Do you know what next week is? It’s NYC Restaurant Week!


NYC Restaurant Week begins January 18th and it is my FAVORITE time of the year! It’s a chance to try multiple restaurants that I’ve had my eye on because, well, the price aligns really nicely with my bank account 😉 At $25 for a 3 course lunch, or $38 for a 3 course dinner, how can you not take advantage and visit as many places as possible?

In order to help my beautiful readers navigate the Restaurant Week scene with some ease, I’ve compiled a few tips to tackling NYC restaurant week, along with my list of the Top 10 restaurants I (and you) need to try.

NYC RESTAURANT WEEK TIPS

  1. Stay away from a restaurant you would go to on a normal day and go somewhere you would normally save for a special occasion. For example, American Cut Steakhouse normally charges anywhere from $26 – $54 just for an entree, so taking advantage of their 3 course meal for $38 is a MUST!
  2. Take advantage of the lunch deal. If you work in the city, or are visiting during the week, treat yourself to a 3 course lunch for only $25!
  3. If it is your goal to try as many restaurants as possible, skip the alcohol. I know, I know, this sounds crazy but if you are balling on a budget and really want to experience as many great NYC restaurants as possible, skipping on the alcohol will help keep your tab manageable.  If you MUST have at least one glass of wine or a cocktail with your meal, try coordinating your reservations with the restaurants happy hour times.
  4. Make sure you make reservations and arrive on time! The hype is real during restaurant week. Although some restaurants may advertise that they accept walk-ins, wait times are sure to skyrocket during restaurant week. Be prepared and call ahead. Also, be a gem, and be on time 🙂
  5. Use this time as an excuse to try something new. Have you been putting off trying Scandinavian food? Well now is your time to cross that off your bucket list.
  6. Do your research. Most restaurants post their restaurant week menus on line, but some don’t. Be sure to check out the menu before you make your reservations, or look at the restaurants regular menu to give you an idea of what might be included during restaurant week. Trust me, there is nothing worse than getting there, and realizing you hate everything they are offering on their restaurant week menu. Trust me on this. Thank me lata!

MY TOP 10 NYC RESTAURANT WEEK PICKS

I’ve probably looked at the participating restaurant list about 10 times. With over 300 restaurants participating, the list can get a little overwhelming. So, here are the restaurants that I am personally looking forward to trying during NYC restaurant week and I hope you will try them too:

 

  1. Ai Fiori  – Italian (Lunch)
nyc restaurant week
Photo: aifiorinyc.com

400 5th Avenue, 2nd Level
New York, NY 10018
Restaurant Week Menu

      2.  American Cut – Steakhouse (Dinner)

nyc restaurant week
Photo: theinfatuation.com

363 Greenwich St.
Manhattan, NY 10013
Restaurant Week Menu

      3.  Benares – Indian (Dinner)

nyc restaurant week
Photo: thrillist.com

240 W 56th St, New York, NY 10019 (Midtown Location)
45 Murray St, New York, NY 10007 (Tribeca Location)
Restaurant Week Menu

       4.  Benoit – French (Lunch & Dinner)

nyc restaurant week
Photo: benoitny.com

60 W. 55th St
New York, NY 10019
Dinner Menu (no restaurant week menu posted)

       5.  The Capital Grill – Steakhouse (Lunch & Dinner)

nyc restaurant week
Photo: nycgo.com

155 E. 42nd St, New York, NY 10017 (Chrysler Center)
120 W. 51st St, New York, NY 10019 (Time Square)
120 Broadway, New York, NY 10271 (Wall Street)
Restaurant Week Menu

        6.  The Cecil – African (Dinner)

nyc restaurant week
Photo: thececilharlem.com

210 W. 118th St
New York, NY 10026
Restaurant Week Menu

        7.  David Burke Kitchen – American New (Lunch & Dinner)

nyc restaurant week
Photo: nycgo.com

23 Grand St
New York, NY 10013
Restaurant Week Menu – Lunch / Restaurant Week Menu – Dinner

        8.  Gaonnuri – Korean (Lunch & Dinner)

nyc restaurant week
Photo: gaonnurinyc.com

1250 Broadway, 39th Floor
New York, NY 10001
Restaurant Week Menu

        9.  Mamo – Italian (Lunch & Dinner)

nyc restaurant week
Photo: mamonyc.com

323 W. Broadway
New York, NY 10013
Restaurant Week Menu

         10.  Nougatine at jean-georges – American New (Lunch & Dinner)

nyc restaurant week
Photo: jean-georgesrestaurant.com

1 Central Park West
New York, NY 10023
Dinner Menu (no restaurant week menu posted)

 

Are you looking forward to restaurant week? I would love to know which restaurants you have your eye on for restaurant week or if you will be trying any on my list. Let me know in the comments below 🙂

6 comments on “NYC Restaurant Week 2016 – Survival Guide”

  1. Great tips, couldn’t agree with you more on them! So sad to be missing out on NYC restaurant week this year, sigh! I have not been to a few restaurants from your top picks, well, I know where I going to be eating when I visit NYC next 🙂
    xx, Kusum | http://www.sveeteskapes.com

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