Manhattan, NY: Where to go for Cheap Eats & Cocktails with Spectacular Views in NYC

Really? Yes!!! My husband and I were in NYC recently. Since it was his first time in the city, he wanted to climb a tall building to get an aerial view. Some buildings (I won't mention any names) charge as much as $30 per person just to SEE the view.

Someone dear to us told us about a wonderful restaurant that not only boasted delicious cuisine with a breathtaking view of the city, they offered a prix-fix lunch menu for the same price! Being the savvy traveler that I am (and always looking for a good deal to share with my readers), I thought: may as well get some lunch thrown into the deal!

Located inside the Mandarin Oriental Hotel (Columbus Circle) Asiate Restaurant is truly worth your while. If you want a fine dining experience in NYC without breaking the budget, this is the place. We took the elevator to the 35th floor and exited onto a spacious atrium. Directly before us was a plush lounge where I imagine businessmen strike major deals while sipping posh cocktails. I should mention that this lounge is also a great place to have a drink with a view- no need to have lunch unless you're hungry.

We walked into the restaurant where I literally paused mid-step to take in the stunning view. The hostess was pleasant and we were shown to our booth. A moment later our menus arrived and sure enough, in addition to a la carte items there was a prix-fix of $29.99. I ordered the smoked salmon and beef, while my husband ordered the salad and branzino.

The food was good. Asiate's chefs create contemporary cuisine using fresh ingredients. My main course was tender and flavorful, and Doug's fish was cooked to perfection: crispy skin on outside, flaky and tender inside. A waiter came by with a basket of freshly baked breads and butter, and at the end of the meal there was a plate of fancy cookies (a nice touch). Reservations are recommended (we had one).

Asiate is located at 80 Columbus Circle at 60th Street, New York,

Website: http://www.mandarinoriental.com/newyork/fine-dining/asiate/

Another place to enjoy a stunning view is the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The Met offers a cocktail hour on their rooftop on Thursdays, and it's a great place to see and be seen by trendy New Yorkers while enjoying a cocktail (about $10 each). Totally worth it! As always, thank you for reading!

C. De Melo
Author & Artist
www.cdemelo.com