Within the mid-twentieth century, the Excessive Line was house to an elevated railroad. Now, it is a public park the place you may take a stroll, sniff just a few flowers, and luxuriate in some good surroundings that principally consists of high-end condos. The park extends from Meatpacking to Manhattan West, operating your entire size of Chelsea, the place there are many nice eating places to take a look at. If you happen to’re in search of meals to tackle the Excessive Line or looking for a spot the place you may eat earlier than or after your stroll, here is the place to go.
THE SPOTS
Get brunch at Cookshop, then take a stroll on the Excessive Line. That is a traditional components, and it is what 1 / 4 of the folks in Chelsea do on any given weekend. Cookshop has an enormous, vibrant, plant-lined eating room, and you may cease by for all of the brunch biggest hits: pancakes, huevos rancheros, a burger, and many others. If it is good out, seize a seat on the outside patio that will get busy in the summertime. When you end up, you may solely must stroll just a few blocks north to the closest Excessive Line entrance.
picture credit score: Carina Finn
Chelsea Market will get a foul repute for being sort of touristy, however if you happen to’re on the Excessive Line, there’s no less than a 50% probability you’re with a vacationer, so simply embrace it. There are a number of flooring of fine meals right here that may impress each out-of-towners (the pasta omakase at La Devozione) and native New Yorkers (Alf Bakery). You might need to cope with some individuals who don’t perceive the foundations of strolling down a busy hall, nevertheless it’s price it.
picture credit score: Emily Schindler
Although it is positioned in Chelsea Market, this unique location of Los Tacos No. 1 deserves particular point out. This counter-service spot is house to among the finest tacos within the metropolis (largely due to the house-made tortillas), and it attracts a crowd—however the line strikes quick, and the wait is at all times price it. Get an agua fresca and some adobada tacos, and be sure you decorate your meals with lime and salsa. There is no seating, so that you would possibly as properly plan a picnic on the Excessive Line.
It is changing into tougher and tougher to discover a place the place you will get a meal for beneath $10. However if you happen to cease by Dil-e Punjab Deli on ninth Ave, you will get just a few vegetarian Indian dishes scooped right into a field for round six bucks. Choices rotate day by day, and so they have a tendency to incorporate issues like daal, sarson ka saag, and a mildly candy aloo gobi. There is not actually any room to eat within the tiny house, however simply take your container of meals just a few blocks to the Excessive Line entrance at twenty third Avenue.
For a enjoyable, informal group meal close to the Excessive Line, Shukette is our prime choose. It is also apparently the highest choose for everybody else within the neighborhood. Reservations could be powerful, so attempt to e-book just a few weeks upfront. The slim eating room (which has a protracted bar that is nice for solo eating) is at all times full of life, and the Center Japanese meals is artistic and satisfying. Begin your meal with just a few house-baked breads, then get the half rooster and “fish in a cage” for the desk.
picture credit score: David A. Lee
On the northern finish of the Excessive Line, you may discover a shiny new growth with vaguely dystopian undertones. It is referred to as Manhattan West, and it is house to a couple glitzy eating places which might be a lot better than their environment counsel. Ci Siamo, an Italian spot from Danny Meyer, is a kind of of these eating places, however if you wish to seize a formidable meal with a bunch, go to Zou Zou’s. The menu is stuffed with enjoyable twists on Japanese Mediterranean meals like Moroccan fried rooster and a pistachio-covered duck borek, and all the pieces’s nice for sharing. There’s additionally an enormous bar on the entrance of the cavernous house the place you may seize a post-walk spritz.
picture credit score: Liz Clayman
Proper subsequent to Manhattan West (and in addition on the tail finish of the Excessive Line), there’s one other fancy new growth often called Hudson Yards. You’ve got most likely heard of it. It is basically an enormous upscale mall with some places of work and an Equinox, though it does have just a few redeeming options. Certainly one of them is Mercado Little Spain, the Spanish meals corridor from José Andrés. Right here, you may stroll round and choose up Spanish items and snacks at varied kiosks, and there are additionally just a few sit-down spots the place you may have a full meal. We’re a fan of La Barra, the tapas place in the course of the market serving issues like patatas bravas and Madrid-style beef tripe stew.
picture credit score: Kate Previte
Again when Forsyth Fireplace Escape was a pop-up, you needed to reserve your meals on-line then choose it up at a bodega in Chinatown. Now that there is a brick-and-mortar location in Olly Olly Market, issues are simpler. Forsyth nonetheless solely sells one merchandise: a scallion pancake burrito full of pernil, guacamole, and lemongrass chili crisp. A mashup of Chinese language, Thai, and Dominican flavors, the burrito makes for a wealthy, hefty lunch, and you may simply eat one when you take a protracted stroll.
If you wish to spend your complete day outdoors, you could possibly at all times head to the Frying Pan or seize a drink at Le Bain after you name it quits on the Excessive Line. However if you happen to go to a kind of spots, an intern will most likely spill a vodka soda on you. So attempt Gallow Inexperienced, the bar and restaurant on prime of The McKittrick Lodge. It is one of many extra civilized rooftops round, and you may simply make a reservation. Drink some frosé and eat a cheeseburger or some calamari on the large, leafy outside patio.
When you stroll the size of the Excessive Line and stare into the home windows of some multi-million-dollar residences, exit the park at twenty third Avenue and take a breather at this tapas spot. Tia Pol is concerning the measurement of a single subway automotive, with brick partitions and a chalkboard stuffed with specials, and it is a good place to hang around with glass of wine, particularly if you happen to’re on a date. To accompany your wine, order some creamy croquetas, gambas al ajillo, and little triangles of jamón full of manchego.