Giorgio’s of Gramercy

For a restaurant with all the finery of a members-only spot (velvet curtains, hushed lighting and an army of silent, uniformed waitstaff), Giorgio’s is one of the more relaxed restaurants in Gramercy Park. Oversized plates of crisp calamari with pecorino-black truffle fondue, airy pasta dishes and eye-popping desserts like s’mores bread pudding and baked Alaska won’t break the bank, while the attentive and eager waiters add to the luxurious feel. Perhaps the reason Giorgio’s feels so exclusive is that nobody wants to share their favorite local secret.