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Best Lunch Offerings For NYC Summer Restaurant Week

NYC Summer Restaurant Week is here! What better way to celebrate than by booking a table for lunch at some of the best restaurants in the country. For just $25 you can dine at upscale eateries like Le Cirque and Nobu or go the traditional route by grabbing a seat at Tavern on the Green. No matter where you eat, you certainly won't be disappointed. By Carly Petrone.

More: 6 Best Restaurants To Try During NYC's Summer Restaurant Week

Morton's Grille
(credit: Morton's Grille)

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If you're in the mood for a juicy steak or hearty burger, head over to the newly opened Morton's Grille. This sister restaurant of Morton's The Steakhouse is offering a meatlover's dream lunch with entrée choices like a 6 oz Filet Mignon, Morton's Prime Burger, and a 16 oz. "Dirty" Pork Chop with mashed potatoes. Choose from tasty appetizers like the Kale Caesar Salad, a cup of Five-Backed Onion Soup, or a Crispy Veggie Roll to start off your meal. To end it, bite into a decadent Key Lime Pie, Cheesecake, or Morton's Legendary Hot Chocolate Cake (for an additional $6). You may not have much of an appetite for dinner but it'll be worth it.

Abboccato Bruschetta Trio
(credit: Paul Johnson)

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Make a lunch reservation at Abboccato Italian Kitchen and enjoy a nice Italian meal. Choose from antipasta like Caprese Salad, a Trio of Bruschetta, or Calamari Salad before moving onto the main dishes. The Tagliatelle comes with a classic Bolognese meat sauce and plenty of Parmigiano Reggiano while the Brodo di Salmone (seared salmon) is served in a saffron broth with shrimp, mussels, yellow squash, zucchini, cherry tomato, and basil. The Pollastrello (roasted Amish organic chicken) comes with sweet peppers, tomato, rosemary, and Gaeta olives. Finish off your meal with a piece of traditional Tiramisu or Panna Cotta. The Strudel with caramelized apples, golden raisins, walnuts wrapped in phyllo, and vanilla gelato is another delicious option for dessert. Executive Chef David Arias is bringing out all of the classics for this summer restaurant week lunch menu.

Kefi
(credit: Facebook/KefiRestaurantNYC)

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Go Greek at Kefi! Feel like you're dining al fresco with fresh salads, white bean or lentil soups, grilled octopus, meatballs, and mussels with gigante beans and feta. And that's just the starter (or Meze) choices! Dive into entrees like Shrimp with orzo, spinach, tomato and feta, Roasted Lemon Chicken with potato, garlic, and dill, or Braised Lamb Shank with orzo. Top it all off with a piece of Walnut Cake, Chocolate Mousse & Halva with Sesame Ice Cream, or your choice of seasonal sorbets and ice creams (may we suggest the maple walnut flavor?). With a menu this good, you may have the urge to celebrate by breaking a dish on your way out.

Le Cirque
(credit: Facebook/LeCirqueCafe)

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Attention diners: Take advantage of the lunch Restaurant Week menu at Le Cirque. From appetizers to dessert, you'll have a dining and culinary experience to remember. Start out with starters like the classic Le Cirque Salad (balsamic vinaigrette, shaved vegetables, and sunflower seeds), Tomato & Basil Tarte Tatin (pearl mozzarella, basil, puff pastry, balsamic reduction), or for an additional $10 you can nosh on the decadent Le Cirque Lobster Salad. The Chilled Melon Gazpacho will sure cool you down in this muggy weather with a flavorful mix of cucumber, goat cheese, and basil seeds. Main courses include Salmon with Panzanella Salad, Poitrine De Poulet Roti – roasted chicken breast, green asparagus, and mini Croque monsieur) – Peas & Prosciutto Risotto, and Skirt Steak with potatos "Pont Neuf." Finally, satisfy your sweet tooth with your choice of Crème Brulee Le Cirque, Strawberry Pavlova with earl grey ice cream, Stone Fruit Cobbler with toasted almond ice cream, or the S'mores Candy Bar with graham cracker ice cream (an extra $7). Have yourself a true New York moment at this established French eatery.

Nobu
(credit: Nobu)

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For those who've always wanted to dine at Nobu, now's your chance. Their lunch menu doesn't disappoint with choices like Arctic Char with Heirloom Tomato Salad, Chicken with Anticucho or Teriyaki Sauce, and of course, Assorted Sushi. Gear up for the main course with Sashimi Salad with Matsuhisa Dressing, Black Cod Miso on Limestone Lettuce, or Fresh Softshell Crab with Roasted Beet Salad. You'll have to show up in order to find out what's on the dessert menu. No doubt it'll be just a good as the first two courses.

Tavern on the Green
(credit: Tavern on the Green)

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Have a quintessential New York moment at Central Park. Dine at the iconic Tavern on the Green and take in the beautiful surroundings (both inside and outside). Start out with fabulous summer appetizer options like White Gazpacho, Avocado Toast, or Watermelon Salad before moving onto the main course. Try their Truffle Caesar Salad or Cajun Chicken with dill cucumber salad or you can never go wrong with The Tavern Burger made of prime brisket and short rib. Top it off with Spice Peach Cobbler and Vanilla Ice Cream or Rum Raisin Carrot Cake and cheers to one lunch well played. You can walk off the calories through the park on your way out.

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Carly Petrone is a freelance writer living in New York City.

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