The food at The Modern is very good, sometimes it's excellent - IMHO, but it is VERY expensive. But for a very NY, special treat, it can be wonderful . . . maybe check it out if they are part of restaurant week . . .

For what it's worth I've enjoyed my experiences at the Modern Bar Room. I've never been to the main restaurant however. The utensils and furnishings in the Bar Room are contemporary (some are by famous Scandinavian designers). At the back there's a wall mural photo by the (famous) contemoporary artist Thomas Demand.

I also like A Voce -- however, note that the chef just left recently (as reported in this week's NYT Dining section). So I'd put that as a no go.

Among the most expensive restaurants in the city, the only one I've been to is Daniel, and I didn't particularly enjoy it. I've also been to Cafe Boulud, and I think that's ok. I prefer A Voce.

I went to Babbo a few years ago. I don't remember much about it though. I've been to Del Posto also.

I've been to London as well (for lunch), and that's fine too.

I've not been to

Le Bernardin
L'Atelier de Joel Robouchon
Jean Georges

Wild card: Alain Ducasse's new restaurant at the St. Regis Hotel. It's gotten some good reviews and it sounds interesting. I think that I'll try this one myself at one point.

I've also heard good things about the Italian restaurant Insieme (again, haven't been there).

My wife just took me to Annisa for my birthday and we thought it was one of the best New York restaurant experiences we've had in a while. It seems to fit your description perfectly. It's not too big, contemporary in style, the service is wonderful, and the food is outstanding -- modern with Asian influences (we tried the tasting menu, and everything we ate was amazingly flavorful and well prepared). It's located in Greenwich Village, so you'll be walking distance to many other bars and nightclubs. My wife found it listed in the Michelin guide and did a little research before choosing it. The restaurant is run entirely by women (including the chef) and they feature wines from female vintners.

I went to Annisa a few years ago and I liked it. The chef was Anita Lo then -- probably still is. Glad to hear that it's still good.

Another obvious choice is Per Se, but I haven't been there either.

A Voce might be the noisiest "good" restaurant in New York! Since the OP does not want overly noisy, that would be out. I've not been since they changed chefs so cannot report on the food.

Here is one no one mentioned: Insieme.

I mentioned Insieme a few messages prior (please scroll up):

"I've also heard good things about the Italian restaurant Insieme (again, haven't been there)."

Well, congratulations!! 10 years is certainly an accomplishment in this day and age. I have a great restaurant for you to try. It is quite intimate and very classy. It's located on 7th avenue and is incidentally called Seven Bar and Grill. You can catch a great meal here, the head two or three awnings down to Mustang Harry's for their sports bar oriented milieu. They are both very close to one another and the perfect combination for what you are looking for!!! I do hope you have a fantastic evening with whatever you choose to do. Take care!!!

Thanks for going to the trouble of registering here to post your ad, gdasilva1. Too bad advertising is not allowed here. Also too bad you didn't understand the poster's question at all!

Good call Patrick!

I third (fourth?) The Modern in MOMA. The food is absolutely fantastic with excellent service to match.

Why anyone would recommend a sports bar for a 10th anniversary after dinner lounge is beyond me?

I still wonder what happened to snyder?

eks, have you been to Insieme?

Sorry, snyder, to hijack your thread. Perhaps ekscrunchy's reply, if she makes one, will be of interest to you.

Leely: I should have written above that I have not yet eaten at Insieme. But I like the Craft/Hearth style and have heard good things about the restaurant..I will get there one day soon and report back.

eks, I'm biting the bullet and giving it a go. It'll be strange for a folksy bumpkin/gritty bohemian like me to go to a midtown hotel restaurant, but hey you only live once.

I'll post my findings in a few weeks.

You might consider Etats Unis on the UES, And afterwards cross the street to their bar.

Too late to add to this list, probably, but I'd have recommended Burke and Donatella on East 61st, or Chanterelle on Hudson Street downtown for dining.

I didn't realize Insieme is a hotel restaurant. You probably know about yelp.com, Leely? Here are some reviews there:

http://www.yelp.com/biz/insieme-new-york

Hi, just returning to this thread because I made it to Insieme this past (extremely hot) weekend. The food is excellent. I preferred what I ordered from the "innovative" side of the menu but everything was top-notch. Service friendly and pretty polished. Great wine list--and lots of beers for those of you so inclined. I started with one of their specialty cocktails, something very much like a gimlet but with mint in it too.

I found the atmosphere a little weird. We were there on a Saturday night for a 9pm reservation and the restaurant was only about 30% full. Maybe because it was so hot? Or maybe the location puts people off. It felt kind of staid and hotel-y, I have to say. I could see my grandparents eating there (well, they're dead so maybe some other old people). If business suffers because of the location it's a real shame because the kitchen is turning out creative dishes perfectly executed. I'd make a return visit even with the strange, verrrry low-key atmo.

Go to Insieme and liven it up, people!

The Modern
Eleven Madison Park
Gramacy Tavern
Asiate-My First choice-Beautiful modern atmosphere in the Time warner building with great food and a beautiful view.