Viand

"When was the last time you went to a diner? A real diner, not some kind of diner-inspired restaurant concept in Noho that serves avocado toast. It’s been a while, right? Well then sit down for a minute, because it’s time we had a talk. Back in the olden days, the restaurant scene in New York was much different. We don’t need to fully explore the history of dining for the purposes of this discussion, but let’s just say that there was a time when the most intriguing pastry-hybrid in the city was a black and white cookie, and if you wanted one, you went to your neighborhood diner. As a matter of fact, when you wanted pretty much anything that wasn’t cooked by a French guy or served with chopsticks, you went to your neighborhood diner. And when you showed up, they probably addressed you by name. They probably also knew exactly what you were going to order. When was the last time that one of the hostesses at Vinegar Hill House addressed you by name? Never, unless it’s to tell you that the wait will be another two hours. When I say that you’re missing the point, I mean that we’ve all apparently forgotten about the great New York City diner, and what it means to a community. We’re more interested in the new hot spots - places that we visit once or twice right after they open and then never go back to. But the New York experience is really about making this gigantic metropolis feel smaller. We’re really all just looking for a few comfortable places with familiar faces in them to retreat to after a long day. Viand is one of those places. This diner on Madison Avenue has been serving its neighborhood regulars since 1976, and it also happens to have one of the best turkey club sandwiches you can find anywhere. But that’s not what makes it great. What makes Viand great is the fact that every time you eat there, you’ll see someone walk in that the staff knows by name. Maybe it’s the stately older woman that they refer to as “Abuelita.” Maybe it’s the dad with his kids coming in for a milkshake. Regardless, it’s awesome, and it makes us happy that places like this still exist. So stop missing the point, and go to your local diner every once in a while. You probably need to take a break from the kale anyway. Food Rundown Turkey Club Sandwich Viand roasts turkeys in house every single day, and the result is some of the freshest, tastiest bird meat you’ve ever eaten. Piled up on a sandwich with some bacon and mayo, and it’s even better. This is far and away the best thing we’ve had at Viand, and it’s the best turkey club in town too. Eggs/Omelettes/Breakfast Food It’s all standard diner fare, which is to say solid and reliable. We love the Western Egg Sandwich. Spinach Pie The owner of Viand is a very nice Greek man that you’ll see hanging in the restaurant. We figure that explains the various Greek food offerings, including what is basically Spanakopita, or spinach pie. We like it. Milk Shakes Viand does a mean milk shake. Egg creams too. Black and White Cookie Soft and sweet, just like you’d hope it would be. Order one for old times sake." - Chris Stang

"Some people like chicken salad. Some people like roast beef. Some people get weird about their patty melts. But if you’re a turkey sandwich person, you need to try the one at Viand. There isn’t much else like it in NYC, and we don’t say that lightly - we’re turkey sandwich people. You can also use Viand for any diner food needs on the Upper East Side. Order Now" - katherine lewin, hillary reinsberg

"There are two Viand locations in NYC, and the one on the east side is only a few blocks from the Grand Army Plaza entrance and the Zoo. It’s also the only place this close to the bottom of the park where you can sit at a diner counter and eat an incredible turkey club sandwich. The space is sort of diner-meets-deli, and always feels like a Seinfeld character might walk in at any moment. Just know that it’s pretty small in here and that they only take cash." - hannah albertine

"There are many great diners in this town, but Viand will always be one of our favorites. It feels like home from the minute you walk in—and sometimes that’s all you need. That, and an excellent club sandwich, which you can also find here. The next time you want brunch food without a brunch scene, come here." - Team Infatuation

"Viand is part of a dying breed of dignified, sticky-tile-floored uptown diners. It’s where you should go in pursuit of omelettes with homefries, stacked turkey clubs, or pancakes served with bacon draped on top like a meaty weighted blanket. This is an especially great option if you’re near the bottom of Central Park and want neither a $50 breakfast nor a Starbucks yogurt parfait." - Hannah Albertine, Bryan Kim