Top Five New York: The Best Sushi, Nightclubd and Power Lunches

Sushi

MASA
10 Columbus Circle, New York, NY 10019
212-823-9800
The design behind Masa is made up of two elements: shibui—meaning devoid of unnecessary elements—and umami, or the basic flavor inherent in ingredients. This sushi haute spot transports diners to a 26-seat Zen-like sushi temple. Best known for the prix fixe menu, Masa offers delectable appetizers and sushi made of exotic seafood flown in directly from Japan. Who could resist that kind of sushi specialty?

NOBU NEW YORK
105 Hudson St. New York, NY 10013
212-219-0500
Nobu prides itself on being the innovator of new style Japanese food. Rightly so—some of their flavorful dishes include Yellowtail with Jalapeno, Lobster with Wasabi Pepper Sauce and Black Cod with Miso. The Michelin star restaurant features birch trees, wood floors and a wall made of river stones. With its décor that evokes the Japanese countryside and dishes that put a spin on traditional Japanese cooking, Nobu New York serves as one of the city’s hautest sushi spots.

BONDST
6 Bond St. New York, NY 10012
212-777-2500
Set in a historic Soho-style brownstone, BONDST offers sushi lovers three levels of dining space. The ground floor houses BONDST Lounge, which features its own sushi bar and banquettes. A 75-seat dining room overlooking cobblestoned Bond St. occupies the second floor. The third floor offers an elegant dining room, as well as the private Tatami Room. And the sushi? Just as good as the dining spaces are.

KOI
40 W. 40th St. New York, NY 10018
212-921-3330
Koi New York takes a minimalist approach with its interior; simple dark wood furniture and tan leather banquettes are set against an indoor garden landscape. Although the décor is minimal, the sushi is anything but refined. With signature dishes like the Crispy Rice topped with Spicy Tuna, the Hamachi Fusion with Soy-citrus and Truffle Essence and the Yellowtail Carpaccio with Grapeseed Oil, Ponzu and Wasabi Tobiko, Koi will leave your taste buds wanting more.

[highlight_text] 15 East also handmakes soba noodles and tofu, making this sushi haute spot a real standout. [/highlight_text]

15 EAST
15 E. 15th St. New York, NY 10003
212-647-0015
15 East creates the best sushi by using seasonal local products from the Union Square Greenmarket and other farmers. Using the freshest ingredients, Executive Sushi Chef Masato Shimizu invents new dishes, drawing on traditional Japanese cuisine with a modern twist. 15 East also handmakes soba noodles and tofu, making this sushi haute spot a real standout.

Nightclubs

PROVOCATEUR CAFÉ
18 Ninth Ave. New York, NY 10014
212-929-9036
Provocateur Café is a haven for the sophisticated city dwellers. The interior features eight different spaces, each adorned with its own unique décor. The center of the space resembles a Garden of Eden, with floor-to-ceiling European Betula Pendula trees, floral swings and a ceiling that turns to sky as the glass roof retracts. Only the hautest visit this nightclub, as those wishing to join the upscale lounge must be on the exclusive guest list.

LAVO
39 E. 58th St. New York, NY 10022
212-584-2700
Manhattanites no longer need to travel west to get their fix of this famous Las Vegas nightclub. Opened in Sept. 2010, Lavo boasts a classic Italian restaurant and upscale nightclub, with frequent guests such as Kim Kardashian, Tinsley Mortimer and Ciara. This New York haute spot is the perfect place to eat, dance and be seen in the city.

PH-D
355 W. 16th St. New York, NY 10011
212-229-2511
Take in the Manhattan skyline at this intimate rooftop bar and lounge, featuring a pool bar and sand beach club. PH-D—which stands for Penthouse at Dream Downtown—features one of the most advanced sound systems of any rooftop and a full schedule of some of the best DJs. You don’t have to write a dissertation to get into PH-D, but there is a strict entrance policy; the doormen let guests in at their own discretion.

THE DARBY DOWNSTAIRS
244 W. 14th St. New York, NY 10011
212-242-1776
The Darby Downstairs takes you back to the days of Hemingway and Fitzgerald, when jazz, booze and pretty women were all it took for a great night. This haute spot offers a mix of innovative culinary delights and handcrafted cocktails created by in house mixologists. With its speakeasy sensibility, The Darby Downstairs restores the glamour, charm and exuberance of a long lost era to modern day New York.

CIPRIANI UPSTAIRS
376 W. Broadway New York, NY 10012
212-343-0999
The fashionable Cipriani Upstairs—located above Cipriani Downtown in Soho—is the haute spot to see and be seen in. This exclusive rooftop party plays host to European socialites and Manhattan’s elite. The Alpine-inspired, clean space emanates affluence and gives those visiting a feeling of the utmost elegance. Let the champagne flow and enjoy the scene everyone wishes they could be a part of.

Power Lunches

THE GRILL ROOM AT THE FOUR SEASONS
99 E. 52nd St.New York, NY 10022
212-754-9494
Having played host to every major social event—from JFK’s 45th birthday to Manhattan’s Grammy awards celebrations—this New York staple is known as one of the greatest rooms in the city. During the day, you can find power players seated in a row under the larger than life chandelier, cutting into their crab cakes and bison burgers. If your power lunch needs to be quick, take a seat at the legendary wooden bar.

HARRY CIPRIANI
781 Fifth Ave. New York, NY 10022
212-753-5566
At this posh Fifth Ave. location, Harry Cipriani is a near replica of the original Harry’s Bar in Venice. Packed daily with chic New Yorkers and visitors from all over the world, you can always expect the best—from impeccable service, a striking ambiance and the finest Italian fare. Cipriani quickly gained notoriety among the business elite, many of whom have tables on constant reserve for the most important lunches.

MICHAEL’S
24 W. 55th St. New York, NY 10019
212-767-0555
At Michael’s, you can expect to rub shoulders with the city’s business power players. Owner Michael McCarty makes sure to shake hands and spread his charm to each lunching table when he is in house. With an extensive wine list and impressive menu, combined with the chrome chairs and serious feel of the space, Michael’s is the perfect backdrop for important meetings with industry heavyweights.

CASA LEVER
390 Park Ave. New York, NY 10022
212-888-2700
Giving New York a taste of “La Dolce Vita,” Casa Lever makes for the perfect setting for the ultimate power lunch. Modern art adorns the walls and classic architecture lends staying power to this haute spot. True to its Park Avenue address, Casa Lever is a chic and sophisticated dining destination for power players.

LE CIRQUE
151 E. 58th St. New York, NY 10022
212-644-0202
Appropriately located on the bottom floor of the Bloomberg corporate headquarters is the hidden gem that is home to the successful leaders of New York’s business world. Le Cirque boasts impressive architecture of glass and steel, surrounded by a modern stone courtyard. A once circus-like color scheme has been replaced with a formal and elegant dining space, perfect for an important meeting worth a pretty penny.