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It’s December and I’ve a full roster of holiday drink meetings and dinners this month. But where to go? There are obvious choices, but December is the busiest month of the year for restaurants, so all of the obvious choices, hot new places or the top ten will be extra crowded. I like a great meal in a compelling setting as much as the next person, but I do not like crazy crowds, teeming bars and early-bird reservation times. To wit, I almost never, ever eat out on a Friday or Saturday night. So for the month of December I’ll do the occasional post on where to go to escape the holiday madness.
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Julian Alonzo has been at Brasserie 8 1/2 since it opened in 2000. Given Gotham’s penchant for the next new thing, you probably have not thought about it in a while. Over the years he’s been evolving a very personal cuisine, with French and seasonal notes, and more recently, modern Spanish influences. He’s dipped into the modern pantry of secret ingredients, with elegant and subtle results on the plate. You can enjoy the food without thinking about it. At a recent dinner, I had the chef’s tasting menu, and really enjoyed it all.

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The restaurant is big, with 240 seats, a bar and a well appointed-lounge tucked under the grand spiral staircase that descend from the entrance of 57th Street. Which means they’ve got room for you after you take the out-of-towners to visit the big tree. Go – escape the madness.

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PS: As you know I do not review restaurants, but if I do recommend, I always disclose. My friend (the guide book editor) made the reservation and so we were comped. But I will spend my money there…soon.