Federal Cafe at the Hotel Reserve

Federal Cafe




Financial District
51 Nassau St.
New York, NY 10038 212-227-3007
Price range: $$$ ($16-$25)
If it just takes a good finance pun to draw in Wall Street diners, then the Federal Cafe—located in the Hotel Reserve—should have no problem filling seats. If wordplay doesn't do the trick, perhaps the $9.99 daily lunch special (11 a.m. to 3pm, full menu) might do the trick in this bear market. Federal's lunch menu runs the gamut from burgers to spring rolls to Greek salad, but the diner menu sticks closer to an Italian American theme. Owner Thomas Sima and his dad, the guys behind the Prime Cafe in the 26th Street Holiday Inn, have put together a greatest hits menu featuring veal parmigiana, chicken Milanese and prime aged steaks, all served in an understated dining room that would make any Midwestern business traveler feel at ease.


*****"I Stayed at the Reserve Hotel for a few days last week and experienced such a wonderful and refreshing time at the Federal cafe. Lana and Megan the two bar maids at the cafe were wonderful and overly accommodating , not to mention they make great drinks.The menu was primarily an Italian American theme so if your a pasta lover like myself this place will captivate your senses...."