I am looking for recommendations for Soho restaurants, to finish off a day of shopping and site-seeing in Manhattan. We are four adults and two teens - anything but Italian food (we're having that two other times during our stay and expect we'll grab a slice of pizza for lunch). Saw a couple places of interest in Rants and Raves, looking for recent personal experience. Any comments on: Woo Lae Oak, Blue Ribbon, or Balthazar? Anything else you prefer? Thanks in advance for any tips!

All three of the ones you mentioned are excellent. Make your reservations now for Balthazar, and expect a long wait at Blue Ribbon. For your large party, I would recommend making a reservation as soon as you can, unless you're planning on eating very early, say before 6:30 or 7.

Aquagrill and the Cub Room are also good in Soho, or come a few blocks north to the West Village---Blue Ribbon Bakery (better than the restaurant in Soho, in my opinion), Good, Sushi Samba (overpriced but fun), Take (unbelievable sushi), Do Hwa (great Korean barbecue), Deborah (great New American).

French? Provencal on MacDougall
I second the Cub Room on Prince
French again-Raols on Prince
Malaysian/Thai-Penang on Spring St
Tennessee Mountain on Spring-ribs
Indian-Namaskar on W Broadway
Indian-Balluccis on Spring
Argentinian-Novocento on W.Broadway

Acquario-On Elizabeth Street. Great grilled octopus!

A couple of other popular restaurants are Zoe and Mercer Kitchen. Had lunch quite a few times at Zoe. Food is good but the lunch menu is quite small, not sure about dinner. I liked Mercer Kitchen when I had dinner there.

Balthazar is great if you can get in... you didn't mention how soon you are going. Lunch is always an option there if you really want to try it and can't get dinner. There is also Canteen on Prince Street... known for their mac and cheese and other comfort food. I heard good things but never ate there.

Wow! Thanks everyone for your speedy replies. Certainly lots to choose from! If you have the time to answer, maybe we could narrow it down:
If we go with Asian Cuisine, would you recommend Woo Lae Oak, Do-Hwa, Penang, or Cendrillon Grill???
And two votes for the Cub Room... What's the scoop there?
Thanks again!

For great value and great food, check out the french cullinary institute restaurant, i think called l'ecole. You may be able to get into balthazar if you go early (5ish), anything after that is almost impossible. You have some great recommendations here just make a reservation to be safe.

Anyone: What kind of cuisine at the Cub Room? What's a "Cub" (other than a baby bear)?
And - any Asian preferences from the above list?

Look up the Cub Room on Citysearch for more details. It's New American with a French twist, but not overly formal.

The Asian spots you've listed are very different (of the 3 I've been to). Woo Lae Oak are Korean Do-Hwa and Penang is Malaysian. Simply matters what you prefer. I like the atmosphere at Do Hwa better, but both Korean spots are very good. Haven't been to or heard of Cendrillon Grill.

Penang is not very good at all. Scratch that from your list. Woo Lae Oak is quite good but very pricey for what it is (my fiance is Korean and didn't think very highly of the food, although I liked it). For Korean, go to Korea Town (in the 30s between 5th and 6th). As for downtown, both Blue Ribbon Sushi and Blue Ribbon Bakery have my vote. I also love Aquagrill. You can try Honmura An which is a very interesting Japanese restaurant located at 170 Mercer St.