Best of New York: Dining and nightlife

Whether you're looking for a burger or a cocktail, an ice cream cone or a pizza, we know where to find the best.


Written and reported by Julie Gordon, Kristen V. Brown, Daisy Carrington, Tracy E. Hopkins, Jennifer Milne, Elaine Paoloni and Alina Soler
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Craving the best bagel in the city? Want to get an amazing meal at 4 a.m. after a night out? Looking for the ultimate dive bar? Well, your searching can stop right here. For part two of our Best of New York guide, amNewYork staffers searched the city up and down. Here are our top picks for dining and nightlife.

DINING AND RESTAURANTS


Ice cream
Chinatown Ice Cream Factory
65 Bayard St., 212-608-4170
If you're tired of regular old vanilla and chocolate eaten straight from the tub, head to the heart of Chinatown for some homemade red bean or lychee ice cream. The Chinatown Ice Cream Factory offers inventive and authentic-tasting flavors, including mango, black sesame, avocado, pistachio and taro. And, yes, there's chocolate and vanilla too, as well as sorbet for those who can't handle the real thing.


Bagel
Bagel Oasis
183-12 Horace Harding Expressway, Fresh Meadows, Queens; 888-BAGELOASIS
All New Yorkers know the best bagels are crispy on the outside and moist and chewy on the inside. Bagel Oasis has perfected that idea. Plus, the no-frills shop is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. So whether you're craving a giant sesame seed bagel in the middle of the night or a poppy twist on your way to work, Bagel Oasis has got you covered.


Burger
Ulysses'
95 Pearl St., 212-482-0400
I-banker staple Ulysses is best known for its massive outdoor tables filled with young guys in suits drinking beer (and the ladies who want to get in with them). But the bar/restaurant should also be recognized for its amazing mini burgers ($12). The juicy, perfectly cooked patties have a sweet yet tangy taste, which surprisingly comes from Russian dressing. If you're jonesing for a full-sized burger instead of the minis, try the 9 oz. sirloin ($10), but be sure to ask for some special sauce.


Pizza
L&B Spumoni Gardens
2725 86th St., Brooklyn; 718.449.1230
Family-owned and operated since Ludovico Barbati opened it in 1939, L&B Spumoni Gardens near Coney Island serves a mean square Sicilian pie. At first, you might wonder why there's no cheese. But here's the secret: It's hiding under the sauce. And at $2 each, two or three slices certainly won't break the bank. Spumoni Gardens also has homemade Italian ices and heroes with delicious fillings (chicken marsala and eggplant parmigiana are our faves).


Sushi
Sushi of Gari
402 E. 78th St; 212-517-5340 other locations in Manhattan
When he moved to the U.S. in 1978, chef Masatoshi "Gari" Sugio discovered that the way people were eating sushi – smothered in soy sauce – was all wrong. He's since made it his mission to prepare sushi with the perfect amount of sauce so diners can enjoy the taste of the fresh fish and sushi rice. At this Upper East Side locale, be adventurous and try the omakase (a Japanese word meaning "entrust"), and let Gari design a succulent meal for you, complete with perfect sauce and fish pairings.


Vegetarian
Kate's Joint
58 Avenue B, 212-777-7059
Kate's Joint is a hit with vegetarians and vegans who flock to the casual East Village diner for un-beef burgers slathered with secret sauce and tofu-friendly brunch, where $6.95 gets you eggs any style or tofu scramble with home fries, toast, an un-sausage patty and a cup of Joe.


Brunch
Friend of A Farmer
77 Irving Pl., 212-477-2188
This cozy Gramercy Park restaurant has delicious, country-style cuisine and a cozy interior adorned with hurricane lamps, mason jars and floral wallpaper. The weekend brunch is so popular that patrons line up around the block to get their pumpkin pancake and Belgian waffle fix, so be sure to get there early.


Late night
Yaffa Café
97 St. Mark's Pl., 212-674-9302
This perennial favorite amongst healthy choice diners and frugal college kids is still going strong after 24 years. The leopard print and red velvet décor and pictures of Elvis and Jim Morrison adoring the walls make the eclectic Yaffa Café feel more like a gypsy caravan than a restaurant. But the tasty food at the 24-hour eatery with a grand backyard patio (open April to November) is definitely the main draw.


Place to be seen
Buddakan
75 Ninth Ave., 212-989-6699
Stephen Starr (of Morimoto fame) brought Philadelphia's Buddakan to New York, but stepped up the décor a few notches. The main dining room is downstairs, anchored by a large, in-your-face 35-person table fit for a party queen or king. Snaking around the main room are smaller areas, each with a distinct flavor. Upstairs, the swanky bar/lounge area is the perfect place to sip Champagne or a cocktail while waiting for your table to be ready.


Place to be discreet
Peri Ela
1361 Lexington Ave, 212-410-4300
Wood paneled and tin-ceilinged, Peri Ela is easily reminiscent of yesteryears. At this low-key, local Turkish joint, patrons can be seen lugging their own bottles of wine (the license is still in the works) and noshing on platters of Turkish kebabs.


View
Giando on the Water
400 Kent Ave., Brooklyn; 718.387.7000
You get your pick of stunning views here, so you might even fight with your dining companion about who gets to sit on what side of the table; The Manhattan and Brooklyn Bridges are to your left, the Williamsburg Bridge is to your right and the towers on the Lower East Side waterfront are straight ahead. Marvel in the glittering night views of the Manhattan skyline while you enjoy dish after dish of sumptuous Italian food.


Best dump
Punjabi Grocery & Deli Inc
114 E. 1st St., 212-533-9048
There's nothing fancy about this hole in the wall cabbie hangout. But what the Punajabi Deli lacks in décor, it more than compensates for with tasty, inexpensive Indian food that will keep you coming back for more. Where else can you get a home-cooked vegetarian meal for only $5? To satisfy the late-night munchies try a couple spicy vegetable Samosas for only .50 each, but don't forget the Tums.


Kid-friendly
Perch Café & Bar
365 Fifth Ave., Park Slope, Brooklyn; 718-788-2830
With adorable paintings of little red birds on the wall and healthy doses of design splashed throughout, Perch caters to both the mom-and-tot day crowd and the growing number of young professionals moving into the area. For the kids, there's macaroni and cheese, chicken fingers and red velvet cupcakes, plus scheduled sing-a-longs and story time. Parents should try the big selection of gourmet sandwiches and take heed of the sign that switches from "great coffee" during the day to "good cocktails" at night.


Place to take out-of-towners
Golden Unicorn
18 E. Broadway, 212-941-0911
This multi-level Chinatown establishment is a dim sum lover's dream. Big enough to seat family, friends and then some, Golden Unicorn has reasonable prices so you can treat and impress your guests without emptying your pockets. Beyond dim sum, their menu boasts a wide selection of filling family-style Cantonese dishes, brought out steaming hot on carts.


Diner
Tom's Restaurant
782 Washington Ave., Brooklyn; 718-636-9738
This historic Brooklyn restaurant opened in 1936 and has been serving delicious home-style cooking for breakfast and lunch ever since. The vintage decor and hospitality is charming, but it's the hearty servings of fluffy pancakes and reasonable prices that keep this diner packed. But if you find yourself stuck on line, don't fret. Comforting freebies like coffee, cookies and orange slices are given out to customers while they wait.


Restaurant with entertainment
Monkey Town
58 N. Third St., Williamsburg, Brooklyn; 718-384-1369.
This quirky gallery/restaurant/performance venue originally started out in the apartment of video artist Montgomery Knott. Now, this converted garage serves as a venue for experimental art and equally experimental food. Events like "porn week" often pack the house, though, so call ahead if you want a good view.


Dessert
Tailor
525 Broome St., 212-334-5182
Sweet and salty make the perfect pair at this SoHo lounge. With a blend of often unexpected ingredients, pastry chef Sam Mason, formerly of wd-50, offers a selection of sweet and savory small plate dishes meant for sharing -- which is easier said than done with flavors this good.


Tea shop
Alice's Tea Cup
102 W. 73rd St., 212-799-3006
Have your scone and eat it too at Alice's Tea Cup, a teahouse with meals, custom cakes and, most importantly, a selection of more than 100 teas. Stop by the "Alice in Wonderland"-themed eatery for takeout or plan a private party. For a sampling, try the Mad Hatter -- a pot of tea, two sandwiches, two scones and dessert.


Place to grab a cup of coffee
Joe
www.joetheartofcoffee.com
With three locations downtown, Joe is a perfect place to run in to grab a cup of, well, Joe. Try a regular coffee or creamy latte or cappuccino, and be sure to grab a pastry. The shops are usually pretty crowded, so if you can't get a table, park yourself on a nearby bench or stoop, or just walk and enjoy.


Funkiest décor
Ninja New York
25 Hudson St., 212-274-8500
At this eccentric themed restaurant, diners can feel like they have been transported to a Japanese village where a winding path leads a private dining space and ninja/waiters. The designers of Ninja New York have created a maze-like space (with a draw bridge!)that can make you feel like you are miles from home. Equally extraordinary are their carefully selected tasting menus ($50-90) and innovative desserts like tiramisu in the shape of a bonsai tree ($12).


Date spot
The Little Owl
90 Bedford St., 212-741-4695
When a night in with "The Notebook" and microwave popcorn won't do, try this romantic nook to woo your date. Appropriately, the space is little, with few tables and a tiny bar. Nonetheless, chef Joey Campanaro cooks up delicious Mediterranean-inspired dishes like soft shell crab and tomato asparagus risotto and swoon-worthy desserts like warm chocolate brownie cake with gelato.


BYOB
Ivo and Lulu
558 Broome St., 212-226-4399
This tiny, West Village enclave somehow makes BYOB seem glamorous. While most NYC BYOs have a corking fee, the intimae Ivo and Lulu does not. The space is tucked away and lowly-lit, making it a perfect choice for a first date. Though small, the menu has solid, and delicious, organic offerings. The grilled haas avocado stuffed with spinach mousse is a wonderful, delicate starter, and the roast duck leg confit served over a bed of couscous is light and flavorful. Also, with entrees ranging from $10-15, the pricing is refreshingly moderate.


Outdoors
Paradou
8 Little W. 12th St., 212-463-8345
This charming little eatery has a year-round garden with understated décor and lovely surroundings. Named for a village called Paradou in France, the Meatpacking District's version serves tasty brunch and dinner choices that will make you flock back regularly.


Museum eatery
Café Sabarsky at the Neue Galerie Museum for German and Austrian Art
1048 Fifth Ave., 212-228-0665
You could go to the Neue Galerie Museum to check out the art … or you could go to munch in their delicious café. Operated by Kurt Gutenbrunner, chef and owner of the renowned restaurant Wallsé, this hotspot serves up hard to come by authentic Viennese cuisine. Plus, the cafe is decorated with period artifacts, so you can take in the whole museum experience while you dine anyway.


Small plates
Salt Bar
29 Clinton St., 212-979-8471
Instead of nibbling on peanuts and olives while your sipping your cocktail, at Salt Bar you can nibble on dishes like bake brie and beef Wellington. The wine selection is impressive, too. The only downside is that you'll wish these snacks were more than bite-sized.


Group dining
Churrascaria Plataforma
316 W. 49th St., 212-245-0505
Like meat? Well, you'd better love it if you go to Churrascaria Plataforma. At this fun Brazilian joint, the meat just keeps on coming: short ribs, siloin, brisket, chicken and more. For a fixed price ($30.95 for lunch and $51.95 for dinner), you get the above served courses. And if you want more, use one of the table's colored discs to let your waiter know.

BARS


Hotel bar
Rise at the Ritz-Carlton, Battery Park City
2 West St., 917-790-2626
On the 14th floor of the Ritz-Carlton is this gem, which provides spectacular views of Lady Liberty, Ellis Island, Jersey City and New York Harbor. Sip swanky martinis and cool glasses of Chardonnay while eating bar food that ranges from sliders and mini hot dogs to Kobe beef skewers and fondue. Just remember, with the view comes Ritz-y prices, too.


Sports bar
The Blue Seats
157 Ludlow St., 212-614-3033
The Blue Seats promises a TV everywhere you turn, and some booths even have five. What sets this place apart from your typical sticky-floored sports bar is its upscale vibe. There's a private room in back with a private, home-theater feel and the chance to reserve tables to watch a game with your friends.


Scene
Gallery Bar
120 Orchard St., 212-529-2266
Gallery Bar's double personality easily one-ups the rest of the Lower East Side's ultra-hip bar scene; it's an art gallery by day and a dimly lit bilevel lounge by night. The gallery's artwork provides a sophisticated backdrop for its many dark corners and cozy couches. Music ranges from Tupac to '80s classics. Best of all, there's a photo booth, where you can make your own art.


Place to be discreet
The Otherroom
143 Perry St., 212-645-9758
Tucked away from the crowds of the nearby Meatpacking District and Hudson Street is this intimate, romantic bar where comfortable couches and a dark atmosphere will allow you to melt into the background.


Bar to play games
Barcade
388 Union Ave., Williamsburg, Brooklyn; 718-302-6464
Who doesn't love alcohol and competition? Barcade offers you a chance to engage in both: It serves 25 beers on tap and has cool, old-fashioned, clunky arcade games like Centipede and Donkey Kong. Don't worry about bringing a sack of quarters -- there's a change machine on site.


After work
Vol de Nuit
148 W. 4th St., 212-979-2616
After 8 p.m., both the patio in front and the bar are packed year-round. No matter, this half-outdoor Belgian beer bar is an ideal place to relax and enjoy your favorite brew after work. Munch on tasty Belgian frites, sip your beer and enjoy the fact that you can actually hear yourself talk.


Beer selection
d.b.a.
41 First Ave., 212-475-5097
With tons of bottled and draught beers to choose from, you'll have to take some time to scan the chalkboards that blanket the walls and ceiling above the bar listing them all. A word of warning: Some of the Belgian beers pack a wallop of 9 to 11 percent alcohol by volume, so prepare yourself for some extreme tipsiness.


Bar to have a conversation
Bemelmans at the Carlyle
35 E. 76th St., 212-744-1600
Named for the creator of the classic children's book "Madeline," Bemelmans is an elegant, refined place to grab a drink. The seating options range from intimate to casual, and the spacious environment and piano music lend to a relaxed setting perfect for taking a break from the hustle and bustle outside.


Romantic
Flute Midtown
205 W. 54th St., 212-265-5169
At this charming former speakeasy, you can sip one of 100-plus Champagnes or Champagne-infused cocktails while staring into the eyes of your beloved under the glow of red lighting. This super sexy lounge has several curtained, semiprivate sofa areas and offers appetizers, desserts and chocolate delights from La Maison du Chocolat.


Dive
Freddy's Bar & Backroom
485 Dean St., Prospect Heights, Brooklyn; 718-622-7035
This popular dive has a fun, kitschy-creepy decor (imagine Ed Wood opened up a bar) and cheap drinks. Plus, the bartenders are good at buybacks. The main draw of this friendly, neighborhood bar, however, is the back room, which on any given night might feature live music, an alcoholic stitch-and-bitch, a game night, a spelling bee or a blue grass/country showdown. Basically, you never know -- unless, of course, you check out their monthly events calendar online (www.freddysbackroom.com).


Wine
Vino Vino
211 West Broadway, 212-925-8510
A combo wine store and wine bar, Vino Vino pairs the best of both. Knowledgeable sommeliers help you choose the perfect wine, which you can then bring next door to enjoy with olives and cheese. There's a selection of 20 different wines by the glass at the bar, and another 200 to pick from in the shop.


Exotic cocktails
Brandy Library
25 N. Moore St., 212-226-5545
Brandy Library looks exactly what you might expect your grandfather's library to look like, except for the high-end bottles of alcohol lining the shelves in place of literary volumes. The dictionary-sized drink list, peppered with creative classic cocktails such as the White Lady (made with gin, cream and egg white) and the Wake-Up Call (made with espresso, vanilla vodka, homemade chocolate and coffee liqueurs), will surely give your grandfather's liquor cabinet a run for its money, too. From refined Cognacs to calvados, Brandy Library's card catalogue stocks pretty much everything you can think of with a touch of class.


Drag
Lips
2 Bank St., 212-675-7710
The self-proclaimed Disneyland of Drag, this bedazzled restaurant and cabaret is perfect for birthdays, bachelorette parties or any other night for a good ol' gender-bending time. Here, waitresses double as lip-synching, dancing divas during any given night's numerous musical performances, most of which are interactive. Wednesdays are Bitchy Bingo nights, where guests can win money and adult novelty prizes. On Fridays and Saturdays, there is the not-to-be-missed, hilarious midnight Dirty Show, when performances are much saucier and in-your-face -- literally.


Gay
Metropolitan
559 Lorimer St., Williamsburg, Brooklyn; 718-599-4444
The sprawling backyard and overgrown patio is the draw of this Williamsburg gay bar in the warmer months. During the winter, the hip, young regulars cozy up on the sofa in front of two roaring fireplaces. Year-round, good tunes and fun abound.


Lesbian
Cubbyhole
281 W. 12th St., 212-243-9041
The name of this bar seems all too appropriate, tucked away on a little corner of West 12th Street. The atmosphere is always upbeat, with a variety brightly colored objects ranging from fish to umbrellas dangling from the ceiling. And their $2 margarita Tuesdays can't be beat.

CLUBS


Jazz club
Showman's
375 W. 125th St., 212-864-8941
Welcoming its customers with friendly service, Showman's serves up authentic jazz and blues. Grab a seat at the long bar or one of the few cocktail tables, and soak up the big sounds that emanate from the small stage. There's no cover charge, but there is a two-drink minimum per show. Between sets, see if you can guess all the celebrity photos hanging above the bar. Don't plan on getting home early -- once you're in the mood, you won't want to leave before the last set, which starts at 1:30 a.m. on weekends.


Celebrity spotting
Marquee
289 10th Ave., 646-473-0202
Getting past the velvet ropes -- and watching the bold-faced names make their way to the head of the line -- is the tough part of this west Chelsea club. But if you do get inside, the two-level space is intimate enough that you'll surely spot celeb partygoers. Some stars favor the upstairs back corner, while others favor a sort of secluded table in the back. But all love the hot tunes and dancing.


Live music venue
Nublu
62 Ave. C, www.nublu.net
On the outside, you might mistake this laid-back jazz lounge for a shuttered deli. There are no signs that tell you the name of the joint, just an ominous-looking black door that lends the club a speakeasy-like air. Once inside, the vibe is decidedly chill (no Wall Street types or bottle service here). Without a stage, bands perform on the floor in the midst of a clamoring crowd of hipsters. Fun fact: Nublu was the first venue the Brazilian Girls ever played together (in fact, they met there in 2003 and used to play weekly gigs).


Place to discover new bands
Mercury Lounge
217 E. Houston St., 212-260-4700
From the Yeah Yeah Yeah's to Interpol, pretty much every successful band to ever come out of New York has played Mercury Lounge at some point. The intimate environment is a rare find in the city's sea of venues with constantly expanding square footage. But with the bar in front separate, you won't loose your voice grabbing a drink.


Latin music club
SOB's
204 Varick St., 212-243-4940
Erykah Badu, Wyclef Jean and DJ Rekha are regulars. So, if you're a fan of neo soul, alternative hip-hop or world music, SOB's is the place to be. The supper club's name stands for Sounds of Brazil, and there's plenty of Latin flavor on the performance roster and menu (try one of the killer mojitos). On Saturdays, the intimate club hosts Samba Soul ($20), a carnival-like party that celebrates the music of Brazil and features samba dancers and fusion cuisine inspired by the chef's native city of Salvador.


Art movie house
Brooklyn Academy of Music
30 Lafayette Ave., Fort Greene, Brooklyn; 718-636-4100
The historic Brooklyn Academy of Music is an ideal venue to catch an international or multicultural dance, music or theater performance. After the original Brooklyn Heights location burned down in 1903, BAM took residency in the creative Fort Greene community in 1908. In addition to the Howard Gilman Opera House, BAM houses the four-screen BAM Rose Cinemas, the Shakespeare & Co. BAMshop and BAMcafe.


Comedy club
Upright Citizens Brigade
307 W. 26th St., 212-366-9176
The reputation of this theater and improv group rightfully precedes it -- since UCB moved to New York in 1997, it has easily surfaced as the best comedy act in town. But despite all the success, you can still get a laugh on the cheap: Tickets range from $5 to $8.


Cabaret
Marie's Crisis
59 Grove St., 212-243-9323
One flight of stairs below street level there is a place where the drinks are cheap, standing room is scarce and Gypsy Rose Lee is queen. A musical-lover's dream, Marie's Crisis is a piano bar where mostly gay, middle-aged patrons, including both the vocally inclined and the tone deaf, get inebriated enough to belt out beloved show tunes without missing a single lyric.


Karaoke
Sing Sing
9 St. Marks Pl., 212-387-7800
The brave can sing their hearts out at the bar for $2 per song amid fellow crooners who often join in as background singers. The more timid can walk down the hallway, which has a spa-like feel, to one of the comfortable private rooms, where Sing Sing's fine selection of international and more obscure songs might be better appreciated. Happy hour rates are available on private rooms from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. daily. To save even more time and money, search the song list online (www.karaokesingsing.com) before you go to plan your set list