Since its inception in 1992, NYC Restaurant Week has now expanded to four weeks of a financially friendly opportunity to explore and try restaurants you may otherwise feel out of your reach. With 390 restaurants participating, the options can seem a bit overwhelming. If you have no idea where to go, we want to help you make your choice during these last days. Note: NYC Restaurant Week ends tomorrow, Friday, August 18th. So make your reservations now!
So “how does this work?” you may be asking. During NYC Restaurant Week, you can indulge in a 3-course prix-fixe meal, which will cost you $29 for lunch and $42 dinner (plus the cost of beverages, tax and gratuity). This menu is offered Monday – Friday and on Sundays at some locations. You can find out which restaurants are participating and explore the menus they are offering here.
To give you a taste of what to expect and to help you narrow your options, here is what a few of our hungry friends had to say:
Danielle, @DaniDares (Food Before Love Insider)
Where to go:
The Clocktower (Flatiron) (lunch)
What to order:
Appetizer: Shellfish linguini, lemongrass, king crab, lobster bisque
Entree: 36 Hour braised Pork Belly, crispy polenta, roasted apricots, golden thyme
Dessert: Peach Eton mess, almond whipped cream, vanilla meringue
Beverage: Gruner Ventliner
Favorite details of the experience: The entire experience was decadent. The walls are adorned with images of classic icons. It felt as if we were in someone’s home that was hosting us for lunch or the perfect setting for a game of clue. The bisque was fulfilling yet not heavy, and the pork belly melted in my mouth with such a succulent flavor.
Name: Jessica, @Jessbcause721
Where to go:
Schilling Restaurant and Bar (FiDi) (lunch)
What to order:
Appetizer: Chicken liver crostini with shallot marmalade, house pickles and dijon
Entree: Branzino w/ a black garlic broth, root vegetable fricasse and charred broccoli florets
Dessert: Tiramisu
Beverage: Traditional Austrian beer Hefeweizen
Favorite details of the experience:
I absolutely loved the chicken liver crostini! It was super rich and the sweetness of the shallot marmalade just literally melted in your mouth. I would go back just to have that. I also loved that the broth with the branzino was spicy. The branzino was tender and flaky, there is so much you can do with fish so I enjoyed that they kept the broth light and flavorful and kept the branzino as the star.I would give the food a 4, that tiramisu was heaven in a shot glass.
Ambiance of the restaurant is very farm to table as the location is an industrial converted garage with wooded accents, glowing string lights and plush pillow lined benches. The door was pulled all the way up so we had a nice floating breeze. I adore restaurants like this that kind of invite the hum of the city in while you dine. You can always feel connected to the world around you..
Great for dates or just catching up with friends. The waitstaff was extremely friendly and were more than accommodating when my boyfriend and I wanted to sample a few of the beers before deciding. Service is definitely a 5. All in all I would love to go back, as I said before its cozy, I had a great time and the food was AMAZING!
Haley & Sarah, @twotastebuds_nyc
Where to go:
Sant Ambroeus (West Village)
What to order:
Appetizer: Battuta Di Manzo (Steak tartare)
Entree: Tagliatelle alla Bolognese
Dessert: Gelato & Sorbet
Beverage(s): Bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon “La Contessa” 2015
Favorite details of the experience: The tagliatelle alla Bolognese was one of the best pasta dishes I have had in NYC and our waitress let us have a wine tasting while deciding which we wanted!
Where have you gone for NYC Restaurant Week? Let us know all about it in the comments below or tag us @FoodBeforeLove on instagram!
One thought
Danielle Fontus
Since writing this post, I was able to sneak in another one – to Mr. Chow. This place has been on my list for the longest, hearing about it from so many people. Most recently, I’ve been constantly hearing about the Squab Lettuce Wraps, and I’m so happy I finally got to try them. With the hoisin and some chili sauce, they were pretty good.
PS the service here is ON POINT. I’d definitely love to go back to try more things on the menu.