Best Restaurants In New York?

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

This morning I saw somebody’s umbrella fly out of their hands and nearly take off a tourist’s head in the 45 m.p.h. winds that New York was experiencing all day. They were probably thinking, “This is what you get when you spring for cheap flights in the winter.”

It’s not all bad for visitors to New York this winter. Lines are short, hotels are discounted, and right now is the beginning of Restaurant Week, which means you have a choice of over 265 restaurants opening their doors for cheap (well, by New York standards) prix fixe meals. Plan before you go by visiting the City’s online search menu that lets you narrow it down my neighborhood and cuisine.

And if you’re in need of some ideas, Condé Naste is breaking down their top 10 restaurants this winter. From the perennial favorites, Balthazar and The Four Seasons, to some newer picks such as Blue Hill (where a certain President chooses to dine when he’s in town), and the very much buzzed about Aquavit that specializes in the best of Swedish cuisine.

For a little more expansive list, check out Eater’s “The 38 Essential New York Restaurants, Jan. ’10,” where they expand a bit from the island and seek out a few gems in Queens and Brooklyn as well.