango jalapeno margarita, and Stemmari Rose wine. 

Sarabeth’s Brunch in Central Park South New York City

For a slightly different sort of experience, diners can visit Sarabeth’s in the central park south, a fully fixed-price establishment serving light breakfast and popovers followed by entrees and cocktails.

This enticing enclave is also in possession of a bakery at Chelsea market as well. 

They designed from full-course dinners to happy hour and private dining to which diners can also add coffee drinks and/or wine pairing programs.

They also have a mother’s day specials menu, typically brunch and dinner dishes prepared in a creative way followed by dessert. The experience is sure to be as memorable as it is extravagant.

Here, I compiled a list of MICHELIN Guide Selections for 2021 for New York City.

3 Stars
Le Bernardin
Masa
Per Se
Eleven Madison Park
Chef’s Table at Brooklyn Fare

2 Stars
Atera
Daniel
L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon
Gabriel Kreuther
Ko
The Modern
Jungsik
Atomix
Aska
Aquavit
Ichimura at Uchū
Blanca
Jean-Georges
Blue Hill at Stone Barns

1 Star
Benno
Le Coucou
Bâtard
Hirohisa
Kanoyama
Marea
Estela
The Musket Room
Noda
The Clocktower
Tuome
Jeju Noodle Bar
L’Appart
Kosaka
Carbone
Sushi Nakazawa
Cote
Gramercy Tavern
Wallsé
ZZ’s Clam Bar
Blue Hill
Casa Mono
Sushi Amane
Sushi Ginza Onodera
Claro
Contra
Caviar Russe
Ai Fiori
Meadowsweet
Oxomoco
Peter Luger
The River Café
Sushi Yasuda
Sushi Noz
Kajitsu
Tempura Matsui
Casa Enrique
odo
Le Jardinier
Rezdôra (NEW!)
The Four Horsemen
Crown Shy
Oxalis
Tsukimi (NEW!)
Jua (NEW!)
Kochi (NEW!)
Francie (NEW!)
Don Angie (NEW!)
Vestry (NEW!)

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