Hi,

going to new york in october for a celebratory 3 days.

haven't been in 5 years.

like good food and drink.

want to pick some cool spots to eat / drink.

don't really feel like the per se's / le bernadine's but want good places.

we're tourists, so don't feel like we need to find the newest, hippest, trendiest places ever, but would like something authentic.

was thinking about the following for food:

balthazar (nostalgic reasons)
the london bar (for lunch)
the spotted pig
momofuko ssam bar

what am i missing? any good sushi recommendations?

as for drinks - not into clubs, but like nice places for a cocktail (hotel bars) - any suggestions?

thanks in advance.
j.

Take a look at the still current topic New York City for Foodies which has many answers for you, although not bars.

thanks for the suggestion - i've actually read through that forum, and while it's full of great info, i find it a little too 'authentic' for us... we ain't going to queens for chinese food...

(that's a metaphor for the general tone of the post).

i just want a couple suggestions of good spots, not necessarily the best spots that only 7.333 people in the city know about.

I hope you find a .6777 of a person who is not authentic to help you.

sarcasm?

Beyond sarcasm.

The Harrison - Tribeca
Il Buco - Noho
Aquagrill - Soho/Village
Veloce - pizza - East Village
The Orchard - Lower East Side
Suenos - Chelsea

I liked Sardi's which is an old establishment in the Broadway/Times Square area. I didn't eat there, but had cocktails at the bar upstairs (sat by the window watching the crowd heading into "Hamlet" starring Jude Law and when it was down to a few people we headed over to get our seats). The waiter at the bar was very good and fast and the drinks reasonably priced. It has a buzzy atmosphere and the walls are lined with caricatures of Broadway thespians (even one of Kermit at the top of the stairs).

thanks for the suggestions - aquagrill looks especially great.

aquagrill is one of my favorite NYC restaurants. You cannot go wrong there.