A Special Occasion Restaurant?
 

We are going to NYC for our 40th wedding anniversary. I have been looking through menupages, TA and here, for recs. I was thinking no more than 250$ for both of us. We have been to Aquavit before, and was underwhelmed. I was thinking seafood or fish specialty place. We will be dressy/smart casualy attired. Midtown area.

I am sorry I did not include NYC in the title.....mea culpa.

I would recommend Le Bernardin. Also, One if by Land, Two if by Sea is a very romantic setting, with food that is delicious, but probably a little more simple. Both excellent seafood restaurants, with a very romantic atmosphere.

And you might want to edit your post and tag it with New York to get a little more help! :-)

Not specifically for fish, Eleven Madison and Gotham Bar and Grill are special imo (not midtown). Oceana has very good fish, but it wouldn't be my choice for your 40th. It's quite sedate. Unfortunately, Le Bernardin is outrageously expensive. Would you travel to another neighborhood?

What about Park Avenue Autumn?

Many American/Mediterranean restaurants have good seafood. Be sure to look at the menus on line for the suggestions that you get.

Yes centralparkgirl, we could cab it. I was looking at Gotham too. And you are right about Mediterranean rests. Draegirl, thanks for One if by Land rec. What about Blue Fin? I think leBenardin may be a bit too too.

Blue Fin is loud and theater district - not for an anniversary. I like Bouley for my anniversary. Eleven Madison got 4 stars in the NYTimes' review a few months ago.

When you make your reservation - wherever - mention that it's your anniversary and you're really looking forward to your evening with them. That might get you a good table and some extra treats.

I hear that the Fishtail by David Burke is lovely..

Its not that fancy but wife and I love to go to the Grand Central Oyster Bar and have a dozen oysters, bottle of champagne, chowder and split a fish entree and then head to the Campbell Apartment for cocktails.
Great way to spend an evening.

Happy 40th!

www.thecampbellapartment.com
www.oysterbarny.com

What do folks think about Toqueville?

I've never been but I've heard good things. The room looks lovely and the menu has several fish/seafood choices.

http://www.tocquevillerestaurant.com/

kmbp - I've never been there either. Zagat gives it a great review.

One if By Land, Two if by Sea is a very good choice. Carmines isn't as fancy but the food is delicious! Happy Anniversary!

Blue Fin is good but NOT romantic at all. As stated it's loud and in Times Square..so great if before theater.

Fishtail is okay, not romantic at all either. It felt really cramped in there.

I seem to end up at Gramercy Tavern for "fancy" meals.

40 years together is nothing to sneeze at!

If you can stretch your budget to maybe $300 for two, I would strongly recommend Le Bernardin, arguably the best seafood restaurant in the City, if not the City's best restaurant altogether. http://www.le-bernardin.com/

The prix-fixe is $109 per person before tax and tip, about $140 after. Adding a $5-to-$7.50 cup of coffee, tea or espresso brings the bill up to a bit less than $150 per person for a truly special experience. Wine would be extra, but you could minimize its cost be having just a glass of a good white and nursing it through your meal.

The room is relatively simple, but elegant, with blonde wood, a high ceiling and very attractive sea-related artwork. The service is absolutely impeccable. In our experience, the lowliest servers or runners (not to mention the waiters and captains) seem to have eyes in the back of their heads, so attuned are they to your every need and request.

As CPG mentioned above, tell the reservationist its your 40th; guaranteed, they'll recognize it in some very pleasing way.

Finally, even in the current economic climate, Le Bernardin is likely to be heavily booked. From their website: "Reservations are taken for the current and the following month. Reservations are accepted for the following month on the first business day of each month." You can also use www.opentable.com, but calling 212-554-1515 is, in this case, better.

Congratulations!

Eleven Madison does have some seafood choices, but seems to me to be about on par price wise with Le Bernardin. Fishtail is supposed to have decent food, but i don't know if it's 40th anniversary worthy. The River Cafe in Brooklyn has some of the most amazing views of the city, with great food to boot! But I think that One if By Land still might be the best choice.. Romantic setting, great seafood, but not to foofoo.

<< Wine would be extra, but you could minimize its cost be having just a glass of a good white and nursing it through your meal. >>

bspielman - I wouldn't want to have to nurse a glass of wine in a restaurant of that caliper when celebrating my anniversary. I think it's better to go where you can afford and have whatever you want. $250 is a nice budget and in this city there are good choices. On our anniversary, I like a glass of champagne and then a glass of wine. That could be over $70 extra per couple plus tax and tip in LB.

I'm not sure what your idea of "romantic" is - is it flowery chintz, or cozy fireplace, or elegant French fine dining - but my suggestions to check out (other than the good suggestions here of Gramercy Tavern, Gotham Bar and Grll, Eleven Madison and Toqueville which are all wonderful and all downtown) would be Cafe Nougatine or Jean Georges (nougatine is in your price range, Jean-Georges might be a stretch) Anthos (I had an extraordinary halibut for lunch there last month - really fine food in a lovely modern setting) or Blue Hill (if it was good enough for the Obamas this summer . . . no, it's a really good place, no matter what your politics!)

I think if you're willing to leave midtown, you'll get more bang for your buck. Too bad Chanterelle closed - would have fit your bill very well. I'm not a fan of Bouley, but many people are. You might also check out Corton.

pretty good reviews can be found on the ny magazine site:
http://nymag.com/restaurants/

Centralparkgirl, I like to have champagne first also. Bspielman, that was a lovely description of Le Brenardin....you make it sound wonderful. Thanks for good wishes, but this weekend also includes my birthday (which I will not reveal) I looked at LB and One if's web sites, and both looked great. Kmbp, I will look up Toquville. CPG, also will look up 11 Madison.

Ksucat, I loved the oyster bar! Won't go there on our big day, but it is on my TO DO list for this trip! Thanks for the rec. :-) Mp, thanks for the ny magazine link too.

I agree with MP's selections, although we have never been to Anthos. We were treated to Tocqueville last month and the food was wonderful with a perfectly trained staff in the atmosphere you are seeking.

I am in the small minority who thinks Le Bernardin is over rated.

Aduchamp1 - my husband thinks it's over rated too.

Judyrem - I'm not pushing Eleven Madison and I have not eaten there in several years. But, I am considering it for our 30th this winter because of the review below.

http://events.nytimes.com/2009/08/12...+review&st=nyt

I went to 11 Madison Park in late August. It was spectacular and quite worth while. Great fish, but that's not really what the restaurant is known for. But it would be a spectacular choice for an anniversary because it does feel special. Great wines, by the way, and if you are careful you can certainly come in at around $250. It's much cheaper than Le Bernardin.

I think MP has recommended very good restaurants, but I'm not sure I'd choose them all for an anniversary. Blue Hill in particular is a bit crowded and too busy for me. As fresh and vibrant as the food is, it just doesn't feel very special to me, nor is it worth the prices they charge. And the wines are outrageously expensive there. But you could certainly eat for your budget.

I also like Tabla, but not everyone does. But a table there by the window can be very romantic, and it's well within the price range.

Gramercy Tavern would be a great choice, too. Instead of Bouley, I might suggest Cafe Boulud, which is a little cheaper, though the room itself is too crowded and has all the charm of a doctor's waiting room.

Doug - you are the one who has made me dream about the duck at EM!

Just a note - on my last vist to Gramercy Tavern, the food was way over salted - and I am not adverse to salt on my food. Maybe we hit a bad day.

Thanks all, and Doug too! I looked at 11 Madison,,,wow...that is some menu. I had thought of Babbo, only because I LOVE Mario Batali. Gramercy Park was on my list too. I am going to show some of these to my DH. His imput is important too! :-)

Can't go wrong with any of these choices:

Le Bernadin-well worth it

Grammercy Tavern

Jean Georges

La Grenouille romantic and beautiful decor http://www.la-grenouille.com/gallery.html

We went to Babbo for our anniversary last year. Would NOT recommend it for a "special occasion".

It's been a few years, but Toqueville was really nice, attractive room and really good food.

~Liz

Thanks for the heads up on Babbo. I read many things about it, and decided a while ago, it would not be a special occasion restaurant.:-( I am really liking the menu at Gramercy and One if. I saw 11 Madison's tasting menu. I probably am not a true foodie, becasue I saw foie gras and sweetbreads as an amuse. I just have major problems with organ meats. BTW elberko, La Grenouille looks fabulous, and with a great menu too!

At 11 Madison Park the sweetbreads are safely hidden inside puff pastry, and anyway, they are just one of several hors d'oeurves served before the meal (but they do taste really good). The foie gras is creamy and delicious, but just another little bite. I believe there are four other bites to choose from, so it's not as if you'd be missing out on an entire course if you choose not to eat them ... but I'd urge anyone to try them.

I don't think Le Bernadin is overrated, but I do think it's overpriced. Still, it's almost an honor to enjoy seafood at its very best there. And, it's one of the few places that's relatively quiet (if you're looking for romantic dining).

I'm always astonished at the noise level in the nicer restaurants. Daniel sounded like a junior high cafeteria. We couldn't wait to get out of there! As it turned out, the lounge area was much quieter. Our waiter suggested enjoying coffee and dessert there. What a difference!

Another relatively peaceful place to dine is Bouley.

Re Le Bernardin: Chacun à son goût!

Re Tocqueville: A very solid choice; excellent food, great staff, beautiful understated room. Not quite the caliber of LeB, however.

Re Babbo: Much, much too noisy. You have to really, really like Batali's choice of bombastic music, played LOUDly.

Re Eleven Madison Park: Haven't been there since Frank Bruni, lately of the <i>Times</i>, awarded it four stars, but it's a great place, if a little noisy because of all the hard surfaces. If you go, try to get a table in one of the alcoves off the main dining room.

Finally, re One if by Land, Two if by Sea: Very, very traditional food (read that as "tired"); perhaps the only place in New York where you can still get Beef Wellington. Many fireplaces, a live pianist, "romantic," but really mediocre food and only passable service.

OIBL TIBS brought in a new chef; it now gets 24 for food from Zagat - not LeB or 11 Mad, but certainly not mediocre. It has become larger than the original carriage house and the other rooms are not as charming imo.

I adore Le Bernardin but would go for lunch when it's a lot less expensive and save your special dinner for some place a bit more romantic. I think La Grenouille is a wonderful romantic room. The food's not the best in NYC but the overall experience is wonderful. Their souffles are magic. I also think the River Cafe can't be beat for overall romance in NYC. Great views, very nice food and good service. Again, not the best food in NYC but just a lovely experience. Rivercafe.com

Centralparkgirl is correct. One if.. doesn't have the best food in the city, but the prices also reflect that. It is miles above mediocre though. It is a charming place with good food, as is River Cafe. Beautiful views, with good food, and service. If you want excellent food with a little less atmosphere, Le Bernardin is an excellent choice.

Slightly off the well beaten path of the places mentioned in previous posts but for top notch food, service, ambience: Del Posto and for just a great meal with very professional service and food to go with that: Capsuoto Freres (and order a souffle for dessert at the beginning of the meal - a must.

Went to River Cafe last year for DD birthday. Beautiful room, pretty decent food, terrible service. Would go with EMP or Le Bernardin if I was going.

LOve,Love, you guys! I used to live in Bergen county, and I loved NY,,but it was always the PATH way. Thanks all! I am still thinking Gramercy.....or?

You might consider Water's Edge in Long Island City. You get there by boat from I think 23rd St and E. River. Beautiful views of Manhattan

Judyrem--

Where did you dine? How was it?

I went to La Grenouille for my 65th birthday (right before my 40th anniversary) for old-times sake and had delicious fish. It is still a beautiful restaurant with flawless service. The fresh flowers and small table lamps make it very romantic. A jacket is required.

What about Per Se? My husband and I will be in NY in early October and are going to try to get reservations. Is it still good?

Per Se is fantastic - but nowhere near the OP's price point. We have been twice and it;s like $700 per couple with wine tax and tip. And neither Grenouille (very pretty and good food) nor Le Barnardin (I think best fish in the city) is within a $250 budget either.

Suggest the OP look at menupages to see actual menus/prices before making any decisions.