Dining With an Architectural View
 

I am by no means wealthy. I am decidedly middle-class. But I often fantasize about dining at some of the most amazing restaurants in the world. When I come across one online, I will add a Yelp bookmark for that place, one which I will likely never have the means to visit. As the stars sometimes align, I occasionally do get to experience some fantastic dining establishments while travelling, albeit on a budget.

Also, I am not a foodie. As an architecture nerd, my preferences often have little to do with food, and everything to do with beautiful architecture, interior design, and a killer view.

I'll start by posting a few that I can personally vouch for, along with tips for visiting there. When I run out of places I have been, I'll empty my Yelp bookmarks into this thread. Feel free to add your own, as I could always use new dining experiences to fantasize about!


Restaurante Terraza
Mexico City, MX

http://www.restauranteterrazaciudadd...da-Terraza.jpg
http://www.restauranteterrazaciudadd...om.mx/galeria/


http://www.restauranteterrazaciudadd...emodelacin.jpg
http://www.restauranteterrazaciudadd...om.mx/galeria/


http://www.restauranteterrazaciudadd...foto-hotel.jpg
http://www.restauranteterrazaciudadd...om.mx/galeria/

There are two main excuses for visiting Restaurante Terraza: The view of Zocalo, the historic center of Mexico City, and being able to walk through the atrium of the Gran Hotel Ciudad de Mexico. There are probably a dozen or so other restaurants with similar views along the square, but none has you pass through the beautiful 5 star Gran Hotel, which will generally set you back ~$85/night. Upon arriving at the rooftop, there is an all-you-can-eat lunch buffet full of delicious Mexican food. The price is ~$12/per person. $12 for that view. And Mexican food. $12.

Altius
Pittsburgh, PA

https://s3-media4.fl.yelpcdn.com/bph...NmodD4gw/o.jpg
https://s3-media4.fl.yelpcdn.com/bph...NmodD4gw/o.jpg


https://s3-media4.fl.yelpcdn.com/bph...BUnj8kfA/o.jpg
https://s3-media4.fl.yelpcdn.com/bph...BUnj8kfA/o.jpg


http://www.pittsburghmagazine.com/Pi...ltiusthumb.jpg
http://www.pittsburghmagazine.com/Pi...ltiusthumb.jpg

I can't vouch for other restaurants atop Mount Washington in Pittsburgh, but this is the one that accommodated us with reservations during the 4th of July fireworks a couple of years back. The fireworks are set off from a barge in the Ohio River below, and explode just outside the huge picturesque windows.

Rat's Restaurant
Hamilton, NJ

https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com...9e68ffd5ce.jpg
https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com...9e68ffd5ce.jpg


http://www.uncommonevents.net/wp-con...phia-venue.jpg
http://www.uncommonevents.net/wp-con...phia-venue.jpg


https://njmonthly.com/wp-content/upl...Restaurant.jpg
https://njmonthly.com/wp-content/upl...Restaurant.jpg

Located within the hidden jewel, Grounds for Sculpture, an arboretum/modern sculpture gallery, this restaurant and setting is designed to evoke Claude Monet's town of Giverny, complete with a bridge over a pond of water lilies.

Center Cafe
Washington, DC

http://static.panoramio.com/photos/large/11366131.jpg
http://static.panoramio.com/photos/large/11366131.jpg



http://www.nickspics.net/main.php?g2...serialNumber=2
http://www.nickspics.net/main.php?g2...serialNumber=2



https://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/me...on-station.jpg
https://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/me...on-station.jpg


Sadly, it appears this one is gone forever. While I can appreciate preservationists preference in keeping the main hall of Union Station closer to its original form, you couldn't beat the view from the upper level of this place.

Wright's Steakhouse / Frank & Albert's
Phoenix, AZ

https://c6.staticflickr.com/2/1461/2...5117d839_c.jpg


https://c6.staticflickr.com/2/1553/2...ab39532e_c.jpg


https://c7.staticflickr.com/2/1614/2...174f9c1a_c.jpg

These are 2 Frank Lloyd Wright themed restaurants inside the Frank Lloyd Wright designed Arizona Biltmore Resort. Frank & Albert's has a $5 happy hour with small plates and some of the best damn cocktails I've ever had.

The Signature Lounge
Chicago, IL

https://c7.staticflickr.com/4/3821/1...97beb5bd_c.jpg


https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/485/20...d6ce3b8b_c.jpg


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Located on the 96th Floor of the John Hancock Center in Chicago. The cost of an $8 beer is a price well worth the admission, especially considering visiting the observation deck 2 floors lower will set you back $20.

Waterworks Restaurant
Philadelphia, PA

http://images.fineartamerica.com/ima...l-crutcher.jpg
http://images.fineartamerica.com/ima...l-crutcher.jpg


http://www.visitphilly.com/resize/im...00vp-587x0.jpg
http://www.visitphilly.com/resize/im...00vp-587x0.jpg


http://press.visitphilly.com/uploads/photos/984_l.jpg
http://press.visitphilly.com/uploads/photos/984_l.jpg

This restaurant sadly doesn't appear to cater to anything but weddings anymore. It is located at the foot of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, in the pump house of the Fairmount Water Works, the revolutionary public water system built in 1812. A few years ago, they offered $7 all-you-can-eat brunches in honor of the restaurant's 7th anniversary. That is a deal that I am incapable of passing up.

The Continental
Atlantic City, NJ

http://www.popfeeder.com/wp-content/...inental-AC.jpg
http://www.popfeeder.com/wp-content/...inental-AC.jpg


https://www.caesars.com/content/scaf...4211730964.jpg
https://www.caesars.com/content/scaf...4211730964.jpg


https://s3-media2.fl.yelpcdn.com/bph...Iv3RU9ng/o.jpg
https://s3-media2.fl.yelpcdn.com/bph...Iv3RU9ng/o.jpg

I love the Mid-Century vibe of this place. It also helps that the food is amazing, and it is overlooking the Atlantic City Boardwalk and Atlantic Ocean. There is a $5 happy hour here with cocktails and small plates.

The Grand Concourse
Pittsburgh, PA

http://schiemerentertainment.com/wp-.../01/Blog-6.jpg
http://schiemerentertainment.com/wp-.../01/Blog-6.jpg


http://www.gandydancersaloon.com/img..._story_pic.jpg
http://www.gandydancersaloon.com/img..._story_pic.jpg


https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com...0fb073cdbc.jpg
https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com...0fb073cdbc.jpg

Located within the former Pittsburgh & Lake Erie Railroad Station, this is a must visit for any architecture nerd while in Pittsburgh. Their all-you-can-eat brunch is $24, and I managed to eat enough deliciousness to hate myself, feel ill, and not be hungry for 2 whole days.

West Side Market
Cleveland, OH

http://www.criswellphotography.com/w...FF-Madness.jpg
http://www.criswellphotography.com/w...FF-Madness.jpg


http://reardonmichael.com/world-trav...-cleveland.jpg
http://reardonmichael.com/world-trav...-cleveland.jpg


http://www.alyssaandcarla.com/wp-con.../img_94271.jpg
http://www.alyssaandcarla.com/wp-con.../img_94271.jpg

It's nearly impossible for any market to live up to my beloved Reading Terminal, but architecturally, Cleveland's West Side Market blows it away, and holds it's own as far as the cuisine. The first picture is from where the market's seating is located. Dining with that view set me back $4.

I can't think of anymore that I've been to, so I'll start posting from my bookmarks of places I'll never be able to afford now.

Hutong
The Shard, London, UK

http://www.emtecnica.com/img/sectors...1385632924.jpg
http://www.emtecnica.com/img/sectors...1385632924.jpg

http://www.emtecnica.com/img/sectors...1385632930.jpg
http://www.emtecnica.com/img/sectors...1385632930.jpg


https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com...4e27e0bf96.jpg
https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com...4e27e0bf96.jpg

Baleen Naples
Naples, FL

http://www.laplayaresort.com/App_Dat...-sand-nite.jpg
http://www.laplayaresort.com/App_Dat...-sand-nite.jpg


https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CNtRmvvUkAAEabW.jpg
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CNtRmvvUkAAEabW.jpg


http://www.laplayaresort.com/App_Dat...lub-Dining.jpg
http://www.laplayaresort.com/App_Dat...lub-Dining.jpg

Grand Central Oyster Bar
Grand Central Station, New York, NY

http://www.fashioniq.com/wp-content/...bar308edit.jpg


http://www.ediblemanhattan.com/wp-co...14/12/l-11.jpg
http://www.ediblemanhattan.com/wp-co...14/12/l-11.jpg


http://www.hungermaps.com/wp-content..._York_City.jpg
http://www.hungermaps.com/wp-content..._York_City.jpg

Ristorante Grotta Palazzese
Puglia, IT

http://static.boredpanda.com/blog/wp...no-mare-31.jpg
http://static.boredpanda.com/blog/wp...no-mare-31.jpg


http://static.boredpanda.com/blog/wp...no-mare-21.jpg
http://static.boredpanda.com/blog/wp...no-mare-21.jpg


http://www.grottapalazzese.it/foto_slide/varie/03.jpg
http://www.grottapalazzese.it/foto_slide/varie/03.jpg

Sky Restaurant 634
Skytree, Tokyo, JP

http://image.digitalinsightresearch....small/main.jpg
http://image.digitalinsightresearch....small/main.jpg


http://image1-2.tabelog.k-img.com/re...9/33779829.jpg
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http://image1-3.tabelog.k-img.com/re...9/17799423.jpg
http://image1-3.tabelog.k-img.com/re...9/17799423.jpg

Tori Tori
Mexico City, MX

http://www.toritori.com.mx/images/background_1.jpg
http://www.toritori.com.mx/images/background_1.jpg


http://www.toritori.com.mx/images/thumb.png?t=12345?
http://www.toritori.com.mx/images/thumb.png?t=12345?


https://ddimaf.files.wordpress.com/2012/03/dscn2709.jpg
https://ddimaf.files.wordpress.com/2012/03/dscn2709.jpg

Different Pointe of View
Phoenix, AZ

http://img1.10bestmedia.com/Images/P...1404212216.jpg
http://img1.10bestmedia.com/Images/P...1404212216.jpg


http://www.tapatiocliffshilton.com/i...top_dpview.jpg
http://www.tapatiocliffshilton.com/i...top_dpview.jpg


http://www.nickialanoche.com/wp-cont...ew-Patio-1.jpg
http://www.nickialanoche.com/wp-cont...ew-Patio-1.jpg

Aqimero
Girard Trust Building, Philadelphia, PA

https://scontent.cdninstagram.com/t5...NjExMg%3D%3D.2
https://scontent.cdninstagram.com/t5...NjExMg%3D%3D.2


http://media.philly.com/images/aq-dr_0975_1200.jpg
http://media.philly.com/images/aq-dr_0975_1200.jpg


http://bbook.com/wp-content/uploads/...iladelphia.jpg
http://bbook.com/wp-content/uploads/...iladelphia.jpg

HR Giger Bar
HR Giger Museum, Gruyeres, SUI

http://images.hellogiggles.com/uploa...05/20/gig2.jpg
http://images.hellogiggles.com/uploa...05/20/gig2.jpg


http://www.hrgiger.com/images/gigerb...yeres_0159.jpg
http://www.hrgiger.com/images/gigerb...yeres_0159.jpg


http://www.issueno206.com/wp-content...RUYERES043.jpg
http://www.issueno206.com/wp-content...RUYERES043.jpg

You beat me to it. This is the place that comes to mind when I think of restaurants with a view. I was planning on going to this place myself back in may, but it had a 90 minute wait to get in.