IMAGINE a tiny chunk of uptown glamour transported into the middle of studentville, and you’ll have a pretty accurate idea of the vibe on East 12th Street between Fifth Avenue and University Place. The prime venues on this little block attract a chic and glamorous crowd because they are among New York’s best.This block is ruled by a triumvirate of superlative and swish restaurants, Strip House, Gotham Bar and Grill and Yujin. While there are some other cheaper options around, these three venues are really the only reason to make a special trip to this block – which has serious claim to be one of the city’s premier foodie destinations. A word of warning, however: Be prepared to drop at least a hundred bucks for two at each of them.
You can avoid spending such a big chunk of cash, however, by simply parking yourself at the bar of any of these venues for a drink or two (all of their bars are open to drinkers as well as diners, provided you ask nicely). It’s a great way to soak up what the smart Village set – fashionistas the lot of them – are up to right now.
Just grabbing a drink can be dangerous, however. At Strip House (at No. 13) it probably won’t be long before the smell of its wonderful New York strip steak wafting out of the kitchen leads you to abandon your frugality and grab the first available table.
Strip House is the sexiest place in New York to sink your teeth into a succulent steak (it’s done up like a bordello) and is one of the area’s top high-end date spots. Bring a guy or girl you want to impress, and he/she will be putty in your hands.
The ineffably stylish Gotham Bar and Grill (No. 12), opposite, is still one of the city’s favorite restaurants. It’s stylishly lit by bulbs hidden behind spectacular, billowing folds of white cotton, which disseminate a calm and restful ambience through the whole dining room.
The crowd is well-dressed (jackets are recommended for guys), slightly older and very serious about food – especially that provided by Gotham’s award-winning chef Alfred Portale. The prix-fixe lunch is a steal at $25. A word of caution, however: You will keep coming back.
The third prong in the holy culinary trinity of East 12th Street is the most recent arrival, Yujin (No. 24). Opened in March this year, Yujin was awarded three stars by The Post’s famously hard-to-please Steve Cuozzo. It is Block Party’s pleasure to report that Yujin is still coming up with the goods.
It’s got a very chic feel, with a faux-slacker crowd (genuine slackers can’t afford it). Again, Yujin is more than happy for passers-by to drop in to the bar for a drink, where there are 16 different types of sake available (an additional 40 if you sit down to eat).
Treat East 12th Street like you would Vegas – take a certain amount of money you are prepared to spend, and when it’s gone, it’s gone.