THE ODEON
This iconic eatery, immortalized in Jay McInerney’s Bright Lights Big City, was famous as a (very) late night gathering spot for the ‘80s art crowd (Warhol, Schnabel, Mapplethorpe). Today the Odeon is enjoying a mega-revival thanks to the Condies and other media companies migrating to the World Trade Center area, but the vibe now comes from corporate creatives, and publishing honchos stick to the midday scene. Service is friendly and the menu offers everything from bistro fare (moules frites), hamburgers and salads (the Baby Mizuna with roasted grapes, almonds, and aged goat cheese is popular), to entrees like grilled lamb chops.
145 W Broadway, (212) 233-0507, theodeonrestaurant.com
MICHAEL’S
This restaurant still reigns supreme as a media macher hangout; Wednesday is the day to come if you want Lunch at Michael’s columnist Diane Clehane to report your presence at this hopping power spot. (Come other days of the week for discreet tete-a-tetes.) Who stops by? Just everybody who is anybody in publishing and in Hollywood (Harvey Weinstein, Alec Baldwin). You can’t go wrong ordering the Cobb.
24 W 55th St., (212) 767-0555, michaelsnewyork.com
LE BILBOQUET
One of the poshest restaurants on the Upper East Side (billionaire Ron Perelman and Eric Clapton are investors) draws an A+++ bold- faced crowd (Bill Clinton,Sting, Anna Wintour, and, of course, Perlman and Clapton). The lunch crowd here is the owner class (as in multi-national corporations) and the attire runs to pure Best Dressed List—think Birkins, Brioni, and Brunello Cucinelli and you’ll do just fine. On the menu—chic bistro fare, a power haven Cobb, and great chicken dishes like the Cajun and the Roti au jus.
20 E 60th St., (212) 751-3036, lebilboquetny.com
THE LAMBS CLUB
Conde Nasters are so devoted to this clubby Midtown spot they often make the long trek north from West Street to get their weekly (and bi-weekly) fix of Geoffrey Zakarian’s modern and highly seasonal American cuisine. Since the restaurant is smack in the theater district, it draws a Broadway power crowd, but Midtown corporate honchos have made it their hangout as well. Amal Clooney came here to break bread with Anna Wintour and CBS honcho Les Moonves stops by as well.
132 W 44th St., (212) 997-5262, thelambsclub.com
ST AMBROEUS SOHO
General manager Alireza Niroomandd has a great fashion contact list, so this spot caught on quickly with Downtown (and Uptown) style crowds. Celebs like Taylor Swift and Naomi Campbell have flocked here, too. The menu, as at the other St. Ambroeus locations, slants toward the Milanese, although in a nod to the size-0 regulars,there are seven salad offerings, one even named after Man Repeller’s Leandra Medine, called insalata Leandra, of course.
265 Lafayette St., 212-966-2770, santambroeus.com
