What historical New York City restaurant do you wish you had eaten at?
Full disclosure, I did ask my wife on a couple of these. Because I was like, what would be the best restaurants for us to go to, and she actually suggested Lutèce. And then I realized that Lutèce is actually the place that I would have suggested, too, because it was featured on my favorite show, “Mad Men.” It was there for so long, and I’m shocked that I never went. I think prior to 2004, I couldn’t afford it. [Editor’s note: Lutèce closed in February 2004.]
What is the most romantic or cozy restaurant in New York City?
I used to love going to Shalel on the Upper West Side. Back when I was single and dating, I would often go there because it’s kind of this little, secret spot. You go down these stairs, and then you walk in and there’s all these cubby holes where you can sit. The ambience is amazing, and you can get great cocktails. It was always a great romantic date spot. If you ended up making out with somebody, it’d be perfectly fine.
What is the most splurge-worthy restaurant in New York City?
Most probably Ambassadors Clubhouse. I’ve been to the one in the U.K., as well. That’s another one where, like, good luck getting into it, you know? I like the fact that over the course of the last decade, there’s been the new Indian restaurant that opens up and everybody’s excited about it. For a long time, when I first got to New York, the only place where you could get Indian food was either “Curry Hill” or East Sixth Street. So the fact that we have more and more Indian fine dining — I’m happy.
If you were leaving New York City forever, where would you have your farewell dinner?
Arriba Arriba in Hell’s Kitchen. Had many gorgeous, tequila-filled evenings there when I was in my 20s. I used to take acting classes at the Wynn Handman Studio in Carnegie Hall, and after class on Tuesdays and Fridays, we would go to Arriba Arriba. They had these giant margaritas, like a milkshake-glass-size margarita. We used to go there all the time and just get loaded. I’ve just had so many fun nights in that restaurant.
Where did you enjoy your favorite meal this year?
Huda New Levantine Bistro. My wife took me there for my birthday. I hadn’t had New Levantine before, and I was introduced there. It’s fresh and delicious, and it’s this combination of Lebanese, Syrian, Middle Eastern. Middle Eastern food is my favorite food next to Indian food. It’s very intimate, it’s small.