After a long, hard shift New York City's waiters like to eat, drink, and be merry like everybody else. But Gotham's servers aren't going to eat just anywhere. Because they work in some of the world's most famous and expensive restaurants, they develop discriminating foie gras tastes that, sadly, they're unable to afford on their liverwurst budgets. Therefore, when they go out after work, Big Apple waiters patronise establishments that offer excellent food, good service, and outstanding value for their hard-earned dollar.
If you're visiting NYC from the UK and want to avoid the multitude of culinary tourist traps trying to suck those devaluing British pounds out of your wallet, your best bet is to ask a server where to eat. As the blogger of waiterrant.net and the author of Waiter Rant: Behind the Scenes of Dining Out, I've decided to give my friends "across the pond" a list of exceptional and affordable Manhattan eateries and bars popular with the New York "waiter mafia" .
Restaurants
1. Corner Bistro (burgers)
This place is a waiter's perfect antidote to a night spent dealing with pretentious "foodies". With a divey, no frills atmosphere and late night hours, this "last of the bohemian bars in West Greenwich Village" is an excellent place to grab a beer and eat one of the best (and probably cheapest) burgers in the city.
· West Village, 331 West 4th Street (at Jane St); + 1 (212) 242 9502; cornerbistro.ypguides.net. Mon-Sat 11:30am–4am; Sun 12pm–4am. Burger from $4 (£2.50)
2. Toast (American)
This is my favourite "affordable" place to eat in New York City. As their website attests, Toast offers, "quality hand prepared foods made with love and affection, combined with the portion, price and home-style feel of your local truckstop." If you're on a budget, you can't go wrong here.
· Morningside Heights/Harlem, 3737 Broadway (at 105th St); +1 (212) 663 7010; (original location at 3157 Broadway, between Tiemman and LaSalle, just south of 125th St); toastnyc.com. Mon-Wed 11:30am-11pm; Thurs-Sat 11:30am-12am; brunch: Sat/Sun starts at 11am. Apptesiers: $5-9 (£3-5.60); mains: $8-15 (£5-9)
3. Momofuku Noodle Bar (Asian)
Sparsely appointed atmosphere with backless bar stools and menu that changes daily. Frequented by restaurant staff from the very beginning, owner David Chang credits the growth and success of the Noodle Bar to the early support he received from the server community. At a time when the popular press didn't know what to make of Chang's unique food and his radical attitude, restaurant staff came in crowds because they were treated so well by Chang and his staff. Waiters can and do influence the New York restaurant scene.
· East Village, 171 First Avenue, between 10th & 11th Streets; +1 (212)254 3500; momofuku.com. Sun-Thurs 12-11pm; Fri-Sat 12pm-12am. Small plates: $9-15 (£5.60-9); larger plates: $11-20 (£7-12.60)
4.'inoteca: (Italian)
The website sets its stall out: "… classic regional Italian wine bar cuisine with an extensive selection of Italian wines". Chic and fun; casually-upscale atmosphere but not pretentious, has a wine cellar and private dining room with farm tables downstairs. Well loved by restaurant personnel.
· Lower East Side, 98 Rivington Street at Ludlow; + 1 (212) 614 0473; inotecanyc.com. Daily: 12pm-3am; brunch (Sat/Sun): 10am-4pm. Small plates: $7-18 (£4-11)
5. Paladar (pan-Latino)
Good bar destination for daily happy hour (4-7pm: two drinks for the price of one) - flavoured margaritas, excellent speciality cocktails – and affordable food (shrimp ceviche for $10 (£6.30); wild mushroom quesadillas $9 (£5.60). According to the website it's "… relaxed and friendly, funky but chic atmosphere is reflective of the neighborhood - a place where the old and the new Lower East Side are simpatico..." It's not wrong.
· Lower East Side, 161 Ludlow, between Houston and Stanton; + 1 (212) 473 3535; paladarrestaurant.com.
Daily 5:30-11pm; late night (Fri/Sat): 11pm–2am; Brunch (Sat/Sun): 12–4pm
6. Dim Sum Go Go (dim sum)
Freshest dim sum in the city because it's prepared to order instead of sitting on the traditional pushcarts. Popular with the kitchen staff of NYC's top restaurants, especially Sunday brunch. Industry folks go here to catch up on restaurant gossip.
· Chinatown, 5 East Broadway (at Chatham Square); + 1 (212) 732 0797; no website. Daily 10am-10:30pm. Dim Sum: $3-4 (£1.80-2.50); appetisers: $5-9 (£3-5.60); mains $10-16 (£6.30-10).
7. L'Express (French)
A great late-night spot for those in the restaurant industry. Regional influence from the north and south of France with an emphasis on meats and cheese. Leave the beret at home.
· Gramercy Park, 249 Park Avenue South (at 20th St); + 1 (212) 254 5858; lexpressnyc.com. Open 24 hours. Appetisers: $6-15 (£3.70-9); mains: $10-20 (£6.30-12.60)
8. Gramercy Tavern (American)
Both the Main Dining Room and the Tavern embody the warmth and comfort that's the hallmark of any Danny Meyer restaurant. However, you can eat less expensively in the Tavern without sacrificing the experience of exquisite cuisine and exacting service for which the restaurant is known.
A favorite among industry folk for a splurge. One of the best restaurants on the East Coast.
· Gramercy Park: 42 East 20th Street (between Park Ave South & Broadway); + 1 (212) 477 0777; gramercytavern.com. Tavern: Sun-Thurs 12-11pm, Fri/Sat 12pm-12am; Main Dining Room: Sun-Thurs 5:30–10pm, Fri/Sat 5:30–11pm. Tavern: $9-22 (£5.60-13.80); Main Dining Room: lunch appetisers $11-15 (£7-9), mains $20-25 (£12.60-16); dinner: three-course menu $86 (£54), tasting menu $92 (£58)
Bars
9. 8th Street winecellar
New, popular, up-and-coming venue. The draw is that the owners are two former, veteran bartenders of Union Square Café - another Danny Meyer gem.
· West Village: 28 West 8th Street (between 5th Ave and MacDougal St); +1 (212) 260 9463; 8thstwinecellar.com. Mon-Fri 5pm-2am; Sat/Sun 3pm-2am.
10. The Magician
An excellent bar humming with a Chandleresque noir vibe that offers an outrageous daily happy hour from 5pm-8pm; Sundays 12pm-4am. The cheapest drinks you're going to find in the city! Trust me, waiters like cheap drinks.
· Lower East Side, 118 Rivington Street (at Essex St); +1 (212) 673 7951; no website. Daily: 5pm–4am
Brunch
11. Prune (American)
Tiny, cosy venue with an open view into the kitchen. Creative bloody mary menu and don't miss the fried oyster omelette with remoulade sauce. This place is popular among the waiter crowd, especially for those recovering from post-shift binge drinking hangovers. Prune's also a good place to take a date!
· Lower East Side, 54 East 1st St (between 1st and 2nd Aves); +1 (212) 677 6221; prunerestaurant.com. Lunch: Mon-Fri 11am-3pm; dinner: Mon-Thurs 6-11pm, Fri-Sat 6pm-12am, Sun 5-10pm; Brunch (Sat/Sun): 10am-3:30pm. Lunch: $7-14 (£4-8.80); dinner $10-30 (£6.30-18.90); brunch $12-20 (£7.50-12.60)
So my British friends, those are my recommendations. Just remember, waiters aren't paid a salary in the United States. Tip between 15-20% and no-one will get hurt.
