Jekyll & Hyde Club Restaurant and Bar, New York

In 1931, a mysterious figure disembarked a British steamer in New York Harbor with the sophistication and wisdom of an owl wearing a tuxedo. Little did the people of New York know when they waved to him, that they were actually welcoming two new citizens, one a man and one a monster—Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. Leaving a trail of unfortunate victims behind in London, the doctor hoped to find a cure for his peculiar ailment in a city of outcasts, and set about gathering a coterie of fellow scientists, philosophers, adventurers, and others interested in the unknown. At least, that's the story they tell at Jekyll & Hyde Restaurant and Bar, and if the strange sorts who still hang about are any indication, there's some truth to it.

After entering through an innocuous-looking phone booth, guests find themselves greeted by dozens of grinning faces—all bereft of bodies. But the display case full of skulls is probably the least strange element of decor. Pushing further into the gloom reveals a skeletal band, a great elephant's head, and a mighty stone sphinx, which might just say hello. Elsewhere, a boney ventriloquist chats with his talkative dummy while a pair of twins share not only a chair but also a body. And those who time their visit just right might witness one of the resident doctors bringing a patchwork corpse back to life.

Despite the animatronic decor, Jekyll & Hyde leans more toward the silly side of the macabre, with menus full of hearty fare keeping visitors firmly grounded in reality. The chicken paillard, prepared in an herb marinade, balances the 12-ounce New York strip steak, whereas the classic London fish and chips pays tribute to the founder's hometown.