New York City (Fodor's, 2012) - Fodor's [212]
Mint.
$$ | INDIAN | With a delightful dining room splashed with bright colors and flattering lighting, and executive chef and owner Gary Sikka’s brightly seasoned dishes, this newcomer has joined the ranks of the best Indian restaurants in town. The large menu includes rarely encountered specialties from Goa and Sikkim. Freshly grilled, moist ground lamb kebabs deliver a slow burn to the palate. Chili heat punctuates other spices in the lamb vindaloo, resulting in a well-rounded array of savory flavors. Finish with carrot pudding with saffron and coconut flakes. | 150 E. 50th St., between Lexington and 3rd Aves., Midtown East | 10022-9500 | 212/644–8888 | AE, D, DC, MC, V | Subway: 6, E, M to 51st St./Lexington Ave.
Oyster Bar.
$$$ | SEAFOOD | Nestled deep in the belly of Grand Central Station, the Oyster Bar has been a worthy seafood destination for more than nine decades. Sit at the counter for the fried oyster po’boy, or slurp an assortment of bracingly fresh oysters before having a steaming bowl of clam chowder washed down with an ice-cold brew. Or experience the forgotten pleasure of fresh, unadorned seafood such as lobster with drawn butter or grilled herring in season. Avoid anything that sounds too complicated, like cream-smothered seafood pan roasts. | Grand Central Station, dining concourse,E. 42nd St. at Vanderbilt Ave., Midtown East | 10017-3804 | 212/490–6650 | www.oysterbarny.com | Reservations essential | AE, D, MC, V | Closed Sun. | Subway: 4, 5, 6, 7, S to 42nd St./Grand Central .
Palm.
$$$ | STEAKHOUSE | They may have added tablecloths, but it would take more than that to hide the brusque, no-nonsense nature of this legendary steak house. The steak is always impeccable, and the Nova Scotia lobsters are so big—3 pounds and up—that there may not be room at the table for such classic side dishes as rich creamed spinach, served family-style for two or more. The “half-and-half” side combination of cottage-fried potatoes and fried onions is particularly addictive. There may be other locations, but because of its perch near the Theater District and Midtown businesses, this is the one with the most action. | 837 2nd Ave., between 44th and 45th Sts., Midtown East | 10017-4303 | 212/687–2953 | www.thepalm.com | AE, D, DC, MC, V | Closed Sun. No lunch Sat. | Subway: 4, 5, 6, 7, S to Grand Central .
Second Avenue Deli.
$ | AMERICAN | It may no longer be on Second Avenue, but the new incarnation of the East Village institution—one block over and about a mile uptown—is still delivering on its longtime tradition of overstuffed “three-decker” sandwiches filled with house-cured pastrami, matzo-ball soup, and other old-world specialties. Hot open sandwiches, like juicy beef brisket served with gravy and french fries, may be a heart attack on a plate, but hey, you only live once. Even better, you can now get kasha varnishkes, carrot tzimmes, and potato kugel until the wee hours of the night. | 162 E. 33rd St., between Lexington and 3rd Aves., Midtown East | 10016 | 212/689–9000 | AE, D, DC, MC, V | Subway: 6 to 33rd St./Lexington Ave.
Shun Lee Palace.
$$$ | CHINESE | If you want inexpensive Cantonese food without pretensions, head to Chinatown; but if you prefer to be pampered and don’t mind spending a lot of money, this is the place. The cuisine is absolutely classic Chinese. Beijing panfried dumplings make a good starter, and rack of lamb Szechuan-style, grilled with scallions and garlic, is a popular entrée. Beijing duck is sure to please. | 155 E. 55th St., between Lexington and 3rd