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With our insatiable addiction to Top Chef and the meteoric rise of Food Network, chefs and culinary personalities have become some of today’s biggest and brightest stars. Crossing over from the kitchen, chefs have become best-selling authors, television hosts, and veritable brands in-and-of-themselves. Today, celebrity chefs are more prominent than ever, and New York City houses an endless number of restaurants either owned or led by titans of the culinary industry. Manhattan has so firmly cemented itself as a mecca for celebrity restaurants, that it’s almost nearly impossible to check them all off your bucket list. However, we have included some of our tried and true staples for those who want to dine on a meal by culinary royalty.
Mercer Kitchen
Located in the heart of trendy SoHo, Mercer Kitchen is a favorite for New Yorkers, celebrities, and tourists. The restaurant’s design is as trendy as its crowd, with exposed brick walls, long banquettes, candlelit sconces, and a communal table. The restaurant is owned by culinary legend, Chef Jean-Georges, who is arguably one of the most famous and respected chefs in the world, with over 35 restaurants around the world to his name and a host of Michelin stars.
Georges’ menu at Mercer Kitchen is modern American fusion, with seasonal ingredients prepared in a simple yet elegant style. We recommend the Tuna Spring Roll, wood-fired pizzas, and classic Warm Valrhona Chocolate Cake. The pizzas here are definitely not your average delivery affair, with toppings like raw tuna and wasabi, pear and pistachio, and black truffle and Fontina.
Located at the Mercer Hotel
99 Prince Street, NY, NY 10012
Morimoto
Chef Masaharu Morimoto became beloved as a Food Network icon with legendary knife skills, the longest tenure of any Iron Chef, and crazy creativity. Known for his stunning use of unique ingredients, Morimoto has combined the culinary traditions of his native Japan and the American palate to bring his renowned technique and perfectly balanced flavors to foodies throughout the globe. His namesake New York restaurant is a serene oasis in the heart of the city that foodies and critics rave about. We recommend you splurge for the omakase, a term which translates to "I'll leave it up to you.” With this style, guests put their order in the chef’s hands, which always results in innovative and surprising dishes that showcase the day’s best ingredients.
Located at the East end of Chelsea Market
88 10th Avenue
New York, NY 10011
Craft
According to the Michelin guide, AKA the culinary bible, “It’s been years since Tom Colicchio first opened Craft to great acclaim, but the easy charms of the celebrity chef and TV personality’s downtown institution haven’t waned a bit. The room still bustles most nights of the week with stylish types who appreciate the triple threat of cozy décor, elegant fare and a crackerjack service team. As the name suggests, guests "craft" a meal from seasonal, perfectly executed dishes featuring pristine ingredients..” The Top Chef head judge named his restaurant to pay homage to the art & craft of preparing a meal. Craft is also serving a pleasantly priced lunch menu for Restaurant Week, which will run through August 17th.
43 E. 19TH ST., New York, NY 10003
Butter Restaurant
Helmed by the second Iron Chef on our list, Butter Restaurant is home to Food Network star and Executive Chef Alex Guarnaschelli. Since opening in 2002, the eatery has been one of the city’s most stylish and touted restaurants, for both its delicious fare as well as its place in pop culture. A favorite of both Blair Waldorf and Serena van der Woodsen, the restaurant’s soaring ceilings, and stunning decor have been forever immortalized as a Manhattan hotspot. Luckily for diners, the food lives up the hype with Guarnaschellis' greenmarket offerings, comforting seasonal menus, and decadent desserts.
70 W 45th St
New York, NY 10036
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