THE LOOK
Summer and The City - NYC’s ‘See and Be Seen’ Dining Hotspots
And just like that,” New York’s summer dining season has arrived. Coats are a distant memory of season’s past and we’re now channeling our inner Carrie Bradshaw, enjoying the city in our summer’s finest, flocking to the latest and most trending eats around town. Dining out in New York City is unlike any other place. This is a city where we also eat with our eyes and where the environment is very much a deciding factor. Whether for a romantic rendezvous or a dine out with friends, here’s a rundown of the most in vogue and aesthetic hotspots to see and be seen this summer.
Opened in 2020, La Grande Boucherie instantly became a staple of midtown dining. The brasserie’s cuisine is unmatched, often celebrated as Manhattan’s most authentic French dining. La Grande Boucherie is however not only a feast on the palate but also for the senses thanks to its one-of-a-kind Art Nouveau design, evoking optimism and ornamental beauty of the Belle Époque. The restaurant’s pièce de resistance is its 150-year-old stained-glass skylight – originally a part of a private estate near the Opéra Garnier in Paris, which was painstakingly restored and installed above the dining room as a luminous centerpiece. The mirrors, chandeliers, and mosaic tiling instantly transport you to Rue de Rivoli making their boeuf bourguignon and escargot taste all the more authentic. It’s that combination of gastronomy meets style that earned Charlotte York’s seal of approval as seen in the recent Sex and The City spinoff. To learn more, please visit boucherie.nyc
THE DESTINATION
The beauty of dining in the Big Apple is that you can instantly be transported to the most exotic and trending destinations around the globe. When you walk in through Tán’s doors you instantly step into the Mayan jungle shores of Tulum. On the menu is a contemporary, seafood-centric list of options that pay homage to the Yucatan peninsula, paired with a vast list of ancestral Mexican spirits including mezcal and tequila. Adorned with living plants, fibered textiles, wooden and stone carvings and dimmed mood lighting, you forget you’re a few blocks down from Grand Central. A favorite amongst the city’s socialites including the Bravo Housewives, its inconspicuous exterior gives off a speakeasy feel which has appealed to the “in the know” crowd, making this a can’t miss oasis in the middle of the city’s busiest area. Come hungry, come thirsty and bring that summer rattan bag you have sitting at home – it was intended for this type of destination. To learn more, please visit tannewyork.com
THE LEGEND
THE LEGEND There are few names that withstand the test of time, especially in a city like New York where new restaurants open on what feels like a daily basis. Celebrating its tenth anniversary, Zuma is a legend not only in NYC but also on the international dining stage. With sister locations in luxury meccas like Dubai, Cannes, Maldives and more, Zuma has perfected the art of delivering an elevated culinary experience that starts well before the first bite and lasts eternally in memory. Their formula is simple, equal parts food and mood, with fine attention to every detail from plating and lighting to music and scent – from bathroom to entrance, every step inside is part of the experience. Their Japanese menu and globally inspired cocktail program is complimented by their multi-floor avant-garde design which incorporates natural materials and textiles that reflect New York’s vibrant, metropolitan energy and diverse cultures while also weaving in minimalistic details inspired by the four elements which are part of the brand’s ethos. Either for date night or after-work drinks, Zuma is a can’t miss – there’s a reason why it’s going a decade strong in the city. To learn more, please visit zumarestaurant.com
THE JET-SET’S PICK
Nestled in between Fifth and Madison Avenues, across from Central Park, lies a crown jewel of the Upper East Side, Casa Cruz. Situated in a historic six-story Beaux-Arts townhouse, this international hot spot is known for its opulent décor and Michelin-starred chef, featuring a menu inspired by South American cuisine with a European sensibility. The food is not the only work of art you’ll find here – the restaurant’s walls are adorned with original pieces by Andy Warhol, Keith Haring and Fernando Botero. Born as the sister-location of the famous London supper club by the same name, Casa Cruz boasts a jetset and celebrity clientele list including Sir Elton John, Kate Moss and the Beckhams. Word of caution – book that reservation in advance especially for weekend outings. This was one of the city’s best kept secrets until recently, now becoming one of the hottest and quickest-to-fill-up tables around town. To learn more, please visit casacruz.nyc
Honorable mention goes out to Zou Zou’s for Mediterranean flare, the bar at The Mark Hotel for an haute aperitif hour surrounded by a fashionista crowd, and nothing screams more summer in the city than Gitano, which just opened for the season at its new location in the Seaport.
So, whether you’re meeting with Mr. Big or gathering the crew for a fun dine out, there is no shortage of fun experiences on the menu this season. So, break out those heels or that fine linen shirt and enjoy your “Summer and The City.”