The holidays may be over, but it’s still the most wonderful time of the year — NYC Restaurant Week, also known as the Black Friday of the New York food scene, begins next Tuesday, January 18! Enjoy a 2-course lunch or 3-course dinner for $29, $39, or $59 at hundreds of restaurants citywide through February 13 — it’s the perfect opportunity to feast at a spot that might ordinarily be slightly out of budget (T-minus 2.5 weeks until the rent is due, my friends). This year’s participants include 13 restaurants from Hell’s Kitchen alone, making it even easier to step out for a tasty weeknight dinner or dialed-up lunch. Here are our neighborhood favorites!
Etcetera Etcetera (352 W44th St — east of 9th Ave), a frequent pre-theater favorite for elevated Italian cuisine and an extensive cocktail and wine program, is offering a 3-course, $39 dinner for Restaurant Week — a great way to enjoy Etcetera Etcetera’s friendly ambiance and well-crafted pasta for the price of an entree. Grab a couple of friends for a joyous evening of burrata and grilled skirt steak enjoyed over a bottle of wine (or two!).
Masseria Dei Vini (887 9th Ave — bw W57/58th Street) Speaking of wine, let’s stroll over to Masseria Dei Vini, which roughly translates to “Farmhouse of Wines” (a reference to the fortified farmhouses in the Puglia region of Italy, called masserias). In addition to the impressive beverage program, Chef Pino Coladonato serves the best of Puglian seafood as well as crispy, wood-fired Neapolitan pizza and of course, handmade pasta. Savor a $29 lunch or $39 dinner in a chic-yet-welcoming dining room!
Marseille (630 9th Ave — corner of W44th Street) a neighborhood go-to for over two decades, is an excellent choice for French Provencal cuisine (and was even featured in our guide to Thanksgiving catering!). Try a $39 lunch or $59 dinner of Mediterranean fare with varied global elements in Marseille’s lively, classic brasserie setting. And don’t miss out on one of their famous signature cocktails — we recommend the Mediterranean G&T (gin, London essence juniper tonic, fresh botanicals).
Chez Josephine (414 W42ST bw 9th/Dyer Ave) Theatre Row’s loving tribute to Josephine Baker and the jazz clubs of 1930s Paris carries on the legacy of Jean-Claude Baker (Josephine’s adopted son and the restaurant’s late owner) in their vibrant, blue tin-ceiling, red-velvet walled, poster-clad dining rooms full of loyal New Yorkers. Snag a steal of a deal with a $29 lunch or $39 dinner of Chez Josephine classics enjoyed alongside their live piano and warm, community-filled atmosphere.
5 Napkin Burger (630 9th Ave — corner of W45th Street) is a place that does truly live up to its name — the burgers (both meat and meatless!) are cooked to juicy, savory, perfection and do require a minimum of 5 napkins per diner to stay well-kempt. Try one of 5 Napkin’s extremely generously sized meals prepared with the freshest ingredients (if you do go the beef burger route, the meat is 100% Angus Chuck) for $29 at lunch or dinner!
Bareburger (366 W46th Street bw 8/9th Ave) On a burger kick? Continue your journey at Bareburger, an impeccably run burger joint specializing in sustainable, organic ingredients and an allergy-friendly kitchen with multiple fryers to make dining a stress-free experience. Bareburger is offering $29 lunch and dinner during Restaurant Week — the perfect opportunity to try a black bean, roasted corn, and poblano bean burger with Bareburger’s signature (secret) special sauce!
Longo Bros (474 9th Ave bw W36/37th Street), recently featured in our profile of Hell’s Kitchen storefront illustrations, is the ideal spot to meet friends for a toast of Somewhere on 9th Ave Negronis over a charcuterie board and housemade pasta. Try Longo Bros’ $29 lunch and $39 dinner in a chic, industrial dining room that will satisfy even your hardest-to-please friends.
Tradisyon (790 9th Ave bw W52/53rd Street), the newest venture from the creator of Mighty Bowl and a W42ST favorite of Asian-owned businesses, is dedicated to recreating Chefs Anton and Bianca’s favorite dishes from their Filipino roots. Lechon Kawali (roasted pork belly with Mang Tomas gravy and atchara [pickles]), Kare Kare (stewed oxtail), and Jackfruit Salad are just a few of the tasty offerings at Tradisyon, which advertises $29 lunch and $39 dinner during Restaurant Week. Grab some takeout for hearty, flavorful fare that will warm up even the coldest winter nights.
Danji (346 W52nd Street bw 8/9th Ave), a veritable legend of Hell’s Kitchen and the first ever Korean restaurant in the US to be awarded a Michelin Star, specializes in shareable plates of authentic, sustainably sourced, and carefully prepared fare perfect for a special occasion outing. Make that outing a $59 dinner from Danji and relish their exquisitely constructed dishes like bulgogi bibimbap and bacon-flavored kimchi rice.
Kashkaval Garden (852 9th Ave bw 55/56th St) a longtime neighborhood favorite for Mediterranean tapas, Kashkaval Garden joins the Restaurant Week crew with dedicated $29 brunch/lunch menus and $39 dinner specials. We suggest trying their Martini Lunch — featuring soup or tapas and a choice of: kale salad with skewer chicken, garden or kofte
fondue for one with vegetables & baguette for dipping, or two skewers with a side chicken, dessert, and of course — a martini. Follow it up with a matinee of Company — here’s to the ladies who lunch!
Hudson West (629 W57th Street bw 11/12th Ave), Chef Vasiliki Vourliotaki’s sleek, Mediterranean-influenced taverna (formerly called Ousia) in the VIA 57 West building is known for its impeccably cooked meats and seafood. Hudson West has released its 2022 Restaurant Week menus — enjoy a $29 brunch featuring kale, mushroom, and swiss frittata or a $39 dinner with choices like honey glazed pork ribs and grilled salmon. Close out your feast with a lime cheesecake for dessert!
Añejo (668 10th Ave — corner of W47th Street), long revered for top-notch happy hour margaritas, joins the Restaurant Week crew with $29 lunch and $39 dinner. Make sure to sample their first-rate fare featuring perfectly mixed guacamole, ceviche, and Mussels Con Chorizo. Throw in an Oaxacan Sour for good measure!
Nelore Grill (744 9th Ave — corner of W50th Street) Seeking the best Caipirinha in town? Look no further than Nelore Grill, a friendly, popular Brazilian spot known for the popular cocktail, savory steak, and bobó de camarão (Stewed shrimp with creamed yucca). Check out their $29 lunch and $39 dinner Restaurant Week specials and save room for Brazilian brigadeiro (Brazilian fudge dessert)!
La Pulperia (623 9th Ave — corner of 9th Ave) Newcomer La Pulperia dazzles in their exploration of Pan-Latin cuisine, designed to resemble the traditional pulperias (grocery store and bar) of Latin countries with reclaimed wood walls from Brazil and handcrafted floor tiles from Mexico. Try a $59 dinner of exquisitely cooked seafood (they specialize in whole grilled fish Gremolata) and well-balanced cocktails like the Pulperia HK (Blanco Tequila, Orange Liqueur, Fresh Pineapple, Jalapeño, Cilantro, Black Lava Salt).
Still hungry? Great news! The feast doesn’t stop at Restaurant Week! W42ST has an extensive, Zagat-level guide of all the best places to grab a bite or drink in the neighborhood. Peruse our Best of Awards 2021 for top spots approved by thousands of readers, or download our W42ST App for on-the-go lists and maps of every category of restaurant, bar, and coffee shop!
$39 lunch at Marseille during restaurant week? Is this a misprint?
If not, no thanks.
Amazing, right?