A List of 25 Places to Have a Very Good Meal in NYC
To start, go to Claud and get the devil's food cake
Earlier this week, The New York Times dropped this year’s list of the Top 100 Restaurants in New York City. I hadn’t eaten at any in their top 10 and, of the subsequent 90, I’d been to just 11.
The ones I’ve been to were unsurprisingly great meals, each with their own prominent memories. Claud is where I rang in my 26th year with a slice of devil’s food cake so big that Brett and I needed a to-go box (a rarity for us when it comes to dessert). Cervo’s is where a friend and I conversed over shatteringly crispy shrimp heads and cold martinis. Dhamaka is where I tested the boundaries of my spice tolerance (and had to drink many, many lassis to persevere).
At one point, I felt really in the loop when it came to NYC dining, but lately I’ve been less inclined to know the hottest Resys. There’s some on my radar that I just can’t miss (like Ha’s Snack Bar and Four Horseman) but, in general, I’m unenlightened. I think it’s for the better though—an attempt to bring a bit more relaxation, and hopefully enjoyment, to how I approach dining.
So, while the NYT list served as a pulse-check on the culinary state of affairs in the city (according to their three contributors), it was even more so just a reminder of my love for a Very Good Meal (VGM).
A VGM—new acronym, get used to it—is centered around great food, yes, but what makes it very good actually starts with the company. (Which can just a good book, solo-diners.)
The remaining criteria includes ambience (think: lighting, wall art, menu font, and how on-brand the “Employees must wash hands” bathroom sign is) and service. Nothing crazy, just like: Is there water on the table? Do they come back to take second drink orders? Do they laugh as your mom says “Oh, we hated it!”, pushing away her empty plate? (They better.)
The company-ambience-service trifecta is delicate. Let’s say you’re at an amazing, vibey restaurant but you’re with poor, untalkative company; you probably no longer have a VGM. A VGR (R = Restaurant) maybe, but no VGM.
Luckily, a VGM can happen at any one of NYC’s approximately 18,000-28,000 restaurants (according to a quick Google search). They can be walk-ins, meals where you’re belly-up to the bar, or they can be taken home in a plastic bag and paired with a movie. VGMs can also happen on a picnic blanket or park bench, or in a friend’s sweltering apartment, the Friendsgiving turkey fresh out of the oven.
Inspired by all the restaurant talk in the zeitgeist, today’s list includes 25 places in NYC where you too can have a VGM, places I oft recommend when asked for recs or where I drag any visitor should they be at the whim of my weekend itinerary. BYO good company.
25 Places to Have a Very Good Meal in New York City:
Claud
The aforementioned slice of birthday cake Soothr
Agi’s Counter
Pair with the ovaltine latte Miss Ada
Yellow Rose
Vegan queso not pictured Forsythia
Kiki’s
Including the swan you'll sit on across the street while you wait for your friends to arrive (walk-ins only), the neighborhood view, and the saganaki you must order Win Son
Schaller's Stube Sausage Bar
Emmett’s
Small square slices > classic triangle slices > deep dish Up Thai
Taverna Kyclades
Rule of Thirds
You also must get the Almond Miso Soup
Burger Corner
Red Hook Tavern
Red Hook Day: Ferry --> Burger --> Beers --> Steve's Key Lime Pies Fairfax
JG Melon
Bakeries & Breakfast (For the Most Important Meal of the Day)
Librae Bakery
Elbow Bread
Pictured here: Sweet Potato Pretzel La Cabra
I’ve tried a lot of cardamom buns in the city and these are the best Pop Up Bagels (Author’s Note: Controversial, but I prefer a rip-and-dip bagel situation over a BEC)
Red Gate Bakery
Froyo & Ice Cream (for when you want ice cream for dinner)
Cafe Panna
Culture
Butterfield Market
The aforementioned list is not ranked, nor is it complete. I’ve had many VGMs and reflecting on them for this list was the most fun I’ve had since starting List Person.
Share your VGMs with me below. And, as always, thank you for reading and subscribing. Xx