New York. I have visited the city a number of times but somehow just the name still conjures up the same excitement I had for the place, or at least the idea of it, as a boy in Lucknow yearning to explore the great cities of the world. Much of my enthusiasm for New York centres on its status as a premiere culinary destination. From pizza and hot dogs to the myriad cuisines of the diverse communities that make New York their home, it is a place famous for its food. I?ve visited more than 30 top New York restaurants (and many more ordinary ones) and I?ll share names of my top five favourites and the reasons thereof.
First, I?ll share the basis for my recommendations. During my quarter century in the restaurant business I have seen countless fads, and countless restaurants based on them, come and go. It can be hard to decide whether a restaurant is delivering a truly special experience or just generating excitement by hitching onto the latest fashion. I have, therefore, developed five simple and timeless criteria to help me evaluate the quality of a high-end restaurant:
The restaurant setting should live up to the cuisine.
There should be a defined process in the service flow.
The staff should exhibit elegance and a sense of pride.
Menus should be simple and well-defined.
A sense of privacy should prevail among patrons.
With that in mind, here are my favourites in New York:
5 Le Bernadin: This place delivers a French fine dining experience in an elegant atmosphere perfect for a special occasion, be it a romantic dinner or closing an important deal. You will not go wrong with their degustation menu.
4 Balthazar: This is my favourite place for breakfast. In fact, I don?t visit New York without starting at least one day with Balthazar?s eggs Florentine and a side of fresh berries. The authentic French ambience and stylish SoHo location add to its appeal. Do yourself a favour and take away a treat from the on-site bakery for later.
3 Babbo: Mario Batali runs a number of good restaurants but Babbo is his best. His intensely flavourful food sets this restaurant apart from the many other good Italian options in New York.
2 Peter Luger: If you want a flash place to enjoy a good steak, Manhattan offers countless choices. If you simply want the best steak and are fine with unpretentious ambience and service, go to Brooklyn. Peter Luger?s steaks are the best in the world because they carefully select only the best cuts of beef and prepare them perfectly. Service is fast and efficient?no fuss, no frills. I hope this place never changes.
1 Per Se: Here we are at my favourite New York restaurant, featuring great Central Park views. Per Se gets top marks on my above criteria. Rich, engaging d?cor that has just enough modernity to feel comfortable is complemented by truly memorable French-influenced New American cuisine and operatic service. Per Se gets both the non-negotiable points and every little detail right. Go out of your way for a meal here.
New York is a global centre for luxury and fine dining, so when you visit for work or pleasure, be sure to plan ahead to enjoy the best the city has to offer.
Deepak Ohri is CEO of lebua Hotels & Resorts. He can be reached at deepak@lebua.com