This ought to be fun!

Per Se

la bernadin

Le Bernardin would definitely be an excellent choice. It would be my 1a. Having eaten at both recently I would give Per Se the very slightest edge. My wife rates them as equal and I can't really argue.

Is money no object?

You need a price range here....because this could get out of hand quickly.....

Yes I am beginning to see that. Let's try this....for a unique NYC experience that is within the $200 or less range for two.....where would you recommend?

I hate to ask more questions, but do you intend to drink alcohol with your meal? If so, would you want to buy a bottle of wine, or simply have a couple of glasses? I ask because an average restaurant in Manhattan will be between $150 and $200 for two people with a bottle of wine and gratuity.

I have a few suggestions, but adding a bottle of wine could bring you over $200 for two. Adding any more alcohol than that will definitely bring you over. These are some of my favorite reasonably priced restaurants in NYC.

Pylos - Excellent Greek food, though I could make a couple of less expensive, more authentic suggestions if you were willing to venture over to Astoria in Queens.

Ilili - Arabic, leaning toward a more varied Mediteranean menu. Order a bunch of the small plates and share. I love this place.

Caccio e Pepe - This is a small, unassuming Italian place in the East Village that has great pasta dishes. The main dishes are pretty good, but the pasta dishes are what make it popular. The best is the specialty of the house, I think it's called Cacio e Pepe Pasta. They bring out a cheese wheel and roll the just cooked al dente pasta around in it then serve it to you. Delicious.

Grammercy Tavern bar area - No reservations accepted, so you may have to wait a while. This part of the restaurant has a lower priced menu with fewer selections than the main restaurant (which is $$$$). You may scrape the $200 bill, even if you only order a couple of glasses of wine. It's New American in style.

In that price range , try Cafe des Artistes. Might go a little over 200 but has a very nice atmosphere

Wow, country boy in the big city!! Yes wine will be incorporated into the mix, so let's say $300 instead.

I would in fact like to venture off the beaten track perhaps, absorbing the cost of cabs or subways, to find a really once in a lifetime place to have a memorable meal.

Keep it coming, NYC and surrounding area has what, 10 million restaurants at least???

Peter Luger for the win ...

Just wanted to get input on a couple of NYC restaurants-

21 Club (leaning towards downstairs), probably dinner, maybe lunch.

River Cafe - nighttime for the views.

Carmine's. Family style italian but with white table cloths, etc. Delicious and decently priced once you divide a meal between 4 people.

John's Pizza on Bleaker St.

Bond 45 on 45th down by the theater district is excellent for Italian and reasonable for the huge portions.

http://www.bond45.com/

Gig 'em Aggies!



[This message has been edited by mike073 (edited 6/2/2009 4:22p).]

Houston Ag,

I feel the 21 Club is overrated with regard to the food, but the place is worth a look due to it's history as a speakeasy.

I highly recommend River Cafe in Brooklyn. Very good food and great views from under the Brookyn Bridge. Make sure to request a table closest to the windows so you can get as much of the view as possible.

By the way, the Peter Luger Steakhouse recommendation is a good one. It is old school New York, located in Brooklyn, so off the beaten path. It is also consistently ranked as the best steak in America. Be warned that it would be easy to surpass your new $300 limit there though I think you can manage to stay under or keep it pretty close if you are careful.

Since we are talking higher limits, again if you are careful, there is always Nobu for sushi. I think i've read some opinions on here that the location in Vegas was overrated, or maybe even the locations in New York. I think they may be right when ordering the strictly traditional sushi and sashimi type items. Where Nobu shines is with some of their signature raw fish and other dishes like yellowtail with jalepeno or miso cod. Awesome food.

Dorcia

If you'd like to try Scandinavian, Aquavit would be an interesting choice. You also might squeeze in under $300 at Picholine.

Serendipity's or a hot dog cart!

Shoutout to "Daniel", Daniel Boulud's restaurant.

I would probably stay away from Peter Lugers. Awesomest lamb and beef ever, but if you are only in NYC for one night, the rest of that night is going to be shot. I was so sick to my stomach because I ate so much that I was out of commission the rest of the day. If you do go, I recommend the streusal {sp?} for dessert

Daniel is right up with Per Se and Le Bernardin but you're not getting out of there for anywhere close to $300.

quote:

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Houston Ag,

I feel the 21 Club is overrated with regard to the food, but the place is worth a look due to it's history as a speakeasy.

I highly recommend River Cafe in Brooklyn. Very good food and great views from under the Brookyn Bridge. Make sure to request a table closest to the windows so you can get as much of the view as possible.

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Thanks. Worth a look for a meal before a Broadway show, or would you recommend something else prior to an 8PM showing?

Maybe lunch at 21 Club one day and something else before the show?

[This message has been edited by Houston_Ag (edited 6/3/2009 8:17a).]

I would not plan a meal at River Cafe before a show. It's too far away from the theater district and any traffic issues on the East River crossings and you might miss the show.

I guess I should have clarified that. I'm planning on River City on a separate night. Was considering 21 Club before a show. But if not 21 club, then what other restaurant would you recommend?

So. What restaurant before a show?

River Cafe and Peter Luger's are great but too far away for before a show(The River Cafe is our favorite restaurant in New York).

Tao is trendy and if you like Asian, sushi, and great steaks it's pretty cool.It's right off Central Park south and 5th Avenue.

Tavern on the Green's food is just okay but the setting is unbelievable-something about eating in Central Park with all the lights and the cool rooms.

Kind of a tourist trap but we go to New York 1-2 times a year and always love eating there.
If I hadn't been to NY, I would probably eat here, just because.

There's a Del Frisco steakhouse close to the shows and of course there is Carmine's, Ruby Foo's, etc.

I suggest getting the Zagat book on New York restaurants 2009.

Very informative and spot on.

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an average restaurant in Manhattan will be between $150 and $200 for two people with a bottle of wine and gratuity.

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That is way, way off. An "average" restaurant in Manhattan would not even cost $100 for 2 people. Yes, Manhattan has more way expensive options, but average there is not that much higher than average anywhere else. Just that there are more options if you do want to spend money. But for $200, you can go to a very, very upscale place.

http://www.keens.com/

you could prolly do this for $200. very very cool and very very good.

ok - maybe not.