Photo of Chelsea's High Line park: Flickr/JessyeAnne
How’s this for a dilemma: You’re in New York and you have a foodie’s palate, but a writer’s wallet. What’s a gourmand to do? The answer: Lunch. Many of the city’s epicurean hot spots offer a wallet-friendly prixe fixe during the daytime hours—even outside of Restaurant Week. It’s not quite the same as a romantic candlelight dinner, but what’s better, a sublime experience in the daylight, or a mediocre meal after sunset? Here are our picks for the city’s lunchtime deals:
La Silhouette: This unassuming three-month-old spot in the depths of Hell’s Kitchen is run by the affable Sally Chironis and Tito Rahman, former managers of Le Bernardin. Without a sign outside, or much in the way of décor inside, the focus here is squarely on the food. And it is divine. Chef David Malbequi (formerly of Daniel Boulud’s restaurants) creates delicious contemporary French fare without the hefty serving of pretension so overused by many chefs. A recently added lunch menu includes a salad of leeks cleverly wrapped in duck prosciutto. There’s also a grilled, marrow-and-porcini-topped hanger steak. The cost: A two-course lunch prix fixe (entrée with an appetizer or desert) is just $21.
Milos Estiatorio: The opposite of unassuming La Silhouette, Milos is a huge multi-level space reminiscent of Santorini—white gauzy curtains, white table cloths, giant stone urns, and brusque waiters. You’ll likely sit next to a table of bankers or other suit-types discussing a merger. But that's all forgiven once you taste the juicy grilled scallops or the grilled Kaphalonian Loup de Mer (aka branzino), which you can select from the massive display of fresh seafood sitting on ice near the kitchen. For dessert, try the karidopita (walnut cake), dripping in delicious honey. The cost: A three-course lunch prix fixe is just $24.07.
Morimoto: Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto’s Chelsea restaurant is as cool and futuristic as the man in the kitchen. With a decorative wall of water bottles, an, ahem, inventive bathroom, and even a sake sommelier, this place screams “expensive.” And for the most part, it is. But the three-course lunchtime prix fixe is a sizeable meal for an affordable price. Try the super fresh sashimi salad or the braised black cod with a ginger soy reduction. Or if you want to deviate from the whole fish thing, go for the Angry Chicken (spicy, with finger peppers). The cost: $24.07. An even better deal is the High Line Sushi Picnic which includes a variety of sushi with miso soup, salad, water, and a pastry treat. Depending on how much sushi you want, you’ll pay $15, $25 or $35.
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