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Meet the Celebrity Chefs of NYC

You know them from TV and your favorite cookbooks. It's time to treat yourself to a fine dining experience from one of your favorite celebrity chefs. You might be surprised how many famous TV chefs have restaurants right here in NYC.

guyfieri

Drive in, or rather step into Guy's American Kitchen & Bar, the chef's Times Square collaboration with the folks behind the famed Heartland Brewery. Rock out with Guy Fieri’s Americana menu packed with hardcore flavors. What’s the boisterous, ice blonde, sunglass-wearing host of Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives most killer recipe on the menu? Vegas Fries, which are triple fried, then tossed in tangy buffalo sauce, topped with crumbled bleu cheese, and served with the intensely unique bleu-sabi dipping sauce. Totally worth the calories. 

220 W. 44th St., 646-532-4897.

Tap into your sweet tooth at the New York City outpost of Carlo's Bakery, made famous by its original Hoboken, New Jersey location by Buddy Valastro of Cake Boss. Valastro and his Italian brood do pastries better than the rest, so next time you’re in the Times Square area, pick up a cannoli or a hundred.

625 8th Ave. at 42nd St., 646-590-3783.

When he’s not on the prestigious judging panel of TV’s Top Chef, gourmet guru Tom Colicchio is maintaining his own New York empire. Dine elegantly at Craft (43 E. 19th St., 212-780-0880), kick back with equally complex flavors and a more laid back atmosphere at Craftbar (900 Broadway, 212-461-4300), or savor the locally-sourced tasting menu on rotation at Colicchio & Sons (85 10th Ave., 212-400-6699).

batali2

Two words: Mario Batali. Let’s take a crack at this celeb chef juggernaut, cooking it up all over Manhattan. 

Step into an antique carriage house at Babbo and enjoy authentic Italian cuisine, paired with true hospitality. Fish, meats, and pastas are all prepared with classic flavors that Batali has put his own touch on. 110 Waverly Place, 212-777-0303.

Try Batali’s spin on Spanish cuisine at Casa Mono, and sharing a wine list with Bar Jamón next door, winos are privy to 600 bottles to choose from. Casa Mono, 52 Irving Place, 212-253-2773. Bar Jamón, 125 E. 17th St., 212-253-2773.

Eat at Del Posto and indulge in multi-course tasting menus bursting with Batali’s authentic Italian style, all set in a modern, expansive dining room. 85 10th Ave., 212-497-8090.

Batali’s seafood spot Esca dishes out oysters on the half-shell, an assortment of mouthwatering crudos, and whole, perfectly cooked catches of the day. 402 W. 43rd St., 212-564-7272.

Lupa’s all-Italian wine list is a big draw, with pairings that will make your palate say “ahh.” 170 Thompson St., 212-982-5089.

Manzo, which means “beef” in Italian, is the choice cut here. Located inside of Batali’s Italian food compound Eataly, diners are treated to top meats, with many locally-sourced options. 200 Fifth Ave., 212-229-2180.

It’s all about the pizza at OTTO, with combinations like tomato, pecorino, and egg on the Pane Frattau pie, and potato, anchovy, and ricotta on another griddle-cooked delight. One Fifth Ave. at 8th St., 212-995-9559.

Of course, you can’t have Batali without Eataly. Once inside this vast Italian market, dine at one of several specialty restaurants, including Manzo, or grab a quick coffee and be on your way, all thanks to the orange-clogged, fiery Batali himself. 200 Fifth Ave.

morimoto2

Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto proves his title at sleek, sushi spot Morimoto. The Japanese chef serves up the freshest sashimi, toro tartare, and even oyster foie gras. For the diehard, adventurous seafood fiend. 

88 10th Ave., 212-989-8883.

You know Alex Guarnaschelli as the esteemed palate axing less esteemed plates on Food Network’s Chopped, but she’s also the culinary master behind Butter in Midtown Manhattan. Butter’s atmosphere is warm, covered floor to ceiling in beautifully crafted, inviting wood, while the menu features a raw bar, pan-seared branzino, and a 28-day aged Tomahawk steak from Creekstone Farms. Guarnaschelli sets the table for a dining experience that’s both chic and comforting. 

70 W. 45th St., 212-253-2828.

Born in Ethiopia and raised in Sweden, you might not peg celeb chef Marcus Samuelsson as an American soul food connoisseur, but that’s exactly his specialty at Harlem’s Red Rooster. Try classics like the Chicken & Waffle, Fried Yardbird, and Mac & Greens. Pop downstairs for a cocktail and live music at Ginny’s Supper Club.

310 Malcolm X Blvd., 212-792-9001.

He can talk big talk, and his cuisine walks the walk. Gordon Ramsay, the outspoken chef and host of Hell’s Kitchen and Kitchen Nightmares tones down that big personality and turns out big flavor at Maze at The London, New York. Looking for a bite unlike any other? We’ll order the Kimchi Reuben Sliders…and hold the sass, Ramsay.

151 W. 54th St., 212-468-8889.

bobby

Bobby Flay has been on the cooking scene, and on your TV screen for a heck of a run so far. Want to taste some of his famous flavors? Head to Gato for a Mediterranean-inspired menu boasting plates like pizza with lamb sausage, and eggplant with manchego and balsamic.  Bar Americain caters to the refined taste buds of the bustling city crowd with dishes like a lobster avocado cocktail, spicy tuna tartare, and duck confit.

Gato, 324 Lafayette St., 212-334-6400.

Bar Americain, 152 W. 52nd St., 212-265-9700.

 

 

About the Author

Melanie Baker hopes her aura is purple, and maintains a strict sushi diet. Big fan of mini-horses, Spotify, and pretending to be fluent in Spanish. She has 19 siblings and counting.

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