Once Again, 31 NYC Restaurants Are Top Grossing in the US

Trade mag Restaurants & Institutions just released its annual rankings of the highest grossing restaurants in the United States. Even though it's sad to hear country's combined food-and-beverage sales dropped from $1.52 billion to $1.37 billion, at least it's nice to know that as usual, New Yorkers make up a huge portion of the list. The big winners include Tavern on the Green at number 2 (RIP), Smith & Wollensky placing fourth, Carmine's on 44th St. (6), Tao (8), Buddakan (9), Sparks (18), and Craftsteak (19).

How interesting to see that Buddakan is still churning it out and that Craftsteak is so high on this list, given owner Tom Colicchio transformed it into Colicchio & Sons because of the price tag. Here are the New York cash cows:

2. Tavern on the Green
4. Smith & Wollensky

6. Carmine's (44th St.)
8. Tao
9. Buddakan
18. Spark's Steakhouse
19. Craftsteak
26. Del Posto
27. Balthazar
31. Junior's (Brooklyn)
37. '21' Club
40. Blue Fin
42. The Four Seasons
43. Spice Market
48. Virgil's Real Barbecue
49. Blue Water Grill
53. Rock Center Cafe
54. Junior's (Times Square)
55. Cafe Fiorello
58. Carmine's (91st Street)
61. Coffee Shop
68. Daniel
71. Trattoria Dell'Arte
81. Quality Meats
83. Redeye Grill
85. Dos Caminos (Third Ave.)
90. Asia de Cuba
91. Gotham Bar & Grill
95. Megu (Thomas St.)
97. Bryant Park Grill
100. Morimoto