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Which shows the more iconic New York - the food or the apartments? Which shows the more iconic New York - the food or the apartments?
No offense to Marcel Proust, but most New Yorkers' involuntary memories aren't about to arise from a madeleine cake. The likelier sources are a piece of pizza from the corner shop, a pastrami sandwich from an iconic Lower East Side deli, or a frozen hot chocolate. Food is life, and that statement is especially true in New York.

One agonizing part of the lockdown is missing our favorite dishes, even wondering if perhaps we ate at our favorite restaurant for the last time without knowing it or saying good-bye. Indeed, it may be that we have already bid adieu to Eleven Madison Park, though chef-owner Daniel Humm remains as active as ever on the board of Rethink Food.

It is an uncertain time, but New York restaurants are nothing if not adaptable, resilient, and creative - after all, many of the following have been in New York through world wars and terrorist attacks. Designer David Rockwell has drawn up a template to help restaurants set up outdoor dining if the much-discussed sidewalk permits come through. In the meantime, in addition to stepping up to feed our first responders, many have limited their offerings to delivery and takeout. And when restaurants can reopen (in phase three of the process), residents of the following listings can practically roll out of bed and onto the doorsteps of these New York institutions.

In this article:

205 East 59th Street
205 East 59th Street Lenox Hill
Steiner East Village, 438 East 12th Street
Steiner East Village, 438 East 12th Street East Village
200 West Houston Street
200 West Houston Street Greenwich Village
The Spring, 225 Lafayette Street
The Spring, 225 Lafayette Street NoLiTa/Little Italy
The Gretsch, 60 Broadway
The Gretsch, 60 Broadway Williamsburg
Katz's-Delicatessen-01 Image via Katz's Delicatessen
For over 100 years, Katz's Delicatessen has been a Lower East Side mainstay that would come to embody New York as a whole, and be made famous all over the world for its appearance in When Harry Met Sally... The company's slogan became "Send a salami to your boy in the Army" when all three of the owners' sons served in the armed forces in World War II. During the current crisis, the restaurant is feeding front-line workers and offering local deliveries of meals and packaged items.
212-Forsyth-Street-01 All images of 212 Forsyth Street via Brown Harris Stevens
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Located one flight up in a prewar walk-up building, this apartment's open living/dining room features an exposed brick fireplace, oversized windows overlooking Roosevelt Park, high ceilings, and wide plank blonde wood floors throughout. The kitchen has been renovated with white cabinetry, stainless steel appliances and countertops, and an enormous pantry closet. The king-sized master bedroom has a painted brick fireplace and tall French doors. See floor plan and full details here.

Lombardi's-01 Image via Lombardi's
It's hard to remember a time when there wasn't a pizzeria on nearly every street corner in the city, but Lombardi's is credited with creating the New York-style pizza we know and love. The menu has expanded quite a bit since Genarro Lombardi brought his recipes over from Naples in 1905, but the Original Margherita with purist tomato sauce, fresh whole milk mozzarella, and basil remains a powerful draw. As does its original location at 32 Spring Street, which attracted long lines of food tourists and local pizza lovers alike in happier times.
225-Lafayette-Street-01 All images of The Spring via Compass
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Sunny corner condo faces south and west, and oversized tilt-and-turn windows fill the home with abundant natural light and views of the Soho Cast Iron Historic District. Just off the open living/dining area, the kitchen is outfitted with ample counter space and top-of-the-line appliances. Off the main living space, the master suite features two large closets and a spa-like bath. See floor plan and full details here.

Serendipity-01 Image via Serendipity 3
From the 1950's to the present day, Serendipity 3 has attracted bold-faced names and locals alike (and even appeared in a romantic comedy or two). Many have flocked in to try its Frrrozen Hot Chocolate, but the menu offers a long list of comfort foods and other decadent desserts. And at a time when we could all use some comfort and/or a delicious treat, the Upper East Side restaurant is open for takeout.
205-East-59th-Street-01 All images of 205 East 59th Street via Warburg Realty
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Sun-drenched loft looks out on spectacular views of the Queensboro Bridge from oversized windows and two private balconies. Interiors boast double-height ceilings, open gourmet kitchen, and a fireplace in the living room. The apartment has generous closet space throughout, and comes with a spacious storage bin. See floor plan and full details here.

Joe's-Pizza-01 Image via Joe's Pizza
Artisanal pizzerias can be fun every now and then, but sometimes there's nothing like an old-school street slice. Enter Joe's Pizza, which is a mainstay in restaurant guides and popular with celebrities and students, locals and tourists alike. There are locations from Brooklyn to Midtown, but its downtown outpost is "a Greenwich Village institution."
200-West-Houston-Street-01 All images of 200 West Houston Street via Douglas Elliman
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At the crossroads of the Village and Soho, this prewar duplex offers dramatic scale, double width, and ceiling heights in excess of 14 feet. The open living area boasts beamed detail, a large dining area, and chef's kitchen with a generous island and top-of-the-line appliances. Both levels feature oversized windows and renovated baths. See floor plan and full details here.

Jean-Georges-01 Image via Jean-Georges
Whether for a business dinner or a dream date, the Michelin-starred Jean-Georges would seem designed to impress with its Central Park views, luxurious interiors by Thomas Juul-Hansen, impeccable service, and locally sourced menu combining French, American, and Asian influences. And with the acclaimed restaurant now offering takeout, we can still get a taste of that.
15-Central-Park-West-01 All images of 15 Central Park West via Compass
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This spectacular residence is situated on the 34th floor, showcasing sought-after panoramic views of Central Park, the Hudson River, Columbus Circle and beyond. Enter through the gracious foyer - to the left is the expansive 24' corner living room with a massive 16' bay window featuring Central Park views and sun spilling from two additional, oversized south-facing windows with panoramic city views of the Time Warner Center and Columbus Circle. See floor plan and full details here.
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Emily-01 Image via Emily
The husband-and-wife team behind Emily has long bonded over pizza, and they share their love with New York from their cozy Clinton Hill restaurant. Even with dining rooms closed all over the city, delivery and takeout options allow locals to continue to enjoy pizza fresh from the wood-burning oven, topped with handmade mozzarella, and prepared with ingredients sourced from other small businesses.
888-Fulton-Street-01 All images of 888 Fulton Street via Compass
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Loft-like home in a vibrant Brooklyn neighborhood boasts 15' ceilings, floor-to-ceiling windows, northern exposure, and open layout. The kitchen opens up to the living space and is outfitted with Caesarstone countertops and stainless steel appliances. A private roof deck is just up the stairs. See floor plan and full details here.

Three-Monkeys-01 Image via The Three Monkeys
Local office workers and theater-goers the world over have descended on Three Monkeys Bar for its extensive craft beer selection, creative cocktails, and delicious takes on traditional bar food. However, it's going to take more than a global pandemic to put an end to its happy hours: Not only is the full food menu available for delivery and takeout, but patrons can also order their favorite beers, wines, and cocktails to go, too.
200-West-54th-Street-01 All images of The Adlon via Brown Harris Stevens
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Centrally located apartment has been beautifully renovated, but retains its Old World elegance with original wood paneling, original honeycomb plaster ceilings, and original quarter-sawn white oak floors with inlay. The windowed galley kitchen has been updated with recessed lighting and new appliances. The master suite comes with an original wall safe and custom closets. See floor plan and full details here.

Raclette-01 Image via Raclette
A big part of the East Village's renaissance has been the incredible influx of eclectic restaurants. Among them is Raclette, a rustic-chic restaurant specializing in Alpine cheeses melted on the wheel and scraped onto potatoes, vegetables, and meats. The traditional menu will return in full force once restaurants can re-open, but a selection of traditional raclettes, croques, and main courses are available for takeout.
438-East-12th-Street-01 All images of Steiner East Village via The Corcoran Group
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Sunny apartment faces south and is filled with light through a combination of high ceilings and floor-to-ceiling windows. Interiors by Paris Forino include hardwood floors, marble countertops, and kitchen with top-of-the-line appliances, including a wine cooler. Over 16,000 square feet of amenities include concierge service, library, gym, sauna and steam room, pool overlooking the building's courtyard, and rooftop garden with grill. See floor plan and full details here.

Cosme-01 Image via Cosme
Cosme's traditional Mexican dishes are prepared with local and seasonal ingredients from the Hudson Valley, a combination that has put it among the world's 50 best restaurants, not to mention one of the most popular in the Flatiron District. Its curbside pickup and delivery options allow locals to continue to enjoy its awe-inspiring yet accessible offerings.
131-Fifth-Avenue-01 All images of 131 Fifth Avenue via Peter Oh Group
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Enter this expansive duplex along a dramatic foyer opening into a double-height reception area filled with gallery-quality natural light permeating through oversized wall to wall windows on the upper level and in the living room.To the left is the grand 40' x 23' living / entertainment area featuring an angled original brick wood-burning fireplace and floor to ceiling windows. The recently renovated open kitchen boasts state-of-the-art Miele appliances with a Quartzite backsplash and Caesarstone countertops. See floor plan and full details here.

Peter-Luger-01 Image via Peter Luger Steakhouse
In over 130 years of operation, Peter Luger Steakhouse has witnessed everything from the opening of the Williamsburg Bridge to the renaissance of its South Williamsburg neighborhood. It would seem the only constant has been the old-school restaurant's dry-aged steak, but the New York institution has risen to the present challenge: For the first time ever, it is offering an assortment of menu items, butcher shop items, and wines for takeout and delivery by phone and online.
60-Broadway-01 All images of The Gretsch via Compass
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Enjoy sweeping Manhattan skyline vistas from this northwest corner condo with 11'4" ceilings, hardwood floors, and high-end finishes. The entry gallery flows into an oversized, sun-flooded corner living/dining room, surrounded by huge windows, boasting spectacular open city and river views to the north and west, and a working fireplace. The renovated chef's kitchen features custom fabricated cabinetry, granite countertops, an oversized kitchen island with a solid walnut counter for bar seating, and stainless steel appliances. See floor plan and full details here.

Would you like to tour any of these properties?
Just complete the info below.
  1. Select which properties are of interest to you:

Or call us at (212) 755-5544
Would you like to tour any of these properties?