Weekend Getaway Guide: NYC Restaurants
The amount of things that there are to do in New York City is ridiculous! I think I could be living here for 20+ years and still would not have done, seen, or eaten it all. It can get confusing and overwhelming to fit in all sorts of activities into one weekend getaway, so I’ve created a guide for restaurants in the city that are a must if you’re here just for a weekend.
On Friday, you might be tired from a day of traveling, but you’re probably starving too. P.J. Clark’s is my go-to whenever I first arrive in the city. P.J. Clarke’s is legendary in NYC and it’s been so since the saloon first opened in 1884. I love that you can tell that it’s such an old establishment but at the same time it’s been maintained so well.
In a nutshell, P.J. Clarke’s offers really good, classic American food along with more contemporary dishes too. They have a great raw bar with all sorts of oysters, simple to elaborate burgers, really good salad options, and for appetizer, a must, the parmesan tater tots.
P.J. Clarke’s gives off such homey and classic vibes and at the same time it’s so fun and casual, it’s really a NYC historical landmark, and the perfect welcome into the city.
Fun facts:
- Jackie Kennedy brought John Jr. and Caroline here for Saturday lunch
- Nat King Cole called their burger, “the Cadillac or burgers,” hence their signature dish
- Frank Sinatra regularly finished his nights in P.J. Clarke’s
There’s two good options for Saturday, depending on wether you’ll spend the day Downtown or Uptown.
Uptown: Le Bilboquet
Le Bilboquet is a really nice French bistro on the Upper East Side (60th & Madison Ave). If you’re in the mood for some great people watching, very energetic environment and quality French dishes, this is the place for you. The owners are big art collectors, so the walls are surrounded with vibrant, contemporary art, which perfectly contrasts the white tablecloths. I love the blend of feeling like you’re in a nice, fancy restaurant, but the DJ and the crowd makes it fun and hip. If you go, I recommend the tuna tartar to start, and for main course, their Cajun Chicken is a classic, but the mussels and the skirt steak are really good options too.
Downtown: Balthazar
Balthazar is very similar to Le Bilboquet, except it’s in the heart of SoHo. Also a French bistro, Balthazar is a NYC classic. Their black and white tiled floors are crowded in the best way, making the restaurant perfect for a nice, fun lunch (or brunch) with a group of friends. Very important: don’t forget to stop by their incredible bakery, right next door, for the best breads and most decadent desserts!! And if you don’t get a chance to dine here, you can always buy their cookbook here.
If your in the mood for going out and be surrounded by the hippest people (and everything), the Meatpacking district is the place to be. Surrounded by hopping new restaurants, trendy stores and the best nightclubs, Catch is the perfect place for a bustling night on the town. They offer classic seafood dishes, with an oriental fusion to it. Catch NYC is the perfect pre game for a night of clubbing and their hype atmosphere really sets the mood. The menu perfectly allows for ordering various plates to share with friends, these were my favorites:
- Catch sushi roll
- King Crab Spicy Handrolls
- Crunchy Rice Cakes
- Chicken Lettuce “Cups”
- Lobster Rolls
- Truffle fries (of course!)
- “Hit Me” Cake
For your last day in the city, there’s nothing better than a classic NYC Sunday brunch. Sarabeth’s brunch is so iconic, it’s become almost a cliché. It feels homey and intimate, but still a very lively atmosphere. I like to go to their location in Central Park South. The avocado toasts are to die for and so are the various french toasts and pancakes. If you’re not really the kind of person that likes breakfast foods after 12pm, they have great egg dishes and meat dishes, separately or together! They also have a great cookbook, which you can get here.
Those are my picks for a weekend in the city, when you want to try all sorts of restaurants. Stay tuned for more Weekend Getaway Guides with more restaurants, things to do, and places to shop and outsideNew York City! I hope you enjoy eating away through NYC like I do.
