NEW YORK AMERICAN RESTAURANTS
by UMIKO SASAKI
Although considered one of the central hubs for international business with a population and culture to reflect this, New York is still at heart an American city. Restaurants can be found in almost every neighborhood with cuisine identified as uniquely American, or in some cases an American twist on dishes from other countries. Depending on where you are in the city and on your budget, chances are good there’s an American-style restaurant that can accommodate you.
Five Points Restaurant
Located in the center of Greenwich Village, Five Points Restaurant is committed to providing fresh ingredients harvested locally from the Mid-Atlantic and New England states. According to executive chef and co-owner Marc Meyer, “I am constantly looking for that essential quality, the essential purpose of my cooking.” As a result, Five Points offers several different menus depending on what time of day you visit. The lunch and dinner menus consist of dishes like Nantucket Bay scallops and Maine shrimp fritters; the midday menu, served in the afternoon, offers the char-grilled grass-fed burger, served with bacon and Vermont cheddar. The dessert menu is small, but offers sweets ranging from cheesecake to apple pie. Wine, beer and cocktails can accompany any selection. Reservations are recommended for dinner.
Five Points Restaurant
31 Great Jones Street
New York, NY 10012
212-253-5700
fivepointsrestaurant.com
Battery Gardens
On the harbor inside Battery Park, Battery Gardens is known for a unique blend of local fare served with a dash of exotic flavor. The executive chef of the restaurant, Ari Nieminen, hails from Finland and brings his own spin on the roots of “real” American cuisine. In his own words, “At Battery Gardens, I draw inspiration from all of my life’s travels. However, the result is uniquely American in the sense that there is a natural diversity combining fresh local fish, aromatic exotic spices and Mediterranean herbs and classic European techniques.” New York Business magazine seems to agree, saying the restaurant “…adds global accents to American cuisine.” The menu offers specialties, such as pumpkin bisque with ginger chutney, spinach salad with cow’s liver and carmelized onions, and orange roughy stuffed with crawfish. Dessert offerings include New York cheesecake, “teacup” peach cobbler with angel food cake, and banana pudding. Brunch is served on Sundays featuring a selection of dishes from the main menu.
Battery Gardens
17 State St.
New York, NY 10004
212-809-5508
batterygardens.com
Gramercy Tavern
Founded in 1994, the Gramercy Tavern is located in the neighborhood bearing the same name and was decorated to recreate the feeling of the “old-style” 18th century American tavern. Authentic antiques line the walls of the room, and the brick oven was crafted using bricks from the last remaining foundry to form them by hand. The restaurant has earned one star from Michelin and was voted New York City’s most popular restaurant by Zagat four times. Offering a separate tavern and dining room menu, each menu offers cuisine using local seasonal ingredients. Both menus include dishes like seafood and parsnip chowder, pulled pork sandwich, and grilled hanger steak. A tasting menu features dishes that change with the seasons. An extensive wine menu is available, to be paired with your selection or enjoyed separately.
Gramercy Tavern
42 E. 20th St.
New York, NY 10003
212-477-0777
gramercytavern.com
(ORIGINAL ARTICLE)
UNIQUELY AMERICAN
