Eating At Interop: 8 NYC Dining Options
Baffled by where to eat near the Javits center? You're not alone: Check out these eight walkable and delectable options for Interop NY attendees.
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When the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center opened in New York City in 1986, New Yorkers were baffled by its location on the far West Side of Manhattan. Standing alone in what was a vast concrete wasteland, the location was not near any hotels, restaurants, or subway lines, and the neighborhood was generally dicey.
Fast-forward to 2014, and a few things have changed. When you visit New York City for Interop on Sept. 29-Oct 3, you'll see that the Far West Side of Manhattan is undergoing a radical transformation. While the area still lacks luxury business hotels, it does feature the High Line park, and there are plans to extend the No. 7 subway line all the way to 12th Ave. There's also a fantastic bike/walking path along the Hudson River, and the Chelsea Piers offers sports, restaurants and river cruises.
That said, when it comes to food, Javits still sits alone on its island of concrete, with very few quality dining options within close walking distance.
Most folks attending a convention here quickly retreat back to their midtown hotels, where restaurants are plentiful. But if you do that, you'll miss out on all the richness Manhattan has to offer when it comes to dining experiences. I did my best to keep these alternative options within about a 20-block radius of Javits, encompassing the neighborhoods of Chelsea, Hell's Kitchen (don't let the name fool you), and Midtown East/Murray Hill. These establishments will have you exploring neighborhoods you may have overlooked on other visits.
I've chosen a mix of business-friendly restaurants, where you won't feel out of place in a suit and tie, as well as casual dining experiences that are too good to be missed. An added bonus: I've listed only restaurants in which I've personally dined. I don't pretend to be a foodie, but I would never send my friends to a place I hadn't visited first.
Have some of your own favorite New York restaurants near Javits? Tell us about them in the comments section below. And don't forget to let us know if you'll be joining us at Interop New York, where you can feed your mind all day and your stomach at night.
A quick cab ride -- or a healthy walk south on a nice autumn evening -- will bring you to Cookshop, a gem on 10th Ave and West 20th St. in Chelsea. This place was here when the High Line was just a sparkle in city planners' eyes. Now you can take a lovely after-dinner stroll in the park. Executive chef Marc Mayer emphasizes sustainable ingredients, humanely raised animals, and local farmers and artisans. An added bonus: The restaurant supports a number of charitable causes, including the 29-year-old Food Bank for New York City, the city's major hunger relief organization working to end food poverty throughout the five boroughs.
Need a burger fix after a long day at Interop? Look no further than 5 Napkin Burger, a mini-chain with a location at 9th Ave. and West 45th St., about a 20-minute walk north of Javits. The Shake Shack around the corner may be trendier, but the atmosphere at 5 Napkin Burger is more business-friendly. In addition to an array of comfort food items (assorted burgers, French onion soup), the restaurant also caters to those who favor lighter fare, with an assortment of Japan-via-New-York-burger-joint Maki rolls, including the Southwestern roll with spicy yellowtail, cilantro, chayote, scallion, soy wrapper, jalapeno, and tomiko.
If high-end burgers don't satisfy the meat lovers on your team, keep heading north to West 49th Street between 8th and 9th Avenues for a visit to the Brazilian steakhouse Churrascaria Plataforma. If you're not familiar with Brazilian steakhouses, the concept is to serve a wide variety of different cuts of beef, pork, lamb, and chicken in succession, to each diner individually right at their table. There is not a traditional menu, although a variety of family-style side dishes, including veggies and potatoes, are available. The restaurant features all-you-can-eat, fixed-price, continuous tableside service. The more people in your group, the more fun you'll have. And one thing is certain: You won't leave hungry.
Venture east to Park Ave. and you'll find a plethora of yummy restaurant options, including Dos Caminos for Mexican, Asellina for novo-Italian, and Anthony Bourdaine's Brasserie Les Halles French bistro. If you're craving a truly unique dining experience with a remarkable array of Belgian beers, keep heading East to Resto on East 29th St. between Park Ave. and Lexington Ave. The menu is crafted using traditional French techniques, with an emphasis on seasonal, local, farm-fresh ingredients. Resto also emphasizes nose-to-tail dining with options like Cote De Boeuf, Poularde in Half, and a Large Format Feast Program.
You can please both carnivores and pescatarians with one visit to The Ace Hotel on West 29th St. between Broadway and Fifth Ave., home of The Breslin -- a gastro pub -- and The John Dory Oyster Bar. The Ace is the place for hipsters to see and be seen, but that doesn't detract one bit from the quality of the food or the cozy, clubby atmosphere of The Breslin, which specializes in British pub fare and small plates that can be shared, tapas-style. The John Dory offers a unique assortment of raw and cooked seafood options, including shareable "shellfish plateaus." Be warned: Neither restaurant takes reservations for parties of eight people or fewer, so you may have to wait for a table.
Basically a high-end Italian-themed food court, Eataly on West 23rd and Fifth Ave. is a Mario Batalli brainchild that offers seven sit-down restaurants plus takeaway options for an assortment of vendors. If you opt for takeaway, you can picnic in Madison Square Park, located just across Fifth Ave. Prefer to dine in-house? Your options include Le Verdure, which focuses on veggies and grains; Manzo Ristorante, for modern and traditional beef-based dishes; Birreria, a rooftop brewery and gastro pub; La Piazza, offering an assortment of salami and cheeses served at standing marble-topped tables; and Il Pesce, which features a wide selection of fresh fish.
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