City Dining – New York

New York City is considered to be a melting pot of different cultures and classes. If this applies to the atmosphere of The Big Apple, then it is especially true for the endless number of restaurants that call New York City home. With an astounding estimate of 25,000 eating and drinking options throughout the five boroughs, the food scene can be overwhelming even to native New Yorkers. But with some thoughtful research and a plan, the savvy eater can take advantage of the boundless options and deals that are more readily available in New York than anywhere else in the world.

New York City is a fast moving place, and if you can’t keep up, then it can be very difficult to enjoy what the city has to offer. Only one in five restaurants make it past the first five years of business, therefore the face of the food landscape is constantly changing. In order to keep up and eat well, regardless of your budget, make use of one of the many guides to New York City restaurants that are on the market. Some of the more popular resources include Zagat’s, Shecky’s, Time Out New York, The New York Times, and Citysearch. These guides can help keep you up to date on new openings and closings, locations, as well great deals and other useful information.

New York is at the center of the dining universe, and it has the big name restaurants and chefs to back it up. If you are interested in eating at restaurants like Jean Georges, Gotham Bar & Grill, or Tabla, but cant afford to spend 0 per person on dinner, then a great option is to visit one of these world renowned restaurants and enjoy the best the city has to offer for a fraction of the price by taking advantage of lunch menu’s many of the top restaurants offer. The prix fix lunch at Jean Georges is and thought to be one of the better bargains available in the city. So before despairing that you can’t afford or get a table at New York’s best, check to see if they offer lunch or pre-theatre menus, which allow you to eat the same food at bargain prices.

Those interested in power scene dining should consider Nobu, the Peruvian and Japanese offering from top chef Nobu Matsuhisa, where many of the most influential people in the world go to enjoy the famous Black Cod with Miso. Peter Luger Steak House is thought by many to have the best steak in the world. They use a special dry-aging technique, and while it is a little out of the way in Brooklyn and served in an old German beer hall setting, when the big-shots want some steak, this is where they come in their limousines. Babbo is an Italian restaurant run by celebrity chef Mario Batali, which combines rare vision and innovation with Italian classics to create a truly breathtaking food experience. Expect to pay dearly at any of these restaurants, but the lucky few who do get reservations don’t complain too loudly.

The beauty of dining in New York though is that there are so many quality choices that even if you can’t get a table at The Four Seasons, eating like royalty is not an unattainable dream. Oftentimes, the most delicious food is tucked away in unassuming neighborhoods and small enclaves of regional and cultural specialties. From the fiery Indian specialties available on Curry Row in the East Village, to the endless and affordable feasts in Chinatown, or the old world charm of Little Italy, New York is the most varied and interesting food haven in the world. Equally adept at pleasing everyone from the casual diner who wants some simple family food, to those gourmands who have their hearts and stomachs set on finding the perfect burger or the best meal for under . Great deals can also be found in the outer boroughs, where prices tend to be somewhat lower than in Manhattan without any sacrifice in flavor. Queens has some phenomenal Mediterranean and Caribbean restaurants, while Brooklyn, Queens, and the Bronx have many authentic Italian, Spanish, and Eastern European offerings. Just a short ferry ride from lower Manhattan, Staten Island also has excellent restaurants, and it can make for an enjoyable side trip.

New York is an essential trip for anyone interested in exploring an extraordinary restaurant scene. So be sure to bring a healthy appetite and some loose pants, because it’s impossible to leave the culinary capital of the world without a stuffed stomach and the feeling that you have come through a delightful and memorable journey. Just remember to do a little planning ahead of time and leave enough time to wander off into the jungle that is New York’s frenzied food scene.