The following restaurants are listed as participating in Restaurant Week this week and next ($30.03 prix fixe dinner menus):

Brasserie
Brasserie 8 1/2
Cafe Centro
Nick & Stef's
Rock Center Cafe
The Sea Grill
Tropica

To those of you who have been to any or all, which one(s) would you recommend?

Thanks in advance for your help!

Brasserie 8 1/2 is excellent. And $30.03 is a good price for that place. Not only is the food good, but the ambiance rates high as well. Very trendy.
The Sea Grill and Rock Center Cafe are strictly for the tourists.If you fall into that category, you may like either! However, I've never been impressed with the menu of either.

Hey Howard,

Nah, not a tourist....I'm from the city as well, just haven't been to many of these restaurants.

Pretty much agree with you on Sea Grill...found the food not bad, but what you pay for is the view overlooking the rink and being it's June.....

Have actually been to 8 1/2 also (the other one I've been to on the list) and enjoyed it very much as you did.

Was hoping to get opinions on the others....anyone?

Hey Doug-are you the same guy who went to Chicago? How was the trip?

Hey Abby,

I am and I apologize for not writing a brief trip report (would have to be brief since I was only there for a couple of days).

Thanks for your help, by the way. Took you up on your John Hancock suggestion....didn't go for drinks, instead went for Sunday brunch. Food was great but the view was worth the price of admission.

Got there Friday afternoon....about 2 hours late and in the rain so we lost out on a couple of hours of touring time. Had the wedding that nite at the Peninsula....very nice and a beautiful setting.

Had a quick wedding brunch on Saturday morning before heading over to Wrigley for the game....had a great time even though the Yanks (and Clemens) lost. Stadium's amazing...so cozy....we were in the last row at the top of stadium and still had good seats.

After the game, worked our way back to the hotel and went to Giordanos for deep dish. Had to wait about 45 minutes so went to The Peninsula for drinks. Enjoyed Giordanos very much....so much different than NY pizza.

Sunday went to brunch at the Hancock. Then walked down Michigan Ave. (my wife couldn't help but salivate). Was going to try to do the Architecture boat tour but the boat was pulling out when we got there and we didn't have enough time for the next one. Decided to walk down to Navy Pier....walked around the area until the skies opened up again. By that time it was time to head to the airport anyway.

Really enjoyed our stay but definitely have to go back!

Thanks again for your help.

Doug-glad you liked Chitown and that you were able to contain your wife from the shops. Even though NYC has great shopping I rather do it in Chicago as it's more condensed and I'm so familiar with the stores. Next time go explore other neighborhoods if you have more time. Love NYC but miss Chicago terribly!

Doug, I've had lunch at Cafe Centro a few times. Pretty good, but noisy! I believe it's much quieter at night.
By the way, if you are member if idine, those restaurants are always having specials. In fact, we went to Brasserie 8 1/2, when they sent me a $50 certificate for my birthday! It was good for just about all the restaurants on your list.

Abby,

Sounds like you're originally from Chicago. If so, how long have you been in NYC?

Hey Howard,

Noticed that Park Avenue Cafe is also on the prix fixe list....think I'm gonna try that one since it's in my neighborhood and normally that place is really expensive. This will give a chance to eat at a restaurant I may normally never get to dine at.

And thanks for idine suggestion....will look into signing up for future occasions.

i LOVE park avenue cafe!

Doug, forgot to mention that the $50 birthday certificate, in intself, paid for the year's idine membership fee!

Thanks again for the info!

You may already know this, but there are a lot more restaurants to choose from than the ones you listed... here is a link to the complete list (not all offer dinner).

http://www.nycvisit.com/content/index.cfm?pagePkey=241

Thanks, puddy, I came across the complete list after I submitted my original post. That's how I found Park Avenue Cafe.