Lately, my feed has been flooded with clips of people raving about Danny’s NYC, so with a free weekend and a social battery running on fumes after three straight weeks of birthday parties, I decided to treat myself to a quiet solo meal. Of course, “quiet” rarely happens in NYC, but I figured a bar seat at Danny’s might come close. Plus, I wanted to scout it out for future dinners with friends, no one wants to drag people to an overhyped spot.
I made a reservation on Resy and headed over. Getting there was super easy; it’s right by the F train, on a block that’s now stacked with heavy hitters like Cote and Kokodokko. The vibe at Danny’s hits the second you walk in; the staff is incredibly friendly and attentive, some of the best hospitality I’ve experienced in a long time. I arrived a bit early, and the host had me seated instantly with a “sit down and relax, we’ve got you.”
Inside, the atmosphere feels less “clubby” and more New York chic, dim lighting, clean lines, music humming in the background, and everyone tucked into their own little world. When I finally pulled out my earbuds, it was a bit sensory-heavy but still chill. This place is perfect for a date night. I saw plenty of couples at the bar and at tables, all minding their own business.
I didn’t take many photos out of respect for the packed room, but I did get down to business and ordered what I call the fat-guy special:
- Caesar Salad
- Red Deviled Eggs
- Spicy Tuna on Crispy Black Rice
- The Burger
- Cheesecake for dessert
The pacing was excellent. Food came out quickly enough to keep you satisfied, but nothing felt rushed. Service was attentive without hovering—bartenders checked in right as you needed them, which I love. No chasing someone down like you’re trying to flag a plane.
Course Breakdown
Red Deviled Eggs, Caesar Salad & Spicy Tuna Crispy Rice
The Caesar was solid—lots of cheese, which is always a win. They used whole olives (not my favorite), but the overall flavor worked. I’d order it again.
The deviled eggs? Just okay. Not my style, but someone who likes a lighter, less punchy deviled egg would enjoy them more.
Now, the spicy tuna crispy rice was the star of the starters. Flavorful, balanced, just the right amount of spice, and perfectly crispy rice. I’m 100% getting this again and adding a couple more seafood dishes next time.
Burger
Cooked to a proper medium-rare. Solid quality, nicely seasoned, and the little touch of slicing it for you (with toothpicks holding it together) made it easy to eat without the classic NYC burger collapse. I’d rate it 7.5/10, good, but not life-changing. Not because it’s bad; it’s just not my type of burger, and many other menu items I want to try next time.\
Dessert & Drinks
The cheesecake surprised me, in the best way. It wasn’t a traditional cheesecake. It tasted more like a syrniki, the cottage-cheese/ricotta-style pancakes I grew up with. Paired with blueberry compote, it was nostalgic and honestly perfect.
One of the staff members joked that it was better than their mother’s. I told my mom. She asked if it was better than hers. I said absolutely not, because I enjoy living.
Drink-wise:
- Classic martini with blue cheese olives (they didn’t have Tito’s, so I went with Ketel, still great)
- Espresso martini, made with fresh espresso and not too sweet. Exactly how I like it.
Verdict
Danny’s NYC is absolutely worth a visit.
Great vibe, excellent hospitality, solid food, and fair pricing for NYC. Perfect for a date, solo dinner, or a night out with friends. The spicy tuna crispy rice is a must, and the syrniki-style cheesecake is a sleeper hit. The burger is good, but next time I’m exploring more of their seafood and pasta dishes.
Overall: A strong, well-rounded NYC spot that lives up to the hype.
Look, I’m just a Fat Guy from Brooklyn giving you my two cents. If you want more Top 10s—steakhouses, burgers, restaurants, you name it—click the words and keep going