What’s the vibe?
This cosy Michelin-starred restaurant at the New York Edition Hotel takes it’s name from the stunning 1909 Gothic clocktower-style building in which it resides. While we were a little disappointed in wasn’t actually high up in the clocktower itself (it’s only on the second floor) we quickly forgot all about it once settled inside the pretty dining room. Although it doesn’t share the huge scale of Berners Tavern (at the London Edition) it does share a similar design aesthetic, with the walls jam packed with old photos of famous figures in elaborate gold frames – we were very happily sat under James Dean and directly opposite Bob Dylan and Marvin Gaye. The classy look is completed by wooden parquet flooring, soft lighting, and flashes of blue in the comfy banquettes and chairs.
What to order?
Also similar to Berners Tavern, the menu here is headed up by London’s own Jason Atherton, in partnership with Stephen Starr who’s behind such seminal New York restaurants such as Le Coucou and Buddakan. There are some distinctly British elements to the menu – if you’re after Fish and Chips stateside this is the place to do it – but it’s all done with local ingredients and New York flare.
We went by for the New York Restaurant Week special menu which is still on until August 17th, but even if you miss that, The Clocktower offers an incredibly good value prix fie lunch menu all year round at $26 for two courses and $32 for three – for the quality of food on offer this has to be one of the best value lunches anywhere in the city.
We began with a beautiful, light-as-a-feather foie gras and chicken liver pate made in the Hudson Valley, served on a bed of lentils with cured duck and fresh brioche toast. We also had the rather decadent Champagne risotto with yuzu and lobster reduction – a richer and more satisfying risotto you’d be hard pressed to find.
Mains were also excellent: soft Long Island monkfish came with brown mushrooms and parsley sauce, while the juicy Lancaster farm chicken breast, with cauliflower cheese and nutmeg white sauce was as comforting as can be. Take our tip and order a side of potato gratin to go with it. We went off the fixed menu for dessert too as if we see a Tarte-Tatin on any menu we have to order it – needless to say the soft apple topped with caramel sauce in buttery pastry didn’t disappoint.
Our meal at The Clocktower is some of the best food we’ve had in New York so we highly recommend at any time – at lunchtime however, it’s an absolute no brainer.
Want more? Check out our Ultimate Guide to New York