Dinner with the Parents
Dinner with the Parents
Page 2Where To Go When You Can’t Get Into Lilia
Can’t get a reservation at Lilia? Neither can we. Here are some places that are almost as good.
Max's Es-Ca
You'll find a "whatever makes you happy" attitude at Max's Es-Ca on Staten Island—and the food is really good too.
Michael's of Brooklyn
Michael's is an old school Italian restaurant near Marine Park, and it'll make you think of one word: classy.
The Russian Tea Room
The Russian Tea Room is an NYC institution in Midtown that's part art museum and part restaurant, and it's a popular destination for afternoon tea.
Birdland
Birdland is a jazz club in the Theater District where you can take some visiting relatives or have an old-timey dinner date.
House of the Red Pearl
House of the Red Pearl is a Chinese-inspired place in the Tin Building by Jean-Georges. The decor is cheesy, but the duck with perfectly-crisped skin will inspire repeat visits.
SoleLuna
SoleLuna is a sun-soaked Italian restaurant in Sunnyside where the best plates are the dinner specials.
Meet the Meat
For one of the few quality porterhouses in the city under $100, head to Meet the Meat in Astoria.
The Noortwyck
The Noortwyck is a stylish West Village restaurant that serves the kind of seasonally-driven menu you'll want to eat a few times throughout the year.
Marseille
Marseille is a French brasserie in Hell's Kitchen with a fun oyster Happy Hour and a surprising amount of cool for a Times Square-adjacent restaurant.
The Lambs Club
With its red leather booths and Art Deco decor, The Lambs Club is a very Midtown place. It's a little stuffy, but the food is reliably good.
Tanoreen
Tanoreen makes some of NYC’s best Middle Eastern food, and it’s a great choice for a laidback group meal, whether or not you live near Bay Ridge.
Aita
You can get some oxtail ravioli or lemon sole at this cozy, casual neighborhood Italian spot in Clinton Hill.
Il Buco
Il Buco in Noho serves outstanding pasta, risotto, and steak in a setting that looks like a farmhouse in the Italian countryside.
Marea
Marea in Midtown makes some of the best pasta in NYC. You must order the bone marrow and octopus fusilli.
River Cafe
The River Cafe is a nice spot for '90s-era fancy food with a breathtaking view of the Manhattan skyline.
Qanoon
Quanoon is a Palestinian restaurant in Chelsea known for its homestyle cooking and colorful, farm-fresh produce.
Margie's
If you want to order a seafood tower and a bottle of wine after a day on the beach in the Rockaways, go to Margie's in The Rockaway Hotel.
Where To Take People Who Think They Hate NYC
Everyone knows someone who’s convinced they hate NYC. These spots will make them think otherwise.
Kyu
Kyu in Noho is a great group dinner spot with a menu that takes inspiration from Thai, Japanese, and Korean cuisine.
Casa Carmen
Casa Carmen is an upscale Mexican spot in Tribeca, and it's the only place where you can get signature dishes from the well-known El Bajío restaurant empire outside of Mexico.
Dame
Dame is an exciting English seafood restaurant in Greenwich Village with delicious fish, a long wine list, and a disco playlist.