Sometimes I forget how lucky I am to live in one of the best food cities in the world. I mean, over 20,000 restaurants in the five boroughs? There’s no better place to eat, and I’ve definitely had some incredible meals in my few years here.
However,my time here might very well be limited (I’m not sure about my post-NGI plans yet), and there are still dozens of places I’ve wanted to try. (Wouldn’t it be nice to have an unlimited food budget, three hours of free time for dinner each night, the reservation clout of a socialite and a metabolism capable of burning endless multi-course meals?) Since 20,000 restaurants might be a bit unreasonable, here are the top five places on my restaurant bucket list.
1. Blue Hill
An upscale farm-to-table restaurant in Greenwich Village, I found out about this place after several NGI chefs and staff raved about it. Several NGI alums have even done their internships there! It’s next to impossible to get a reservation, but from what I’ve heard it’s worth the wait and cost for a table, especially for a special occasion.
2. Laduree
Okay, so this isn’t really a New York establishment, but Paris’ famous patisserie recently crossed the Atlantic. They’re famous for their authentic macarons, and actually did the gorgeous pastries in Marie Antoinette, if anyone saw that movie. I’m determined to get there soon- it’s easier than flying to Europe for a rose-flavored macaron.
3. Shake Shack
I’m a total sham of a transplant New Yorker: I’ve never been to Shake Shack. This famous burger-and-milkshake stand in Madison Square Park is just a few blocks away from school, but I’ve still yet to try any of the food that people line up for. I need to get there and redeem my NYC street cred.
4. Prune
Aubrey told me about this tiny place in the East Village, and their menu sounds adventurous and mouthwatering. Pickled shrimp? A dessert omelette? If I get there I need to muster up the courage to try the bone marrow they’re known for.
5. Le Bernadin
Yeah, keep on dreaming, Gabriela. At $115 for the prix-fixe menu alone, without including tax, tip or drinks, I think I might need to wait until I’m a little older and more established and come back to try this place. Still, it’s a renowned New York restaurant that I’d love to experience at some point in my life!
Do you have any restaurants or specific dishes on your bucket list?
Looking forward to all your restaurant reviews!
PB & Co. is definitely on my bucket list! That alone is enough reason for me to make a trip back to NY!
I would love to try Le Bec Fin in Philly. I’m not even sure why. I think it’s just because of the name and the high regard that it has. One day I will get there
My parents took me there once years ago! Wish they’d waited until I was actually old enough to appreciate, and not just lament the lack of chicken nuggets…
I saw the shake shack last time I was in the city (had never seen it before) and the line was INTENSE! Probably about 500 people long, no exaggeration. Must be good!
A visit to Laduree is a must! You won’t regret it
I had a friend who just moved from NY to Chi and she made a bucket list and it was so much fun. There were lots of food things on the list, but also stuff like all the museums, and shows, and sites that NYers always say they should do but never get around to until a friend comes in from out of town. If you move (and I hope you don’t, but…), do it! It would be the bestest way to say good-bye.
On my list, is Eleven Madison Park and Balthazar
Hey Prune! Maybe thats where we should meet up for brunch when i get back to New York! My friend did an internship at La Bernadin.
My bucket list is always huge as far as NY restaurants. One you should put on there is Degustation. Look it up! Its a tasting menu too for either 50 dollars or 70 dollars. It Mediterranean food and the cooks are right in front of you. Like a sushi bar, but waaaay cooler. You watch them cook the fish and saute the vegetables right in front of you. They plate the food and literally hand it to you, but its high quality food.
My birthday is on the 14th of November and my friend (who you’ll be meeting) Ilana and I are going to try out The Fat Radish. It looks super cute.
I’ve been to brunch at Prune twice and loved it! Make sure to be prepared for a wait, though- it’s super tiny.
Ha that’s so funny, I was literally just thinking about posting a restaurant bucket list on my blog! I actually JUST got reservations for Blue Hill, so excited:) We should go knock off some of the other restaurants on your list together soon:)
Ah jealous! I NEED to try that place in the next few months. And I’d be so down to try somewhere new together!
My NYC list includes Candle 79 and Pure Food & Wine - both were closed last time we were there during Hurricane Irene! And I’ve never been to Shake Shack, but Billy loves it.
I am sure if I lived in a city, my bucket list of restaurants would be 10 miles long. Around here, I’d like to think I’ve hit all the ones worth trying.
I LOVE Shake Shack!!! I’m not even a huge meat eater let alone burgers, but it is tradition that when I visit my friend in Brooklyn that is the first place we go when I get there. I’m from California where we pride ourselves on our In-N-Out burgers, but Shake Shack gives them a run for their money!
i’m sure the others are fantastic too, but DEFINITELY hit up shake shack. it’s so worth it. and laduree is delicious, too. it’s actually kind of a tradition in my family to get them when we go to paris (my mom used to go there for business a decent amount and bring some back for us!). there are a ton of places in LA that i’ve been dying to go to, but like you said, i don’t have an unlimited budget or lighting-fast metabolism
Well good news for you because…Laduree just opened in Manhattan!! It’s on 71st and Madison
I also live in NYC and I’ve been dying to go to Ripert’s place but yes, the $115 dinner is a little hefty for someone poor like me, haha.
I know, I mentioned that’s why I wanted to go
gahh mine includes blue hill (the farm part!!) and the restaurant, abc kitchen and TOWNHOUSE! i’ve been to shake shack and i gotta say i wasn’t impressed!
i also need to get a treat from momofuku someday in my life haha
Milk Bar is amazing. You must go.
I’ve been trying to get myself to the Shake Shack for two summers, with no avail. The Blue Hill Restaurant sounds really cool. I wish I had an unlimited dining budget!
This is such a cool idea! If only money was unlimited..
I totally agree on Laduree! Even though it’s not necessarily “New York” it’s kind of amazing that a proper macaron shop has finally opened up in New York. The next restaurant up on my “restaurant bucket list” is most definitely Pastis. It looks quite cool!
I’ve been there a few times, and to be honest, the food isn’t anything spectacular! It’s awesome for people-watching and everything is pretty good, but I definitely think there are better French restaurants in the city that are just less trendy!
Great post and you’re right, NYC is such an amazing foodie town. Probably the best!
I would like to go to The French Laundry, Thomas Keller’s restaurant in Napa one day. 1 year reservation times and 20 course meals later
Ohhhh I’d love to go to ANY Thomas Keller restaurant! One of the instructors at my school actually worked for him and he taught her how to poach an egg. I’m weirdly obsessed with that fact, haha.
I don’t have a restaurant bucket list but I think I should make one. I’m not too in the know of the top culinary places in Atlanta…but wish i was.
It’s my third year living in NYC and I’ve never been to shake shack either! I always send friends and family there when they visit, though. Never been a huge burger and milkshake person, though. And I’ve walked past blue hill like a million times, dying to go! I look forward to hearing some reviews
Funny, because I do the same thing! Burgers and shakes aren’t my favorite foods either, but I feel like it’s such an institution that I need to try it.
I love to see someone spell “macaron” correctly! It’s a major pet peeve of mine when someone spells French macarons as “macaroons”… two totally different things! If you haven’t been yet, I’d recommend hitting up the Thistle Hill Tavern in Park Slope. Awesome food and great environment. Plus, it’s not as expensive b/c it’s in Brooklyn.
[...] that was school, a few classmates and I decided to hit up Shake Shack for burgers. It was on my restaurant bucket list, so I was excited to try it [...]