What I Ate: 40 Hours in Midtown Manhattan

Looking for some tasty meals without leaving Midtown? Here’s what I ate on a recent quick trip to the Big Apple.

I recently had the opportunity to spend about 40 hours wining and dining in Midtown Manhattan on a whirlwind trip to see two Broadway shows with friends. Someone had dropped out of the trip last minute, leaving some unused tickets and presenting me with an opportunity that was truly too good to pass up. While I knew it would be a quick trip with little sleep, my taste buds would soon thank me for making the sacrifice.  

Now, I’ve heard it said that midtown Manhattan is short on good restaurants, but I did some research before I left, and I knew there are some gems to be found if you know where to look.

Sure, chain restaurants and tourist traps abound, but so do some quality eateries –  many more than I could possibly try on so short of a trip. 

My early morning flight had me arriving at the airport around 9:30 am with a full day ahead of me. I hopped a cab and joined my friends, their trip already in full swing, and it was nearly noon before we had a chance to grab lunch. I was happy to come hungry, though, because we had reservations at Benoit NYC, a french restaurant and wine bar. A sister restaurant of Benoit Paris, Benoit NYC has a top-notch wine list, a mostly-french staff, and a menu full of classic French dishes you can find in any posh arrondissement in Paris. The interior of the restaurant manages to be both elegant and homey, and if I’d stepped out onto a Parisian street after lunch, I’d have thought myself back in France. 

We skipped the starter, but I had an excellent glass of Cote du Rhone that accidentally ended up costing nearly as much as my whole meal. Whoops. The lesson here is, if there are two Cote du Rhone options on the menu, don’t assume they’re both about the same price. Still, it was cheaper than a plane ticket to Charles de Gaulle, so I have no regrets. I had the roasted duck, which came with broccolini and an excellent sauce. The skin on the duck was perfectly-crisped. My companions had a croque monsieur and the beef tartare (which I normally wouldn’t have considered ordering in the states, but it seemed legit and she assured me it was very good). We split a creme caramel for dessert. All together, it was a wonderful meal, if on the pricey side. Definitely worth considering for a nice evening out if you’re in the area for a show. 

Our pre-show meal that evening was much less fancy. We grabbed sandwiches at Junior’s Cheesecake. They’re famous for their desserts, but also have a full menu of deli and diner-style food. The inside was packed, mostly with tourists like us headed for a nearby Broadway show, so we grabbed our food to go and sat at one of the tables on the patio. The $20 Reuben was decent, but not the best I’ve ever had. It was piled high with corned beef and accompanied by a homemade dressing with what seemed like chopped pickles. I probably wouldn’t go back to Juniors because there are so many other fantastic places to try in NYC, but if you’re nearby for a show, it’s not a terrible option. 

After the show, I spotted an Italian gelato chain that I frequent when in Paris, and grabbed a cone to go. I was skeptical that the gelato could be as good stateside considering how much ingredients vary from country to country, but was pleasantly surprised. It was almost as good as my favorite spot on Rue Cler, if not as good (my brain could just be missing the atmosphere of Paris, after all). 

The next day we had a special brunch planned. We had surprise reservations at Tavern on the Green to celebrate my friend’s birthday a little early. My movie trivia must be a little rusty, because I couldn’t recall ever hearing of the restaurant before, but it’s a NYC staple and has been featured in countless films and television programs. Tavern on the Green is technically outside of Midtown, being within the boundaries of Central Park, but only just. The interior is lovely, and if you’re into that old money aesthetic, this is the place to break out your classiest outfit. With large windows that overlook the park, it was a nice spot to enjoy the sun on a chilly early April morning. The food, of course, was also well worth the trip. I ordered the candied bacon to share for a starter, and a bloody mary (cheers!). My friends had a basket of baked goods and mimosas. My main course was a perfectly-roasted chicken breast with a tangy mustard-infused sauce that I could have licked off of the plate (don’t worry, I refrained). I don’t usually order chicken, but  would easily say it was some of the best chicken i’ve ever eaten. 

Our pre-show dinner that evening ended up being my favorite of the trip. The pizza restaurant we’d scoped out ended up having nearly a two hour wait and a very rude hostess, so we wandered around to look at our options and stumbled upon La Pulperia. It was cute and cozy, reasonably priced, and despite its proximity to the theater district, was filled almost entirely with locals. Shout out to the fellow diner who encouraged us to go in. He said he’d eaten here four times in the last month, and I’m so grateful for the suggestion. The guacamole was some of the best I’ve ever tasted, even if I had to eat it with a spoon (I’m corn-intolerant, so tortilla chips are a no-go). The skirt steak was perfectly cooked and crazy flavorful, and the roasted peppers complemented it perfectly. I tried a bite of my friend’s flat iron steak and it was also one of the best I’ve had. I’m already dreaming of the next time I can get back to NYC and eat at La Pulperia again. 

Before this visit, it had been nearly twenty years since I’d been to Manhattan, and honestly I’m not sure why took me so long to go back.

So many of the things I love about Paris –  fantastic architecture, international food, plenty of art and culture –  can be found in New York, but with its own quirky, scrappy New York-ness. And did I mention the food? I’m already planning my next trip back – no shows next time, just restaurants. And while I’m looking forward to exploring other sections of the city, I’ll definitely be returning to Midtown, if only for the steak and guacamole.