January in New York evokes many emotions, some of them good. For those feelings, we can thank the twice-yearly exploration of New York City’s culinary depth and breadth known as Restaurant Week. The city-wide happening, which actually runs three weeks despite its defiantly singular name, is a good excuse excuse to revisit a favorite old haunt on the cheap(ish) or, for the adventurist, a golden opportunity to discover new chefs, new cuisines, and new neighborhoods.
This year’s winter edition kicks off on Monday, January 21. On the menu are menus from 370 of the city’s top restaurants: smartly crafted prix-fixe options, accessibly priced at $26 for a two-course lunch or $42 for a three-course dinner — with a small small asterisk: Dinner on Saturday is excluded; Sunday is at the restaurant’s discretion; and tax, tip, and potables, potent or otherwise, aren’t included.
To celebrate the foodiest time of the NYC year, Corcoran’s citywise Director of Public Relations, Anna Crowley, has picked her top 10 Restaurant Week tables.
1. 10 Corso Como Café
The Pitch: Italian in South Street Seaport
Anna Says: Since Hurricane Sandy decimated South Street Seaport, it has seen a full renaissance. Check out the new Pier 17 and go ice-skating on the roof, or go see a movie at iPic. Grab a drink afterwards at Paris Café — it’s one of the oldest bars in the city. Plus, our CEO is a fan.
2. Temple Court
The Pitch: Seasonal American Downtown
Anna Says: NYC history, interior design and reality television cooking shows come together at Temple Court, the Beekman hotel’s intimate restaurant run by Top Chef impresario Tom Colicchio. And if you love the atmosphere, there are apartments above for purchase!
3. Cut by Wolfgang Puck
The Pitch: Steak Downtown
Anna Says: If you’re free for lunch, head downtown to the Four Seasons and feast at the restaurant of one of the country’s most well-known chefs — Wolfgang Puck. It just so happens that Corcoran Sunshine is selling the condos in the building above, designed by the iconic Robert A.M. Stern – the penthouse is on the market for $30 million.
4. Morimoto
The Pitch: Japanese in the Meatpacking District
Anna Says: When the chef’s tasting menu usually goes for $150, $42 seems like a great deal! “Iron Chef” Morimoto has been a staple of high-end contemporary Japanese cuisine in this location since 2006. It will be too cold to walk the High Line, but check out the Warhol exhibit at the Whitney beforehand.
5. Maiella
The Pitch: Italian in Long Island City
Anna Says: This Italian restaurant is located right behind the iconic Pepsi sign in Long Island City, future home to Amazon. Afterwards, walk right down the street to hit some of LIC’s great breweries, like Rockaway and Fifth Hammer, and bowl the night away at Gutter Bar, a retro bowling alley with reclaimed lanes from the 90s.
6. 21 Club
The Pitch: Classic New York in Midtown
Anna Says: You can’t miss 21 Club, a former speakeasy with ornamental jockey statues welcoming you into the building on West 52nd Street. Inside, the ceilings are decorated with toys donated by the likes of Presidents and sports heroes. If you go on Friday night, you can catch free night at MoMA, just a block away.
7. Junoon
The Pitch: Indian in Flatiron
Anna Says: When you get a chance to sample a Michelin-starred NYC restaurant at a discount, don’t pass it up. This modern Indian restaurant uses organic ingredients and has an impressive wine list. Eataly is only a block away if you want to continue the night at the beautifully decorated winter “greenhouse” Serra on the Roof, which [bonus!] has its own Restaurant Week offerings.
8. The Osprey
The Pitch: New American in Brooklyn Heights
Anna Says: Located in the beautiful 1 Hotel overlooking the Manhattan skyline, you can travel over from Manhattan on a ferry – the boat leaving from Pier 11 will take you basically to their front door in just a few minutes! Corcoran happens to be selling the condos in the attached building, Pierhouse.
9. Bann
The Pitch: Korean in Hell’s Kitchen
Anna Says: Like your meat well done? Not a problem at Bann, where you’re the chef! This Korean joint has an “interactive dining experience,” where you can cook your owns meats or veggies at the table.
10. Red Rooster
The Pitch: American comfort food in Harlem
Anna Says: Red Rooster has elevated Harlem cuisine since chef and TV personality Marcus Samuelsson opened it in 2010. Check it out before a show at the historic Apollo, right down the street.