Romantic, upscale restaurant in NYC?
 

My husband and I (both in our 50's) are going to NYC in early March. We have not been there in about seven years. We would like some suggstions for an upscale, romantic restuarant. Do not want someplace where wait staff is snooty, though - that would make my husband feel uncomfortable. Not worried about price - more concerned about ambiance and of course, whether the food is good. We would prob. not like Asian or Oriental, but about anything else would do. Any suggestions? We will be staying midtown - ish but we are willing to try places about anywhere on island. Also, would like suggestions as to a classy place for two almost old codgers like us to go for drinks.

Cut & paste this link from New York Citysearch listing the most romantic restaurants in New York:

http://newyork.citysearch.com/bestof...c-results_41_1

A classy place for drinks? The Oak Bar at the Plaza, of the Pentop bar on top of the Peninsula Hotel.

Enjoy NYC!

The most perfect meal I've ever eaten was at March. Sublime.

It's been a while since I was there, but Cafe des Artistes, on the upper west side near Central park, fits all those criteria.

Worth wearing a suit and tie, but my recollection is that the hospitality was warm and friendly, not snooty and not too casual, either.

BAK

I sound like a broken record, but again I'll say you can't beat LeBernardin -- so long as you appreciate seafood. It is fixed price at $84 a person, but easily worth every penny and more. One of the nicest things about it is that is very elegant, but not the least bit stuffy. Slightly kid a waiter at your first meeting, and he will take the hint and eliminate any snobbiness. You can feel totally comfortable saying things like "would you suggest a wine by the glass that isn't really expensive?" and that will give them the hint to tell you the price of anything he suggests and he WON'T be looking down his nose at your for asking. And you will search a lot all over the country to find a place with such generous sized tables and so much space around them. You will not feel clustered there. Can you tell I love it? The only other similarly rated restaurant in midtown is JeanGeorges, but I'd suspect your husband would find that the kind of "snooty" and uncomfortable service you're talking about.

Once again Zagat readers gave it its highest rating for both food and service.

For drinks, don't overlook the bar at Sardi's, especially if having a cocktail before a show. Lots of us old codgers there, and the bartenders have been there since the days of Ethel Merman.

Gekko is right that you can't get much classier for old codgers than the Oak Bar, but when we were at the PenTop, we were the only ones over 30. Even the classy hookers were all under 30.

We also love the feeling of the classy, but not overly formal Monkey Bar, and love that it seems to appeal to many types and ages.

Is the Campbell Apartment still open in Grand Central Terminal? What a classy place that was!

Campbell Apartment is a spectacular space, full of commuters during happy hour, but quiet and elegant afterwards.

A great choice for drinks.

Perhaps touristy but great the River Cafe for dinner. In the same vein, the Rainbow Grill for drinks.

Quiet upper east side romantic Italian, Erminia. Classy place for drinks in that neighborhood, Bemelman's bar at the Carlyle hotel.

Ditto the River Cafe. For details on most of these places go to meupages.com.

I think Gramercy Tavern might also be a good choice for what you're looking for. For drinks I agree about Bemelmans in the Carlisle.

Daniel is one of the best romantic restaurants in the city,great atmosphere,food and servicei think it beats all other restaurants in its class with excellent food and formal but comfortable service,Atelier is also very good,Per se is amazing but you need to make a reservation two months in advance.The river cafe is lovely but it is in Brooklyn,Four seasons is very good,Chanterelle is god but the service is snoby.Tocquville is a wonderful romantic low key but formal restaurant.I highly rec. it,also i hears annisa is nice to.I hope this helps.The above restaurants are expensive bt great.Lre bernadin is very good but the service is as snoby as can be.Erminia on the upper east side is a nice romantic rest.Check out the other posts on this site and I ditto zagats.After dinner check out Dizzys jazz club in the time warner building,it has great music,unbelievable views.
Have fun

Thanks for all the suggestions! I appreciate everyone sharing their thoughts. With only a few days in the city, we want to make the best of it.

Love Campbell Apt. Also for drinks, perhaps the King Cole Bar in the St Regis? For a slightly hipper, less "old school" vibe - the drinks at the Flatiron Lounge are excellent.

As for dinner - while I know that the company makes the memories, my most romantic dinners in NY took place at JoJo's, JGV's first restaurant - a converted townhouse in the east 60s. Lovely and not at all snooty.

One more vote for Le Bernardin. We are planning on having dinner there this Friday

A vote for Picholine on the West Side near Lincoln Center and Central Park.