One of the great pleasures of living in New York City is enjoying its extraordinary selection of celebrated restaurants. And, recently, these fine establishments have worked tirelessly and creatively to bring New Yorkers opportunities for al fresco dining, contactless delivery, and pickup options, and to keep them safe by employing health safety protocols. While residents of the Central Park apartments for rent at 800 Fifth Avenue have gourmet kitchens at their disposal, nothing is as quintessentially New York as sharing a meal and a bottle of wine with family or friends at a beloved neighborhood restaurant. La Goulue, Serafina, and Avra Madison Estiatorio are just a few local high-end favorites that showcase the range of cuisines found on the Upper East Side.
Paris-born chef Antoine Camin helms the renowned French restaurant La Goulue, which is just around the corner from 800 Fifth Avenue, on 61st Street. This new incarnation, which opened four blocks from its original Michelin-starred location, perfectly embodies the ideal of their self-described “bistro chic” ambience, with exquisite French cuisine and charming Old World service. Diners can enjoy decadent French classics like steak au poivre smothered with a delectable green peppercorn sauce, or perfectly crisp and flavorful duck breast with roasted apricot. But it’s best to leave room for profiteroles to savor while people watching as the evening winds down. La Goulue is open for lunch during the week, for brunch on weekends, and for dinner from 5 to 9 p.m. every night — all with outdoor seating!
Serafina may be one of the most recognizable names in the city for casual Italian dining, with two locations in close proximity to 800 Fifth Avenue: Serafina Always and Serafina Osteria. And its origin story is a tale for the ages. Two friends, Vittorio Assaf and Fabio Granato were stranded at sea without food, and to keep their spirits and hopes of survival alive, they made a pact to open a restaurant that would serve the world’s best pizza and pasta. After they were rescued, they made good on their promise and opened the acclaimed Serafina Fabulous Pizza. Today, Serafina has expanded to 10 locations in New York, with others around the world, which feature Northern Italian cuisine and a menu of staples like their perfectly creamy risottos and free-range filet mignon — and, of course, their signature pizzas and pastas. Serafina Always and Serafina Osteria both offer outdoor dining by reservation and walk-in every day from 12-10 p.m., as well as curbside pickup and delivery.
Avra Madison Estiatorio may be the city’s ultimate upscale destination for fresh seafood. This authentic Greek eatery is known for its fish by the pound and its impressive offerings of crustaceans and fish from around the world, such as Greek snapper and Icelandic char. Appetizers include familiar Greek favorites, like a medley of spreads, including tzatziki, scordalia, and fava; succulent calamari; and their signature Greek salad. The knowledgeable staff can explain the seafood offerings, and suggest the best wine pairings from their list of Greek and other European vintages. While the chic bi-level indoor seating is temporarily closed, expansive outdoor seating is available, allowing diners to soak in the Upper East Side scenery.
Each of these eateries is just around the corner from the 800 Fifth Avenue apartments, which means residents can return home with a short, scenic stroll along Central Park, having enjoyed an evening of fine dining in the city.