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Best of New York: The Holiday Edition

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The Spotted Pig

Chef April Bloomfield continues to wow foodies with her seasonally driven British-Italian comfort cooking at this charming West Village pub. After a day and night out on the town, head here for a late supper, as the kitchen closes at 2 a.m. seven nights a week. Try the sheep’s-milk ricotta gnudi followed by the chargrilled burger with Roquefort and shoestring fries.—J.O.N.

The Lambs Club

This intimate Times Square-area newcomer evokes a retro supper club with its scarlet-hued banquettes and torchière lighting. Think Stork Club style paired with chef Geoffrey Zakarian’s contemporary American cooking: Sample standouts such as the heritage pork chop or the wild striped bass with artichokes and carrots. Insider tip: When reserving a table, ask to sit by the massive Stanford White-designed fireplace.—J.O.N.

The Little Owl

If you plan to be in NYC over Thanksgiving, why not reserve a table at this West Village corner gem: Chef Joey Campanaro’s Turkey Day menu includes standouts such as a riesling-roast turkey with a fig-and-root vegetable dressing as well as sweet potatoes with ginger and brown sugar and Brussels sprouts with maple-candied pecans. Or plan to visit anytime during the holiday season for gravy meatball sliders paired with a spot-on pork chop with butter beans and wild dandelion.—J.O.N.

Red Rooster Harlem

Hightail it up to Harlem to sample renowned chef Marcus Samuelsson’s relaxed cooking. Samuelsson, best known for his Swedish cooking at Aquavit, channels the neighborhood’s rich history at this bustling, fun outpost. Start with the country ham with onion marmalade before sampling the mac & greens or uptown steak frites, a 10-ounce sirloin steak paired with broiled crab and bone marrow. Make a night of it with a show at the nearby Apollo.—J.O.N.

Edi & The Wolf

Head to this rustic-chic charmer in the East Village for Austrian-themed standouts such as the sumptuous, order-in-advance whole roasted duck with a pretzel brioche and braised cabbage. And, of course, lap up the soul-soothing Späetzle, Wiener schnitzel, cheeses and flatbreads. Wash it all down with a lovely and flavorful 2008 Schloss Schönbrunn Gemischter Satz, pronunciation not included.—J.O.N.

Photo by Jessica Antola

Restaurant Daniel

Impeccable service and chef Daniel Boulud’s top-tier cooking sets the scene at Restaurant Daniel, a flower-filled shrine to epicurean ecstasy on the Upper East Side. For a more relaxed experience, choose the jewel-like lounge for an intimate dinner à deux.—J.O.N.

Don't miss these other NYC restaurants:
Craft
Gottino Enoteca e Salumeria
Jones Wood Foundry
The Lion
Bobo
The Four Seasons Restaurant
'21' Club
Russian Tea Room

Andaz Wall Street

In the heart of the Financial District, this slick, contemporary hotel from the folks at Hyatt is the perfect spot from which to visit Battery Park and charming, café-packed Stone Street. Enjoy a ginger-bamboo body scrub at the SPA at Andaz Wall Street or check out the hotel’s Wall & Water restaurant, with its terrific views of the East River. And don’t miss the cooking classes during the holidays, including a Thanksgiving prep course with chef Maximo Lopez May.—J.G.

Photo by Jessica Antola

The Greenwich Hotel

The white-hot Tribeca neighborhood houses actor Robert De Niro’s reserved 88-room boutique hotel. Families can opt for a customized family-friendly itinerary of New York’s classic destinations, or they can simply set out and explore the nabe’s shops and restaurants on their own.—J.G.

The Waldorf Astoria

Serious shoppers stay at the historic Waldorf Astoria in Midtown, as Rockefeller Center, Saks and Bergdorf Goodman are all just a few blocks away. After a day of decadent shopping, unwind amid the Waldorf’s landmark art deco splendor with a Rob Roy cocktail (invented in the hotel’s Sir Harry’s Lounge), then relax with a massage in the soothing Guerlain Spa.—J.G.

The Jane

The historic façade belies the sleek and surprisingly well-priced (yet small) rooms at this boho-chic West Village hostelry. Kick back at the French-Moroccan Café Gitane for people-watching, then retire to your Captain’s Cabin and bliss out in the bathroom with rainfall showerheads and C.O. Bigelow products.—J.G.

Check out these other perfect-for-the-holidays hotels:
The Chatwal
Mandarin Oriental
The Plaza
The Surrey

Photo by Jessica Antola

There's no better time to visit New York than during the holidays, when the city gussies itself up, festoons its streets with twinkling lights and turns up the heat on larger-than-life celebrations.

Text by Jason Oliver Nixon and Juliet Gray
Photos courtesy of the business pictured, unless otherwise noted