HotelChatter

1. Town at The Chambers Hotel:

Star chef Geoffrey Zakarian has nestled his 2-story slice of contemporary French cuisine into Midtown East's downtown-meets-uptown Chambers Hotel.

This is a spot which, through dishes like Basque-style Veal tongue and an environment like the classiest thing you've ever stepped into, has successfully divorced itself from the uncomfortable foreignness of a standard hotel restaurant.

2. Mercer Kitchen at The Mercer:

Play the Soho scenester here, where the communal tables and Andre Balazs' history mean anything goes.

Granted, the main draws are the license to say "I'm hitting up the Mercer tonight" and the possibility of spotting actual movers and shakers. Even though the Restaurant Week menu does not apply on the weekends, we still must underscore the importance of avoiding weekends, when it's strictly a tourist scene.

Oh yes, and Mercer Kitchen is one of the various spots from chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten, whose name rolls right off our tonsils.

3. DB Bistro Moderne at City Club:

Ideal for taking a lengthy lunch hour (and it's only available for lunch during NYRW), we're into this offering from chef Daniel Boulud mainly because his namesake restaurant Daniel is out of our price range forever, and there's really nothing else worth it in the Theater District.

And since it’s lunch, we’re praying for the famous foie gras burger to be on the menu (regular price: $175), although we’d be just as happy with the Maine Lobster Risotto (drool).

4. Asiate at the Mandarin Oriental:

Nothing can beat a view over Central Park through the floor-to-ceiling windows at this 35th floor jewelbox... for the price of a $24.07 lunch!

That actually might be the cheapest thing available at the hotel during this week as well, with room rates notoriously high in the $900s.

Combine the restaurant's seasonal menu and focus on vitality with the sensuous mystery of a Mandarin Oriental property, and it's a a truly hedonistic midday feast.

5. Kittichai at 60 Thompson:

Sashay through the 60 Thompson's mini-lobby to this loungey lilipad of Thai cuisine. Here is where you can break out your "New York outfit," hopefully meaning all black and slim complimented with crocodile loafers or an ostrich clutch.

Dine here late enough and not have to worry about taking the party elsewhere. The 60 Thompson knows what they're doing.

Other hotel restaurants participating in NYRW: The Carlyle Restaurant, Fives at the Peninsula, Hudson Cafeteria, Riingo at The Alex Hotel, Above at the Hilton Times Square, Norma's at Le Parker Meridien and Arabelle at the Plaza Athenee.

Let us know what hotel you picked and how it was!