It's been said that the first rule of real estate is location, location, location. That's the theme behind this compilation as well. At these restaurants, you will not only enjoy the food, but also the view, whether it's of a city skyline at night or a lush, natural landscape. The eyes have it at these top 10 view restaurants in New York, presented in alphabetical order.
It's been said that the first rule of real estate is location, location, location. That's the theme behind this compilation as well. At these restaurants, yo... more
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Created 09/12/08
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1
Alma
187 Columbia St., Brooklyn, NY 11231 / 718-643-5400
This three-story space offers an eclectic menu of authentic pan-regional Mexican fare---not to mention breathtaking views of the Manhattan skyline. Situated in a gentrifying section of Brooklyn, the restaurant’s rooftop deck is ideal for a summertime drink accompanied by creamy guacamole and tamales. As the sun sets, dig in to the huachinango naranja, pan-roasted red snapper atop spinach and served with a champagne, orange and chipotle chile sauce. If you’re daring, round out the evening with a tequila tasting.
2
Asiate
Time Warner Center, 35th Fl., Mandarin Oriental New York, 80 Columbus Cir., New York, NY 10023 / 212-805-8881
The shining marble lobby of the Mandarin Oriental New York, located on the 35th floor of Time Warner Center, expands into the two-tiered Asiate restaurant. Even if you are not crazy about glass, aluminum and steel spaces, you can't help admiring this one. It succeeds in infusing some degree of warmth into this metallic ultra-modern spaceship environment. The vision of thousands of wine bottles smoothly lit, sleeping in their transparent cellar under their purple corks, probably offers immediate comfort to the diner when he steps into this high dining twenty-first century arena. Whether you are seated close to the glass wall or further away on the mezzanine, you can't miss the bewildering panorama. At night, the ghostly shades of the high-rises transpierced by a myriad of lights stand guard over the dark mass of the Park; sheer magic and an ideal showcase for the display of extraordinary food. Very wisely the menu avoids too conspicuous or worn-out assemblages. Read carefully; your dinner can borrow from different avenues. If it is French that you want, pick the pan-roasted scallops on celeriac purée and truffle consommé as an appetizer and as an entrée, the duck confit, and seared foie gras with a very slight Asian touch of a Peking duck broth. If Asian is your choice, then favor the medallion of char with pickled vegetables, daikon oroshi and follow with the pressed suckling pig with pig's trotter croquette and pig cheek confit, sauce japonegi. The wine list is composed without ostentation and is reasonably priced---a commendable example is the flowery Croze Hermitage. Wine pairing with the tasting menu is an additional $40. Don't expect an Asian thrill from the dessert menu where the only exotic touch is hidden in a soufflé that combines passion fruit and mango, and served with ice cream.
3
Bryant Park Grill
25 W. 40th St., New York, NY 10018 / 212-840-6500
In Manhattan, where al fresco diners must endure pollution, car horns and a whirlwind parade of strangers, it's lovely to find the balcony of this restaurant overlooking the tops of trees and the picturesque green of Bryant Park. Make no mistake, it's the scenery that's the major draw, but what better way to spend your time---tasty temptations, greenery and the occasional celeb sighting. Menu highlights include a seafood raw bar for two or a cheese tasting plate to start. Main dishes range from grilled salmon filet paired with spaghetti squash, polenta croquettes and a maple Burgundy butter sauce to pan-roasted duck breast with sage and cornbread stuffing, honey-glazed baby carrots, roasted cipollini onions and a cranberry bourbon demi-glaze. In season, the rooftop-garden BP Café serves salads and sandwiches.
4
Chelsea Brewing Company
Chelsea Piers, Pier 59, New York, NY 10011 / 212-336-6440
Offering an excellent river view and a half-dozen well-crafted brews, Chelsea Brewing Company is a fine place to stop after an afternoon touring the nearby art galleries or a workout in the adjoining sports complex. The warehouselike space has room for 350 and attracts after-work suits and plenty of sports fans, who turn it into a veritable beer hall bash. Checker Cab Blonde and Sunset Red are two particularly good choices from the rotating beer menu. Menu items include buffalo wings, pizzas, pastas, grilled steaks and seafood. It's best in summer, when tables are placed on the waterfront docks.
5
Chop Suey
Renaissance Hotel, 714 Seventh Ave., New York, NY 10036 / 212-261-5200
Chop Suey has managed to assemble an all-star team: Zak Pelaccio is the consulting chef, Will Goldfarb has created the sweets, and chef Anthony Paris is in the kitchen full time serving up a menu that, despite the kitschy name, is loaded with Korean-inspired dishes. Start with the curry leaf fried chicken wings (accompanied by a subtle chili vinegar), which are steps above the sports bar equivalent; or the oyster and bacon lettuce cups, the smoky bacon and refreshing lettuce nicely paired. For entrées, the beef spare ribs (off the bone) are thoughtfully spiced---just enough to make the tongue tingle---and the Atlantic halibut, soaking in green curry, manages a delicate tofu-like texture. The real dazzler, however, is the view: large picture windows overlook all of Times Square.
6
Landmarc (at the Time Warner Center)
Time Warner Center, 10 Columbus Cir., New York, NY 10019 / 212-823-6123
Landmarc (at the Time Warner Center) opened as the much-touted sibling of Marc Murphy’s cozy, neighborhood-y TriBeCa restaurant. While the wondrously low-priced wine list and favorites like roasted marrow bones and the dessert tasting are common to both restaurants, the uptown version is markedly different. First, it’s three times the size. And in this case it means three times slower service. The exhaustive menu spans the gamut from multiple types of steak, fish and pasta to daily specials and kid-oriented treats like PB&J. Stick to the simpler dishes, however, which befit the simplicity of the setting. The smoked tuna sandwich is overwhelming in its smokiness. The skirt steak salad, offered at both lunch and dinner, is a slightly better choice with fresh greens and Gorgonzola in nice chimichurri vinaigrette dressing. Even the miniature desserts seem to have lost the pizzazz of their downtown cousins. The restaurant serves up an interesting breakfast menu, with omelets as the noted specialty. Lunch and dinner menus are similar, and the restaurant has the potential to become a convenient if unexciting option for those shopping at the Time Warner Center or attending a concert at Jazz at Lincoln Center.
7
Rainbow Grill
Rockefeller Center, 30 Rockefeller Plaza, 65th Fl., New York, NY 10112 / 212-632-5100
After a makeover boosted it from impressive to stunning, this casual counterpart to the renowned Rainbow Room reopened to much ballyhooing. Food may be secondary to ambience here, but it receives plenty of attention all the same. The Italian-Continental menu changes regularly, but always includes fresh seafood, veal and some vegetarian pasta options. This is a popular spot for pre-theater dining. It's also a wonderful place to have a drink or two while enjoying peerless views of the Manhattan skyline.
8
The River Café
1 Water St., Brooklyn, NY 11201 / 718-522-5200
Some talented chefs have passed through the kitchen of this legendary Brooklyn establishment, including the likes of Charlie Palmer (Aureole, Métrazur) and David Burke (Park Avenue Café). Brad Steelman, the current top dog, may lack some of the adventurousness of his predecessors, but the view is still the real attraction---the stunning Manhattan skyline and Brooklyn Bridge. Certainly don't disregard the food. The house-smoked dishes, such as the sautéed Hudson Valley foie gras with roasted apple and gingerbread “French toast,” cider reduction and sugar pumpkin and pistachio dust is a winning bet, and you can always count on the extensive selection of fish (Scottish salmon, branzino, and black sea bass). For dessert, go for the gimmicky, but delicious, chocolate marquise Brooklyn Bridge.
9
Terrace in the Sky
Butler Hall, Columbia University, 400 W. 119th St., New York, NY 10027 / 212-666-9490
The penthouse restaurant atop Columbia University's Butler Hall offers jaw-dropping views of northern Manhattan with necklaces of light gracing its bridges. Inside, the sparkling crystal, red roses, softly flickering candles and the harpist create an enchanting backdrop for celebratory dining and romance. A fireplace in the main dining room and a conservatory and bar complement the setting. Chef Jason Potanovich's menu includes appetizers like pan-roasted foie gras or the lighter tuna tartare, and entrées like roasted rabbit loin served with a salad of frisée and endive, pomegranate and Muscat vinaigrette. You also will find dishes like roasted breast of Guinea hen with whole-wheat faro, asparagus and baby turnips, finished with foie gras sauce; roasted rack of lamb; and grilled aged sirloin. A wine list of over 300 selections is available, and regular cigar and wine tastings are scheduled. Fans of the awesome panorama like to drop up for occasional cocktails and maybe a petite snack.
10
Water's Edge
E. River 44th Dr., Long Island City, NY 11101 / 718-482-0033
For sheer drama and topnotch food via chef Brian Konopka, Water's Edge in Long Island City, reached via its own five-minute ferry ride, can't be beat with its panorama of the Manhattan skyline. You'll be cordially received and graciously served dishes like sautéed Chilean sea bass with porcini mushroom stew and spätzle; duck consommé with foie gras ravioli; and pink snapper in phyllo with spinach and caramelized onion purée. Menus, however, change seasonally and may feature a different selection. The view will touch your heart, which is why the staff has gotten used to providing engagement rings at pre-arranged moments many nights each month.
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