NEW YORK’S CULINARY EPICENTER
It’s no secret that New York City is one of the world’s great food capitals. But if you’re looking for the capital of food within New York, then there’s only one location: The Shops at Columbus Circle. Thanks to The Restaurant and Bar Collection, as well as other coveted culinary gems, this is a place where trends are defined, bucket lists are checked off, and diners achieve foodie nirvana.
With an astonishing six Michelin stars under one roof, the Restaurant and Bar Collection is a food destination like no other. It’s home to Chef Masa Takayama, who runs Masa — the only three Michelin-starred sushi restaurant in the country — as well as the more casual Bar Masa. Michelin called this the “continent’s best sushi,” and that’s almost an understatement. The fish here is flown in daily from Japan and in Chef Masa’s capable hands, it is elevated to an art form.
Then there’s Per Se, the fine-dining restaurant owned by Chef Thomas Keller, a culinary mastermind who is nothing short of a national treasure. Behind the restaurant’s signature blue doors, Keller creates memory-making meals using ingredients sourced from local farmers and foragers. Michelin — which has consistently awarded Per Se with a coveted three stars — calls it an experience to be “savored, treasured, recounted, and remembered.”
Another enduring classic is Chef Michael Lomonaco’s Porter House Bar & Grill. This luxe dining room overlooking the treetops of Central Park was voted the absolute best steakhouse by New York Magazine, which called it “the gold standard” and praised the “first-class service, opulent side dishes, grand wines, and traditional and trendy cuts of beef.”
The Restaurant and Bar Collection also attracts trailblazing chefs like David Chang, who has two cutting-edge food restaurants: Momofuku Noodle Bar, for seated dining and cocktails, and Bāng Bar, for takeaway lunch. Putting a modern American spin on Asian cuisine, these culinary hot spots are shaking up the way New Yorkers think about noodles and more.
British import Bluebird London keeps pushing boundaries, as well. Conceptualized by restaurant group D&D London, Bluebird NYC encompasses an all-day cafe, wine bar, cocktail lounge, and international brasserie featuring modern takes on classic British cuisine. The expansive space features stunning views of Central Park for guests to enjoy while sipping on afternoon tea or one of their craft-signature cocktails.
You’ll also find some of the most exciting cocktails in the city, if not the whole country, at The Restaurant and Bar Collection. With a dazzling list of drinks, Ascent Lounge New York is nirvana for nightlife lovers. Center Bar — the sister to Porter House Bar & Grill — channels old-school glamour in both its cocktail menu and its décor, complete with light bites.
And let’s not forget the shopping, which fires on all fronts. Williams-Sonoma is the place for professional-quality cookware, gourmet foods, and even cooking classes. Whole Foods Market is one-stop-shopping for all your grocery needs. And for those with a sweet tooth, there are luxe French chocolates at La Maison du Chocolat. Trust us: You’re going to eat this up.
