The stylish, airy tower at 242 West 53rd Street is home to a sophisticated group of New Yorkers who know how to take full advantage of living in the world’s cultural capital. Residents of the Midtown West rentals at ARO will find themselves in the beating heart of architecture, art, and food. And with a bit of extra scratch in their pockets thanks to ARO’s no-fee apartments for rent, treating themselves to a great dinner out won’t break the bank. Here are some of the nearby dining establishments that will make living at ARO satisfying for both the soul and the stomach:
Historical Haute Cuisine
The neighborhood around ARO is steeped in history, and includes some locations that loom large in the story of Manhattan itself. One of these is 21 Club, which dates back to Prohibition, when it functioned as an illicit speakeasy. This famed venue is still serving some of the city’s finest cocktails and French-inspired fare 90 years after its opening on New Year’s Eve of 1929.
Date Night Delicacies
When ARO residents want to mark a special occasion, Michelin-star Marea is nearby to provide an appropriately elegant setting and the city’s finest seafood. Located on the edge of Central Park, chef Michael White’s exquisite modern restaurant invites diners to indulge in the best fish and shellfish from around the world, along with handmade pastas and perfectly cooked sides. While the weather continues to chill the city, you might want to try the brodetto di pesce, a warming and wonderful seafood soup, featuring langoustine, mussels, clams, and other indescribably delectable items.
Head to Columbus Circle for another Michelin-star dining room, this one from legendary chef and proprietor Thomas Keller. At Per Se — the East Coast outpost of Keller’s The French Laundry — guests can enjoy a nine-course tasting menu that features an almost unbelievable variety of ingredients. According to Per Se: “No single ingredient is ever repeated throughout the meal.” And you can pair it all with wines hand-picked from their award-winning, 2,000-bottle wine list.
Chop Houses, Diners, and Danji
Not every great restaurant near ARO requires a suit jacket. Like 21 Club, Gallaghers Steakhouse began life as a speakeasy and has evolved into one of the city’s classic chop houses, where diners can throw down with classic cuts of beef and lamb alongside sumptuous sides and stiff drinks. The best breakfast in the neighborhood can be found at Brooklyn Diner, a local institution bearing all of the iconic diner signifiers and slinging everything from pastrami hash to huevos rancheros. And let’s not forget about tiny newcomer Danji, which has been impressing diners with chef Hooni Kim’s Korean take on Japanese small plates — such as spicy yellowtail sashimi with crispy potato flakes or bulgogi beef sliders — since the restaurant opened in 2011.
Find your perfect apartment by visiting our availabilities page, or schedule a visit to tour ARO today.