Welcome Back! Spectacular Rooftop Dining, NYC
The hospitality industry in NYC is on the rebound after more than a year of uncertainty.
People are once again getting in the let's go out to eat groove and are making plans for date night and brunch.
Restaurants and bars that have large outdoor dining spaces are still the preferred option for many. And, it's not just for safety and social distancing reasons. The ambiance at these venues, with the lights of the city serving as a backdrop to your night out, is unbeatable.
With the advent of Spring just around the corner, many rooftop restaurants and bars are re-opening with new menus and decor. Some never closed and fought through the pandemic. All of these venues along with their hard-working servers deserve your support.
Sushi Lab Rooftop - Midtown West
Located on the rooftop of the trendy Sanctuary Hotel, Sushi Lab offers a beautiful, serene ambiance as well as some of the best tasting and most creative sushi in town.
The outdoor space is crowned with a roof that is decorated with lush leaves and colorful Japanese lanterns. It's a sight to behold at any time ,but the scene is especially charming and romantic at night.
You have just found your new date spot.
Back when indoor dining was restricted, the folks at Sushi Lab totally re-invented themselves, opening up this heated outdoor space. The team did whatever they could to stay open and serve their loyal clientele.
Indoor dining is back with a vengeance, soon to expand from 35 % capacity to 50%! But, you will still be able to enjoy the rooftop area, if you so desire.
The staff takes your health and safety extremely seriously. All guests have their temperature taken in the hotel's lobby, before boarding the elevator that whisks you up to the restaurant.
All staff and customers must wear masks and, of course, tables are cleaned thoroughly between seatings. Diners are separated by plastic dividers.
Executive chef Frankie Chen and his team have prepared a menu that is sourced with ingredients from around the world. The fish is superb and the veggies are fresh as can be.
Dining at Sushi Lab is a true journey for the senses. Prepare to be amazed.
Sushi Lab offers an Omakase dining experience, which is very popular in Japan and is catching on big-time here in the States.
In the Japanese language, "omakase" literally means " I'll leave it up to you".
In other words, the various courses served are entirely at the chef's discretion. But, rest assured, you are in very safe hands here.
There are two omakase options available. The Chef's Selection is the perfect way to satisfy your sushi cravings. This option offers 10 signature sushi pieces plus a hand roll. With the Lab Experiment you will receive 15 items, so make sure that you arrive hungrily.
You may also order sushi, sashimi and hand roll a la carte.
Currently, they are offering a special promotion; three delicious hand rolls for just $24! Choices include tuna and Wasabi, snapper in yuzu essence and salmon with a tomato confit.
Specialty rolls range from yellowtail jalapeno and seared salmon in a truffle miso sauce to Waygu beef with chives, crab and avocado.
Please don't sleep on the desserts at Sushi Lab. The chef puts a lot of care and flavor into creations such as the unbelievable Matcha Tiramisu and the delectable Japanese souffle' cheesecake.
On the menu, you will find a primo selection of sake and imported Japanese beer to enjoy. Raise a toast to those who are near and dear to you.
Contact Info
132 West 47th Street
New York, N.Y. 10036
(212) 432-0000
Hours
Monday 5 PM to 10 PM
Tuesday-Sunday 12 PM to 10 PM
The Greens at Pier 17 - South Street Seaport
Situated high atop the roof of Pier 17 at the new and revitalized South Street Seaport, The Greens gives diners spectacular views of the Hudson River and the New York City skyline.
During the winter months, guests have been enjoying dinner and cocktails inside cozy, well-heated cabins. Each cabin has, get a virtual fireplace, comfy banquette seating and, for your added safety, a Mole Kule air purifier.
Masks must be worn at all times when on the premises, except when eating and drinking. Hand sanitizer stations have been strategically placed throughout the rooftop. And, all ordering is touchless. You can view the menu on your phone and order whatever you desire through their app.
Pier 17 is gearing up for a new outdoor dining theme specifically designed for the Spring and Summer. So, be sure to check out their website and stay tuned for further information. You just know that you'll be in for a treat.
One dish that's made for a romantic evening is the cheese fondue. There's plenty to share since the crock of melted cheese is accompanied by fresh sourdough bread, crispy potatoes, broccoli, apples and pears.
The divine salmon tartare guacamole comes with a bevy of organic blue corn tortilla chips.
Main attractions include a hearty plate of old-school meatballs and polenta and baked Scottish hake that is topped with some simply addicting lemon butter crumbs.
It's no surprise that one of their most requested dishes is the spiced buttermilk fried chicken accompanied by broccoli rabe, mashed potatoes and house-made hot sauce.
After your meal, you'll want to save room for a sweet treat like the vanilla popwhich, an ice cream sandwich that has been dipped in luscious dark chocolate, or a slice of the peanut butter and chocolate layer cake.
What's a night out without a cocktail? Not as much fun, that's for certain!
The Greens at Pier 17 has a tasty collection of sips that have been curated by the barkeeps over at Dante's, a MacDougal Street tradition since 1915.
Dante's chocolate Negroni is an elixir like no other and you cannot go wrong with their signature Negroni, which is a mix of Sipsmith, Martini and Rossi vermouth with an orange wedge.
Quench your thirst and elevate your mood with Dante's vodka and soda, made with Grey Goose grapefruit and orange plus lime juice.
Contact Info
89 South Street
New York, N.Y. 10038
(212) 732-8257
Hours
Monday to Thursday 12 PM to 11 PM
Friday to Sunday 11 AM to 11 PM
Ampia Restaurant and Rooftop - Financial District
The term "sexy" can hardly be applied to most of the restaurants that are in this neighborhood, no matter how good the food may be.
However, when it comes to a cool, lounge-like atmosphere that will have you whipping out your phone to take pictures asap, Ampia has got you covered. Both the interior of the restaurant and the outdoor space look as though they were designed by an
Italian fashionista with impeccable taste.
From the seating to the overall decor, the main dining room conveys a vibe of casual luxury. With over 4,000 square feet at your disposal, rest assured that social distancing is easy to maintain here.
Should you choose to dine outside, a variety of seating options await you including Ampia's glass, see-through greenhouses.
The service is on-point with servers frequently checking in on their guests. You will feel well taken care of.
Now, none of this is an accident. Ampia is the latest creation from husband and wife restaurateurs Chef Michele Luliano and Anisa Luliano. The duo's portfolio of seven restaurants includes Luzzo's LIC, Via Trenta Pizzoteca and Ovest. To say that Michele and Anisa know what they're doing would be an understatement.
All staff and guests have their temperature taken and, in addition to hand sanitizer stations throughout the indoor and outdoor spaces, your server will also bring sanitizer to your table,if requested.
Don't worry about anything except what you're going to order. Do yourself a huge favor, though and start things off with a cocktail.
All libations are composed utilizing only the finest spirits, fresh fruits and herbs such as sage and rosemary.
Their oh-so-popular Tickled Pink sangria is a super refreshing blend of Rose', mango, peaches and pears.
The Pursuit of Passion is a real game-changer. With a blend of rum, Pamplemousse liqueur, passion fruit syrup, fresh bell peppers, lime juice and mint, this drink hits all the right notes.
Strong, but not overly so is the Harvest Mule. This cocktail is made with a generous pour of vodka, Italicus liqueur, ginger beer, lime juice and homemade fresh fruit marmalade.
Chef Michele's menu offers a nice selection of antipasti. The Burrata is made with extra creamy Apulian mozzarella and comes with succulent slices of Prosciutto di Parma.
You should also look into the pan-fried artichokes that are dusted with imported, grated Parmesan cheese.
The menu has several intriguing salads to choose from. The must-try though is the Ampia, which consists of arugula, Hass avocado, corn, grape tomatoes, the heart of palm and chunks of Maine lobster in a lemon vinaigrette.
When all is said and done, however, the culinary team here is celebrated for their mouth-watering and innovative pasta dishes. You simply cannot dine here without ordering one.
Chef Michele is all about those soft, pillowy morsels of potato dough known to one and all as gnocchi. At Ampia, you may order it in several different ways. There is the Gnocchi Crudaiola, which is served with fresh tomatoes, basil and Burrata cheese.
The Gnocchi all'astice Americano is decorated with ripe and juicy grape tomatoes and delectable pieces of lobster meat. Or, why not go with Chef Michele's Gnocchi al Tartufo with a heavenly truffle sauce, Parmesan cheese and a side of Prosciutto
chips?
On a date or treating your significant other to dinner? Then order the Tri di gnocchi special for two. For only $36, you get a plate, big enough to share, of gnocchi three different ways; with four kinds of cheese, with pesto and another portion that's topped with Sorrentina sauce.
For an upcharge of just $5, you can substitute gluten-free gnocchi.
Aside from pasta, the kitchen here turns out a wide variety of Italian dishes all infused with the chef's tender, loving care.
The Branzino is accompanied by a zucchini coulis, oyster mushrooms and jumbo shrimp. They also do a magnificent and gigantic Berkshire pork chop that's covered in tomato sauce and melted mozzarella. It's served with basil mashed potatoes.
Contact Info
100 Broad Street
New York, N.Y. 10004
(212) 422-4102
Hours
Monday to Friday 4 PM to 11 PM
Saturday and Sunday 12 PM to 11 PM
Castell Rooftop Lounge - Times Square
Located on the 21st floor of the AC Hotel in Times Square, Castell Rooftop Lounge is close to everywhere you want to be, yet far above the city's traffic and hustle and bustle. Castell is a refuge of cool where you can feel free to chill out and party your cares away.
Get the good times started with their spectacular happy hour, which takes place Monday through Friday, from 4 until 6 PM.
For a mere six dollars, you can quench your thirst with select draft beers. Premium wines, such as Smoke Tree Chardonnay, are available for just $10 a glass. A sterling line-up of classic cocktails can be had for only $12, which is a bargain considering the real estate.
At Castell, the management takes your health and safety just as seriously as you do.
All surfaces are constantly disinfected and they request that guests wear masks when walking to their table or going to the restroom.
The outdoor patio is decorated with potted plants and all manner of greenery.
You can enjoy everything that their menu has to offer while relaxing on comfy sofas or banquette seating.
Castell's indoor space is large enough so that you won't feel cramped or get the feeling that your safety is being compromised. Maintaining social distancing is a piece of cake here.
Their beverage menu is a celebration of that iconic drink, the Martini, which was the preferred libation of the city's Madison Avenue AD executives and power brokers during the 1960s.
The 50/50 is a heady blend of Belvedere vodka or Cotswold's gin, Dolin dry vermouth with a lemon twist.
Definitely out of the box and totally tasty is the Dirty 20 Martini, made with Tito's Vodka, EVOO and olives. For just two bucks more you can upgrade your garnish with blue cheese-stuffed green olives.
Shake up your Martini options with the Caddy, a drink made with Casamigos Anejo tequila, Grand Marnier, lime juice, Guajillo Chile and a lava salt rim.
Stir up your spirits with one of the absolute stars of the bar, their signature
apple old-fashioned. The ingredients include Buffalo Trace, Black Dirt apple brandy and an apple cinnamon shrub.
When it comes to most lounges in the city, the food can be rather blah. You're paying for the drinks and atmosphere. But, at Castell Rooftop Lounge, they take their food seriously.
The menu is mostly delicious tapas and is divided up into three tempting sections; light bites, a little decadent and a little heartier. You can't go wrong picking from any of them.
On the lighter side, you'll find gems like the crostini with ricotta and figs and the seasonal veggie crudite platter that comes with white almond hummus.
The ooey and gooey grilled Manchego cheese sandwich with Serrano ham and truffles are certainly decadent in every sense of the word.
Just about any appetite will be satisfied when ordering the grilled chicken skewer with pickled red onions and avocado or the mozzarella and roasted tomato sandwich on peasant bread that's covered with an addicting olive tapenade.
Contact Info
260 West 40th Street
New York, N.Y. 10018
(929) 284-3761
Hours
Monday to Sunday 4 PM to 10 PM
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