I coming over to Manhattan from London in April and am looking for some dining tips. Money is no object, but atmosphere is as important as food. Any suggestions for romantic places, hip places (we're both designers so are always keen to experience something new), and anywhere so unusual it's worth it just for the experience. Cuisines: French, Italian, "World" cuisine (as we call it), or unusual ethnic cuisine. Not anything like Smith and Wollensky's tho, my waistline couldn't take it.

Try Nobu in Tribeca for fabulous Japanese. The food is not heavy & the tasting menu is heavenly.

Try Gramercy Park Tavern for New American cuisine, Le Bernardin for the best seafood you will ever taste, and Asia De Cuba for hip and trendy.

I have been to NYC about 10 times and have some advice, but I don't really know what you mean by atmosphere. Do you want something upscale or would you want to eat where a native New Yorker would? Greg

Addemdum to the above: you need to make reservations for Nobu, Gramercy Tavern, and Le Bernadin one month in advance. Literally, exactly a month in advance. Also try opentable.com; I haven't used it, but a friend in London had good success with this online reservation system. If you can be a little flexible about date and time, it should work well.

I'd also throw in Babbo, Alison on Dominick for Romantic, and Brasserie and/or Brasserie 8 1/2 for design (design over food). For unusual, I'd suggest Mamlouk in the East Village, Middle-Eastern place with a set menu that changes daily (you don't have a choice) and is very atmospheric, with hookah smoking to finish your meal. I don't know if there's much Korean in London, so I'd also throw out one of the Korean barbecues on W. 32d St. as a possibility. Not huge on design or atmosphere, but good and different food. Aquavit, a Scandinavian estaurant, is slightly more sedate, but also famous for its design, with an indoor waterfall, and its innovative and excellent food.

Try Brasserie on 53rd/Park for a hip lunch (fascinating decor, although it actually reminds me of London restaurants!); Bond Street Sushi down in the village (dark, hip and trendy with fabulous food); Sushisamba on South Seventh Street (Japanese-Peruvian fusion food with a DJ and -- some nights -- samba dancing); I'd second the Asia de Cuba recommendation; Churrascuria Plataforma (Brazilian); Il Mulino as the best Italian restaurant I've ever been to.

Thanks Guys, I've been to Nobu in London and it was fantastic. Be interesting to see what the NY version is like

Ditto on Aquavit, also if you want romantic and retro, the Rainbow Room at Rockefeller Center is hard to beat.

I forgot the Supper Club -- a Rainbow-Room ish experience, although I've been told that the dancing is actually better. But Rainbow Room is a good one too. These places are more ambiance than food.

The design at Danube may interest you, although I wasn't impressed with the service. Il Buco or Danal in the Village for very homey romantic meal. Check out the wine cellar at Il Buco. 2nd Ave Deli, not for dining, but for eating, and for the ethnic experience. Brunch at the Plaza for the new york equivalent of the roman feast. Tortilla Flat's for absurdity and good Mexican food. You might want to go on Bingo night.

Enjoy!

Try Bella Napolli - I can't remember the exact address but it's close to Radio City Music Hall. Great Italian Food - not your typical restaurant. The family cooks in a small cramped kitchen, the plates don't match - it's great! The food is so good and the prices are unheard of - $10-13.00 tops! I recommend this place to all my friends - some on budgets and others are mega rich! They all love it and usually go back one more time before leaving for the airport. Of course, you must try a New York Deli - yum! Have fun and good eats.