About Gael Greene
Photo: Steven Richter
In her role as restaurant critic of New York Magazine (1968 to January 2002) Detroit-born Gael Greene helped change the way New Yorkers (and many Americans) think about food.
"Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Ice Cream But Were Too Fat To Ask," "The Mafia Guide to Dining Out." and " Nobody Knows the Truffles I've Seen" were early pieces. In more recent years her annual roundup of New York City's dining favorites, Ask Gael, was a gourmand's collectible for many years and she continues to write a weekly Ask Gael column for NYM. Earlier she worked at the New York Post.
As co-founder with James Beard and a continuing force behind Citymeals-on-Wheels as board chair, Ms. Greene has made a significant impact on the city of New York. Citymeals, the largest public/private partnership in the country, has raised $200 million in its twenty-six-year history to help feed the city's frail elderly shut-ins.
Ms. Greene's memoir, "Insatiable, Tales from a Life of Delicious Excess" was published April, 2006. Earlier non-fiction books include "Delicious Sex, A Gourmet Guide for Women and the Men Who Want to Love Them Better" and "BITE: A New York Restaurant Strategy." Her two novels Blue skies, No Candy" and "Doctor Love" were NY Times best sellers.
Gael Greene
Articles used with permission of Gael Greene, Copyright 2008. All rights reserved. Steven Richter's photographs may not be used without permission.
Gael Greene's New York City Restaurant Reviews and more....
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Gael Greene
Gael Greene's New York City Restaurant Reviews and more....
The NYC Insiders Guide
for women who aren't kids
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|
|
|
||
|
|
|
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Make friends at Boqueria's crowded tapas bar. Photo: Steven Richter
Dear Gael,
I am moving from Los Angeles to New York for a few months starting in February. Even though the 60-degree temperature difference is already giving me the chills, I am very ready for the energy of The City. I need to know the best restaurants to go as a single and fabulous woman new to NYC. I really enjoy sitting at a good bar to dine so that I don't look too obvious but have no problem asking for my own table and ordering a full bottle of wine just for me. Do you have suggestions of places that are delicious, unique and welcome the woman who loves to eat with or with out a man?
Thank you!
Ana
Dear Ana,
Gotham Bar and Grill, the new, tough to crash John Dory, even Tom Valenti’s wildly popular West Branch, welcome singles at the bar. At West Branch I love the burger and the pressed Cuban sandwich.
Daniel’s Bar Boulud across from Lincoln Center serves at the counter and has a tasting table for singles as well. The charcuterie, more than anything else, will make you feel you’re in Paris. Next door Fiorello seats singles overlooking the antipasti display. I point to what I want; it’s my longtime favorite after-the-movie supper. At Picholine, chef Terrance Brennen’s splendid small tastes – he’s gone gaga for Spain – are available in the bar-lounge but you can also order dinner there. On weeknights after the theater crowd leaves at 8, almost any of these restaurants would probably welcome a single.
The communal table at Asia de Cuba in Morgan's Hotel is still a spot to meet people while eating well (though portions are meant to share)… perhaps you can charm the waiter into a half portion or two. Wine bars (Bar Jamón or Terroir, the hangout next to Hearth) and tapas bars (I love Boqueria in the Flatiron area and newly cloned in Soho) encourage chat and flirt. Click here to read about my tapas crawl. La Fonda Del Sol on Vanderbilt Avenue in the Met Life Building is the newest tapas deal in town… should be hot. It’s not easy to score seats at the single long wooden slab at Soccarat Paella Bar in Chelsea but it would be easiest for a single. Soccarat refers to the crispy rice that sticks to the bottom of the pan – a delicious specialty here.
New York is a city of singles trying to be twos and given the pain of layoffs and recession cutting down early birds and late diners, most restaurants will be glad to see you. Steak Houses are where men hang out. Try for a bar stool at Strip House. At Michael Jordan’s in Grand Central they offer a fat new burger at the bar but the easiest men to meet are likely to be married commuters. Buyer, beware.
Break an egg,
Gael
Restaurant questions?
Dear Gael:
I'm new in town, find me some spots to mingle and meet people.
