Today Dishing: Guest Editor NYC Eateries

 An update to eateries for foodies in NYC from my traveling companion Marianne is presented to you today. She ventured there without me this time  but her tenacious planning serves you well and she shares her "finds" with you.

Jackie Onassis favored The Four Seasons, Bob Fosse was a regular at the Carnegie Deli, Dylan Thomas drank at the White Horse and Hemingway frequented  Minetta Tavern for dinner.

On a recent trip to NYC I chose three places at which to eat for three very different reasons. Despite the temptation to return to personal favorites like Bryant Park Grill, Becco, or the Brooklyn Diner, I followed my travel mandate to seek out the new. Decisions were informed by three inclinations.

The first was to find a place that would be unique, upscale and well-reviewed. The second rested on what the local folk would patronize. The third involved convenience.

Keen's Steakhouse (36th at Sixth Avenue) has served chops and steaks since 1885 when it was the heart of the theatrical community of Herald Square. Not only the food was famous. The habit of supplying the smokers with churchwarden pipes with individuals' names on each began there in
the early 20th century. Today the pipes decorate the ceiling and one can see Teddy Roosevelt's pipe or others belonging to Will Rogers, Babe Ruth, and General MacArthur. Keen's serves Chateaubriand, Prime Rib-King's Cut, Roasted Buttermilk Chicken and the best chocolate cake on the planet.
Reservations well in advance are necessary and it is not inexpensive; however, it is worth every penny spent to be in such an historic restaurant where great food and great service dominate the scene.

Pipes on display at Keen's.

                                
Finding a place where the locals eat can be done by going on Google Street View. I searched to see what was in the Meatpacking District and Chelsea. After noting the possible, I checked  Open Table, Chowhound, and Trip Advisor for reviews. The Crooked Knife on 14th Street met my criteria for the place I wanted to lunch with neighbors. It is below street level, intimate, eclectic and very, very friendly. Roasted chicken tenders with a kick provided much to appreciate as did the hummus tray. The wine pours were generous and the cost was quite affordable. Its location is a huge plus for those on their way to or from the Highline or the Ground Zero Museum Workshop.

Photo courtesy of Google images.

Sometimes eating convenience in NYC means finding a food truck .The best ones are in Union Square. A plethora of them can be found near  the Metropolitan Museum of Art on Fifth Avenue, however, in the Rockefeller Plaza area, trucks are not plentiful. Luckily the Morrell Wine Bar on 49th Street caught  my eye.  After a stint at Top of the Rock, this was the perfect place to nosh and to choose a Cabernet from their extensive wine by the glass list. The bar food to accompany was exceptional. Deviled eggs with truffles and chicken skin, onion tart, Steak Tartar, crab crostini.  Culinary heaven. Outside dining is available.

Directly across from 30 Rock sits  Morrell Wine Bar.

The perfectly convenient place for post theatre drinks can be found at the R Lounge in the Renaissance Hotel in the heart of the theatre district. The view is spectacular from the second floor, the food is tasty and the entire Times Square razzle-dazzle is available with a reservation.

The Rainbow Room is re-opening, Harlem does a foodie tour and the River Café beckons from Brooklyn.  The next trip will be as tasty as all the others.