Deux Moi... who, moi? If you're trying to rub elbows with a celeb, these are the spots where it's most likely to happen.
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The Polo Bar
1 E 55th St, New York, NY 10022
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Polo Bar is exactly what the name suggests - a dining club designed and decorated with all things Ralph Lauren. The ambience is meant to exude a sense of posh living, so if you are lucky enough (aka famous) to secure a reservation here, you'll be dining among NYC's most elite, 'it' crowd. The bar upstairs is highly recommended; emotional prepare though as you will feel starstruck, and you will not be able to take photos.
181 Thompson St (btwn Bleecker & W Houston St), New York, NY 10012
Carbone
You’ll feel straight out of Goodfellas in this old school Italian restaurant where the waiters are outfitted with burgundy jackets and bowties, and dinner is as much a theatre experience as it is a meal. Here, bigger is better: from the overflowing bread basket, to the two-and-a-half pound lobster diavolo, to the complimentary extras like charcuterie, cheeses, and limoncellos.
113 Macdougal St (at Minetta Ln), New York, NY 10012
Minetta Tavern
113 Macdougal St (at Minetta Ln), New York, NY 10012
From foie gras to their bone-in New York strip steak, this old-school Greenwich Village steakhouse has a full menu available for pickup. With textbook sophistication on the menu, including French favorites like pasta za za and pâté de foie with huckleberries in port, this restaurant attracted classic creatives like Ernest Hemingway, Dylan Thomas, and E.E. Cummings, which makes that Midnight in Paris reference pretty spot on, actually.
42 E 20th St (btwn Broadway & Park Ave), New York, NY 10003
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Michelin-starred, elevated rustic fare fired in an open, wood-burning grill is served to its patrons via white-glove service at the infamous Gramercy Tavern. This quintessential special occasion spot, from Danny Meyer, features an ever-evolving, seasonal menu that showcases the restaurant's relationships with local farms and purveyors. Don’t worry: the iconic “Tavern Burger” is a fixed staple.
335 Bowery (btwn E 2nd & E 3rd St), New York, NY 10003
The Bowery Hotel
New York in the winter means an endless quest to stay warm indoors, and there’s no better way to do that than by basking in the heat of a crackling fireplace next to your loved one at The Bowery Hotel. Warm up with a cocktail concoction from one of The Bowery Hotel’s master bartenders before ordering an appetizer from Gemma, which serves its exquisite Italian offerings directly to hotel guests in the lounge.
From the brainchild of Paul Sevigny-- a nightlife vet and former owner of the exclusive Beatrice Inn-- comes Paul's Casablanca. Walk past the neon-lit, otherwise nondescript entrance into a Moroccan garden dream complete with splashes of colorful mosaic tiles, low-hanging glass chandeliers, and customized leather booths. The vibe is an exclusive but insanely fun dance party, and whether you care to partake or simply watch, a good time will be had.
235 Mulberry St (btwn Prince & Spring St), New York, NY 10012
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Rubirosa is most famous for their vodka pie (yep, a pizza topped with vodka sauce), but caters to even the most discriminating palettes with topping options ranging from arugula to sausage to broccoli rabe. The vibe is cozy yet lively, the pizza is excellent, and you will leave full and content.
The Odeon in Tribeca is a classic French bistro with a total American twist. The neon sign bearing the restaurant's name, along with the striped awning gives off strong brasserie vibes, as does their food. The nicoise salade is a must. They also have a long liquor menu with aperitifs, whiskey, and wine, along with cocktails like the house cosmopolitan and a cucumber martini.
Cheaper than a high-end massage, but less of a time commitment than therapy, sushi at Masa offers a calming breath of fresh air in Columbus Circle. The Japanese restaurant’s modern layout and tranquil atmosphere offer the senses a dining experience unlike any other.
Sant Ambroeus Coffee Bar isn't exclusive to coffee and pastries. The cafe serves more than half a dozen coffee cocktails including a cioccolato martini, complete with dark chocolate liqueur and chocolate shavings. In a setting that will whisk you away to northern Italy (think Italian imported Rosso Impero stone countertops and custom designed light fixtures), try the spot’s signature chocolate mousse with a glass of wine or specialty cocktail before heading to your next destination.
