Long known for its exclusivity, in a city that defines restaurant exclusivity, Rao’s is not likely to be letting me in any time soon.

It’s not because of my manners (which are good), the way I dress (which is always appropriate), or because the price is beyond my means. No, it’s because Rao’s only has ten tables. And they are all booked up. Forever.

Rao’s was founded in 1896 by Italian immigrant Charles Rao who opened a small restaurant in the Italian community of Harlem. Its never moved, and today the restaurant is owned by the fourth generation of the Rao family. Current owners (Rao nephews) are Frank Pellegrino (who also plays an FBI agent on The Sopranos) and Ron Straci.

What’s so special about Rao’s? Most of us will never know, because its exclusivity is not just an urban legend, but a reality. Although the restaurant is closed on weekends, and has only one seating at 7 pm, its ten tables are owned by customers for life. It’s like a standing reservation — for forever. While occasionally tables are “loaned” out to a friend for an evening, if the owner isn’t there, the table may just stay empty. You can’t buy a table. You can only hope to be a friend of a friend of a friend who knows someone who has a friend who will let you use their table for the evening.

Rao’s small, intimate, and exclusive atmosphere means that most patrons know one another. You’ll find politicians, celebrities, regulars from the neighborhood, and, reportedly, some patrons of a rather dubious background. No matter, EVERYONE is special at Rao’s.

The restaurant reportedly has great food. I say reportedly, because that’s what I’ve read. I don’t actually know anyone who has been there. And I don’t know a friend of a friend of a friend. . . well, you know what I mean. I haven’t given up, though, and maybe one day will be able to give you a first hand report.

Rao’s is located at 455 East 114th Street, East Harlem, New York (#6 subway to 116th), and is open Monday – Friday for a 7 pm seating. The bar is generally crowded, but is available to the general public. Mastercard and Visa accepted.

Since I won’t be getting a table at Rao’s any time soon, I’ve had to be content with reading about it, as I’m doing now. I’ve been enjoying one of its cookbooks, Rao’s – Recipes from the Neighborhood.

There are other options, and although they aren’t as exciting as visiting the original Rao’s in Harlem, it is possible to get a little glimpse into what it must be like. A west coast version of Rao’s opened at Caesars Palace Las Vegas in December 2006. In an effort to duplicate the ambience of NYC, it has two ten-table rooms, although in Las Vegas you CAN get a reservation. Rao’s Las Vegas also has additional seating in a “feast” area, and a pool side patio.

Rao’s Las Vegas is open daily. Breakfast 6 – 11 am. Lunch 11 am – 3 pm. Dinner 5 – 11 pm. Reservations required, (877) 346-4642.

Rao’s has also expanded into a specialty foods business, available through its website and at selected locations.

While Las Vegas is a more sensible option for me, I’m still hoping for the real New York deal. Anyone know anyone who knows someone?

Photo credit: Rao’s

Post from: The New York City Traveler

Tavern on the Green is located in Central Park on the Upper West side of Manhattan (Central Park at West 67th Street).  It is one of the most successful independently owned restaurants in the U.S. 

It first achieved notoriety as a frequent haunt of the famous and infamous of Manhattan, including actors, entertainers and politicians.  It’s been the site for many opening night receptions for Broadway shows and movie premieres, and has been featured in tons of movies and television shows.  Perhaps you remember seeing the restaurant, in all its glass and twinkling lights glory, in Ghostbusters, Hitch, or Wall Street (among many others).

The restaurant is also known for its connection to the New York City Marathon.  On the eve of the Marathon the restaurant hosts a huge pasta party.  Runners attend at no charge, perhaps having that final chance to carb up.  The evening also feature lives entertainment and fireworks.  The day of the race runners get to visit the restaurant again as they cross the finish line.

Lots of special events have happened at Tavern on the Green, and lots of memories made.  It seems like everyone has a special story about the restaurant.  If you do too, please feel free to share it in the comments.

Photo credit:  flickr

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Post from: The New York City Traveler

Like all good things, Nobu’s popularity as grown.  Just open up the society pages to see who has dined there recently.  It’s the Japanese restaurant for most of Hollywood.  In recent years, reservations have become impossible to procure but after all, who really wants to dine elbow-to-elbow the the likes of Paris Hilton? 

Fear not, the Robert De Niro global empire (and Downtown Manhattan development project) includes Nobu Next Door located just doors from Nobu’s Tribeca location.  Nobu Next Door has a no-reservation policy, reasonable prices, friendly service, and a menu full of traditional sushi and Japanese fusion dishes that Chef Nobu Matsuhisa made famous.       

The menu offers a myriad of choices, most of which are budget-friendly.  Miso with tofu $4, sashimi from $3, sushi rolls from $4, or a tasting menu from $100.  Oh, yes, and the wasabi has the same great taste, making this my my favorite neighborhood restaurant.

Domo airgato, Nobu, for creating Nobu Next Door for us regular folks.      

Location:  105 Hudson Street (at Franklin), (map) 212-334-4445

Subway: 1, 2 to Franklin

Hours:  Monday-Thursday 5:45-Midnight; Friday and Saturday 5:45pm-1am; Sunday 5:45pm-11pm.    

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Post from: The New York City Traveler

Visit the Restaurant Week site for more information, including a full list of the over 200 participating restaurants organized by cuisine type and neighborhood.  

Reservations can be made through opentable.com.

Dates: July 21–25 and July 28–August 1, 2008

Cost: Three-Course Prix-Fixe Lunch $24.07, Dinner $35.00 Beverages, gratuities and taxes are not included.

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Post from: The New York City Traveler

Vanessa’s Dumpling House (nee Dumpling House) is a Chinatown favorite for good reason: 39 food items on the menu that are $3 or less and nothing on the 45-item menu is over $6. 

So far, I have tried the Chive & Pork Fried Dumplings (4 for $1), the Basil & Chicken Boiled Dumplings in soup ($4.25), and the Pork Fried Bun (3 for $1) and everything has been delicious.  Ten varieties of dumplings, thirteen types of buns and stuffed pancakes, and sixteen soups, as well as cold dishes like Kimchi ($2), round out the menu.   

The restaurant recently moved into a larger space, next door to its original space.  On my last visit, there was no sign, no address posed.  Just look for the floor-to-ceiling windows, or the line snaking out the front door.   

Location:  Vanessa’s Dumpling House, 118 Eldridge Street (between Grand and Broome Street),  map  212-625-8008

Subway:  B, D to Grand Street; F, Z to Essex-Delancey Street; J, M to Bowery

Hours:  Daily, 7:30am-10:30pm

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Post from: The New York City Traveler

My regular fish shack is in Cambridge, Massachusetts, on the Charles River.  It’s a true shack meaning that it’s a fish shop that happens to sell a $12 lobster roll.  No tables, so you have to sit on the curb under a big oak tree to enjoy the finest lobster roll that Sully, the fish monger, whips up.    

A few weeks ago I was bent on having a lobster roll.  Driving to Boston was out of the question but I remembered a quaint little “fish shack” a friend had recommended with an unforgettable name and story.  It sounded “down home” enough.  Mary’s Fish Camp (rumor has it that it’s named after the campground in Florida) was opened by Mary after she split with her girlfriend and business partner, the owner of the neighboring Pearl Oyster Bar.  Everybody said that Mary’s had the best lobster rolls, so I began my trek through West Village to Mary’s Fish Camp.

I took my seat at the crescent-shaped stainless steel bar, glanced at the menu and ordered my market price lobster roll.  It was somewhere between realizing that I was sitting next to Friends actor David Schwimmer and the waitress telling me that the market price for the lobster roll was $40 that I realized Mary’s Fish Camp was not a fish shack.  My mind was screaming “What?  Forty dollars!” while I just smiled, a bit shell shocked, and said “That will be fine.” 

For $40 one would expect the most fantastic sandwich on the face of the earth.  Alas, it was not.  You could see the problem before you tasted it: way too much mayonnaise and, in a possible attempt to make the mayo sandwich look somewhat appetizing, the french fries were plied on top (a personal pet peeve as I am a food separatist– I don’t want my food mixing, nor do I want mayo on my fries).  Disappointment aside, Mary’s Fish Camp has a long list of spectacular-looking appetizers available at a much more moderate prices ($9-$13) and local beer from Brooklyn Brewery.    

In addition to the original restaurant in West Village, Mary and current business partner Derek Dos Anjos opened Brooklyn Fish Camp in Park Slope.  Hours and menu varies, check the Brooklyn Fish Camp website for more information.

Location: 64 Charles Street (at 4th Street) (map) 646-486-2185

Subway: 1 to Christopher Street-Sheridan Square; 

Hours:  Open Monday-Saturday.  Lunch Noon-3pm, Dinner 6pm- 11pm

Photo credit (top to bottom): flickr; personal collection  

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Post from: The New York City Traveler

A few years ago a collective gasp could be heard from Manhattan.  BLT Burger (the BLT stands for Bistro Laurent Tourondel) had just opened and given birth to a real gourmet burger– a $62 Japanese Kobe beef burger.  Manhattan was left to ponder “Where does Chef Tourondel think he is?  Los Angeles?”    

Since then, the hype has died down and I decided to head up to West Village to have my first BLT Burger.  When I first walked in I thought I was in the wrong place.  The restaurant looked like it was in the midst of an identity crisis– 50s soda shop-meets-country kitchen.  This is the place that serves the $62 hamburger? 

I did have the right place and no, I didn’t have that infamous Japanese Kobe burger.  I decided on the more entry-level $11 “BLT Burger.”  In this case, the BLT does stand for bacon, lettuce, and tomato. 

To be honest the burger didn’t look like much– similar to what is pulled off the bbq every weekend– but once I tasted the heavenly creation I quickly realized that I had been missing out on the best burger in Manhattan.  It wasn’t the generic white bun, the iceberg lettuce, or ridiculously placed two slices of bacon that made it spectacular.  It was, without a doubt, the 100% all beef patty made with a mix of sirloin, short rib, chuck, and brisket, cooked exactly to my specification.  

For a place that is frequented by some of the “who’s who” of Manhattan– hello Mrs. Billy Joel!– the service was surprisingly friendly and the restaurant was in no way pretentious.  Seven types of burgers are on the menu, a variety of sides, as well as regular or spiked milkshakes.  Delivery is available with a minimum order to a limited area.    

Location:  BLT Burger,  470 Sixth Avenue (between 11th and 12th Streets)  map  212-243-8226

Subway:  F, L, V to Sixth Avenue-14th Street; 1, 2, 3 to 14th Street; N, Q, R, W, 4, 5, 6 to Union Square-14th Street

Hours:  Open daily.  Lunch 11:30am-3:30pm; Dinner 5-11pm; Delivery is available 11:30am–10:30pm. 

Photo credit: personal collection

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Post from: The New York City Traveler

Mé Bar  Everything leading up to this bar seems lame.  It’s in Koreatown, on the 14th-floor of the La Quinta hotel.  But once there, you can easily see why this place is one of the best.  The Empire State Building dwarfs you as you sit at the tables, under the outdoor lights.  Only drinks are served but you can order food for delivery from one of the nearby restaurants.  17 West 32nd Street, 14th floor, 212-290-2460, mebarnyc.com

The Delancey  The excessive foliage and fountain may cover up the fact that there is no real view from this Lower East Side rooftop.  168 Delancey Street (between Clinton and Attorney) 212-254-9920, thedelancey.com

Sushi Samba 7  Don’t get confused with the other Sushi Samba’s in New York City (and around the world), Sushi Samba 7 is the one with the rooftop.  Rio de Janeiro-meets-Tokyo on the menu which features a raw bar as well as churrasco.  Cocktails flirt with the $10 mark.  87 Seventh Ave South, 212-691-7885, sushisamba.com 

Roof Garden Café  Enjoy spectacular views of Central Park from the rooftop of the Metropolitan Museum of Art at the Roof Garden Café.  Enjoy the light fare, beverages, and cocktails as you admire Jeff Koons sculpture exhibition, Jeff Koons On the Roof.  Admission to the Met is “a suggested amount” of $20.  But if you’re just stopping by to have a drink, forget the “suggested amount” and pay what you want.  1000 Fifth Avenue (at 82nd Street), 212-535-7710, metmuseum.org  

230 Fifth   This rooftop bar is known for two things: its very strict door policy and the fact that it is the largest rooftop bar in New York City.  Spectacular city views, palm trees, a limited menu, and pricey drinks wait for you as you arrive at the 20th floor.  Open from 4pm until 4am.  230 Fifth Avenue, 20th floor, 212-725-4300, 230-fifth.com 

The Dubliner  A true Irish bar in Hoboken, New Jersey is a great way to escape the bar scene in Manhattan.  Three floors of fun, but The Dubliner may just have the only rooftop bar in all of Hoboken.  No view, but there are good drinks, poured well, and friendly service, just blocks from the PATH station.  96 River Street, Hoboken, 201-656-7731, dublinerhoboken.com

BONUS:  Mad 46  I just went to this new lounge and had to make it a late add to this list.  The sparse surroundings located on the roof of the Roosevelt Hotel near Bryant Park, is great for weekday happy hour (it is closed Saturdays for private parties).  The menu is beverage-only but boasts 12 martinis as well as bottle service.  Mad 46 just opened in June 2008, so go before it becomes the city’s worst kept secret!  646-495-9511, theroosevelthotel.com  

Photo credit (top to bottom): view from Mé Bar, personal collection; view from Rooftop Garden Café, personal collection.

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Post from: The New York City Traveler

I realized how dependent I was on the chain when, in February, every single Starbucks was closed for “emergency training.”  I didn’t get the memo and didn’t bother to read the small sign posted on the door of my Soho Starbucks.  That night, in a rainy and cold New York, I was on a mission, running around downtown trying to find a Starbucks that was open.  Unable to wrap my brain around the fact that every store could be closed, I took the train to Times Square.  It was then, as I was standing in the center of the universe in front of a closed Starbucks, that I realized, yes, every single Starbucks was indeed closed.

It was a harsh moment, perhaps brought on by lack of caffeine, when I realized how dependent I was on something that is truly mediocre.  The next day, I made a commitment to find a new neighborhood coffee shop.

Located on a quiet street not far from the bustle of Union Square is the sleek little cafe Everyman Espresso.  Forget the bossa nova and cushy chairs that is synonymous with Starbucks, Everyman Espresso is a nod to mod with Pat Benatar playing overhead and a handful of modern bar stools and tables.  It isn’t exactly a place to camp-out but it is a place to read the Village Voice.  Oh yes, and it’s also the place to get the the best coffee you’ve ever had.    

The entire process of ordering and enjoying Everyman Espresso’s coffee is unmistakably different.  Everyman Espresso serves Counter Culture beans, which are freshly ground for every order.  The menu is classically simple: Latte, Cappuccino, Americano, Mocha, Macchiato, Mezzo (a lighter espresso), and Drip Coffee.  There isn’t an blended iced green tea latte to be seen.   

In Everyman Espresso, I think I may have found my new neighborhood coffee shop… even if I have to take the train to get there.

Location:  Everyman Espresso, 136 East 13th Street (between 3rd and 4th avenues) (map) 212-533-0524 

Subway:  4, 5, 6, N, R, Q, W, L to Union Square

Hours: 8am-8pm

Photo credit: personal collection    

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Post from: The New York City Traveler

Listen to live music as you enjoy award winning food from top pitmasters.  Fourteen of the country’s top pitmasters will represent their restaurants, including John Stage from New York’s own Rack & Soul and pitmaster Chris Lilly from Big Bob Bar-B-Q in Decatur, AL. When you’re not noshing on bbq, check out the free seminars and cooking demos.    

Eat for a cause!  Proceeds from the Big Apple Barbecue Block Party support the Madison Square Park Conservancy.  Visit Big Apple BBQ for more information and to download a PDF map of the event. 

Location: Madison Square Park, Madison Avenue between 23rd and 26th Street,  (map)

Subway: R, W to 23rd Street; 6 to 23rd Street; F, V to 23rd Street

Date and Time: June 7 and 8, 2008.  Noon-6pm.

Cost:  Admission to the event is free. Plates of BBQ are $8, sides $4, and beverages $2-6.   

Photo credit: flickr

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Post from: The New York City Traveler