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Posted by on Jul 26, 2013 in Pat Wong, Social | 0 comments

NYC Restaurant Week: July 22- August 16

restaurant

http://www.nycgo.com/restaurantweek

Restaurant Week comes twice a year in New York, once in the winter and once in the summer. The summer rendition started this past Monday. For anyone unfamiliar with the concept, Restaurant Week is an opportunity to eat at an expensive restaurant at a lower price. For restaurants, it is a marketing opportunity as well as a chance to get more customers in a part of the year when their business is in a lull period. For foodies like myself, it is an opportunity to try new restaurants I would normally not go to because of the cost. The prix fixed price is $25 and $38 respectively for lunch and dinner. You get to choose a 3 course meal with appetizer, entrée, and dessert. Please note that some restaurants are only open for lunch. Moreover, there may be some restaurants that offer a more premium dish at additional cost. While the end of Restaurant Week is currently August 16, it is usually extended to the end of August for most of the restaurants on the list. The full list of participating restaurants is in the link above. Here are my thoughts on some of the restaurants I have tried on the list:

  1. 1.       Aureole (Times Square/ Theatre District – American)

Score: 8/10

I have been to Aureole once for lunch. Not out of this world but it was a very good 3 course meal.

  1. 2.       Blue Fin (Times Square/ Theater District – Seafood)

Score: 9/10

I have only been to this restaurant once but I really enjoyed the food. Looking at the Restaurant Week menu, I believe I tried the yellowfin tuna roll, crispy skin skuna bay salmon, and the triple chocolate cheesecake. It is also very nice restaurant in the middle of Times Square.

3.       Bobby Van’s Steakhouse (Various Locations – Steakhouse)

Score: 8.5/10

This restaurant has been my go to place year over year during restaurant week. They have excellent steak cuts. They have various locations but I have been to the two in Midtown on 45th Street and 54th Street. I have not been disappointed yet.

4.       Capitale Grille (Various Locations – Steakhouse)

Score: 7.5

I have only been in the one in Midtown on 51st St. I have been there twice. The first time was good but not special. The second time was very good when I ordered the seared citrus salmon.

5.       China Grill (Midtown – Asian Fusion)

Score: 9/10

I usually pass on Asian Fusion restaurants. China Grill is the exception. I have been there once and had an amazing meal.

6.       Delmonico’s Restaurant (Financial District – Steakhouse)

Score: 6/10

I have been here twice. The first time was amazing. I went there for a business lunch and the steak was great. When I went for Restaurant Week, it was average. It was probably a 10/10 the first time but the second time was 6/10. As the second time was Restaurant Week, I have to give it a 6 as a Restaurant Week suggestion.

7.       Hill Country Barbecue Market (Flatiron – Barbecue)

Score: 8.5/10

I have been to Hill Country multiple times but never for Restaurant Week. It is an ala carte system where you go to each station, get whatever you want, and pay on the way out the door. However, I do not know how Restaurant Week would work there. I do know that the moist brisket is their best entrée and it is the only entrée you must try. The sausage is also very good. For dessert, the pecan pie is out of this world good.

8.       Marseille (Hell’s Kitchen – French)

Score: 8.5

I have only been here once. I went as part of a work team lunch. I do not eat French food much but Marseille was excellent.

9.       Ruth’s Chris Steak House (Times Square/ Theater District – Steakhouse)

Score: 9/10

I tried this steakhouse during restaurant week last year. I still remember my steak being very tender and very juicy.

10.   Empire Steak House (Midtown – Steakhouse)

Score: 6/10

For the current Restaurant Week, I have only tried Empire Steak House so far. It is a nice restaurant. The food was nothing special. The Canadian Bacon was very good, the lamb chops were average, and the tirmasu was good but not overwhelming. It is a nice place to catch up with friends but the food was disappointing.

On Deck:

I have additional reservations for Maze by Gordon Ramsey (Lunch Only/ Midtown – French) and Fig & Olive (Midtown – Mediterranean) over the next two weeks. I am looking forward to trying both restaurants for the first time.

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