Hou to Dine

New York City, United States

In the city that never sleeps with a million restaurant choices able to satisfy every possible craving, it is sometimes difficult to decide ’hou to dine’...

Through all my travels around the world, I’ve had most exquisite wining and dining experiences, so I wanted to share the best our world has to offer! I’ve always believed fine cuisine & wine is an art complimentary to music, so here is a guide with my favourite wines, restaurants, and fun spots. This month, I’ll start with none other than NYC! Each month, I will add new cities and places I’ve experienced on the road.

Jean Georges

My Favourite Frenchman

  • Cuisine Description: French Traditional
  • Address: 1 Central Park West; New York, NY 10023 (inside Trump International Hotel & Tower on the corner of Columbus & 60th Street)
  • Phone: 212 299-3900
  • Website: www.jean-georges.com
  • Cuisine: 5 Stars
  • Decor: 5 Stars
  • Service: 5 Stars
  • Price: $$$$$

Creative and inventive, within a French traditional style, Chef Jean-Georges Vongrichten offers cuisine artful beyond imagination. Every dish is delicately composed with subtle flavours perfectly balanced and complimented. To enjoy the main restaurant, you may need to empty out your rainy day savings…but you can experience the $20 prix fixe lunch which features a 3-course tasting menu offered in Nougatine, the front cafe. Dining area in the cafe (my preference) is light, contemporary, and accented with bouquets of seasonal flowers arched over the bar. Jean-Georges is definitely my favourite French restaurant in NYC! Reservations advised.

Yakitori Totto

Everything but Sushi

  • Cuisine Description: Japanese Yakitori Grill
  • Address: 251 West 55th Street; New York, NY 10019 (between Broadway & 8th Avenue)
  • Phone: 212 245-4555
  • Website: www.torysnyc.com/totto.htm
  • Cuisine: 4.5 Stars
  • Decor: 4 Stars
  • Service: 4 Stars
  • Price: $$$

A true taste of Tokyo awaits you up the long narrow staircase to this well hidden and relatively undiscovered Japanese grill. Here, amidst the courteous Japanese chefs, servers, and patrons, you will find only the freshest and finest sampling of organic, simple yet flavourful vegetables, meats, and seafood. Enoki mushrooms wrapped in bacon, delicately deep fried soft fish cakes, cold udon noodles, kobe beef tongue, miso eggplant, and soft shell crab are only a few of my favourite items. This is a must for all who are interested in learning a little more about Japanese cuisine outside of sushi. They don’t take reservations, so go early or late or you may find yourself across the street at McGee’s for an hour or more...

Bouchon Bakery

The Ultimate TKO

  • Cuisine Description: French Contemporary
  • Address: The Shops at Columbus Circle, 3rd floor; main entrance at 59th Street & Columbus Circle New York, NY 10023
  • Phone: 212 823-9366
  • Website: www.bouchonbakery.com
  • Cuisine: 4.5 Stars
  • Decor: 3.5 Stars
  • Service: 3.5 Stars
  • Price: $$$

Chef Thomas Keller makes the casual elegant at this delectable bakery full of treats. Two dining options are available: a casual bakery with seating in the atrium, and a full service cafe overlooking Central Park South. Both menus offer salads, soups, sandwiches, and differ only on the sweet side of things and slightly in price. But the beauty in this bakery lies within the simplicity of its dishes. How can a PB & J sandwich be gourmet?! Cashew butter with apricot jam! My favourite is the "TKO" (technical knock-out) which is essentially a giant gourmet oreo. Whatever your favourite comfort food is at home...try it here. I promise it is worth getting out of your PJ’s.

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