This post may contain affiliated links, which means if you purchase an item I will earn commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you!
It seems like forever since I posted an NYC Restaurant Guide. I checked and the last one was posted back in May…. crazy! I promise I am still eating and enjoying the NYC food scene. Today I want to share a few restaurants that are perfect for date night, dinner with a few friends, and great happy hour spots. Each of these restaurants holds a unique essence in their decor that brings about a full dining experience. Bon appétit!
For my birthday over the summer my parents and I celebrated at the new RH Rooftop Restaurant. Not only is the decor absolutely stunning with chandeliers over each table, fountains, classical sculptures, and greenery, but the food is amazing! The restaurant sits on the rooftop of the 5-story RH furniture store. The furniture store alone is worth frolicking around. The restaurant is walk-in only, so be prepared to wait to be seated. Don’t be discouraged, waiting for a table is an experience in itself. Head down to the 3rd-floor bar to grab a drink and sit on one of the cozy couches while you wait for your table to be ready. As mentioned, the food is really good. They serve anywhere from steak to lobster to burgers to a variety of salads. I had the salmon (my go-to for every restaurant pretty much) and absolutely loved it. I know both of my parents enjoyed their meals (steak and the burger). We shared sides– purée potatoes and charred heirloom broccolini and fries. They do not have a gluten-free menu (so not GF dessert except ice cream), but the main entrées with the choice of different sides were gluten-free. They also serve brunch which I have yet to try. My only complaint about the restaurant is that the seating is one-sided; meaning everyone is on one side of the table. If you have more than two people at the table it can be hard to include everyone in the conversation. BUT for a date night, this is perfect as you can cozy up to each other. RH Rooftop Restaurant is one of my favorites places to eat in the city and one I highly recommend. I know they have branched out and are now in most cities across the US. There is one in Ohio at Easton Town Center!
I haven’t been to Antique Garage in Tribeca in almost two years, but this is one restaurant I have been meaning to go back to. They are also located in Soho. I went there for an end of fashion week celebration dinner thrown by a PR agency. The decor is very Victorian-era with red cushioned seats, chandeliers, oil paintings, even the plates were unique with different prints. When the atmosphere is unique and different, it brings on a whole other level of dining experience. I can not remember exactly what I ordered, but from looking at the menu online I would bet money that I got the salmon entrée. I do remember thinking the food was good and the vibe of the restaurant was lively. The food is mostly Mediterranean. They are also open for brunch.
To be very honest I am not a fan of Indian food. The smell and taste of curry makes me nauseous. So when my friend, who is a PR freelancer, asked a group of us to come and check out Baar Baar I was hesitant at first. I only decided to go because I wanted to help out my friend who was putting on this little event for the restaurant. I have to say from what I could eat (not many gluten-free options), I thoroughly loved it. We tried a lot of food, a lot, and everything was delicious. And I am not just saying that to help my friend out, I truly enjoyed the food. The atmosphere is a traditional gastropub and the decor is beautiful. They have a large mural of a woman in traditional Indian clothing and jewelry that is just so stunning. If you are like me and Indian food is not your thing, go there for the delicious drinks. I kept drinking Leh Berry Punch and felt pretty good after a couple. They are also opened on the weekend’s for brunch.
There is nothing I love more than a rooftop bar or restaurant. I love looking out over the city while I dine or have a few drinks. SERRA by Birreria is located on the roof of Eataly in Flatiron. This is another restaurant where the scenery and decor makes the experience so much better. They change the decor for each season; as if you are dining in a new restaurant each time. The last time I was there was over the summer and there were flowers everywhere. It was as if you were dining in a garden or a greenhouse. Since I have not been there in a few months, I am not sure if the menu is seasonal like their decor, but from what I can tell online it looks the same. It is an Italian restaurant, which I absolutely love, but I do remember my food being a little too salty. Even my side salad was covered in salt. All still good, just too much salt for me personally. However, it does not deter me from going back– I will just have to ask for no salt. If I remember correctly they do not have a gluten-free menu (or GF pasta, unfortunately), but I was able to still find stuff I could eat. I ended up having the chicken with fried potatoes and a small salad. This is also a great place to grab a few drinks for happy hour.