New York City (Fodor's, 2012) - Fodor's [210]
MIDTOWN EAST
Midtown East’s streets are relatively quiet at night and on weekends, but the restaurants are filled with expense-account diners celebrating their successes. Some of the most formal dining rooms and most expensive meals in town can be found here, at restaurants like the landmark Four Seasons and L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon or the Modern.
Fodor’s Choice | Adour Alain Ducasse.
$$$$ | MODERN FRENCH | Master chef Alain Ducasse adds to his growing empire with the upscale elegant and wine-focused Adour, in the equally sophisticated St. Regis Hotel. Celebratory couples of all ages gravitate to the Left and Right Bank rooms, and a mix of tourists, shoppers, and businessmen settle on plush burgundy chairs and banquettes in the regal but relaxed main dining room. A chef shuffle brought Ducasse a new aide-de-camp, the talented Didier Elena, who has instituted a vegetarian tasting menu and an increased focus on seasonality. Deep pockets splurge on artfully arranged dishes, such as roasted chicken with mushrooms and herb butter, accompanied by Swiss chard gratin. Sommeliers help decipher an international wine list (displayed on interactive computer screens at the bar) with bottles that range from $35 to $19,000. | 2 E. 55th St., near 5th Ave., Midtown East | 10022-3103 | 212/710–2277 | www.adour-stregis.com | Reservations essential | AE, D, DC, MC, V | No lunch | Subway: E, M to 5th Ave./53rd St.; F to 57th St.
Aquavit and Aquavit Café.
$$$$ | SCANDINAVIAN | Celebrity chef and co-owner Marcus Samuelsson may no longer be in the kitchen here, but you’d never know it from the impeccable cuisine and service at this fine-dining restaurant and upscale café, now in the hands of able executive chef Marcus Jenmark. The elegant atmosphere features warm woods and modern decor from a Scandinavian design team. In the café, try a two-course dinner of daily “Swedish home cooking” specials, or order à la carte to try the herring sampler, with boldly flavored selections like curry and apple, and vodka-lime. The main dining room is prix-fixe only, with a three-course dinner for $84 or a chef’s tasting at $110. | 65 E. 55th St., between Madison and Park Aves., Midtown East | 10022-3219 | 212/307–7311 | www.aquavit.org | Reservations essential | AE, DC, MC, V | No lunch Sat., except in café | Subway: E, M to 5th Ave./53rd St.
BLT Steak.
$$$ | STEAKHOUSE | Chef Laurent Tourondel may no longer be involved with his namesake steak house, but this classy space, decked out in beige with resin-top black tables, still draws crowds. As soon as you’re settled, puffy Gruyère popovers arrive still steaming. The no-muss, no-fuss menu is nonetheless large, and so are the portions of supple crab cakes with celery-infused mayonnaise and luscious ruby tuna tartare with avocado, ramped up with soy-lime dressing. A veal chop crusted with rosemary and Parmesan lends new depth to the meat. At lunch, the quintessential BLT includes Kobe beef, foie gras, bacon, and tomato on a split ciabatta bun, with a cute plastic pig toothpick indicating desired doneness. Sides and desserts, like a killer peanut butter–chocolate mousse with banana ice cream, are all superior. | 106 E. 57th St., between Lexington and Park Aves., Midtown East | 10022-2601 | 212/752–7470 | www.bltsteak.com | Reservations essential | AE, DC, MC, V | Closed Sun. No lunch Sat. | Subway: 4, 5, 6, N, R to 59th St./Lexington Ave.
Four Seasons.
$$$$ | AMERICAN | The landmark Seagram Building houses one of America’s most famous restaurants, truly an only-in–New York experience. Owners Alex Von Bider and Julian Niccolini supervise the seating chart like hawks, placing power players in finance, entertainment, and New York society in prime positions for maximum visibility. The stark Grill Room, birthplace of the power lunch, has one of the best bars in