New York City (Fodor's, 2012) - Fodor's [188]
Blue Ribbon.
$$ | NEW AMERICAN | After 19 years, Blue Ribbon remains the late-night foodie hangout. Join the genial hubbub for midnight noshing, namely the beef marrow with oxtail marmalade and the renowned raw-bar platters. Trustafarians, literary types, chefs, designers—a good-looking gang—fill this dark box of a room until 4 am. The menu appears standard at first blush, but it’s not. Try the duck club sandwich, or the matzo-ball soup, a heady brew filled with the sacrilegious combo of seafood and traditional Jewish dumplings. | 97 Sullivan St., between Prince and Spring Sts., SoHo | 10012-3663 | 212/274–0404 | www.blueribbonrestaurants.com | Reservations not accepted | AE, D, DC, MC, V | No lunch | Subway: C, E to Spring St.; R to Prince St.
Blue Ribbon Sushi.
$$ | JAPANESE | Sushi, like pizza, attracts plenty of opinionated fanatics. Stick to the excellent raw fish and specials here if you’re a purist. Others might want to try one of the experimental rolls: the Blue Ribbon—lobster, shiso, and black caviar—is popular. The dark, intimate nooks, minimalist design, and servers with downtown attitude attract a stylish crowd that doesn’t mind waiting for a table or for chilled sake. | 119 Sullivan St., between Prince and Spring Sts., SoHo | 10012-3680 | 212/343–0404 | www.blueribbonrestaurants.com | Reservations not accepted | AE, D, DC, MC, V | Subway: C, E to Spring St.; R to Prince St.
Fodor’s Choice | Emporio.
$$ | ITALIAN | In a neighborhood whose long, boutique-lined blocks can sometimes feel deserted after dark, Emporio is a chic, welcoming hangout with warmth to spare. The brick-lined front room is a gathering spot for happy hour at the bar, featuring an appetizing selection of free small bites like frittata, white-bean salad, and ham-and-spinach tramezzini (finger sandwiches). The centerpiece of the large, skylighted back room—great for small and large parties alike—is a wood-fired oven that turns out crisp, thin-crusted pizzas topped with staples like prosciutto, buffalo mozzarella, and arugula. Service is solicitous but not speedy, allowing time to linger into the late hours over a bottle of wine from a copious selection. Try house-made pastas like chewy garganelli with pork sausage and house-made ragu, and entrées like whole roasted fish with grilled lemon, then finish with a piping-hot dessert calzone filled with ricotta, Nutella, and hazelnuts, or a delicate panna cotta with poached plums. | 231 Mott St., between Prince and Spring Sts. NoLIta | 10012 | 212/966–1234 | AE, D, DC, MC, V | Subway: B, D, F, M, A, C, E to W. 4th St., 6 to Bleecker St.
Fodor’s Choice | Hundred Acres.
$$ | NEW AMERICAN | The latest restaurant from the owners of Cookshop and Five Points, Hundred Acres has a rustic, country feel and offers simple yet sophisticated cooking à la Marc Meyer. Don’t count on a big menu: the daily choices are limited to seven main dishes and one special entrée. The steamed littleneck clams appetizer served with garlic-oregano butter, pickled corn, cilantro, and garlic toasts is particularly delicious. For the mains, try the Montauk bluefish with spinach, chickpeas, and fiery harissa sauce or the Hampshire pork shank with polenta and rhubarb chutney. The classic burger made from pasture-raised beef, topped with Vermont cheddar and served with fries and Vidalia onion mayonnaise, should not be missed. | 38 MacDougal St., between Houston and Prince Sts., SoHo | 10012-2940 | 212/475–7500 | hundredacresnyc.com | AE, DC, MC, V | Subway: 1 to Houston; C, E to Spring St.; N, R to Prince St.
La Esquina.
$ | MEXICAN | Anchoring a downtown corner under a bright neon sign, La Esquina looks like nothing more than a fast-food taqueria. But beyond the top-notch, dirt-cheap tacos sold to-go until 2 in the morning lurks an entire restaurant complex. Just around