New York is the United Nations of flavours.
Hip: Midtown
Chelsea is the scene of much of Manhattan's hippest, most celebrity-addled
cuisine. The feel here is buttoned-down casual chic. The Meatpacking District
includes several noteworthy bistros and brasseries where the food is taken very
seriously indeed. Some excellent choices are dishing up delectable cuisine
throughout the Midtown area, and further north in the Upper West Side and
Upper East Side.
Far East: Southeast Downtown
Little Italy may be a shadow of its former self but there are still a number
of tourist-oriented restaurants in the neighbourhood. Chinatown now dominates
the area, and offers the curious and intrepid gastronome the chance to sample
far-flung flavours at all price levels. The best cluster of snack joints and budget
restaurants in Manhattan is in the East Village.
Emerging: Southwest Downtown
Neighbourhoods such as Tribeca, SoHo and the West Village
attract scrutiny from food-lovers. The restaurants that serve the Wall Street
neighbourhood tend to be a little more formal than restaurants in other parts of
town – if you're unsure about the dress code, don't be
embarrassed to ring ahead.
Tax is fixed at 8.25 per cent. Tips of 15 to 20 per cent are standard; large parties
at restaurants will frequently find their gratuity included in the bill. Book ahead
for New York’s upmarket restaurants, especially at weekends.
