NYC Restaurant Week
I walked into Vallata, a little bistro off Union Square, and sat down at the bar. Defeated. The usual suspects of New York in August had gotten to me. The train. The heat. The hustle. It felt as if everyone and their mothers were in the midst of a Euro summer. They were beachfront in Portugal indulging in tinned fish while I was packed in like a sardine on the subway. Same thing, right?
The closest I was getting to a Euro summer was the watermelon spritz and plate of delicate aperitivo bites that arrived in front of me at the bar. A few sips in and my mood began to soften. The chatter of loved ones reuniting after work filled the room. One by one, my friends trickled in off the street to do the same.
We were guided to a large table and welcomed with complementary champagne and a prix fixe menu. A three course meal was usually off the table, but not today. It was Restaurant Week in the city. And besides, we were celebrating. My dearest friend was newly engaged.
Restaurant Week is an unsung hero of New York’s culinary scene. For a few weeks every summer and winter, the five boroughs are graced with curated lunch and dinner menus. I admittedly hadn’t partaken prior to this year. It felt a little too rich for my blood. Come to find out it’s an incredibly good deal. We’re talking multiple courses for $30, $45 and $60 a head.
Hundreds of locations participate in the bi-annual tradition. Big players like Delmonico’s Steakhouse and Gramercy Tavern are definitely worth checking out, but naturally, they’re on the pricier side. The real beauty of Restaurant Week is in the understated. Itinerary New York has put together our favorite high end, low spend spots to visit this year.
Maison Pickle
$30 Three Course Lunch • $45 Three Course Dinner
What
Maison Pickle (and their sister restaurant Jacob's Pickles) have made quite a name for themselves on the Upper West Side. A corny name, sure, but a name nonetheless. They are doing American food right. Huge portions, strong drinks and decadent desserts. Maison Pickle has deviated from the southern comfort style of their sister location and opted for something a little more French. Their starters were fresh and innovative, with d'olived eggs and a chilled watermelon salad. While they're known for their French dip sandwiches, the nicoise salad was almost more satisfying with huge slices of seared ahi tuna atop fingerling potatoes and a bed of greens. They save the best for last here, though. The 24 layer cakes, chocolate or vanilla confetti, are made in-house and are well worth the up-charge, a phrase you won't here me say often. Prepare to leave with a to-go box.
Where
Maison Pickle is a standout in Upper Manhattan. They're located on the corner of 84th Street and Broadway, just a block away from the 1 train. It's the perfect meal after a day at Central Park or the Natural History Museum. Bring a date, bring your family, either way bring your appetite.
When
This deal is only running through tomorrow, August 17th. If you can't catch them this weekend, don't fret. Maison Pickle hosts Mini Martini hour weekdays with drink flights and cheap eats.
Palo Santo
$45 Three Course Dinner
What
Tucked away on a side street in Brooklyn, Palo Santo is a hidden gem through and through. The pan-latin restaurant takes up the first floor of a quaint brownstone. Ushered in through the lush front entry, it almost feels like you're stopping by a friend's place for a home-cooked meal. Their limited menu is printed daily; each dish full of warmth and spice. The ceviche and zucchini salad started the meal off on a refreshing note. But the real star of the show were the entrees. The pato en mole poblano served duck two ways, roasted and braised. The grass-fed skirt steak was simple yet tender and perfectly seasoned. For dessert, it was a toss up between the coconut tres leches cake and the chocolate pecan bread pudding. Each in their own way capture the blend of established and experimental that Palo Santo is going for.
Where
Palo Santo is located in the charming neighborhood of Park Slope. While you're there, visit the Brooklyn Botanic Gardens in Prospect Park or spend the day window shopping up and down Fifth Avenue. For easy transit, catch the R train at the nearby Union Street Station or head to Atlantic Barclays for any line under the sun.
When
Their Restaurant Week deal is running through August 31st. Their prix fixe menu isn't going anywhere at the end of the month, though. They also serve a three course dinner for only $49 nightly.
Vallata
$30 Two Course Lunch • $45 Three Course Dinner
What
Dining at Vallata was most definitely the highlight of my Restaurant Week experience. From the moment I stepped inside, champagne and hospitality were flowing. There was an exquisite attention to detail throughout the entire evening. The simple plate of olives and cheese were a lovely addition to my drink at the bar. An the genuine and attentive nature of the entire staff was so evident. Since we were such a large group, I had the opportunity to sample a good range of their Restaurant Week menu. The top contenders were the whipped ricotta with peaches and lemon verbana, the skirt steak, the campanelle pasta with n'duja sausage, and finally the olive oil cake for dessert, topped with vanilla ice cream and flaky sea salt. Celebrating with friends will always make for a fun night, but Vallata made it electric.
Where
Centrally located in Manhattan, Vallata sits on 19th Street between Broadway and Park. The unassuming exterior is easy is miss, but step inside and you're whisked away by soft music and romantic lighting. From great shopping to laid back bars, there are no shortage of nearby recommendations. Just head to Union Square when you're ready to catch the train home.
When
This deal is also running until the end of the month, August 30th. Their regularly scheduled programming is also exceptional, with $12 drinks and complementary bites during aperitivo hour.
For most of us, the prospects of a Euro-summer are dwindling fast. Hell, the closest we might get is a prix fixe menu in one hand and a spritz of some sorts in the other. We're stuck, instead, with the flash flood warnings and non air-conditioned subway cars of New York City in August. It can feel daunting to battle the trains and the heat and the hustle for a meal out with loved ones. Especially a meal with multiple courses. But maybe this is exactly why Restaurant Week comes in the dead of summer. To remind us to slow down and indulge, to find a little taste luxury in everyday life.
