New York Magazine released their “NYC’s 101 Best Restaurants” for 2012.  I’ve eaten at 7 of the top 10 restaurants and completely agree that they deserve their spot.

Last week I celebrated a birthday at Marea (#12 on the list), a seafood focused Italian restaurant on Central Park South.  Our waiter informed us that their squid would be the best we’d ever taste. They were 100% correct.

A sampling of what we ate (clockwise from top left): 

• SCAMPI langoustine
• FUSILLI red wine braised octopus, bone marrow
• ASTICE nova scotia lobster, burrata, eggplant al funghetto, basil 
• POLIPO grilled octopus, smoked potatoes, pickled red onion, radish, chilies, tonnato

CaseyCulture Rating: 9 out of 10