I'm looking for a restaurant near Sixth Avenue and Spring Street for next Thursday night. Open to suggestions at any price level except ultra high end for places people have enjoyed. Thanks in advance for all ideas.

Aquagrill is wondeful

Raoul's is an old standy that never disappoints

The Dutch was fine but did not live up to the hype.

Reservations at Aquagrill, especially at this time of year, are essential. More than thirty kinds of fresh oysters. Use OpenTable.com; if nothing's available that way, call the restaurant. Sooner rather than later.

Right next to Aquagrill on Spring Street is Costata, Michael White's new place. Italian, with emphasis on meats. Rezzies also a must.

I just made a reservation at Aquagrill, thanks for the ideas!

Have fun

Enjoy!

Another recommendation for SoHo area...We visited artist friends who live in SoHo and we walked over to Balloto's from their loft, 55 E. Houston, for dinner. A neighborhood spot, not fancy but good.

Aqua Grill is one of my most favorite restaurants in Manhattan!

I love the salmon in falafel crust.

I have a photo of me and my sisters standing in front of Aqua Grill on my refrigerator!

Thin

Acqua Grill is one of my favorites too, not cheap but great, even if a little jammed in and noisy.

HappyTrvlr I think is speaking of Emilio's Ballato (note the spelling if you are googling). It's a great place first recommended to us by the late Bug's Wife here on Fodors. Kind of a funky "hole in the wall" interior, but some of the simplest but best Italian food in NYC! It has a loyal celebrity following, but you won't find them in Zagat's and most guides -- they somehow prohibit that. The first time I was there Rihanna and her companion wwere taking up one table, while her bodyguard took up the table next to her.

Neo you have described it perfectly! It is a favorite neighborhood hangout for our artist friends. It has a back dining room that is a little nicer.

Actually I kind of like the front room better. I've been in the back room twice, sharing it with some larger parties and it became really noisy. I love the walls in the front room that look like years and layers of wallpaper have been stripped off them and they remain unpainted. It's the most "authentic" faux aging ever!

Thanks for the continuing recommendations.

Patrick, I didn't realize that Bug's Wife had passed away, I'm sorry to hear it.

Yes. I did a post about that when it happened -- something like a year ago now, I think.

Yes. I did a post about that when it happened:

http://www.fodors.com/community/fodo...r-bugswife.cfm

And I see that I actually read and responded to that thread. Oh dear.

LOL. Nikki, I didn't notice that!

Patrick, your description of the "faux"
aged walls is perfect. I love being in a "real" neighborhood place and thought Nikki might enjoy it .