The It List 2020: Food & Drink

New York has the best bar and restaurant scene in the world—here are our favorites.

With a colorful, boudoiresque ambiance, Air’s Champagne Parlor is the perfect place to wind down with a glass of bubbly.

Air’s Champagne Parlor
(127 Macdougal St., airschampagneparlor.com)
The Champagne menu covers blanc de blanc Champagnes such as Vouette et Sorbeé Textures and Ruinart Blanc de Blanc and Champagne Rose such as Doyard Oeil de Perdrix 2007 and Paul Bara Special Club 2013. Insider’s Tip Complement your drink with caviar service or oysters by the dozen.

Amali
(115 E. 60th St., amalinyc.com)
Close a business deal over some of New York’s best and most sustainable Mediterranean food. Insider’s Tip Both the skylight and fireplace rooms at this Midtown restaurant offer a la carte dining and an intimate space, perfect for strengthening professional connections.

The Lovin’ Spoonful cocktail at Cote mixes soju, passion fruit liqueur, lemon, mint, club soda and bitters.

Cote
(16 W. 22nd St., cotenyc.com)
Proprietor Simon Kim blends Korean barbecue and the classic American steakhouse with smokeless grills in every table, a label wine list with more than 1,200 options, innovative yet classic cocktails and the highest-quality USDA prime beef cooked in an in-house drying room. Insider’s Tip The Butcher’s Feast is the signature dish for a reason.

Dadong
(3 Bryant Park, dadongny.com)
The first American outpost of this popular Chinese restaurant was designed by George Wong and contains more than 440 seats throughout a sprawling space on two floors. Chef Dong Zhenxiang, who counts Michelle Obama and royalty as loyal guests, has perfected Peking duck and pulls together an artistic Chinese feast. Insider’s Tip For happy hour, try firecracker wings and crystal vegetable buns.

The Fulton’s warm octopus and mozzarella complement each other while sea salt and lemon help to cut the richness.

The Fulton
(89 South St., thefulton.nyc)
World-renowned chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten serves up everything from swordfish scallopini with capers and lemon to hake basted in herbal kombu butter. Insider’s Tip During good weather, sit on the patio for an unobstructed view of the Brooklyn Bridge.

The Lambs Club’s interior nods to the turn-of-the-century, members-only thespian society for which the restaurant is named.

The Lambs Club
(132 W. 44th St., thelambsclub.com) The restaurant comfortably seats 80 guests in red chairs and booths in the dining room, which features a large limestone fireplace. Insider’s Tip The restaurant is a great spot for a party or wedding venue.

Le Club tops Blue Point oysters with fennel espuma and tapioca yuzu mignonette.

Le Club
(85 Tenth Ave., leclub-newyork.com)
Le Club’s plushly decorated lounge encourages socializing while sharing bite-size, French-inspired snacks and gorgeous cocktails. Insider’s Tip Bring a large group in order to snag a coveted table for the four-course meal.

Mr Chow
(324 E. 57th St., mrchow.com)
Artists and other luminaries congregate at this global empire of Chinese food. Insider’s Tip The top dish is the celebratory water dumplings.

The Pembroke Room
(28 E. 63rd St., lowellhotel.com)
Seated under crystal chandeliers, afternoon teagoers have several choices of tea services at the Pembroke Room in the Lowell Hotel. Tea service includes classic Pembroke Tea, Gentleman’s Tea with a whiskey or port tasting, and Imperial Tea, which includes servings of caviar with traditional English tea sandwiches. Insider’s Tip The best tables are the intimate banquettes located in the corner of the tearoom, ideal for a party of two.

Scarpetta’s spaghetti is truly one of the best in the city with homemade pasta and simple ingredients.

Scarpetta
(88 Madison Ave., scarpettarestaurants.com)
Even though the dining room can be a tough reservation to score, the signature spaghetti dish is worth it, as well as the duck and foie gras ravioli drizzled with a marsala reduction. Insider’s Tip Downstairs, The Seville is just right for after-dinner drinks.

Senza Gluten
(206 Sullivan St., senzaglutennyc.com)
Whether diners are loosely avoiding gluten or have strict celiac disease, Senza Gluten is safe and delicious with its 100% gluten-free menu.  The restaurant serves up traditional Italian fare such as bruschetta and lasagna, while the adjoining bakery has scones, cookies, muffins and other pastries. Insider’s Tip The restaurant even offers a selection of gluten-free beers.