POWER SPOTS
Lunch is a great chance to go to a place that’s hopping at night but not quite so hopping during the day, like Nobu 57 [noburestaurants.com/fifty-seven]. -Lori Feldman, senior VP of brand partnerships and music licensing, Warner Bros. Records
The Lamb’s Club [thelambsclub.com] is a great spot. It’s near Vevo, the labels and a lot of media companies, but outside of the Times Square craziness. And they have the best tuna nicoise. -Jennifer Press, senior director of marketing and publicity, Vevo
Bar Americain [baramericain.com] and Ma Peche [momofuku.com/new-york/ma-peche] — both delicious with a wide range of healthy and innovative dishes. -Sam Kirby Yoh, partner, William Morris Endeavor
For quieter meals, I go to P.J. Clarke’s SideCar [pjclarkes.com/third-avenue] on Third Avenue. It’s the private club above the restaurant and has great American fare. -Lee Stimmel, head, Columbia Records Creative Agency
I like places that feel ‘downtown,’ like Danji [danjinyc.com] or Pure Thai Cookhouse [purethaishophouse.com], which is kind of a low-key open secret. -Jessica Shaw, director of music for advertising, Universal Music Publishing Group
DRESS CODE
If I’m lunching with Vevo’s CEO [Rio Caraeff] and a reporter, I might get a little dressier. If it’s an artist, I go more casual. -Jennifer Press
Casual and kind of rock — a pair of gray boots and maybe a little jacket. Something you could wear to a show later that night if you needed. -Lori Feldman
PRO TIPS
Be conscious of your guests’ dietary needs. You want people to feel as comfortable as possible. -Christopher Swope, senior VP of strategic partnerships and alliances, Live Nation
Find a place with acoustics and layout that allow for private and quiet conversation. -Sam Kirby Yoh
No phones on the table. You cleared time for this meeting, so phones and other distractions should be put away. -Rory Roth-Honigfeld, senior account executive, PMK*BNC
My lunches are about taking time to brainstorm and be creative as opposed to covering an agenda. We’re away from the office, so it’s a chance to have big-picture conversations undisturbed. -Tom Calderone, president, VH1
TO DRINK OR NOT TO DRINK?
Typically, only if it’s a Friday. Friday business lunches are a good way to kick off the weekend, if you’re lucky. -Morgan Buksbaum, VP, GroupM Sports & Entertainment Partnerships
Never. That’s not the best way to stay sharp. I don’t want to be yawning through the meeting. -Lori Feldman
New York time does not allow for long lunches over wine like in Europe. If you need to follow your lunch partner’s lead, that’s fine, but never more than one drink. -Rory Roth-Honigfeld
WHO PAYS?
It’s a back-and-forth, but it’s usually about whomever initiated it. -Christopher Swope
I always pay. It’s a subtle gesture to thank people for their collaboration and their time. -Morgan Buksbaum
(Additional reporting by Gabrielle Sierra, Alfredo Tirado and Nick Williams.)