You GO, Patrick.

My vote goes to Mark Joseph. It's fantastic.

I'm a fan of the Palm. There are two locations on the east side and one on the west.

Do yourself a favor and skip Ben Benson's and Gallagher's. Two of the worst steaks I've ever had, and some poor service to go with it, I had at Ben Benon's. I thought the first time I was there the lousy food and service was a fluke so I returned. Almost as bad. Will never go back and certainly can't recommend.

Gallagher's has decent, but not spectacular food, but the place is just too noisy. Also, service seems very rushed here.

I haven't been to Sparks or Peter Lugers in many years, but they very good all-around.

This is such a personal choice. It really depends what your tastes are. If you like your steak floating in butter, then you will love Ruth Chris. I have been to most steakhouses in the city because my husband loves it. I have even been to Robert's (part of the Penthouse Strip Club). You eat your steaks while watching the dancers! It was definitely different! My personal favorite is the original Bobby Van's on 46th & Park. The service is great and the food is consistant. Never had a bad meal and I have probably eaten there about 70 times. My husband loves the sirloin. I go for the crabcake and the seared tuna. The Harry's salad with onions, peppers, stringbeans, bacon, and shrimp is fantastic.

For seafood, I really like Manhattan Ocean Club, Aquagrill, or for a quick, 20 minute cab ride you can be at one of the great Greek restaurants in Astoria. Lots cheaper than Manhattan. Pick your own fish and have a great time. Dress is very casual. For a VERY expensive version of Astoria, go to Milo's on W.55th.

bugswife, we bypassed the taxi ride and took the subway out to the end of the line to Astoria and had a simply spectacular meal at Taverna Kyclades on Ditmars. I think there were more Greeks around us than any restaurant we ever ate at in Greece.

And interesting you mention Bobby Van's, we peeked in there one day near lunch and thought the place looked great, but wondered why we NEVER hear a word about it.

Hi Patrick! Bobby Van's has been around for years and has a huge following. The place is always packed, and they never advertise. There is a new one on 56th St., where Della Femina was, but that one still has the newbie issues. There is also one in Bridgehampton and one in D.C. Give it a try next time you are in the city and let me know what you think. Or, let me know before you go & I will give the maitre d' a heads up--everyone knows us there.

I've never understood why people waste $100-$300 each on froo froo little portions of french fish when there are so many other more interesting Manhattan seafood spots that cost a fraction of the price - Mary's Fish Camp and Esca being my two (not very original) favorites. Are they hoping to catch a glimpse of the mayor? Or the Hyatt sisters?

I don't know, bobludlow, but maybe for me it's because the one time we went to Esca, we had a hard time getting service as a bunch of the bigwigs including chefs from their other restaurants were dining there that night gathering all the attention. They lost our main dish order and were so confused they brought us our check before we even got our main course. Finally after reordering (they admitted they totally lost our order) they eventually brought us our selected fish. Mine was horribly mushy and overcooked. My partner's tiny portion of "rare" tuna was cooked through. But I'm not sure where you're talking about tiny froo froo little portions of French fish -- that certainly doesn't describe any of the restaurants I've mentioned!

Maybe I've been lucky my three times - and I love tuna sushi so much that I never order it seared/cooked anymore. But I just love the combination of Batali's recipes with old school Italian seafood restaurant style (as in, here's a platter of unbelievably fresh fish to choose from today).

As far as steakhouses go, I know better than to choose one of the greats over another. It's like arguing politics and religion with the in-laws. Nothing good can come of it. So I just hope that germanblonde picks one that suits her fancy.

bobludlow, could you be speaking of the Hilton sisters? I've not heard of the Hyatt sisters.

By FAR, Oceana has the best seafood in Manhattan. It recently got the first 4 star review in the NY Post in 5 years. Neal Gallagher is a master chef. Traditional Elegance with a modern twist. I think LB is very old school. snobby & very overpriced.