If You Want Luxury
For an expensive, one-of-a-kind culinary experience, nothing beats Masa. Headed by master chef Masa Takayama, this is the ultimate Japanese cuisine experience. There are no menus at Masa, only a prix-fixe. The food changes according to the seasons and the ingredients the chef has available on any given day. All you know when you get to this small establishment (only 26 seats) is that you'll be there for about three hours, during which you'll be presented with dishes such as shabu shabu, Kobe beef sukiyaki and toro tartare with white sturgeon caviar. The prix-fixe menu costs $400 per person. Drinks and tips are excluded. This is the place to go after a game of golf or to talk business when you want to splurge.
Masa
10 Columbus Cir
New York, New York 10019
(212) 823-9800
www.masanyc.com
If You Want Something Unique
Duvet Restaurant and Lounge does away with what may seem like an essential for any restaurant: chairs. At Duvet, patrons eat their meals right on a bed. Once you get into this unique restaurant, you are taken to your own private bed, which can be closed off with a curtain. The beds (30 of them), sit eight and come with lots of pillows and a small round structure in the middle, where the food trays will be placed. There are also small chairs and tables for those who are not ready to get in bed around strangers and prefer just to watch. The low lights, the champagne-colored sheets and a glowing glass cocktail bar all contribute to the magical atmosphere you'll find here. While this place is mostly about the décor, the food won't disappoint either. Dishes include mackerel garnished with pineapple, ginger-scented chicken and bluefin tuna sashimi.
Duvet
45 West 21st Street
New York, New York 10010
(212) 989-2121
www.duvetny.com
If You Want Affordable But Chic
La Bonne Soupe in midtown Manhattan epitomizes the essence of chic without breaking the bank. As the name suggests, this place specializes in soups, although all of them come with a second dish and sometimes a glass of wine. They also have fondues, hors d'oeuvres, salads and specials, such as traditional French quiches, croquettes and assorted pates. The restaurant is located near Times Square and the Broadway theaters and has a definitive Parisian feel to it---small tables on an outside balcony, as well as on the first floor. Prices start at low as $7 per dish.
La Bonne Soupe
48 W 55th St
New York, New York 10019-5387
(212) 586-7650
www.labonnesoupe.com
If You Want to Explore on Your Own
If you're willing to try something else, the eateries in the Times Square area, such as Becco and Edison Cafe, tend to serve traditional American or Italian food and prices are usually higher to cater to the tourists in the area. If you're looking for vegetarian restaurants or healthy fare in general, the West Village area in downtown Manhattan has more veggie restaurants than any other section of the city, with notable examples being Red Bamboo and Sacred Chow. Finally, most of the high-class (and high price) restaurants are located on or near Fifth Avenue, including the popular Fig and Olive.
About The Author
Sarah Dray has been writing since 1996. She specializes in health, wellness and travel topics and has credits in various publications, including "Woman's Day," "Marie Claire," "Adirondack Life" and "Self." She is also a seasoned independent traveler and a certified personal trainer and nutrition consultant. Dray is pursuing a criminal justice degree at Penn Foster College.
