Strip House

The Midtown outpost of Strip House on 44th Street has the same cheeky, burlesque-inspired decor as  its Greenwich Village location, and it’s one of the better options around Bryant Park for a proper meal. The lunch scene here is sleepy, but sitting alone at a quiet bar with just our thoughts and an eight-ounce strip steak is a rare joy in this area. At dinnertime, it's a livelier spot. A sandwich board outside advertises their “famous” 24-layer chocolate cake. Save some room because this tall cake lives up to its reputation.