Must-Eat TV: Dine like the Stars in NYC

by Keith Wagstaff - Citysearch Editor - 221 Reviews - 114 Lists

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Updated: September 29, 2009

Your favorite shows are back for a new season, but instead of watching them, why not reenact them (the ultimate in realty TV?)--after all, plenty are shot right here in New York City. Don’t just watch Tracy Jordan party sans shirt and Don Draper drink five martinis on TV, go out there and live the lives of your favorite characters! We’ll even help you out with this list of five restaurants that have received plenty of serious screen time on some of today's hottest shows. (Photo: “Bored to Death” by Paul Schiraldi/HBO)

Restaurants Ready for Their Close-Up

  1. 1 5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended Fiore's Deli
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    414 Adams St, Hoboken, NJ 07030 (map)

    In "30 Rock"'s Sandwich Day episode, teamsters bring delicious sandwiches from a secret location in Brooklyn to the TGS staff; in real life, the sandwiches were inspired by the ones at Fiore’s in Hoboken, New Jersey, an old-school joint open since 1913 that makes its own delicious mozzarella. Sadly, the deli does not sell Sabor de Soledad cheese puffs, but you’ll still "want to go to there."

  2. 2 5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended Gilt
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    455 Madison Ave, New York, NY 10022 (map)

    Whatever happened to high school hangouts like the Peach Pit and the Maxx? The bougie “Gossip Girl” crew rests its pricey heels at posh midtown spot Gilt at the New York Palace Hotel, where Chuck Bass memorably ordered a special off-the-menu grilled cheese with truffle oil for Serena. The episode was so popular that the restaurant actually added it to its bar menu. Who says TV doesn’t make a difference?

  3. 3 2 Star Rating: Below Average Smooch
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    264 Carlton Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11205 (map)

    Lest you think TV producers don’t really know the New York neighborhoods they’re shooting in, consider the scene in HBO’s new series “Bored to Death” where Zach Galifianakis’ character ruefully explains to Jason Schwartzman that they’ve been kicked out of their regular Brooklyn coffee house hang, Smooch, because of an “early morning post-natal yoga class.” Yeah, that sounds like the Brooklyn we know.

  4. 4 3 Star Rating: Average Grand Central Oyster Bar
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    89 E 42nd St, New York, NY 10017 (map)

    Stepping into the majestic setting of the Grand Central Oyster Bar, one can’t help but imagine Don Draper and his buddies doing business there--which they did, in an episode of “Mad Men” called Red in the Face, where a drunken and oyster-filled Roger Sterling yaks after an epic lunch with Don. We recommend taking it a bit easier with the booze, although feel free to wear your sharpest suit and ruminate on Nixon and JFK.

  5. 5 4 Star Rating: Recommended Belcourt
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    84 E 4th St, New York, NY 10003 (map)

    “Ugly Betty,” the show about everyone’s favorite New York fashion magazine employee, was actually filmed in Los Angeles for the first few seasons. Thankfully the show is now shot in New York, meaning you’ll have plenty of opportunities to frequent Betty Suarez’s fave dining spots like casual East Village cafe Belcourt, where oversize black glasses and garish sweaters are graciously welcomed.