First time visit to NYC at end of April and a friend here in the UK tells me of a restaurant off Brooklyn Bridge he believes, which gives the perfect view of the Manhattan skyline. Any suggestions for the name please?

It might be the River Cafe in Brooklyn. There are also some restaurants on the NJ side with a fantastic view of the other side (Hudson) of the skyline. Arthur's Landing in Weehwaken is very nice and will (I think) reimburse the cost of you ferry trip over from the west side piers.

There is also the "VIEW" restaurant on the top of the Marriott Marquis. Great view....

On the NJ side there's also a Chart House restaurant a little south of Arthur's Landing. I could have it backwards but I think you would take the ferry to Port Imperial for Arthur's and to Lincoln Harbor for the Chart House. Both will give you a great view of the skyline, and both are fine restaurants, although the portions at Arthur's tend to be on the small side sometimes.

The River Cafe is a fine restaurant as well, but there's nothing quite like taking a ferry to dinner and back.

(By the way, this ferry is operated by NY Waterway. You can get complete info on their website or by phone at (800) 53Ferry.)

It is definitely the Port Imperial ferry to reach Arthur's Landing. I've been there for brunch and it was very good (a trifle pricey but you pay for the view). I've heard good reports about Chart House but that was from years ago before they moved into their current location. There is also a Crabshack restaurant (maybe named Joe's but NOT affiliated with the famous Joe's Stone Crab of Miami) on a pier near Weehawken. I've heard that it's not so good and horribly overpriced.

Also, the Water's Edge in Long Island City. Pretty place with a nice view as well. They have a very nice boat that takes you over from a pier at 34th Street next to the Water Club.

Have fun in our wonderful, spectacular city.

River Cafe in Brooklyn is fantastic--very good food, and a view to die for. The terrace is so romantic...no wonder it's appeared in several movies.

Yes, your friend is probably talking about the River Cafe. It's right in my 'hood. It's so expensive, though, I've never even eaten there. Great views, though...definitely. There are a couple other restaurants down there with views almost as awesome: Pete's Downtown (I've never tried the food, but it's right across the street from R.C.) and Kino (a funky high-ceilinged yet cozy place with excellent food, a few couches and a pool table, and views of the Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridges and the Empire State Building). It's at One Main Street, Brooklyn.