Food & Travel Legends: Chef Eric Ripert of Le Bernardin

If you want more information on the restaurants mentioned in this week’s episode, click on the links below: 

Le Bernardin - From co-owner Maguy Le Coze and Chef Eric Ripert, this luxury seafood restaurant earned four stars from The New York Times three months after its opening, was ranked #1 in the world in 2019 by La Liste, and held a spot on the World’s 50 Best List for many years. Here you can enjoy a renowned dining experience with Ripert’s Mediterranean influence mixed into the art of seafood. Melissa suggests trying the artichoke with warm truffle and halibut with baby leaks

Favorites from Eric Ripert

Balthazar - One of Eric’s favorite restaurants where he frequents once a week. Founded in 1997, this classy brasserie serves a traditional French spread from fresh seafood and shellfish to bread and pastries

SAGA - Rooted in European technique but draws inspiration from around the world, this two-starred Michelin restaurant sits high on 63rd floor of 70 Pine Street and is where Eric loves visiting for dinner

Yakitori Totto - Serves grilled Japanese meat and vegetables on skewers seasoned with a sweet housemade "Tare" sauce located between 8th Ave & Broadway

Citarella - Eric’s go-to market for buying fish

Tin Building - by Jean-Georges located in lower Manhattan's historic Seaport that holds a marketplace, grocery, retail stores, and restaurants. Eric recommends the grocery as a one-stop-shop for buying ingredients

Frantzén (Stockholm) - The beautifully executed, three-Michelin star, fine-dining restaurant Eric wants to visit again on his next trip back to Sweden

Restaurants referenced by Melissa Biggs Bradley and Indagare Productions Director Kathryn Nathanson:  

Claud - European-style wine bar located in East Village that was recently rated in the New York Time’s  Top 100 restaurants. Try to dine at the Chef’s table!

Monkey Bar - Swanky, old-school New-York eatery founded in the 1930s by the team who is behind Au Cheval and 4 Charles

Bad Roman - Celebratory Italian restaurant by the Quality Group with Las Vegas energy, located in Columbus Circle

Italian

Rao’s - Southern Neapolitan Italian restaurant known for its authentic food and old-style ambiance. This is an invite-only reservation system as the tables are owned by clients

Via Carota - Located in West Village, this restaurant by chefs Jody Williams and Rita Sodi honors old-world Italian roots, lifestyle, food, and décor

I-Sodi - Another spot by Rita Sodi, this Italian restaurant, inspired by Rita’s farm north of Florence, is a must-stop for a negroni cocktail and the cacio e pepe pasta dish

Lilia - Simple Italian and soulful cooking by Missy Robbins located in Brooklyn

Misi - Another restaurant by Missy Robbins located in Brooklyn, known for its handmade pasta and vegetable antipasti

Marea - Coastal Italian cuisine great for octopus fusilli and sitting at the bar

King - Ever-changing reliable Italian menu in a relaxed, elegant dining environment

Rezdôra - Located in the Flatiron neighborhood, this restaurant features the cuisine of Emilia Romagna and is known for its homemade pasta, meat, fish, local vegetables, and Northern Italian wine

Burgers

JG Melon - Known for its juicy hamburgers and bloody marys, this spot brings a retro-style flare to the Upper East Side and is cash only

Hillstone - Part of the Hillstone Restaurant Group, this American eatery continues to serve its staple burger in NYC 

Minetta Tavern - Described as “Parisian steakhouse meets classic New York City tavern,” this spot is home to the must-try Black Label burger

4 Charles Prime Rib - A late-night intimate spot in West Village with old-school decor where you can try the prime rib burger

Emily - Italian-Style burger located in Clinton Hill and West Village 

Bagels

H&H Bagels - Founded in 1972, this shop uses its original recipe and the artisanal water method to create its bagels, making them crusty on the outside and soft on the inside

Pick A Bagel - Hand rolled and kettle boiled bagels where you can try the flagel (flat bagel)

Popup Bagel - Located on Thompson St., this “not famous but known” bagel shop started as a backyard pickup window and has now grown into several pop ups and permanent locations

Goldberg's - Four generations deep bagel shop located in Southampton that serves excellent flagels

Mexican

Oxomoco - Lively spot located on Greenpoint Ave in Brooklyn, known for its wood-fired dishes, ample tequila, and patio

Cosme - A Casamata restaurant located in the Flatiron district that serves Mexican-rooted food with a contemporary twist and known for its duck carnitas tacos

Atla - Located in NoHo, this restaurant uses organic, seasonal, and sustainable ingredients and is great for lunch or dinner

Rosa Mexicano - A fresh take on authentic Mexican cuisine where you can order great guacamole

Fine Dining

Le Bernardin - From co-owner Maguy Le Coze and Chef Eric Ripert, this luxury seafood restaurant earned 4 stars from The New York Times three months after its opening, was ranked #1 in the world in 2019 by La List, and held a spot on the World’s 50 Best List for many years. Here you can enjoy a renowned dining experience with Ripert’s Mediterranean influence mixed into the art of seafood. Melissa suggests trying the artichoke with warm truffle and halibut with baby leaks

Eleven Madison Park - Overlooking Madison Square Park, this restaurant consists of an entirely plant-based menu

One White Street - Located in Tribeca and features a strong farm-to-table menu

SAGA - Rooted in European technique but draws inspiration from around the world, this two-starred Michelin restaurant sits high on 63rd floor of 70 Pine Street and is by James Kent who is also behind Crown Shy, another Michelelin-starred restaurant in the same building

Atomix - Upscale Korean restaurant with innovative cuisine from husband and wife team created as a follow-up to their well-loved first restaurant Atoboy

French Bistros

Buvette - Combines the feel of an old world café with a neighborhood eatery, located in the West Village by Chef Jody Williams who is also behind the previously mentioned Via Carota

Pastis - Serves traditional Parisian food in a bistro-style cafe located in the Meatpacking district

Frenchette - Elegant bistro that meshes Old France with New York style in Tribeca

Balthazar - Traditional French food featuring fresh seafood and shellfish to bread and pastries

The Odeon - This bistro defined the New York’s 80s and offers a hip atmosphere with simple classic dishes

Majorelle - Located in the Lowell hotel and named after the gardens in Morocco, this spot offers classic French cuisine inspired by the Mediterranean

Japanese

Masa - A sparsely decorated space that acts as a blank canvas for Chef Masa’s carefully assembled food to shine

Kappo Masa - Both a visual and culinary experience also by Chef Masa who serves the curated menu on dishware specifically designed for each item

Sushi Noz - Created in ancient Kyoto temple-style, this restaurant highlights a stylized tasting menu

Sushi on Me - An outgoing take on a sushi restaurant that brings memorable food and an even memorable atmosphere 

Sushi by M - Intimate seating and bold flavor combinators in a casual setting

Tanoshi - Casual spot serving “loosey-sushi” which allows all the flavors and textures to meld with each bite 

Sushi of Gari - Serves sushi with the original sauces and toppings created by Chef Gari

Indian

Junoon - meaning “passion” in Hindi, this fine dining restaurant earned a Michelin star the year it opened and 8 years in a row

Dhamaka - A colorful new restaurant serving Indian cuisine located in Essex Market

Semma - Southern India-focused menu with one Michelin star 

Adda Indian Canteen - Adda means “a place where people hang out,” and focuses on traditional cuisine in a bright, casual atmosphere with a wall collage full of Indian newspapers

Tips for securing reservations

If you are able to dine earlier in the evening, try walking in around 5PM on a weekday to secure a table

If you are dining in small parties of one, two, or three, try finding a seat at the bar 

Set notifications on Resy and Open Table for openings and also check 24hrs before your visit to see if there have been any cancellations

Use the restaurant’s website to find out how far in advance and what time it releases reservations then set reminders at those times to look on Resy and Open Table

Trending: Food Halls

Tin Building - by Jean-Georges located in lower Manhattan's historic Seaport that holds a marketplace, grocery, retail stores, and restaurants

Market 57 - by the James Beard foundation celebrating New York City's local, independent food culture

Alkebulan - The first African food hall opening in Harlem by Alexander Smalls

Trending: African Fine Dining

Dept of Culture - This African restaurant is located in Brooklyn and inspired by north-central Nigerian cooking

Eater: The Next Era of American Fine Dining Is Here, Care of West Africa

On Your Radar

Roscioli - Taking the space of Niche Niche, this will be the first permanent location outside of Rome and opens this Spring 2023

If you are looking for ways to cook fish with simplified traditional techniques, remember to check out Eric Ripert’s upcoming book available in October 2023 called Seafood Simple: A Cookbook