"When visiting clients stay Downtown, treat them to the best views in the city. Evenings here start with a glass of sparkling wine and an elevator ride to the 49th floor, and the 24-seat Emerald Room is lined with floor-to-ceiling windows that look onto the skyline’s lights. Monarch will customize menus, especially for larger groups, but it’s easy enough to order a bunch of shareable items a la carte. We like the 40-ounce bistecca alla Fiorentina, dripping in butter and jus, and the showstopper of a lasagna that’s been roasted in the wood-fired oven until the cheese sets into a molten crust." - kevin gray