........as opposed to "Last Tango in Paris

Hi all,

I've had such a fabulous time here - thank you everyone for your tips, humour, encouragement & especially McLaurie for your wonderful hospitality.

So - would you now please help me choose somewhere really special for dinner tomorrow night to celebrate my last night in NY with a friend who lives here?

Am considering:
River Cafe
Cafe Bouley
Grammercy Tavern
Spice Market
davidbourke & donatella
Danube
I'm very open to suggestions so please let me know if you have any ideas either on these or suggestions for other faves.

Price not such an issue - if I can get out for $100 - 150/pp I'll be happy.

Would like good food, atmosphere etc. If there's a view, that's a bonus. Thought about the River Cafe as it's such a pretty setting (walked past there a few days ago)- but wonder if it's one of those "great location lousy food" places. Location doesn't matter (well ... within reason - I'm not planning an evening in Boston LOL)

Cuisine: Anything other than Mex or Chinese.

We're eating early (7.30 ish) as my friend is on an early flight out on Sunday (and, of course, I have to do all the last minute "must see agains" ... maybe another peek into the Frick ... before mine.

Have been to Balthazar, Max, Lupa, Bistro du Vent,Demarchellier (Sp?)Algonquin,Pastis, Gotham Grill, and will walk down to either Girasole or La Refuge tonight. (unless something else takes my eye on the way.)

Thanks in advance.
Cheers
Bokhara

Hello

I know it's a tourist trap, but I loved Tavern on the Green. It's in central park and we ate in the Crystal Room with the beautiful crystal chandeliers.

sunset, maybe you missed the part where Bokhara asked of River Cafe. . . "but wonder if it's one of those great location lousy food places."
That would apply far more to Tavern on the Green than it would to River Cafe, where I've never been, but understand the food is excellent. (although admittedly it's all about the view).

My vote is for Gramercy Tavern, but you couldn't go wrong at any of your other choices.

Another thought is for my very favorite, Le Bernardin. The fixed price is now what $79? So you can meet that budget with decent wine. I'm not sure of these "guest" circumstances, but I always like taking guests to places with a fixed price so as not to make them feel "guilty" about ordering what they might like. I think it makes for a much more "comfortable" evening that way.

Ooops, a light bulb just went on over my head. You said tomorrow night -- a Saturday? I'm afraid you may have problems getting a table at any of these places especially at 7:30!

For tomorrow night, I'd check opentable.com and see where you can get a reservation. It's the weekend before Labor Day, and many locals are out of town, but there are also a lot of visitors here.

Personally, I love Gramercy Tavern, and the front room doesn't require reservations (but it's the bar room and has a wait).

The River Cafe does have food that (almost) matches the incredible view. Not at all like Tavern on the Green, which is beautiful, but the food is barely mediocre on a good day.

Good luck and enjoy dinner.

Thanks everyone ... Bgans - you're a lifesaver! Now have a choice of Eleven Madison or Cafe Boulud.(Amongst a zillion others - at least 10-15 of which would fit the bill v.well)

Thanks again - much appreciated!

I agree with Patrick about LeBernadin, but it's so late because now we're talking tonight, right? There's a wonderful small restaurant called The Tasting Room way down on or near, I think, 1st or 2nd Avenue...we were there in the spring, and it was excellent.

Thanks all - we're going to Eleven Madison Park. Will post a report tomorrow.

Just home from our dinner. It was sensational! We had a corner table - the "power table" from which to view the room & only be seen by a few.

We chose the 5 course tasting menu which was fabulous. As we were eating rather early ( 7pm), we had 2 dirty martinis and then a glass of excellent Zinfadels from California with the meat ourse (whole filet (between 2)).

The service was faultless without being either obseq or OTT.

As the first courses are designed to be shared, we managed to have a representative taste of everything.

Kerry Heffernan graciously came out & asked how we enjoyed our meal - and then came back later & had a chat. Seems he & I have some acquaintances in common in Aust.

There is an area in the centre of the restaurant which looks (and, I imagine, feels) a bit like a caffeteria (albeit a v. glamourous one), but the table on the perimeter of this are (some on a slightly elevated level) have an entirely diffferent feel.