Opening its doors in in 1984 along a tree-lined stretch of the fabled Greenwich Village neighborhood, Gotham was the vision of four New Yorkers from diverse backgrounds. Jerry Kretchmer, Jeff Bliss, Rick Rathe and Robert Rathe set out to create a downtown restaurant reminiscent of the energy, feel and beauty of a Parisian brasserie. Breaking with convention the restaurant was designed to be lively, inclusive and approachable which proved a winning formula as the restaurant was an immediate downtown sensation. One year later the Gotham team determined to upgrade its menu, enlisted the talent of a young, unknown Chef, Alfred Portale. Portale would bring the cuisine to a new level and together Gotham and Portale have proven a winning duo with critics and patrons alike.
MomoFuku Ssam Bar – 207 Second Avenue at 13th Street, New York, NY 10003
Ssäm Bar serves an inventive menu that is always evolving. Country hams, raw bar items and off cuts are staples at dinner. Lunch at Ssäm Bar features Rotisserie Duck. Ssäm Bar also offers brunch on Saturday and Sunday. Booker and Dax is open late serving drinks made with new techniques and technologies. Reservations are accepted for the Bo Ssäm Pork Shoulder (serves 6-10 people), the Whole-Rotisserie Duck (serves 3-6 people), and the Dry-Aged Ribeye (serves 3-6 people). I took my family and friends (14 people) here for dinner and it was one of the best Ducks I have ever eaten.
The Cupping Room – 359 W Broadway, New York, NY 10013
The Cupping Room Cafe was established in 1977. Today it is still a neighborhood place where you can see the locals and the famous come together in our homey environment. It was originally a wholesale coffee establishment. Different blends of coffee were brewed and tasted by perspective customers. This act of blending and tasting different coffees is called cupping – hence the name The Cupping Room Cafe. It’s one of my favorite breakfast joints in New York.
Balthazar – 80 Spring Street, New York, NY 10012 – 212-343-1274
Balthazar serves traditional bistro fare from breakfast through late-night supper. Opened by Keith McNally in the spring of 1997, Balthazar offers a French menu prepared by chef de cuisine Shane McBride. Diners can also choose from an extensive wine list, a raw seafood bar, and breads and pastries from Balthazar bakery. Balthazar is renowned for its exceptional design. The building was converted from a leather wholesaler’s warehouse to an airy space that can accommodate over 200 people in the dining room and at the zinc bar. MICHELIN guide 2011 Recommended.
Perry St – 176 Perry St, New York, NY 10014 – (212) 352-1900
Jean-Georges brings relaxed elegance to the West Village with Perry St, located in the Richard Meier Towers and offering beautiful sunsets over the Hudson River. In this tranquil setting, Cedric Vongerichten helms the kitchen, creating dishes that reflect his own keen instinct for balancing flavor and texture with an exquisite blend of French, American and Asian influences and ingredients.
