Hi,

A few of my girlfriends (late 30s mid 40s) are going to spend a weekend in October in NYC. We of course will shop and attend a Broadway show but I am looking for a good Italian restaurant to eat at for dinner, a really nice and hip lounge for cocktails and someplace swanky for lunch.

I would really appreciate any suggestions. Thanks!

It would help if we had some idea of budget. and for the swanky lunch what type of cuisines you like/dislike.

nytraveler...I guess budget would help We have a pretty generous budget. We don't want to break the bank but we also do not intend on playing our way through NY on nickels and dimes.

Your budget response is of no help. What is "generous" to you may not be "generous" to us. Some specific number guidelines, please!

Well for swanky lunch you could look at Grenouille - traditional French for ladies who lunch - or Le Barnardin - great for seafood. either will set you back about $100 for a prix fixe lunch and a glass of wine. Obvioiusly more if you order off the menu.

Sorry everyone for being vague. I'm not trying to be difficult. I was thinking a restaurant for dinner in the same league as the 21 Club. Of course, I haven't been there in about 5 years so it may be considered a dump now. I consider myself a 4-5 star traveler as do my friends. We don't mind putting out some dough for a good meal but I don't think we want to pay $250 and up PP for a meal. Does this help?

You said what you don't want to pay "$250 and up." Does that mean you would pay up to $249? I'm not being sarcastic, just trying to get an idea of how much you want to pay! "We don't mind putting out some dough for a good meal" still doesn't tell us how much you're willing to spend!

HowardR yes I would spend $249

Well 21 is more a businessman's place - I wouldn;t think of it for a group of women. And while the food is OK - its' nothing to write home about. the ones I mentioned have much better food. And if you order off the menu will be considerably more than $100 - depending in large part on what wine you order (or drinks you have).

If you want something with a "name" you can always do the River Cafe - incredible views and excellent food - $150 up depending again on wine/drinks.

for Italian have a look at Babbo.

If you go to menupages.com you can see the current menus with prices.

nytraveler....thanks so much!

pastis, balthazar or da silvano for lunch if you are in soho
all the best restaurants are in downtown now. where are you staying?
maybe TAO for drinks/dinner on upper east side. hell's kitchen is a really popular area now
Grammercy Tavern great for dinner

Suite7,

we are staying at the Waldorf Astoria.