21 Club
The 21 Club opened on the first day of 1930, making it the oldest restaurant named for its address in New York City. The clubby establishment features a renowned Bar Room, as well as an upstairs eatery.
Both menus feature appetizers such as caviar, smoked pork belly and jumbo lump crab meat. Classic entrees include creamy chicken hash on toast or wild rice, grilled or sautéed Dover sole, and Maine lobster salad. Another popular choice is the 21 Burger, served with roasted tomatoes and caramelized onions.
21 Club
21 W. 52nd St.
New York, NY10019
(212) 582-7200
21club.com
Sardi's
With its famous celebrity caricatures hanging on the wall, Sardi's has been a fixture in the theater district for more than 80 years. Actors who have posed for the fun drawings range from Douglas Fairbanks and Ingrid Bergman to Martin Short and Whoopi Goldberg.
Sardi's serves a al carte lunch, dinner and post-theater supper. It also has a prix-fixe lunch menu featuring choices such as salad with tomatoes and homemade mozzarella, and cannelloni au gratin with sausage. Included in the prix-fixe dinner menu entrees are crabcakes served with smoked tomato aioli, and pork medallions with sweet potato puree.
Sardi's
234 W. 44th St.
New York, NY 10036
(212) 221-8440
sardis.com
Russian Tea Room
The Russian Tea Room is another revered octogenarian---this one is located close to Carnegie Hall. Since it was founded by Russian Imperial Ballet members, it's been an ornate gathering place for visitors as well as local artists, performers and business people.
It serves lovely high teas with scones, petits fours, caviar on blinis and sandwiches such as curried chicken salad and smoked sturgeon. You'll also find a children's tea, brunch, lunch, dinner and pre- and post-theater meals. The latter include starters such as borscht and blinis, and entrees including chicken Kiev and beef stroganoff.
Russian Tea Room
150 W. 57th St.
New York, NY 10019
(212) 581-7100
russiantearoomnyc.com
Katz's Delicatessen
Since 1888, Katz's has served hearty deli food to generations of diners on the Lower East Side. It's famous for its all-day specials such as big hot brisket, turkey and roast beef sandwiches with your choice of two sides. A lot of regulars go for a dinner platter that includes savory matzo ball soup, sliced brisket, potato pancake and kugel (a baked noodle dish). If you have a healthy appetite, start your meal with knishes (dough filled with potatoes or veggies) and end it with New York cheesecake.
Katz's Delicatessen
205 E. Houston St.
New York, NY 10002
(212) 254-2246
katzdeli.com
About The Author
Barbara Dunlap is a freelance writer in Oregon. She was a garden editor at "The San Francisco Chronicle," and she currently specializes in travel and active lifestyle topics like golf and fitness. She received a master's degree from the University of Missouri-Columbia and has been a Knight Foundation Fellow.
