Today was a long day – having to actually get dressed, head up to NYC, and be charming and intelligent in meetings can be exhausting. Â Picking today to break in my new cream heels was not a smart plan, as I traipsed through midtown Manhattan more than I would have liked to.
But lunch was well worth it.
I have a roster of my favorite “professional” restaurants to host work lunches and dinners in New York, and today I visited an old favorite: Artisinal Bistro, on 32nd St and Park Avenue.
This French bistro serves up an excellent croque monsieur and has a bustling ambiance that is ideal for a work lunch.  Only 5 (avenue) blocks for Penn Station, it’s ideally located for commuters.  I’ve only been here for lunch, but I imagine that it would be a great choice for dinner as well.
I LOVE the Red Eye Grill. Â Not only is it a stone’s throw from my New York home-away-from-home, it boasts a wide selection of seafood and has one of the most eclectic menus in the country. Â My father enjoys hosting work dinners here for its extensive wine list (it’s more a wine Bible), and I love the fact that I have yet to sample everything from the menu. Â For vegetarians, it has some excellent options, including a flavorful vegetable paella.
I first discovered Kellari during a work trip in Washington, DC; it was so good that I returned the next night for dinner, with a new group in tow.  When I found out they had a New York location, I made plans to try it out when my foodie cousin was visiting.  We headed to Kellari with her daughters after an American Girl shopping spree (it’s conveniently located just a few blocks from American Girl Place), and noshed on spanakopita, tzatziki, fresh fish (you pick your own from the selection on ice), and sipped on crisp retsina. The Greek yogurt cheesecake, which was my favorite from the DC location, did not disappoint.  Both DC and New York locations are large with friendly and knowledgeable staff, and would be perfect for a work lunch or dinner.
What are your go-to restaurants for work events in NYC? Â I’m always on the hunt for new ones!
