Ah ... the lavender duck at 11 Madison Park. It is indeed laquered in lavender and salt (I don't know how it's made), and they present you the full duck on a platter and then whisk it away for carving (my partner claims that they have only one duck for display and everything is done back in kitchen).

You're served slices of breast that have an exceptionally crispy skin, and the lavender accents rather than overwhelms the taste of the duck breast. Then on the side you get a little square of the most delicious duck confit I've ever tasted (presumably made from the duck legs that aren't served).

It's really a remarkable duck. The best I've ever had, though I really love the duck at Cafe Boulud.

Thanks Doug - it does sound divine! I will try it one day. Your remark about the one duck reminded me of dh's theory that there is only one Chinese kitchen in our neighborhood. It's underground with tunnels to all the different restaurants.

"Gray Kunz rose to prominence in the 1990s in New York City as a master of Asian fusion cuisine at his four-star restaurant, Lespinasse, at the St. Regis Hotel."

This is from the New York Times.

Thingorjus

bookmarking

You're right about Kunz. My post should have read that he was the chef at Lespinasse, succeeded by Delouvrier. Delouvrier's tenure at Les Celebrities coincided with that of Kunz at Lespinasse. All of little consequence, however, since neither is currently on the NYC scene.

Stayed at the Library hotel last Nov. and ate at their restaurant Madison and Vine on the ground floor twice. Food was fantastic, service great, good selection of wine by the glass and really good coffee. Not expensive either.

I have nothing to add regarding the restaurants, which sound fantastic, but, for the record, the phrase, indicating an "extreme" wrestling match, is "No holds barred."

Yes we do want another baby out of the trip number four and the final of 4!!!! HA Ha so I want to make these couple of dinners count!!! Love the banter and the great suggestions all of it is very helpful... No one mentioned the restaurant GILT any takers there??? We are going to be at the Omni instead of the Waldorf for a change the location looks good any comments or rooms to suggest we stay in...sides floor level, etc??? thanks

Sorry - we can't recommend rooms or floor number unless we know whether you're trying for a boy or girl!

Please advise.

Made reservations aat grammercy tavern, artesinal,boathouse, picholine, la grenouile thanks form the help, sorry about the bad typing, baby on belly...thanks again!!!

So let me get this straight -- in four days in NYC you're eating at Grammercy, Artisinal, Boathouse, Picholine, and le Grenouile? Oh, poor baby. . .
LOL

3 nights, yes, but we don't do breakfast and we will plan on walking everywhere hopefuly to build an appitite!! boeathouse for champagne and enjoy a split and atmosphere, artisnal cause my husband loves grilled cheese, me champagne small cheese plate dinner!! so if you see a 99 lbs girl walking around who looks pregnant with a food baby its me...just kidding hope you like the choices, also we plan on seeing the black eyed peas!!!

Is Carrie Heffernan still the chef at 11 Madison Park? She's an Oakland then Napa then NYC girl.

No, chef is Daniel Humm.

My son and I love the Union Square Cafe. I even got the cookbook as a Mother's Day present.

My avorite is per se but it sometimes can be a hard reservation to snag.
Asiate-located in the Time warner-Excellent food and beautiful views
Gilt-Located in the Palace with great ood and a beautiul atmosphere.
Eleven Madison-Excellent but the atmosphere is not as nice as the others listed above.
FYI-I would skip Artisanal as it is highly overated.
Picholine is good but just OK.
Gramacy is still good but not as good as the other to rated.
Your choices are still good except Artisanal.
The Boathouse is a beautiful setting in the daytime or early evening so even though the food is just Ok the atmosphere makes up for it.
Enjoy your trip.

Thanks so much my husband just wants a good grilled cheese for lunchfrom artesinal, food semi at boathouse more in for some champagne and views!!!Thanks so much for the input!!!!

Both of those will be perfect for what you are looking for.
Great views at the Boathouse and probably excellent grill cheese at Artisanal.
Enjoy your trip.

Thanks for all the help and i think we will take a car to omni berkshire any good car companies reliable??

I like Carmel car service.212 666-6666.
or another one is pretty good 212 777-7777.
Odd phone mumbers but both are reasonable and reliable.