Secret Eating and Drinking Places

[bluestone]

I love hidden restaurants and bars... places like the burger joint behind the curtain at Le Parker Meridien, the basement restaurant at La Esquina, Angel's Share, even Double Happiness (the bar with no sign in Chinatown). Any suggestions for hidden places?

[randumbposter]

There are a bunch in the diamond district. Taam Tov with really awesome chicken kababs, diamond dairy and el rincon del sabor. Aq cafe in the back of the scandinavian house. Sake bar hagi in the basement of somebuilding (don't think this place is hidden as its hard to get seating on fridays)

[sam1]

yeah taam tov totally reminds me of drinks at double happiness

[RGR]

I love AQ Cafe. Note that it's not in the back but in the front lobby of the Scandanavia House. Big, bright, attractive space with lots of tables. Cafeteria-style service. The Cafe is a satellite of Aquavit, so the menu of hot dishes (Swedish meatballs -- Yum!), sandwiches, salads, etc., has been designed by Chef Marcus Samuelsson.

http://www.aquavit.org/flash.html

Speaking of restaurants in basements, Town's subterranean setting is smashing. But I'd hardly call it a hidden or secret.

http://www.townnyc.com/town.html

[momof3]

The Campbell apartments is the ultimate hidden bar. The first time I was there it was just like entering into the times of prohibition. The deco feel of the place and the amazing drinks didn't hurt either. Check it out!

[financialdistrictresident]

Chumley's. It used to be an old speakeasy. Near Bedford and Barrow. Enter through the street or courtyard entrance. A little hard to find if you haven't been there.

[kathryn]

Have they reopened since the wall collapsed?

[financialdistrictresident]

Don't know. Does this mean no lobster dinner specials this summer????

[chompchomp]

I think Chumley's is closed...

[kayonyc]

Sakagura, in midtown is kinda cool in that there is almost no sign and you go down to the basement. Reminds me of Tokyo.

I went to a latin - Dominican restaurant in the Diamond district on the second floor a while back. 47th street near 6th ave I think. They had cheap and decent food.

[lilnugget]

Sakagura is great.. looks like you’re in an office building, but downstairs awaits some very delicious food and perhaps one of the most extensive sake selections in nyc!

La Luncheonette on 10th ave and 18th st. and Naka Naka on 17th st b/t 9th and 10th ave are sort of hidden cause they are kinda off the beaten path (most people that venture over there are heading to one of the big box restaurants). Other “hidden” spots (aka subterranean) – peasant downstairs, and decibel. Of course there is Milk & Honey but that is hardly secret at this point.

[kayonyc]

The name of the latin restaurant is El Rincon Del Sabor, It's an Ecuadorian place located on the third floor in a nondescript bldg in the jewelry district. Good lunch specials!

[vibratingsailor]

b flat in tribeca.

[kci27]

Citysearch did a whole thing on hidden spots...you can check out their picks

http://newyork.citysearch.com/roundup...

Personally, I loved Milk and Honey. The drinks were unique, made with extreme love and the place is fun to find...

[bluestone]

This is a perfect list. Thanks guys, much appreciated.

[randumbposter]

You can also check out hotel bars. They have some really "different" decor with high priced drinks to match. Hudson hotel is one.

[fafner]

PDT which just opened on St. Marks place for super cocktails. You enter it through a phone booth in Crif Dogs.

[kam0424]

I loved PDT. There's also Lucali's which is in brooklyn, but they have since put up a sign!

[bluestone]

Some lady in the Post wasn't that into PDT...
http://www.nypost.com/seven/07032007/...

[LNG212]

KGB Bar (east village). Way neato. And way hard to find.

[carrotcake4me]

Death & Co. and The Beatrice Inn come to mind

[chompchomp]

Decibel in the East Village for Japanese food and sake, Larry Lawrence bar in Williamsburg.

[Gluttonous Prime]

I love Decibel! It's is one of my favorite bars in the city. Great hole-in-the-wall, sake selection, and small bites!