scene: Sexy red walls add a bordello type feel, with old fashioned masculine touches that keep it from being hokey; cozy and buzzy at the same time
sip: A dirty martini at a steakhouse necessity; slightly over-priced wines available by glass and bottle
savor: Steakhouse faves with decadent twists; garlic bread with gorgonzola fondue; truffle creamed spinach; 24 layer chocolate cake
sit: This place is really good for just about any carnivore gathering- dates, large groups, or Guy's Night Out; seats at the bar go fast, but the environment is far from stuffy, so it could be both a special occasion place or just your go-to steak joint
spend: $$$
address: 13 East 12th Street (between University and 5th)
scene: Steakhouse-light; Not quite Barnyard on the Bowery, but there is rustic horsey theme; low lights and some manly touches
sip: Old Fashioned; seasonal speciality cocktails and slightly over-priced wines by the glass
savor: Chicken Liver Pot of Deliciousness; razor clam appetizer; pork chop; potato salad
sit: This could be a good place to Bro-out, or take people on an expense account; groups of women could try to find lighter bites on the menu, but I think men would appreciate this place a little bit more
scene: Large front rooms with high tables for food or just drinks as you wait; dinging room is a little grim, but the usually packed house makes up for the lack of decor
sip: Wine wine wine from a glass, carafe or bottle
savor: Pizza
sit: With a girl friend to for a casual, wine fueled catch up; with another couple for a week night double date; with friends with kids or out of town relatives
spend: $$
address: 1 Fifth Avenue (entrance is on 8th street, not 5th Ave)
scene: Cozy and airy at the same time, with dark wood floors, light walls, bright art and large scale flowers
sip: Speciality cocktails are offered, and they are more than happy to let you try any wine by the glass before you commit
savor: Bacon and cheddar biscuits; Pulled Pork sandwich
sit: With anyone really, but it needs to be people that are open to waiting for a table; good for co-workers, a date (if the date is a foodie), or even parents for an early bite
spend: $$
address: 42 East 20th, between Broadway and Park Avenue South
scene: Hong Kong in the Financial District; a rich, warm bar gives way to a hallway with glass enclosed wine cellars and private rooms on each side, which leads to the main dining room; best seats are the deuces against the wall of the glass enclosed kitchen, the action there is worth watching
sip: Sparkling Sake for dessert; champers, wine
savor: Lobster, Escolar, ANYTHING
sit: With anyone who appreciates a fine dining experience; for a special occasion; JUST GO
scene: Feeling Irie...the front room looks like a counter service Jamaican joint in the outer-boroughs, but in a sexy cool way; there is a smaller back room with record covers on the wall, and there is also limited seating out front
sip: Sangria; Red Stripe
savor: Jerk Jerk Jerk
sit: With a fun group; good date place but not first date
spend: $$
address: 132 West Houston, between Sullivan and MacDougal
scene: Spaniards to the left of me, Germans to right, stuck in the middle with you; Dressed up visitors and UES residents alike sharing bottles of wine make this place feel very adult; tons of servers running around and managers creeping keep it sophistcated but not stuffy; there are several rooms but no Siberia that we noticed
sip: The Anniversary Cocktail, which is a belini with raspberry and lychee
savor: The menu changes seasonally, but the egg, the truffle pizza, and both cheeseburgers are staples that will never lead you astray
sit: Anyone who appreciates the Shmance; with out of town visitors or family; seems like a great place to eat prior to carrying on an illicit affair in a room upstairs, but UES cheaters might need to beware
spend: $$$
address: The Mark Hotel, 25 East 77th Street, between 5th and Madison
scene: Sharp dressed crowd at a sharp styled restaurant
sip: Delicious artisanal cocktails depending on your poison of choice - each one we tried was unique but delicious
savor: Go hard or go home... if you are here, you may as well get all 10 courses!
sit: The bar has the best view of the impressive work the chefs put into each intricate dish; For groups, there are some larger tables in the dining area as well
scene: During the week, graphic designers and the women to listen to them; a downtown/Brooklyn crows, very chill and NYC looking, definitely no corporate types; during the weekend, the crowd is a little trendier, dressed to go out to all of the new spots on the LES
sip: For brunch there are vegetable and fruit blends that seem healthy and gross until you realize that you can add booze to the green gunk; the downtown types seemed to all be drinking some beer with a red label; the wine list is reasonably priced and pretty easy to navigate
savor: cheeseburger; grilled cheese; celery root pie; the hummus special
sit: with your vegetarian friend; with your friend that lives downtown; there was an Ugly Betty spotting, so feel free to bring your celeb friend
scene: bustling; nicely lit and exposed brick space with big windows onto Tribeca; hidden outside courtyard area in the summer; walk-in friendly, which is convenient because getting a reservation here is as easy as getting an English speaking cabby...
sip: The Italian wine list has some nice affordable gems, such as the $60 Barbera d'Alba that I had
savor: meatball sliders; trofie with pesto; market bean salad with tuna dressing; chicken for two; branzino; cheese plate
sit: good for a catch up with some friends and a bottle of wine; nice date place, can head to Brandy Libray after for a cozy evening; also a good place to impress, because I am totally in awe when someone gets a reservation
spend: $$
address: Greenwich Hotel, 377 Greenwich Street (at North Moore)
Pants at a Glance
