If all else fails at Nobu--tho you have months to do this!!--I learned that you often can show up early, like before 6, and get seated, as NYC prime time is after 7:30.

Afraid I too must vote against French Roast--though glad someone had a good time there--it's near me & I also find the service annoying.

Virginia,

Thanks fo the Nobu suggestion. I really have my heart set on that place.

Great suggestions. I'd like to throw in my 2 cents worth on your shopping trip. Break the visit into 2 parts: uptown and downtown.

First day: drop off bags at hotel. Take taxi to Le Pain Quotidien @ 1131 Madison between 84th & 85th Street for great caffeine of your choice to kick start morning. Walk down Madison and check out designer row," about 1 mile of high end stores. At 59th Street cut east to Bloomingdales at Lexington. Cut back across 59th Street to 5th Avenue and walk down 5th Avenue. FAO Schwarz, Bergdorf, Bulgari, Tiffany's, Ferragamo, Takashimaya, H&M etc. At 50th Street and 5th Avenue, visit Saks and have late lunch at their cafe which looks out on Rockefeller Center. Afternoon, visit Macy's and double back on any midtown stores of interest.

Second Day: Start downtown at Century 21 department store which is near the World Trade Center. Go north to NoLita (area north of Little Italy east of Bowery between Broome and Houston) where all of the smaller homegrown boutiques are located. Visit Soho and Greenwich Village which is west and north of NoLita.

Nobu (call the hotel concierge in advance to get you a reservation.)

Other Great or Fun Restaurants (go to www.Zagats.com for a list of places and reviews):

Gramercy Tavern
Daniel or Cafe Bolud
Jean Georges
Beppe
City Bakery (great hot chocolate)
Mesa Grill or Bolo (home of Bobby Flay)
Union Pacific
Tabla
Blue Water Grill
Tandoor
Asia de Cuba
Chicama (for drinks)