Live Bait
Great and cheap oysters, clams and other seafood, raw and cooked as well as southern fare like jambalaya. Not afraid of the tabasco here. One of the few places that serves Abita Springs beer from Louisiana.
2nd Ave Deli
This famous kosher delicatessen, which used to be on 2nd Av. and 10th St., recently reopened at its new location. The place is a real throwback, which really feels like an old-school Jewish deli. The menu is more extensive than old-school delis were, however, and includes what used to be considered "appetizing" i.e., pareve - neither meat nor milk foods. Try their tongue, corned beef, pastrami, and kasha varnishkes, and enjoy their freebies of artisanal cole slaw, pickles, and gribenes chicken fat cracklings. The food may be bad for the heart, but it's good for the soul.
Casa Mono
A delightful Spanish wine bar and restaurant by Mario Batali. The food is smashing.
Gramercy Tavern
Thought of as Danny Meyer's flagship restaurant, serves upscale American food at higher prices than 11 Madison Park. Expect to pay over $100/person for dinner in the main dining room. The actual Tavern is more informal and more moderately priced. Gramercy Tavern is known as one of the more difficult reservations to obtain in Manhattan.
Dos Caminos Park
One of two up-market Mexican restaurants in Manhattan by the same name and under the same ownership the other's in SoHo Sticky, saucy ribs and guacamole to die for.
T Salon
Tea house and cafe; excellent teas and tasty nibbles. A quiet oasis in a hectic city.
Penelope
Cafe/restaurant/bakery with a cozy, inviting atmosphere. Homestyle food and casual but friendly service. Inexpensive. Wine and beer served. Long lines for weekend brunch.
Kang Suh
A Korean restaurant with a large menu. You are best advised to order from the regular menu and avoid the lunch specials, which are not as good. There are special banquet rooms for large parties reserve those in advance, and excellent service is provided.
Seoul Garden
Another Korean restaurant with a substantial menu and some people's favorite.
Scopa
Modern Italian. Large restaurant, good for groups. Nice lounge/bar area that always has a game on.
Don's Bogam
Pleasant restaurant with real decor and ambiance, specializing in Korean barbecue - especially meat marinated in hot sauce - among other things. Don's Bogam and Madangsui on W. 35 St., and therefore, covered in the Theater District article are widely considered to be the best Korean BBQ specialists in Manhattan.
11 Madison Park
Has one of the most beautiful rooms of any restaurant in New York. Long well-liked for its upscale American cuisine and helpful service, it has in the last few years been graced with a new chef who has been getting rave reviews from many quarters. Call ahead for reservations.
Union Square Café
One of New York's best-loved restaurants, serving great American and Italian cuisine with flair and crisp style. Osso buco, tuna burgers, roast vegetables and corn pudding are fine examples of the dishes created using the best local and seasonal produce from the Café's neighbor, the Union Square Farmers' Market. Mains in excess of $30 average. Reservations recommended.
Ess'a Bagel
This legendary place serves up doughy, chewy bagels the size of hubcaps that some New Yorkers consider 'the best bagels in NYC - which means everywhere'. Bagel-eaters will also find a wide variety of mixed cream cheeses, tofu spreads, and smoked fish. Bagels are cheap, but prices depend on whether you eat it or take out! Expect to pay $3 for two bagels and a small tub of your favorite cream-cheese spread. Lines can be long at lunchtime.
Vatan
A prix-fixe vegetarian Indian restaurant with wonderful food. The decor is a little hokey, but the food makes it worthwhile.
Blue Smoke
Danny Meyer's barbecue restaurant. This is also an important venue for live jazz. Reservations recommended.
Saravanaas
Excellent South Indian food at good prices. This is a vegetarian kosher restaurant and a branch of one in Chennai Madras, India. Expect to wait a half hour or so on weekends.
Minado
If you like sushi and Japanese food in the slightest, you will love Minado. It has over 100 feet of all-you-can-eat very fresh and tasty sushi and other items like crab legs, udon, salads of all varieties and a big dessert bar as well.
Shake Shack
Awesome roadside food stand in Madison Square Park serving hot dogs, burgers, frozen custard, beer, and wine.