New York, home of the US Open
When I travel, sometimes I take a chance and stroll around, looking for good places to eat and drink. On some occasions I get lucky and find a fabulous spot, and sometimes I wish I asked someone “in the know” for a recommendation.
Well, if you’re lucky enough to be going to the US Open 2011, which starts in New York on 29 August, here are some insider tips from a local on where to eat and drink while you’re there.
Take a moment to click through to the websites that are linked. Having looked at all of them, I’m not sure I can wait until 2012 to check out as many as possible!
If you know of any other great places, or you’ve been to any of the places listed and have feedback about them, please take a moment to leave us a comment below.
Now, on to the guest post by Liz of Match Point Travel
Eating and drinking in New York during the US Open
New York is the greatest city in the world and there are thousands of choices when it comes to restaurants and bars. The hardest part is choosing a place from so many options. I am a life-long New Yorker who has been going to the US Open every year since 1991. My Labor Day weekend tradition involves going to the Open during the day, coming back to shower & change, going out to a nice dinner and then coming home to watch the night matches which I have recorded on television. Repeat this two more days and I pretty much need a vacation by the time Tuesday rolls around and I have to go back to work!
Here are some of my recommendations for great restaurants and bars to try when you’re in New York:
Casual Restaurants
In case you want to just grab a casual, inexpensive dinner on your way home from the tennis. Here are some places I would suggest if you don’t want to change into nicer clothes or you’re in a rush to get back to the hotel to watch the night matches live starting at 7pm.
Burgers
5 Napkin Burger
- Corner Bistro, (my personal favourite) http://cornerbistrony.com/
- 5 Napkin Burger http://5napkinburger.com/
- Shake Shack http://www.shakeshack.com/
Pizza
Angelo's Pizza
- Lombardi’s http://www.firstpizza.com/
- John’s Pizza http://www.johnspizzerianyc.com/index2.htm
- Angelo’s Pizza http://www.angelospizzany.com/
Tourist Traps to be avoided: Carnegie Deli, Serendipity, any chain restaurant
More Upscale Restaurants
A day at the US Open can be stressful!
Worrying about how your favourite player is doing, fighting through the crowds at the outer courts and food lines, baking in the hot sun all day… That is why I love going to a relaxing, upscale restaurant for dinner.
There are so many amazing restaurants in the city- here are just a few of my suggestions.
- Blue Fin (Seafood and Sushi) http://www.bluefinnyc.com/
- Balthazar (French Bistro) http://www.balthazarny.com/
- Pylos (Greek) http://www.pylosrestaurant.com/
- ABC Kitchen (American) http://www.abckitchennyc.com/
Balthazar Restaurant
If you really want to splurge… reservations definitely required:
- Jean Georges http://www.jean-georges.com/
- Eleven Madison Park http://www.elevenmadisonpark.com/
- Daniel http://www.danielnyc.com/
Bars
Classic, old-time NYC establishments:
Trendy bars:
For a lot more information on New York, tips on attending the US Open and a countdown of the 10 most memorable US Open matches that I attended, check out my website, www.matchpointtravel.org