After seeing the closing performance of The Gardens of Anuncia at Lincoln Center Theatre, we headed across the street to the rooftop of the Empire Hotel that overlooks the Lincoln Center complex for a cocktail, something to eat and the stunning view.

One friend sampled their tequila and grapefruit juice Paloma, another their XOXO Gossip Girl with vodka and peach puree made bubbly with prosecco, and I sipped their trendy Old Fashioned ($20 each) with smoke added tableside (each $20).

With those libations, we tried their Koreatown (aka nicely spicy) very meaty chicken wings ($20), their crisp bistro fries ($14) and their grilled lollipop lamb chops ($39), cooked medium-rare as requested with tzatziki for dipping. All worth trying.

I recommend a cocktail and nibbles at Empire Rooftop, especially when attending Lincoln Center.

Empire Rooftop
Lincoln Square
44 West 63rd Street
New York, NY 10023
(212) 265-2600
theempirerooftop.com