For our trip to NYC in August, I would to make one or (maybe)two dinner reservations, and then just kind of wing the rest. Don't want to blow the bank with tons of expensive restaurants, but would like to experience one or two.

Based on reading posts frequently, Rants and Raves, Time Out NY, and CitySearch, I have narrowed it down to the following Restaurants. This was some of my criteria :

-- price can be moderate to semi-expensive, but not over the top (no more than $130 for 2)
-- Like most types of food, but not overly crazy for Japanese and French. Really enjoy Spanish, New American, Italian, etc.

-- Have already been to : Chanterelle, River Cafe, Cafe des Artistes

So here are the restaurants I'm kicking around to make reservations for:

Gramercy Tavern (really intrigued by the vertical food thing)
Gotham Grill
Tribeca Grill
Union Square Cafe
71 Clinton Fresh Food
Rosa Mexicano

If you could choose one or two, which would it be?

I'll do you one better and give you three.
Union Square is probably the best of the bunch, food-wise.

Gotham is terrific food and beautiful space. I actually like it more than Union Square, although I am definitely in the minority on this one.

Gramercy is a great place, particularly for the desserts, which are phenomenal.

All three of these places are similar, "New American" cuisine. Rosa Mexicano, I have been told, is quite good, but I have never been there.

If you love Italian, and if I can make your job harder, I would really recommend Babbo, Il Nido or Il Cortile. Il Mulino is my favorite restaurant in the city, but you may have to only go to that one rather than to two restaurants in order to stay in your budget (although, since it is consistently the best restaurant experience I have ever had, I'd say it is worth it).

Gotham does the vertical thing also. A client of mine loves Rosa Mexicano for the salsa, chips and margaritas but says the food is just OK. I agree with jhm about GB&G being better than USC. The room is more of a NY experience(IMO).

jhm, How do you get a reservation at Il Mulino? Every time I call, which is about a month in advance, they only have 10:00 or 10:30. Do you know some one? Of the three other italian restaurants, which is your favorite.

I go to Il Mulino for lunch when I can't get a dinner reservation. Lunch reservations are much easier to come by. I think it is the best restaurant in New York and I've been to all the trendy well known ones you mention and many others. You'll never have Italian like it anywhere else outside Italy.

I agree w/ David above regarding Il Mulino. I know Union Square is very popular but I found it to be only ok (IMHO). Il Mulino will definitely set you back $$$$ but worth every penny (IMHO).

To respond to your actual question (i'll add my own opinions later)...

My mom is a "foodie" and my dad is just hard to please (and gets tired of eating out all the time)... and they both LOVED Gotham Grill.

I've been to Rosa Mexicano and thought it was just "ok". If you like fajitas and want to save on the budget one night, i would take the bus from Port Authority (or PATH train if you're staying more village/chelsea area) to Hoboken, NJ (15 minute trip, busses run VERY frequently depending upon time of day) and go to The Baja. Order "the Baja special" and ask for all of the shrimp to be grilled. Out of the kitchen will come a family style platter with grilled chicken, marinated steak, and grilled shrimp... all PILED HIGH. Toritillas and rice and beans come on the side. I compare every mexican restaurant i've eaten at to this place, and none even come close! Cost is $18.95/person, and if there are 4 of you, order it for 3 (there WILL be enough food, and if you do otherwise the waiter will know you're from out of town). Great margaritas too, with (something like 140 tequillas in stock).

Getting back to NYC, if you like seafood, i think Blue Water Grill is one of the best values for your money. It'll probably run ~$125/couple with a drink and/or dessert, but one of the best restaurant experiences in the city... good food, nice but unpretentious atmosphere (but you don't want to sit downstairs).

You'd have to order a bottle of wine or caviar at Blue Water to get to $125 for two; three courses, plus a drink, dessert, and coffee probably around $100.

At Gotham or Gramercy, $130 will pay for food and that's it (assuming you're talking about the dining room at GT, not the casual, no reservation front room). I'd also suggest Eleven Madison Park over USC (same owner, similar prices, more elegant space and better new-American food).

Personally, I liked Sardi's. Sunday lunch for $20 which is a great price for a famous New York Restaurant. I had a special... Florida Grouper with salad and mashed potatoes (best I ever had.) Fun to look at the autograped drawings of famous theatre folks who have dined there in the past. Friendly service, best dining experience I had in New York.

Rosa Mexicana @ 59th and 1st Ave is a regular stop for me when in NYC. I would think you will need a reservation there..I always do.. You will not be disappointed. Also, a nice Thai place is Holy Basil ...2nd Ave between 8th and 9th...

Me, I like gardens and quiet - and of those I really liked March (recently renovated) and Verbena.

Union Square Cafe, in my opinion.

Wow, thanks for all the good advice. I don't think there's one clear winner huh?

I think what we'll do is see how many of these restaurants we can fit in with lunch reservations instead of dinner so it isn't as expensive.

Thanks to all who responded. Anyone else have advice on these?

A lot of fancier restaurants in NY have prix fixe lunches which are much more financially manageable. I know Gotham has a $20.01 lunch all year round, not just restaurant week, so that may be a good alternative. I also think the room is beautiful in the daytime.

Re: reservations at Il Mulino: I *wish* I knew someone at that place! (if I did, I would be a very happy, if very fat, woman.) In my experience, lunch can usually be booked a week/two weeks in advance. Dinner should probably be booked a month in advance -- I usually go either very early (5:30 pm!) or later (9:30/10). I don't mind the time issue, since I consider that meal to be my "activity" for the evening, although the 5:30 is really good if you are seeing an 8 pm show at the Jane Street Theater.

I just went to USC, Gramercy Tavern & Gotham Bar and Grill on my trip at the beginning of June, so here is a run down of my experience.

I don't see how you can do dinner at Gramercy for two for $130, even without alcohol. The fixed price dinner is $65 per person, without tip, so you are looking at a minimum of about $160 with tax and tip (and that is not a big tip!). We had an excellent dinner and did their tasting menu (more courses, smaller portions and more expensive than the fixed price dinner). The best way I can describe it is as an incredible experience. I ate things I would normally never try (and actually liked them), and the service was wonderful. Our dinner cost $250, with tax, tip and wine. By the way, maybe because it was the tasting menu, but nothing was vertical!

I thought the food at Union Square was fantastic. It was a more casual atmosphere than Gramercy, and the food was more casual as well. In some ways I preferred the food at USC, because it was more comfortable, not as much of an "experience", just great flavor. I can't remember off-hand our bill there, but I am thinking it was right around your price limit.

Last of all, we tried Gotham Bar and Grill, but we went for their fixed price lunch ($20.01). Again, the food was great, and more in line with "comfortable" description than the "experience" description. Of course, with that price, it was also by far the best value.

Hope that helps. Be sure to get your reservations exactly 4 weeks in advance. Gramercy was the more difficult reservation from what I could tell.

You're getting great advice about choices and I don't think you can go wrong with any of these. One addition, important: IF you go to Rosa Mexicano, go to the one on the East Side not the West Side, it's better, AND--the most important thing to have there is the guacamole, which is made before your eyes. It's really the reaso to go in my opinion.

Looks like Gramercy is going to be too expensive for us. The Gotham lunch idea is perfect.

Question: Is this lunch price available on Saturdays or only on weekdays?

I've only heard good things about 71 Clinton .. haven't gotten around to it, but I hear reservations are hard to come by!

I had a fabulous meal at Union Square Cafe and the service was great. It is low key and welcoming. They made my 9 year old daughhter feel like a queen. I also had a fab meal at Babbo several months ago. You can't go wrong with either!

Please help with the address of Rosa Mexacana on the EAST side as one poster suggested. And are reservations necessary?

For all the Rosa Mexicano fans - you should try the newer west side location across from Lincoln Center. The food is just as good & the decor (with sculptured waterfall wall)is more impressive.