New York City (Fodor's, 2012) - Fodor's [209]
UNION SQUARE
The blocks around Union Square and its open-air greenmarket are filled with upscale foodie havens featuring market-driven menus. But fancy seasonal fare isn’t all the area offers. With excellent shopping nearby, there are also plenty of spots to duck in for a quick lunch or snack on-the-go.
Craft.
$$$ | NEW AMERICAN | Dining here is like a luscious choose-your-own-adventure game. Every delectable dish comes à la carte, including sides for your roasted guinea hen or braised monkfish. Craft is Top Chef head judge Tom Colicchio’s flagship in a mini-empire of excellent restaurants around the country, including the upscale Craftbar and Craftsteak brands, as well as grab-and-go sandwich bars called ’wichcraft. Just about everything here is exceptionally prepared with little fuss, from simple yet intriguing starters (grilled French sardines) and sides (the justly famous variety of roasted mushrooms, including oysters, trumpets, chanterelles, and hen-of-the-woods) to desserts (warm chocolate tart with buttermilk ice cream, cinnamon custard, and cashews). The serene dining room features burnished dark wood, custom tables, a curved leather wall, and a succession of dangling radiant bulbs. | 43 E. 19th St., between Broadway and Park Ave. S, Union Square | 10003-1304 | 212/780–0880 | www.craftrestaurant.com | Reservations essential | AE, D, DC, MC, V | No lunch | Subway: L, N, Q, R, 4, 5, 6 to 14th St./Union Sq.
Republic.
¢ | ASIAN | When Republic first opened, it was one of very few places to get an Asian-style noodle bowl with a stylish edge. Many have followed in its footsteps—and some are better—but for window shoppers, greenmarketers, and anyone else in the Union Square area, this place gets the job done. The look is like a cross between a downtown art gallery and a Japanese school cafeteria, and the young waitstaff dressed in black T-shirts and jeans hold remote-control ordering devices to accelerate the already speedy service. Sit at the long, bluestone bar or at the picnic-style tables and order appetizers such as smoky grilled eggplant and luscious fried wontons. Entrées are all based on noodles or rice. Spicy coconut chicken soup and Vietnamese-style barbecued pork are particularly delicious. | 37 Union Sq. W, between E. 16th and E. 17th Sts., Union Square | 10003-3217 | 212/627–7172 | www.thinknoodles.com | Reservations not accepted | AE, DC, MC, V | Subway: L, N, Q, R, 4, 5, 6 to 14th St./Union Sq.
Tocqueville.
$$$ | NEW AMERICAN | Hidden just steps from busy Union Square, Tocqueville is a refined dining oasis that’s a secret even to many New York foodies. Guests enter through an austere reception area that gives no indication of the luxury appointments inside. Past heavy curtains and a six-seat bar, the dining area is an intimate, modern room lined with warm gold- and sand-tone fabrics. Chef-owner Marco Moreira’s signature starter is the unctuous sea urchin angel-hair carbonara. Main courses are steeped in French tradition, but with international flavors, like honey-glazed Peking duck breast and leg terrine, and curry-dusted Chatham cod. The three-course $24 prix-fixe lunch is a steal. | 1 E. 15th St., between 5th Ave. and Union Sq. W, Union Square | 10003 | 212/647–1515 | www.tocquevillerestaurant.com | Reservations essential | AE, MC, V | Subway: L, N, Q, R, 4, 5, 6 to 14th St./Union Sq.
Union Square Cafe.
$$$ | AMERICAN | When he opened Union Square Cafe in 1985, Danny Meyer changed the American restaurant landscape. The combination of upscale food and unpretentious but focused service sparked a revolution. Today chef Carmen Quagliata still draws devotees with his crowd-pleasing menu. Wood paneling and white walls are hung with splashy modern paintings; in addition to the three dining areas, there’s a long bar ideal for solo diners. The cuisine is American with a thick Italian accent: for example, the grilled, smoked shell steak can land on the same