Welcome to Manhattan Foodie Reviews
Ashley's Mission: To provide you with the best dining experience based on the atmosphere you are looking for dependent on the occasion. Most Manhattan restaurants serve great food, however, they might not be the best for your occasion or budget.
Trusting Ashley's Judgement: An internship program in the summer of 2003 instilled in me to follow my dreams and do what I love. My Manhattan life discovered my passion for finding the best venue for every dining occasion. I didn't go to culinary school nor was I raised in the restaurant business, but what I can tell you is that this is what I love to do and I can promise you I won't send you to a bad restaurant. I don't review the sub par spots; trust me.
Ashley's Ratings: My prices are based on what I call "the overall restaurant experience," which is simply a drink, entree, and shared appetizer or dessert. No need to over indulge unless it's a celebration. My * to ***** star rating scale is based on my overall restaurant experience, focusing on the atmosphere but also accounting for service and food.
Weekly Review Highlight
Marea
Type – celebration, special occassion
Midtown East/West, located on Central Park South
Price: $60+
*****
www.marea-nyc.com
This is one of the few Michelin star restaurants in New York City, and boy does it deserve that rating. This is definitely a place you dine at for a special occasion, dinner on an expense account, or if you just want to treat yourself to a nice dinner. The service is excellent and the food is even better. Chef Michael White makes unbelievable pastas alongside a number of scrumptious seafood dishes. I highly recommend sharing when dining here. I absolutely loved the grilled octopus appetizer and duck ragu pasta. Their cocktails are also tasty, but pricey at $17 a pop. It is hard to snag a reservation here, so book far in advance and aim for that early 6 p.m. reservation. For reservations, opentable.com or 212-582-5100.
