The fine art of entertaining: mix business with pleasure by sampling a few gems in New York's culinary cornucopia

Art Business News, Jan, 2003 by Nancy Davidson

Vida
222 E. 39th Street, between 2nd & 3rd Avenues
(212) 297-0280
Appetizers $6-$9; Entrees $16-$19
Major credit cards accepted

This bright new festive Latin restaurant combines a variety of influences: The Colombia-born chef has created a modern Mexican cuisine influenced by his training in France and his experience preparing light, healthy, California cuisine. Here you'll find a menu of margaritas, but also much more than your typical rice and beans.

Flatiron District/Union Square

AZ
21 W. 17th Street between 5th & 6th Avenues
(212) 691-8888
Three-course prix fix $57;
Chef's tasting menu $75
Private room; lounge

Dine in the elegant roof garden under a moisture-sensitive, retractable sunroof that opens in fine weather and closes automatically at the first sign of snow or rain. But don't let your view of the sky, the rich blue banquettes or the three-floor slate waterfall distract you from some of the most interesting Asian-fusion cuisine in New York.

Gramercy Tavern
42 E. 20th Street between Broadway & Park
Avenue South
(212) 477-0777
Tavern $9-$20; Dining Room prix fixe $68;
Tasting menu $95
Major credit cards accepted
Private dining room

While it can be hard to get a reservation at this top-rated restaurant, the more casual tavern room in front has some non-reserved seating and a bar with ample space for dining. Seasonal specialties made with greenmarket produce and legendary desserts are just a few of our favorite things.

Patria
250 Park Avenue South at 20th Street
(212) 777-6211
Appetizers $9-$15; Entrees $27-$30
Major credit cards accepted

This large yet intimate restaurant offers spicy, inventive Nuevo Latino cuisine for adventurous foodies. There's also an extensive bar where you can drink mood-altering mojitos and snack on mouth-tingling small plates such as tuna or shrimp ceviche.

Soho

Honmura An
170 Mercer Street
between Houston & Prince Streets
(212) 334-5253
Appetizers and entrees $4.75-$28
Major credit cards accepted

This Japanese noodle house is a haven of tranquility and bliss. Put yourself in the hands of these masters and enjoy a leisurely meal featuring edamame, seaweed salad and delicate fresh soba noodles in broth while enjoying quiet conversation with your guests.

Fiamma
206 Spring Street
between 6th Avenue & Sullivan Street
(212) 653-0100
Appetizers $9-$14; Entrees $21-$32
Major credit cards accepted
Private room

This beautiful triplex serving modern Italian cuisine is unusual for SoHo where the space is usually horizontally expansive. Enjoy fresh seafood antipasti, such as big-eye tuna carpaccio or delightfully rich handmade pastas.

Tribeca

fresh.
105 Reade Street between West Broadway &
Church Street
(212) 406-1900
Appetizers $10-$15; Entrees $22-$35
Major credit cards accepted

Owned by the seafood purveyor to the top restaurants in New York, Fresh makes the most of its excellent, truly fresh ingredients. Casual classics such as fried dams, fish and chips and lobster rolls are transformed into elegant fare, while steaky swordfish and tender monkfish are brought to new heights with enlightened preparations. Raw oysters don't get any better than this.