Underhill, you might like to read this list of the best restaurantson the UWS. None that you plan are on the list. Nice Matin is ok, but nothing special. It's nice for lunch or brunch. I've never heard of the Indian place. Boulud Sud, imo, is not the best of that group. Near your hotel, my pick would be Dovetail.
http://blogs.villagevoice.com/forkin..._west_side.php

You should also know that one of the best ways of sampling some of the best food that NYC has to offer is at prix fixe lunches which cost a fraction of dinners. La Grenouille (last of the fine fancy French places) is not far from MOMA. Le Benardin (amazing seafood) is too. Jean Georges does a great prix fixe lunch and is near the Museum of Art & Design. Cafe Boulud is near the Met Museum. Bouley down in Tribeca is my favorite prix fixe lunch.

It just seems you've wound up with a list that doesn't include any of the things NYC is known for nr any of the best restaurnts. It's like a decision made by a committee.

PS the best burger I've had is at Minetta Tavern (black label burger) but I don't love the restaurant. Too crowded. If you can get in for a lunch, it's worth the experience though.

It's not clear to me what sort of restaurants the OP is looking for.

Based on the ones they listed I assumed they wanted pleasant mid level places - not top level (and budget) places.

Agree that Nice Matin is a nice brunch or lunch - but not a top restaurant.

The ones cited by McLaurie are in a whole different class - but also a different price range.

For traditional NYC agree you can't do better then Grenouille (it's very ladies who lunch - and has been since I often went their for business lunches 30 years ago) and Le Bernardin is simply the best fish.

We finally chose Nice Matin for one dinner, Sagwat for the second, and the superb Boulud Sud for our final night in Manhattan. I've covered these in some detail in my trip report, Our East Coast Adventure (or something like that). The report also includes restaurants in Washington, D.C. and Williamsburg, VA.

Unfortunately, mclaurie's post came in after I shut down the computer and began packing.

But it sounds like you enjoyed your meals which is all that matters.;)

We did indeed, especially the one at Bouloud Sud. Can't wait to go back to New York!