Good morning all

I am going to NY to see Driving Miss Daisy with some friends in a few weeks. They are big-time foodies and I'm only too happy to indulge when I spend time with them.

We have decided a pre-theater meal may be a hassle so instead we are going to have a nice leisurely lunch at a good restaurant, wander after, see the show, and then have a late post-theater uncomplicatd dinner (maybe even at a deli). IE switch the meals around.

Any ideas? Given that this is lunch and we need to be on our toes the rest of the day, the drinks are more likely to be ordered by the glass than by the bottle so more $ will go to the food.

The next day we will have brunch, time for another wander, and then home.

I have lots of research options but thought I'd throw this out there too.

It would help if you tell us what types of food you like or dislike. Also what type of atmosphere you are looking for - traditional, trendy, with a view, casuale?

Per Se comes to mind.

HTTY

HTTY - we are considering Per Se.

nytraveler - to help narrow is down somewhat, I'm not a seafood fan. I've certainly had good seafood but it's not even a 5th choice if I were presented a menu with an array of options.

For what it is worth: all of us would be delighted if foie gras were on the menu, but one of us would be positively rhapsodic. I once went to a chef's table dinner party that these friends threw - they selected the restaurant/chef, met privately with him for menu selection, and the multi-course meal had three different renderings of foie gras during the evening's delights.

Not to say it's a necessity and not to say I'm seeking French or anything (in fact that particular restaurant mentioned is more rustic American, I'd probably say) but that might give a small clue.

ps. scratch rustic. Maybe earthy would better? I just checked the website of the local resto I mentioned and it said "modern eclectic American fare".

So long and short, I am not referring to French specifically. Just not seafood.

Eleven Madison Park and Jean Georges were the two we were looking at carefully for a trip next month. Decided on EMP, it seems to be on an upward trend, receiving 3 Michelin stars and NY Times 4* ratings recently (something JG has had for quite a while too).

http://www.elevenmadisonpark.com/
http://www.jean-georges.com/

Should have mentioned that Per Se is of course a great choice but we already snagged dinner reservations the night prior for Per Se so are giving EMP a try for lunch. I think if I had to pick between the two I'd pick Per Se, based on the exceptional dinner we had in January at the French Laundry in Napa. But definitely looking forward to EMP.

Bill

Thank you!

I've been to Spice Market three times before, and Vong once (which does not appear to be on the list anymore?) but I've never been to Eleven Madison Park.

I will alert my friends.

Per Se is fantastic but not sure what lunch prices would be. Dinner prices would definitely be considerably above your budget.

Most of the French bistro type places will have a pate (although often a variation on foie gras) but I'm thinking you want a place more sophisticated than that. Have you looked at Bar Boulud - they have a bunch of pates?

Bar Boulud is related to Bouley's, right? I took my Mom to Bouley's a few years ago.

I emailed my friends with the two recos by Bill - reply "yes, they are already on my short list". haha! Maybe I should sit back and let the experts do the work.

Thank you for the recos!

If we get the lunch settled, I might see if we can go back to Spice Market for brunch. Love the ginger margaritas!

Check out chowhound.com You'll get up to the minute info there. (Go to the Manhattan Board.)

Daniel Boulud. David Bouley. Not related.

La Grenouille, Zucco and Caviar Russe.

I'd actually go to The Modern. There's a foie gras option for every course, the prix-fixe is well under your budget at $55 for 3 courses, and you can add a fourth if you want), and then you could go to MOMA after. They do a good job with non-fish courses. Unlike Per Se, where you might run into a lot of seafood. And The Modern has a great selection of wines by the glass.

Artisanal does a great brunch.

There are a lot of places where you can have a simple dinner afterward near the theater district.

I haven't been to Per Se, but can highly recommend both Eleven Madison and Jeans Georges. I've had dinner at both in the last month and they were great. Eleven Madison has restructured this year and now their menu is more receptive to your likes and dislikes. The foie gras at dinner though was a creme brulee of fg - very rich, delicious, but not a traditional little slab. I've always had great meals at Bouley, but haven't been there recently. The service at EM and JG, I think, is more welcoming. You have great choices - have a great visit!

An aside for Doug - I finally got to taste the lavender duck at EM on Friday. (you recommended it quite awhile ago, but it wasn't offered last year when I was there.) It is still not on the menu, but we were told, without asking, that it was available and usually is. It has to be ordered for two. We absolutely loved it and told the chef when we met him later!

I'm glad you liked the lavender duck. I'm also happy that it's still available. That was one of my biggest hesitations about the new menu format. But perhaps it will encourage me to try something new.

EMP and JG, or Modern Dining room. JG has a good deal for lunch. His foie gras brulee is quite incredibly good, although probably not on the set lunch.

Thank you everyone!

We are going for JG for lunch.

Probably Bar Americain for brunch the next day.

Not sure about post-theater but we will figure something out.

Thanks for all the ideas though - there are sure to be other trips!

If you like tuna tartar and sashimi, JG has the most wonderful yellowfin tuna ribbons as a starter. It is amazing!