What is your favorite New York City restaurant? Particularly, I'm wondering about the famous ones, ie. Mesa Grill, Tavern on the Green, Union Square Cafe, Balthazar, etc.

Which ones are worth the expense and which are just hype?

Tavern on the Green = hype

The more I go the more I'm convinced that Grammercy Tavern may the best restaurant in the city. It's very consistent and the "Tavern Room" (no reservations) is a great value.

I also like Blue Water Grill for moderate seafood and Nobu for fancy seafood (though it's a casual restaurant).

Babbo.

Auerole (bargain lunch), Le Bernardin.

Loki beat me to the punch recommending Gramercy Tavern.
JoeG.

Grammercy Tavern. Really good food, great service, and the candied walnuts at the bar are just amazing.

Sushi: Tomoe (bargain)
Japanese: Nobu (splurge for the omikase)
American: Gramercy Tavern is excellent. Blue water grill (get the chilean sea bass)
Italian: Esca was really good, slightly overpriced.

My favorites are:
Grammercy Tavern & Union Square Cafe
For Great Steak I loooooooove Mark Joseph's Steakhouse which is located near the South Street Seaport
I agree that Tavern on the Green is just HYPE

Gramercy Tavern. Nothing can compare!

I love Mesa Grill, but it's just not in the same class as Gramercy.

I have yet to go to Union Square Cafe (other than the bar) because reservations have to be made far in advance...and I'm a spontaneous kind of gal.

Tavern on the Green LOOKS really nice (if you like over-the-top gaudiness), but the food is just so-so. The high tourist volume has made it go WAAAYY downhill.

I have never tried Balthazar because it's on a very touristy block.

Blue Water Grill - I've tried it once for lunch and it was only so-so. But with all the recommendations I've seen on Fodor's recently, I just may have to give it a second chance (and try the sea bass)!

I agree with Gramercy Tavern & Babbo. Both are terrific. I also must say that my husband and I love Veritas (right across from Gramercy Tavern). We sit at the bar and have the most wonderful meals. The service is fantastic and the food is wonderful! Not to mention the superb wine list.

Il Mulino (I thought Union Square was only fair)

Grammercy Tavern, Union Square Cafe, and Gotham Bar and Grill are three of my favorites -- all outstanding. Il Mulino is at the very bottom of my list, do a search and you'll see my very long posts explaining why.

But of a less trendy nature and more classic, it is hard to beat either Cirque 2000 or Le Bernadin.

Blue Hill in the Village

IL Cortile in Little italy.

JUst there yesterday for Easter, Due Amici Mulberry street, Litty Italy. The best food on the street, small, intimate and food to die for without all the fuss and expense of other places in Little Italy. We'll be back in two weeks for my birthday.

I believe Tavern on the Green is still the top grossing restaurant in the US. The crystal room is lovely, the food is so-so...well what can you expect with that sort of volume. The lighting in that room makes everyone look good. Just order simply.

I enjoyed Balthazar the last time I was there. It was fun to watch all the models and Page 6 crowd posturing and not eating much smoking their stupid french cigarettes, etc.

Myself, I dove into the shellfish tower (I forget its name) had a wonderful bottle of Muscadet and some truly decadent french fries.

My favorite restaurants are La Grenouille, one of the old classic French restaurants,and Cafe des Artistes which is almost across the street from Tavern on the Green.

Gramercy Tavern...the Best!
Babbo...right behind it!

Tavern on the green....Only during the Holiday Season= Crystal Room, Central Park with snowfall....Eat the atmosphere, not the food!!
JOHN

Thanks for all the great replies. I'm shocked by all the Grammercy Tavern fans! I thought it was one of those overrated "famous for the sake of being famous" places, and I'm glad to learn it's not.

I have heard that many out-of-towners are suprised by the smallish "gourmet" portions at Gramercy and the big bill. Mesa Grill is very good and has the celebrity chef aspect if that interests you, but I feel it is a bit overpriced. Union Square Cafe is perfect. Perfect food at the right price (it's expensive but not outrageous and the meal is worth it). If anyone in your group is not an adverturous eater, they will feel more confortable at Union Square Cafe than Gramercy. I don't even consider Tavern on the Green a restuarant, it's a place for events. If you really want to be in Central Park, go for drinks at the Boathouse in Central Park which is still pricey but outside on a lagoon. Balthazaar is past its prime but the setting (both the restaurant and the neighborhood will impress).

Traveller212n has just posted one of the wisest posts I've seen in a long time. Although I personally love Grammercy Tavern, I agree with every comment about every place mentioned.