Splurge meal in NYC this weekend

November 1, 2022 5:35 AM

I'm going to NYC this weekend and I want to splurge on a fancy dinner. Details within!

I'm in my mid-thirties and this will be my first real "vacation" to NYC! (Other times were as a teen and for work.) I got an unexpected $500 last week and would like to use some or all of that money to splurge on a really amazing meal. I'm pretty overwhelmed with all of the amazing options and also know that getting a reservation this late in the game could be tricky, so looking for MeFi's help!

Things to consider:
- I'll be dining alone
- Prix fixe/tasting menus preferred
- Lunch or dinner is fine
- Midtown Manhattan or Williamsburg/Greenpoint preferred, though I'll travel for the perfect spot
- I eat just about anything but would love to have a more unique cuisine that I can't get at home in Pittsburgh

posted by anotheraccount to Travel & Transportation around New York, NY (14 answers total)

Aska in Williamsburg is one of my favorite tasting menus in the city and they have reservations available, though at slightly weird times, both Friday and Saturday. Swedish cuisine technically but just generally delicious and surprising, lots of fermented foods and interesting ingredients.
posted by LeeLanded at 5:48 AM on November 1, 2022 [1 favorite]

Le Bernardin is never less than perfect. Midtown. Prix fixe. Don't know if you can get a reservation this late.
posted by tmdonahue at 5:52 AM on November 1, 2022 [9 favorites]

The pasta tasting menu at Babbo* is unreal. Not sure they'd let you do it solo but worth calling about if you're at all interested. And as a single diner you can probably sit at the bar to eat rather than trying to get a reservation, which honestly is a more fun way to eat there anyway.

*Mario Batali sucks shit and belongs in jail. I'm honestly not sure what the ethics of eating there are at this point.
posted by saladin at 6:19 AM on November 1, 2022 [2 favorites]

Not sure how the whimsical French-influenced Chinese-Korean scene is in Pittsburgh but Joomak Banjum is a fun looking but decidedly upscale spot.

I haven’t been but have been a long time social media fan of its head chef Jihoo Kim who was executive pastry chef at The Modern prior to going out on his own.
posted by Exceptional_Hubris at 6:39 AM on November 1, 2022

If you can get a seat at the bar for an omakase tasting, it's always really fun and social because everyone at the bar is trying everything at the same time and it's sort of like you're all watching a show together. If you're in the 150-200 price range it's really hard to go wrong. Most recently went to Juku in Chinatown and it was a blast - I think 15 courses? I went with a friend but there were definitely some solo diners, and it was a fun and chatty vibe between patrons as well as the sushi chefs behind the counter. And the food was gorgeous!
posted by windbox at 6:40 AM on November 1, 2022 [2 favorites]

I had a fantastic meal at Kochi (Hell’s Kitchen) a few weeks ago. Prix fixe Korean skewer tasting menu, definitely get the uni supplement if you go. The drink pairing (included wine, beer, and some Korean beverages) was delightful as well.

It looks like they have one early Friday evening reservation left for this weekend, and you can always try getting on the waitlist (via Resy) as well for these sorts of restaurants.
posted by A Blue Moon at 6:44 AM on November 1, 2022 [1 favorite]

My 100% recommendation is Per Se (https://www.thomaskeller.com/perseny). I have eaten there alone a few times and they have always made me feel comfortable and welcome. Their tasting menu is great, and so is their wine/juice pairings. This is a meal you will not forget.
posted by alchemist at 7:12 AM on November 1, 2022 [3 favorites]

Atomix: Midtown, extremely ambitious Korean.

If Aska sounds good but you can't get in, you could also look at Atera (downtown).
posted by praemunire at 7:50 AM on November 1, 2022 [2 favorites]

Oxomoco in Greenpoint is one of my favorites (especially the tlayuda!). Not prix fixe, but very good, Michelin starred.

I also really like Claro in Gowanus, which does offer a prix fixe dinner option.

Reservations at either would be dicey at this point but if you’re solo dining you may have some luck sitting at the bar.
posted by Kosh at 10:30 AM on November 1, 2022 [1 favorite]

I went to The Lambs Club recently, and it was really great, with a cool old-school vibe.
posted by spilon at 2:29 PM on November 1, 2022 [1 favorite]

Fulgurances Laundromat is the new it restaurant in Greenpoint. A rotating chef, changing every two months or so, usually young and looking to build up their name. Prix fixe menu with paired wines. Always interesting!
posted by Liesl at 6:05 PM on November 1, 2022 [1 favorite]

I had one of the most memorable meals of my entire life at Indian Accent. The prix fixe was just spectacular, every bite.
posted by BlahLaLa at 8:04 PM on November 2, 2022

We loved Oxalises tasting menu pre-pandemic. By all accounts, they are still going strong.
posted by lalochezia at 4:23 PM on November 3, 2022

Response by poster: Thank you, all! I ended up going to Kochi and Kaiseki Room by Yamada, both of which were excellent.
posted by anotheraccount at 6:51 AM on November 7, 2022