Fraunces Tavern

Talk about A-list. According to lore, George Washington once threw a party at this historic restaurant-pub-museum combo when he celebrated the British retreat from New York in 1783. The dining room’s muted lighting and mural of New York Harbor convey colonial charm, but the menu leans toward midcentury comforts. Start with the sweet, meaty crab cakes, then go for the beef Wellington or a rich pot roast. Apple pie is the patriotic choice for dessert.