Blue Ribbon Sushi serves up authentic Japanese cuisine and is one of the most popular sushi bars in the city. Fresh fish is flown in from Japanese seas daily so Chef Toshi Ueki can create the freshest dishes possible. There are more than 30 appetizers to choose from. Highly recommended is the spicy fish soup and shrimp shumai, which is perfectly paired with a glass of sake. Blue Ribbon Sushi is open seven days a week from noon to 2 a.m.
Blue Ribbon Sushi Bar and Grill
119 Sullivan St. (between Prince and Spring streets)
New York, NY 10012
212-343-0404
blueribbonrestaurants.com/rests_sushiBarGrill_main.htm
East Side Social Club is an Italian-American restaurant on East 10th Street. With cozy booths and black and white photos of Joe DiMaggio, among others, it conveys a casual, home-like feel. Executive Chef Devon Gilroy has created a brunch, lunch, dinner and late-night menu. Selections include foie gras and grilled marinated skirt steak. Dinner entrees to try are the linguini with clam sauce and gnocchi bolognese. The restaurant is open seven days a week, 6:45 a.m. to 4 a.m.
East Side Social Club
230 E. 51st St. (between Second and Third avenues)
New York, NY 10022
212-355-9442
esscnyc.com
Sakagura is one of midtown Manhattan's authentic sake bars. Located in an office building basement on 43rd Street, this hidden spot is a sophisticated Asian restaurant. With its numerous sake barrels, Sakagura offers more than 200 types of sake that can be ordered by the glass or bottle. It's open for dinner seven days a week and features a special daily lunch menu on weekdays. Try a fresh sashimi platter or the healthy buckwheat noodles, homemade every morning.
Sakagura
211 E. 43rd St.
New York, NY 10017
212-953-7253
sakagura.com
Monkey Bar is the newest midtown restaurant located in the Hotel Elysée and was opened by "Vanity Fair" Editor Graydon Carter. Inside are deep-upholstered booths, a stretched bar and monkey murals. The menu is meat-heavy. Try the meatloaf, or, if you're craving seafood, order the lobster newburg. You can have it sent to your room if you're staying at the Elysée. In-room dining is available to hotel guests on all signature dishes. Monkey Bar is open for lunch and dinner on weekdays and Saturdays. It's closed on Sunday.
Monkey Bar
60 E. 54th St. (between Park and Madison avenues)
New York, NY 10022
212-308-2950
monkeybarnewyork.com
