Happy New Year, Manhattanites and beyond! Now that we are finally in 2017, it is good for all of us foodies to get out there and try something new or revisit a spot that brings us happy food memories. Therefore, we have found five amazing Manhattan restaurants that we know you are going to love this year! All different cuisines, all packing a bunch of great flavors and ambiance, and above all are a great reason why Manhattan restaurants are some of the best (if not the best) in the country.
Without further adieu, here are the five Manhattan restaurants you must try this year. Take our word for it- you won’t be disappointed! Happy eating everyone!
Shay & Ivy- 39 W. 24th Street (Flatiron)
Flatiron’s new favorite hotspot has only been opened for two months and has already attracted major stars including Ja Rule to its establishment. Blending a chill and fun vibe with some of the tastiest new American cuisine done by head chef Bradley Warner, Shay & Ivy plans to make themselves right at home for quite sometime in the city that never sleeps. Highlight dishes you must try include their Chill Salmon Crudo, Black Kale Salad and Skirt Steak with Macaroni & Cheese. More here.
Bill’s Townhouse- 57 E. 54th Street (Midtown East)
Located a block away from the E and M train lies this hidden gem of a Manhattan Restaurant called Bill’s Townhouse. Bill’s Townhouse is a delightful two story restaurant that reads as a cozy bar on the first floor and a more refined, elegant experience on the second floor. Taking their idea of American classics and giving them a needed update, Bill’s does an excellent job at cuisine, decor and so much more. Highlight dishes are their Veal & Porcini Meatballs with ricotta and fried sage, Pan Seared Chicken with carrots, onions and lemon, and a side of mashed potatoes and Scallop Newburg with leek, mushroom and heavy cream. More here.
SouthWest NY- 301 South End Avenue (Financial District)
The financial district is generally dead after 5:00 PM and isn’t really known for its culinary prowess, however one good reason to stick around in the nighttime hours is SouthWest NY. SouthWest NY boasts a delicious fare of Tex-Mex cuisine inside a trendy and hip location in a sleek & visually appealing space that has indoor and outdoor seating available to the masses. Highlight dishes are their Chicken Tortilla Soup with Guacamole & Pico De Gallo, 10 oz Mojo Marinated Skirt Steak, served with chipotle whipped potatoes, chimichurri sauce & tumbleweed onions and their Sugar-Cinnamon Dusted Churros. More here.
Beauty & Essex- 146 Essex Street (Lower East Side)
Helmed by famed chef and judge on Food Network’s hit show “Chopped”, Chris Santos, Beauty & Essex stands out for its plush and stunning atmosphere inside and perfectly executed small plates to enjoy as much as you humanly can! Standout dishes include Grilled Cheese, Smoked Bacon & Tomato Soup Dumplings, Oven Braised Chicken Meatballs with sheeps milk ricotta, wild mushroom and truffles and their Braised Short Ribs with charred Yukon potato salad, creamed corn and pastilla gastrique. More here.
Ponty Bistro- 218 3rd Avenue (Gramercy Park)
Ponty Bistro, for over eight years, has blended the best of French & West African cuisine for the masses to enjoy, both in their Gramercy Park and Harlem locations. It is a great example of a small location that gets the job done in terms of being some of the best “fusion” type of cuisine we have had at Manhattan Digest in a long time. Standout dishes include Calabash, otherwise known as Butternut Squash soup, “Moles Africana”, in other words Mussels with an African spice sauce and Niokolokoba, which is Grilled Sirloin Steak with some Senegalese spices, french fries and served with an au poivre sauce. More here.