Help me decide where to eat!
 

We are going to be in NYC this weekend and would love to eat somewhere that isn't too dressy/formal, but that has incredible food. We would like to try someplace that has an eclectic menu or maybe Italian.

As far as price range, we realize it will be pretty expensive, but maybe not interested in the MOST expensive places in the city. I guess we are looking for great food and are willing to pay more than we would at home without going too crazy.

Thanks!

Would that be 20 pp, 50 pp or 100pp?

"More than we would at home without going crazy"

You have no idea how expensive the most expensive places are - esp if you have several drinks or a really good wine.

PLEASE give a dollar amount - and if you're including drinks, tip and tax in it - otherwise we're all wasting our time.

Perhaps you will find a restaurant that meets your criteria on this list: http://www.frommers.com/destinations...21_inddin.html

I would say entrees in the $30-$40 range. We are not big drinkers (one of us is pregnant) so that is not a factor. Just looking for great food!

Thanks for your help.

FYI, when my boyfriend and I go out to dinner in NYC, just an everyday meal, for instance in my neighborhood, Frank, nice little Italian restaurant. Three glasses of wine, split an appetizer, two entrees, no dessert, $106 with tip. We joke that every meal is $110.

So for Italian that's not too crazy, I would recommend Lupa, LeZie, Piccolo Angelo, and Da Andrea.

Thanks for the suggestions on Italian places. Does anyone have any good eclectic (maybe something pan asian) recommendations? We have one person who wants Steak, one person who wants Italian and one that wants something Pan-asian/seafood and one that doesn't care. That is why I'm thinking some place that has a little of everything.

I would say $100 a couple without alcohol is reasonable (for NYC, not in my real life--but that's what vacation is for).

What about Upstairs at Bouley in Tribecca. It's above Bouley Bakery. There's a sushi chef on the premises. Plus, lots of other dishes on the menu. I'm pretty sure there's some pasta dishes. Very good food.

What age range is your group? How many places do you need, 1 or 2?

If you can get a reservation (doubtful, but maybe) Telepan would fit the bill with several different prix fixe options.
http://www.telepan-ny.com/dinner.html

Have a look at the meus for Breeze or Xing in Hell's kitchen and see if they appeal to you for Asian.

The Italian options are really too many to list. Williamscb13's list of Italians is good. Here are more

http://thestrongbuzz.com/reviews/rev...&Submit=Go

This is a great site for finding restaurants. It provides menus, w/ prices, and a fair amount of reviews for almost any restaurant in the city:

www.menupages.com

Some places that I would recommend:
Blue Ribbon
The Red Cat
Cookshop

These places offer New American food in your price range, not formal dining rooms, but still very cool and interesting dining experiences.