Best restaurant on the UES?

I truly believe that when this question is asked of me, it is imperative that cuisine is taken into consideration. Best Italian, Chinese, Sushi, etc...Also, need to define UES - but with that said, I will start:

Best Italian : Nicola's
Best Indian: Tandoor Oven
Best Chinese: Chef Ho's (Thank you Dubz!)
Best Sushi: Not exactly UES but im very particular to Seki, E60's - if it must be UES, Poke is very good.

I look forward to providing insight to more cuisine's and hearing other people's input.

Best Steakhouse: Parlor (newcomer on 90th and 3rd)
Will have to check out Chef Ho's...been looking for good chinese...

For the sake of this discussion lets say UES is 57th to 96th.

Parlor is VERY good.

if thats the case UESBandit, I think Sushi Seki takes it hands down.

i really love spigolo. i had the second best meal of my life (#1 was in italy) at Aureole, so i always return, although it has never quite hit such heights again.

I will agree that Tandoor is without question the best Indian in the 'hood. My suggestions are beef curry and chicken tika masala. Be sure to order some puri(sp?) and onion culcha(sp?), and dont forget to wash it all down with some 24 ounce Taj Mahal beers......

Aureole is phenominal - and think its a great shout out.

Based on the definition of UES - I am a huge fan of both David Burke Townhouse and Fishtail (both David Burke restaurants)

I believe that Daniels also falls in this geography and while it is an easy place to say, the meal is nothing shy of amazing -

For my friends on StreetEasy and please dont tell too many people about this but on Sunday nights, both David Burke Townhouse and Fishtail offer a 3-course meal for $20 pp. Best value in all of NYC -

al2fm, that is some of the best info i've received on this site. i don't know fishtail. new american seafood?

Aureole

It is new american seafood, if you know David Burke than you know what to expect - everything is a play on words and very creative. In addition to the $20 menu (3-course) they also offer a $20 seafood tower that would easily sell for over $100 at Atlantic Grill (one of my UES favorites) or other restaurants alike.

Another good one is Due (Italian) on 80th and 3rd.

Sitting at the bar at Elio's with a glass of wine and an order of mozzarella di buffala...

UESBandit, we are talking the best not those that are good - If you have been to Nicola's then given the choice, I believe Nicola's would win every time. However, if we start talking best value, Due does deserve an honarble mention

For a bar that serves food, I highly recommend Uptown Lounge on 3rd between 88th and 89th. They actually have a very extensive menu, and the food is extremely good (especially if you had tipped a few back!).

My wife really likes Demarchalier on 86th street, so I will mention it here.

Italians I love: Spigolo, Elio's, Antonucci's and Sandro's (best pasta al limone ever!)

Ok I am about to drop a time bomb on anyone that has really been living on the UES for a while; PINK SALMON. They used to be located on Madison between 85th and 86th. No tables, just a iced display case full of the freshest fish you can imagine. Probably about 4 bar stools for you to order 'melt in your mouth' sushi while you wait. They moved about 3 years ago (maybe more) to someplace in Yorkville and to be honest I never went. It was nice having them close, I actually had an debit account WITH the place.....

Another Italian honarable mention, could be most romantic (great food too ) - Erminia

If you're feeling all lovey-dovey, or need to impress a date, Erminia needs a mention.

sanba, is that the same Sandro that used to provide some of the best food in Chelsea? if so, i've got to check it out.

al2fm, if you ever want some recommendations for downtown, i suspect i could be a source.

Yes!!1
It's on 81st bet 2nd and 1st.
If you go try fried artichokes and spaghettini al limone!! The best ever!

hey tina24hour - does Brian buy you that glass of wine or make you pay for it?

This is an interesting thread on Italian places. I had gotten so used to the millions of mediocre Italian shops on this island that it has dulled the senses and desire to find truly outstanding Italian.

Does anyone have an opinion re Etats-Unis? It may not be a candidate for best restaurant, but it has been highly regarded for awhile. I've never made it there (or to their offshoot wine bar across the street), and was thinking about trying it.

Sandro used to be the chef at Quatro Gatti -- which I still like quite a bit for old-school Italian.

Elios (Italian), Sushi of Gari, Atlantic Grill (fish), Beyoglu (Turkish), J.G. Melon (burgers), and Roma Pizza. Put me on a desert island with those six and I'll be just fine.

Caveat - I have not been to Daniel, Aureole or Boulud which are generally the highest ranked on the UES.

I forgot about Beyoglu. I'll give a second big shout out for that one. We have Blue Water Grill downtown so I don't really do Atlantic Grill, but if they are comparable I'd say that's a good destination as well.

AboutReady - as it sounds like you know, Atlantic Grill and Blue Water Grill are both part of B.R. Guest - however, Atlantic Grill while similar, is far superior.

Beyoglu is a great restaurant, and would probably get my vote for best value (any other day than Sunday, cause Burke got it!)

Etats-Unis: I ate there a couple of times and wasn't particularly impressed. I also don't like the forced "casual" intimacy of the little dining room.

Interesting. I love seafood and that chain is fairly reasonable. I'll have to check it out (after I have a go at the fishtail seafood tower. i do so love me a fine seafood tower).

alanhart, have you tried spigolo? if so, how does the environment compare? etats-unis seems much more enclosed to me, one of the reasons i haven't tried it.

I haven't been to Spigolo. I have family on the UES, and pretty much only eat in that neighborhood with them, and let them choose.

Is a seafood tower one of those afternoon-tea-type triple plate holders with a different seathing on each? Or some sort of 90s-style savory "napoleon"?

it's the triple plate holder on steroids (hopefully) with lots of ice and things that may or may not be raw and cause people to be squeamish.

I have been to Etats-Unis a few times, and its decent. I dont think I would consider it one of the top restaurants however. One strange (funny?) thing is that if you order a drink the waiter needs to run across the street to the wine bar to get it for you.

bandit, if you order food at the wine bar do they run across to get that as well? very funny.

Right - Daniel! Does that even count? It's not a restaurant, it's like traveling to Europe. Costs as much, too.

of course it counts. and you don't have to sit in a tin can.

Then I'll put my hand up for Daniel. I had an insane meal there. Totally transporting. I don't generally love a four-star restaurant (like Per Se, where you spend more time talking to the wait staff than with your dining companions), but gee the food at Daniel is great.

Is it quiet or convivial? I had an awesome meal at March a few years ago, but good lord if I want to spend $400-600 to sit quietly among the nearly dead.

that's what i really love about Aureole, the outdoor seating and the gracious service. I feel as if I'm in a Danny Meyer setting on the UES, with no snobbery, just a lovely desire to make me feel content.

If that's true at Daniel, I'm there for my birthday in a couple of months.

I really like Tenzan for sushi... not to many people know about it

I was actually in Tenzan a few weeks ago and a bum came in. He went straight into to the bathroom and proceeded to take a crap on the floor and smoke crack. He was in there for about 10 minutes while the staff scurried around figuring out what to do. When he finally left, the smoke flowed into the whole restaurant and really smelled bad. To their credit, the staff immediately sprayed down the entire bathroom area with air freshener, and then began to literally scrub the floors down from the bathroom to the front door. The food was good, and while I cant blame them for what the guy did it will always stick in my mind.

aboutready...can you comment on restaurants downtown that you like

julia, will do but let's start another thread. this is important, the UES is actually getting some really good, not just old time (which can be great as well), italian and other cuisine, food. let's give them some room and we'll start a downtown thread soon.

sounds good...

Divino for delivery.

Wrong side of town, but has anyone been to Per Se?

i'm heading up to my cousin on the upper east side and want to bring in take out chinese any suggestions...if i ask my cousin she'll say don't bother i'll make something and she's a horrible cook.

Elio's - never disappoints

Spigolo - way too rich (both times). Why it gets such high marks in Zagats is beyond me.

Atlantic Grill - Crunchy Spicy Tuna is always great

Etats Unis (North side of street) - great atmosphere, always fun. Guacamole and short ribs are very good.

JG Melons - best burgers in town (period).

Sushi of Gari - great sushi, but such a hole in the wall. Not worth feeling like a sardine.

China Fun, 64th & 2nd

JoJo!

> JG Melons - best burgers in town (period).
(only if you "forgot" to visit the 5 better places, including PJ clark's just a few blocks below)

aboutready - willing to travel for your birthday dinner? My husband took me to Del Posto for my birthday last night, and I swear it just gets better and better. Daniel is an older crowd, because who can afford it? Del Posto's spendy too, but the food is actually better than Babbo, and there's room to move, and it's quiet enough to talk. I'm not a huge fan of the Super Tuscan decor, but the service is phenomenal and the food - the pastas especially - is divine.
Tina
(More broke but happy Brooklyn broker)

I love Daniel. Favourite restaurant in the City. Best buger in the city? I think it's The Burger Joing at the Parker Meridien (not in the 'hood.) If you are concerned about patron age and price, Le Bilboquet is a nice Eurotrashy experience (although you haven't really experienced Eurotrash until you go to Bagatelle in the Meatpacking district.) Believe it or not, Le Bilboquet has a very decent cajun chicken (I also like their veal and of course lots of wine.)

Erminia used to be pretty decent. Chola is great Indian (fav Indian in the City.) Payard is great. Dull but sooooo good (never actually been to the restaurant bit, just the cafe.) I like Geisha too (lobster udon) although it's overpriced and the service stinks.

Tina, thanks for the tip. As long as Daniel is not a tomb, i'm game. I'll have to try them both.

The Europeans tend (gross generalization to follow, warning) to spend more money on experiences, and less on goods. I'm focusing on my inner european roots, I guess.

You won't be disappointed at Daniel then. I have to say I loved the old European grand room style before the remodelling. Food is still equally amazing and the service is fabulous. There's still a fair amount of young money in NY so don't be too concerned!

Not quite UES, but surprised no-ones mentioned Felidia. A little further South is another gem...Convivio in Tudor City.

Felidia is great. Didn't enjoy Convivio but maybe because it was during opening week.

You know, folks might not believe me, but... Jackson Hole.

Not one of the chain offspring, I mean the original still run by the owners, with the live counter.

Great burgers (although huge and they fall apart), but I've gone just for the salads! Weird, even the mexican stuff is good. I think of this as just a great diner.

Jackson Hole used to be much better in my opinion, but its still a decent choice for a diner.

lo, try it again. Wasn't there opening week, but back 3 times and they've nailed it all three. Menu can be a little challenging, but it's all great, and a bargain for what it is.

l088....you're definitely enjoying life in manhattan...i don't go to those restaurants but they sound wonderful.

julia, there is amazingly good value downtown, where you can kind of have your cake and eat it too.

I almost forgot...

Papaya King!

(anyone who follows with anything about Gray's is a tourist)

> julia, there is amazingly good value downtown, where you can kind of have your cake and eat it too.

But more value uptown... and growing.

You can get a nicer version of the same apartment in NYU territory for 15% less near the 86th street express

nyc10022, for food? I was talking about food. I think real estate prices everywhere are out of whack, but particularly downtown.

I wish I wanted to live on the uppers. I'd guess at least 20% less in the neighborhood you cite.

Spartacus - will have to try Convivio again then!

Julia - definitely enjoying Manhattan. That's why we're still here!!! How are you feeling btw?

"nyc10022, for food? I was talking about food. I think real estate prices everywhere are out of whack, but particularly downtown."

Ha, I wasn't thinking food, brain fart.

Although Papaya King is a pretty good deal....

> I wish I wanted to live on the uppers. I'd guess at least 20% less in the neighborhood you cite.

Yes, absolutely cheaper up here. A friend did a search, was looking east village, and was just blown away how much more you get up here (and ended up here).

lo88...glad you're still in new york...i'm feeling good but it left me very shaky...

nyc10022...do you think i can get a small one bedroom on the ues for $1800 in an elevator bldg. no doorman???

p.s. i was in kinkos on 78th street and i saw Harrison Ford...that was fun....only in new york.

"nyc10022...do you think i can get a small one bedroom on the ues for $1800 in an elevator bldg. no doorman???"

I think so with a little bit of work.

In November a friend went to look at a $1900 elevator no doorman on 88th lex-3rd... and lost it to someone who was willing to pay some up front. Very clean, nice mid-size building. Decent size (not big, but a real workable one bedroom).

This was *before* the prices really started to tank, so I don't see why you wouldn't be able to. Now stuff is down 10-15% since then (what she ended up with is now $200 less on the management company site, and a lot more popping up).

Non-elevator are already in the $1600-1700 range, so I can't see why you couldn't find what you are looking for.

Good luck!

Julia, only $200 away. Getting very, very close. A condo, too, not a coop.

http://www.prudentialelliman.com/listings.ASpx?listingid=1111615&utm_source=Streeteasy&utm_campaign=corporate&utm_medium=listings

julia
16 minutes ago
ignore this person
report abuse p.s. i was in kinkos on 78th street and i saw Harrison Ford...that was fun....only in new york.

Julia - this is a pathetic comment.
Whenever I go to LA I see 2 or 3 celebrities a day without even looking for them. So what?

But thats like saying you were at the zoo and saw a gorilla.

Much different if you see one in the middle of civilization!

rear_window - rain getting to you?

nyc1022, lo88...very witty...that's the difference between LA and NY...thanks guys

Wow - lots of Elio's fans - add me to the list. Always a favorite since the 80s.