‘Restaurants & Food’ in Midtown East

NYC living….
There is just something about New York City. The people are warm and friendly; and sometimes even the buildings have a life and mind of their own…
I recently visited 205 E59 and was rather smitten!! Ok, so yes, I get smitten regularly. Not with women (my wife would KILL me) but with buildings. I [...]

Vong, the long-standing Thai-French fusion restaurant from celebrity chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten, has become a classic Midtown staple for locals and tourists alike.

With its inviting décor – the space was designed by David Rockwell and features lots of pink and orange, bamboo and potted palms scattered around the space, small orchids on every table, and walls covered with gold leaf details, collages and faux decay and faded newspapers – it’s little surprise that Jean-Georges has expanded his empire to include a number of Vong locations around the world.

Vermilion is a modern-minimalist Indian-Latin American restaurant. Its name literally translates into sindoor, a core symbol of Indian femininity and celebration of the beauty of women – how’s that for an impressive tidbit to bring-up on a first date?

Did you know that this bar/restaurant has been around for over 125 years? Regis Philbin was there one night and I think he goes there often because everyone played it off like he was another random bar drinker.

Powerhouse restaurateur duo Donatella Arpaia and Michael Psilakis venture into New Italian cuisine with Mia Dona—a casual enclave meant to evoke supper at Donatella’s home.

With its cozy, bright interior and accessible, hearty Italian fare, Mia Dona is both a neighborhood hangout and a dining destination. Given that Mia Dona’s concept is an ode to Donatella’s style and heritage - they chose to present an affordable Italian menu that includes such stand-out dishes as arugula and chicory mixed with grilled onions, oven-dried tomatoes, aged provolone and pepperoncini with a chianti vinaigrette; burrata for two with blood orange, red onion, fennel and balsamic; and crispy baccala with ricotta, potato, and garlic gremolata.

Tao can rival any of the Meatpacking District’s mega-sized hotspots (think Buddakan, Buddha Bar), with its 16-foot Buddha statue, bustling bar, well-heeled crowd, and tasty eats.

The lighting is very dim and the noise level is high, so bring your reading glasses and ear plugs if you’re averse to either, because the scene and dishes are certainly worth checking-out.

Affordable, but not cheap; vibrant, but not too loud – it’s no surprise that nearly every table at Fig & Olive is occupied by a small group of gaggling girls or a couple on a first date.

Being a sushi fanatic, I make it a priority to dine at recommended sushi restaurants throughout Manhattan. I read about Sushi Yasuda on Gwyneth Paltrow’s blog. She was quoted as saying, “Best sushi in NYC, hands down.” Once I heard this, I knew I had to make it a priority to get a reservation.

Il Valentino is a pretty neat Italian restaurant in the Sutton Hotel. What makes this restaurant so unique is that it manages to provide a very down-to-earth atmosphere, in a rather formal setting. That’s not to say that the restaurant isn’t top-notch, it just avoids the pretentiousness that other establishments tend to favor. At Il Valentino, it’s all about the food and your happiness.

If you are really into good food, then price won’t matter at Aquavit because you get what you pay for.

First off, the tomato soup is a must try. Secondly, the black bass is so tender and the taste of the sauce blends perfectly with the fish – so fresh and refreshing - that you’d be hard-pressed to find a better meal in Midtown. Five thumbs up for anyone who is desperate for some delicious dishes.