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NYC's Hottest Hotel Dining Strip?

Just yesterday, we were saying that the restaurant at Six Columbus sits in the middle of a "culinary wasteland." We should've turned our eyes a little east of Columbus Circle. Two hotels along Central Park South have opened fancy new restaurants, and a third, in The Plaza's Oak Room, will open soon.

The newest spot to open is South Gate at the Jumeirah Essex House. The modern American menu is executed by chef Kerry Heffernan, who cut his teeth with Danny Meyer, one of NYC's leading restaurateurs.

Before South Gate came BLT Market, pictured, at the Ritz-Carlton. An outpost of schmancy chef Laurent Tourondel, it offers up seasonally inspired French-American dishes. We actually stopped in the spot a few months back hoping to score an appetizer and a drink at an off hour.

The maitre d' was having none of it, saying the place was "full meals only" despite it being 4:30 in the afternoon. We hope they've changed their far-from-accomodating attitude since.

As for the Oak Room, we'll have to wait until May to see what chef Joël Antunes brings to the table. Hopefully nothing embalmed!

Related Stories:
· Brand New Central Park South Is Mouthwatering [NYP]
· Six Columbus Restaurant "Hit-or-Miss" [HotelChatter]

[Photo: emptyhighway]