The world-famous Japanese steakhouse Benihana offers a dining experience unlike any other, as your personal chef prepares your meal way right before your eyes. In honor of their 45th anniversary, they’re currently offering a special that features chicken, shrimp, and teriyaki beef Julienne for two for just $45. 47 W. 56th St., 212-581-0930; benihana.com.
Located in the Dylan Hotel and opened by Chef Arturo McLoed, a 20-year veteran of Brooklyn’s famous Peter Luger’s Steak House, the beautifully designed Benjamin Steak House is an opulent steakhouse near Grand Central Terminal in the century-old Chemist Club building. Six cuts of dry-aged beef are available: from 36-ounce porterhouses to top sirloins to juicy and tender rib eyes to succulent filet mignon. “Steak for 10” includes every cut on the menu as well as chateaubriand. 52 E. 41st St., 212-297-9177; benjaminsteakhouse.com.
The cusine at Bice is a sumptuous combination of traditional and new trends in Italian cuisine. Tagliolini con aragosta, ossobucco, costoletta di vitello, and tiramisu della Bice -- just to name a few of their excellent dishes -- are combined with an extensive wine selection, and an elegant-casual atmosphere. 7 E. 54th St., 212-688-1999; bicenewyork.com.
Bill's Gay Nineties offers a restaurant experience from another era—it originally opened as a speakeasy during Prohibition in a brownstone built during the 1860s. The decor features stained glass, chandeliers, turn-of-the-20th-century theatre posters, playbills, and portraits of prizefighters and racehorses. The menu offers hearty fare including seafood, excellent steaks, and filet mignon. 57 E. 54th St. (Madison-Park Aves.), 212-355-0243.
With its lovingly restored turn-of-the-20th-century architecture, Brendan’s Bar & Grill is a slice of old New York. Brendan’s offers top-of-the-line bar and grill delights that range from comfort foods and steaks to seafood dishes and pizzas; all are first-rate and served in generous portions. Brendan’s also has special party menus of buffet hors d’oeuvres that will make any occasion festive. 42 W. 35th St., 212-564-5405; brendansbar.com.
The cozy, bi-level restaurant and lounge Darbar is a superb choice for Indian food with great ambience and service. A lavish $11.95 lunch buffet with new and delicious dishes every day is served 11:30am-4pm. 152 E. 46th St., 212-681-4500; darbarny.com.
Darbar also has a sister restaurant featuring fine Indian dining in an elegant setting: Darbar Grill. For lunch and dinner they offer a selection of seafood, chicken, goat and vegetarian entrées, and their very popular lunch buffet is available seven days week a from 11:30am to 4pm. Reviewers and patrons alike have raved about the excellent food available at both Darbar Grill and Darbar. 157 E. 55th St., 212-751-4600; www.darbargrillny.com.
Destino presents a unique dining experience with a focus on traditional Southern Italian cuisine created by Executive Chef Mario Curko, world-renowned chef with over 40 years of experience. Every dish utilizes only the freshest ingredients, while the atmosphere and ambiance exude a comfortable, modern vibe. 891 First Ave. (50th-51st Sts.),
212-751-0700; destinony.com.
The world-famous Grand Central Oyster Bar -- located on the lower level of Grand Central Terminal -- offers the best bay scallops in New York. Shipped directly from Cape Cod, these magnificent scallops are just one of the delicious items on the menu, which also includes 25 varieties of fish and 30 varieties of oysters at the spectacular raw bar. Grand Central Terminal Lower Level @ 42nd St. (Lexington-Vanderbilt Aves.), 212-490-6650; oysterbarny.com.
Home to the city’s largest all-you-can-eat buffet, Ichiumi also features some of the city’s freshest, finest Japanese cuisine -- including a vast array of artfully prepared sushi and sashimi along with traditional favorites such as beef teriyaki, tempura, tonkatsu, udon noodles, sukiyaki, and gyoza dumplings. 6 E. 32nd St., 212-725-1333; ichiumi.com.
Located near the Empire State Building and Macy’s, Ishihama is home to some of the city’s best sushi, and the menu is packed with a variety of Japanese and Korean dishes. There’s also a wide selection of non-sushi dishes and plum, rice, red and white wines. Prices are reasonable, and the service efficient and polite. 319 Fifth Ave. (enter on 32nd St. btw. Fifth & Madison Aves.), 212-696-0202; ishihamanewyork.com.
Inside Pranna’s awe-inspiring Flatiron location, the striking flavors of Southeast Asia are paired with contemporary flair and the finest market-fresh ingredients. Chef Chai Trivedi combines the Eastern principles of cuisine and spirituality with Western tastes and presentations to offer an upscale dining experience in a natural, chic space. 79 Madison Ave. (28th-29th Sts.), 212-696-5700; prannarestaurant.com.
Timeless Puerto Rican classics -- such as ropa vieja, garlic shrimp and paella with lobster -- meet a hip, Caribbean atmosphere at Sofrito. They also offer both on- and off-premises catering, no matter how big the party; ring them up for more information. 400 E. 57th St., 212-754-5999; sofritony.com.
Located across from Madison Square Garden and near the Empire State Building, Tír Na Nóg shows all major sporting events, and hosts live music Fri. and Sat. nights. The pub serves Irish favorites along with new American dishes in a warm and elegant Irish setting. And, for those sports fans that are accompanied by someone who isn’t as enthusiastic about the game as they are, Macy’s is only a block away!?5 Penn Plaza, Eighth Ave. btw. 33rd & 34th Sts., 212-630-0249; tirnanognyc.com.
