Manhattan Island Restaurants

We had a few hours to kill before we headed to the airport, so we decided to walk around Lower Manhattan to visit Battery Park, The Downtown Athletic Club, The Twin Tower Memorial, etc. Well all this walking causes one to build up a mighty appetite, so while we were looking around, we spied an Indian Fusion restaurtant that we just had to visit. What a delicious and wonderful experience the Hot Clay Oven was. Walk in, place your order and eat!!!

Favorite Dish: We both ordered the Tandoori Chicken Rice Bowl (tandoori chicken on a bed of herb rice with sauteed peppers & onions, shredded cheese, romaine lettuce, diced tomatoes, shredded carrots and sweet red onions topped with ranch sauce or yogurt chutney). Had Garlic Naan on the side along with Cokes.

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I contacted my"foodie" source who receommended that we visit Cabana Nuevo Latino for a truly legendary experience. The restaurant was located near to where we were staying, offerec awesome views of lower Manhattan, Brooklyn and the water and most importantly, delivered delicious food with great customer service.

Favorite Dish: For the appetizer, we chose Calamari (lightly battered squid on a bed of greens served with garlic mojo dipping sauce). For dinner, LJ chose Mariscadas Especiales (shrimp, clams, mussels, sea scallops and salmon simmered in a plum tomato garlic broth with rice and beans) while I had the Churrasco (Latin American style skirt steak marinated in garlic and fresh herbs accompanied by chimichurri and cebollitas with rice and beans). Since the portions were big, we decided to share dessert...so we chose Cuatro Leches.

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Met up with my cousins for an awesome dining experience. Since she is a "foody", she said that she knew a place which we would like. The food is "American comfort", the location is excellent and the prices weren't bad at all for Manhattan.

Favorite Dish: We started off with appetizers and shared the Truffle French Fries (tossed with fresh grated parmigiano reggiano) and Wild Mushroom Bruschetta (caramelized mushrooms and herbed cream sauce on toasted garlic baguette). For dinner, LJ had the Yellowfin Tuna (drizzled with honey-dijon miso with sautéed bok choy and brown rice), I had the Grilled Steak Tacos (with black beans and rice, cilantro-lime sour cream and ranchero salsa) and my cousins had the Braised Boneless Short Ribs (with celery root purée, honey-roasted carrots, soy-ginger jus).

This pint-sized but pricey deli had a negligent, rude waiter the day we ate there. When I complained, the smug owner said he would speak to the young man. This place seems like a cozy old-style Jewish deli when you look at the varied, tempting menu. But instead, it is a store-front joint where the chopped liver is bland, the chopped herring is too sweet, the rolls and bialys tasteless, the baked salmon, sturgeon and sable look parched-dry in the showcase, and the coffee and tea cups were filled half-way. The cashier warned us that you cannot pay by credit card during the holiday season (as if we would return there). I said that they had so many customers that they could screw the ones who didn't carry cash. He replied, "I wouldn't put it that way." You can feel the history, says a customer on another site. What history? Even Carnegie is better. Anyone who has the faintest memory of what New York delicatessen ought to taste like should save his or her money and go to Park East Kosher, Ben's, Mendy's, or the delis in Midwood and Boro Park in Brooklyn. Modest, unfamous, yet value for money.

Favorite Dish: The waiters never approached to ask whether we wanted to order another dish or dessert.

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Maremma is a new restaurant in the Village. Boy, is the food delicious! The theme of the restaurant is the "Tuscan cowboy." "Maremma," I think, is what they call their horses. Just a guess. Anyway, whoever designed and decorated this place did an outstanding job... I could have stayed there for hours, it is such a cool place. The food is absoluetely divine, and the staff there is very, very nice. The food presentation is also top of the line. There's a parking garage conveniently located right across the street if you'll be driving in.

Favorite Dish: We started the night with some sparkling wine, complements of our friend, Chef Danny. We sampled quite a few appetizers: Tuscan fries, "Sloppy Giuseppe" bruschette, and a dish with hot sausages cooked in onions and peppers. Absolutely delicious! For dinner I had the "Moonshine," which was fusili pasta cooked in a bourbon - creamy sauce. I am not describing it well, but if you are fan of penne with vodka sauce, you will love this dish. We were treated to 5 different desserts... oh where to begin? They had a dark chocolate with vanilla ice cream dish that was amazing, also a flan type dish, again, delicious, and also a blackberry cheesecake which was to die for.

I love this place - I totally recommend it!

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One of the most upscale "diners' I have ever been to! Come hungry, because portions are HUGE and the food is DECADENT. Breakfast until 3pm and very family friendly.

Favorite Dish: ~Egg and Bacon Quesadilla

~French Toast

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This restaurant has been around for YEARS and has always been packed breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Awesome food, great ambiance and reasonably priced.

Favorite Dish: Bring friends to share dishes!

~Steak Tartare is different...but very good.
~Ravioli is decadent!

~Monk fish was good...
~Salmon was better!

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Was referred to this restaurant from a local photographer. It was cute and quaint, and cash only. It was ok, with good service, but have had way better Italian food on both coasts!

Favorite Dish: ~bruchetta (decent)
~caprese salad (ok)
~veal meatballs (i liked, friend did not)
~ravioli in pink sauce (good)