The Polo Bar

You might be skeptical of a Midtown restaurant run by the guy who’s single-handedly responsible for millions of popped collars, but The Polo Bar is impossible to get into for a reason. This place is a production. Past the bar at the entrance, a set of stairs leads to a subterranean dining room with parquet floors, leather banquettes, and a massive collection of equestrian art. The menu reads like that of a high-end country club, and—for a sceney restaurant brought to you by Ralph Lauren—the food is surprisingly good. It’s nothing to write a symphony about, but it’ll keep you fed and happy as you scan the room for someone you recognize from SNL or MSNBC. Celebrity sightings are a given here, and that’s part of the reason why trying to get a table feels like an exercise in futility. Reservations are taken over the phone, but best of luck snagging one.