The Friday 5 #47 New York special part 1

Where I ate - and drank - last week including the restaurant you shouldn’t miss if you’re there on a Sunday night …

One of the main reasons, well actually THE main reason, for going to New York last week was to go to Hawksmoor. You might think that’s a heck of a long way to go for dinner especially as there are branches of Hawksmoor in London but as those of you who follow me on social media will be aware it’s co-owned by my son Will (above) and I’ve been gagging to check it out since it opened eighteen months ago after literally YEARS in the making. (A long drawn out wait for a site and then the pandemic.)

Being totally partial you’ll obviously have to take anything I say with a pinch of salt but it was absolutely awesome. It occupies one of those splendid historic buildings in which Hawksmoor specialises - in this case the United Charities Building in Gramercy - and is just jaw-droppingly impressive. Even if you don’t get to eat there - and like everywhere else in New York it is expensive - I strongly recommend a cocktail (I had a Vesper) and a portion of the Reuben nuggets (below) in the bar. Well, I would, wouldn’t I?

But obviously that’s not the only place I ate and you may have already read my general tips on keeping the costs of eating in New York under control.

These are my specific recommendations gleaned from generous contacts, followers on Twitter, friends who had been recently and locals whose arm I twisted to tell me their favourite haunts. (Particular thanks to Eric Asimov. Jon Bonné, Marina O’Loughlin and Julie Sheppard.)

So here we go …

PS I’ve added a few NY-inspired food, wine and recipe links for those of you who are not heading for the Big Apple anytime soon. Oh and Sainsbury’s has 25% off six bottles currently if you’re shopping for Mother’s Day. (Not that she’s going to drink six, obviously. At least I hope not …)