I was invited to dine at State Grill and Bar, the upscale, ground-floor Empire State Building restaurant, for a tasting.

What intrigued me was a fixed-price meal package deal available when you buy a ticket to the observatory on top of the Empire State Building. When you do, you will be prompted, depending on the time of your visit, to buy a two-course lunch ( $40) or a three-course dinner ($60).  Or you can purchase an add-on meal while visiting the 80 or 86th-floor at one of the kiosks. Tickets to the observatory start at $42 for seniors; $44 for adults; the rates are higher during sunset.

We each began with one of their cocktails, my dining partner with their refreshing mule with Our/New York Vodka ($16), while I sipped their Old Fashioned ($18) with NY Ragtime rye. Both tasty.

With that, we tried a few apps, including their red corn polenta fritters with tomato chutney ($15) and raclette “fondue” served tableside with crispy fingerling potatoes, pears and cornichons ($28). Our favorite was their crispy crab and kale rangoons ($22) with sweet chili sauce.

This current menu has a fresh approach from Chef Morgan Jarrett, formerly of Brooklyn Botanic Garden and Seersucker. We shared her new beetroot bucatini with fennel ($26) and the porcini-crusted filet mignon. The latter served on a bed or pomme puree garnished with fresh watercress drizzled tableside with a bourbon peppercorn sauce ($52). Since we were sharing, the kitchen sliced our perfectly cooked meat before serving.

We also added fries and carrots as our sides.

My dining partner had the blackout cake with salted caramel ice cream ($11) for dessert while I sipped (and recommend) their expresso martini in a unique glass with the most iconic Empire State Building stem.

STATE Grill and Bar
Midtown
21 W 33rd St
New York, NY 10118
212-216-9693
patinagroup.com/state-grill-and-bar