samiamnot, thanks so much! I've printed your wonderful list and I'm already checking the calendar for when we can make our next trip. BTW, I fully agree re: Lombardi's. We always make room on each trip to split a pie there.

Thanks again.

Hi Sam Fan, thanks for the support. Ruby Foo's is entertaining (I'm assuming you already know that all the waiters dress in drag and are very convincing and some are quite attractive). I think the food is passable however I don't think the interior decor is as nice as you may think. Tell me how much you want to spend and what your main goal is - have fun atmosphere or just view or good food? Ruby Foo's is actually the last rest in Manhattan in which a patron was killed! Two guys got into a pissing match and one guy punched the other right up the nose. Guy who was hit passed out and taken to the hospital where he died. The moron who hit him actually paid with a credit card after he sat back down to finish his meal and was apprehended about an hour later. He is now serving time. Total non sequitur but thought it was interesting bit of trivia.

Brian, I've got one more for you:

LE CYCLO-1st Ave. between 13th and 12th. Vietnamese food a level or two of fanciness above the ones in Chinatown. Definitely get the summer rolls and shrimp wrapped around sugar cane as appetizers.

A friend of mine mentioned an article in today USA TODAY featuring NYC restaurants. She thought one that sounded humorous was called Trailer Park
Cafe, or it may have been bar or restaurant. Has anyone heard of this? If yes, do they have an internet site??

http://newyork.citysearch.com/profile/35158034

Here is Trailer Park!!

Sam, I like your original list; will be in NYC for 2 days & need a pre theatre restaurant & one other. Please give me approx. dinner price,location & whether I need reservations for the following:
Le Bernardin - is this a fish rest?
Babbo - what kind of food?
Il Mulino
Bouley Bakery - what kind of food here?
Jean Georges - what kind of food?
Daniel - what kind of food?
Thanks!

http://zagats.com/

Sunny-surely you can look up some of these yourself! This will help.

If everyone used zagats and other resources for their questions, there would be no need for these boards. BTW, the question was for Sam, if I'm not mistaken.

The original post was from Dec of 1999!!!

Sunny -

Le Bernardine - seafood only. Divine, rather expensive.

Babbo(owned by Mario of TV) and Il Mulino - Italian

Bouley Bakery has been renamed Bouley. It's been getting mixed reviews.French.

Jean George - Inovative french/asian fusion. In Trump building at Columbus Circle.

Daniel - French . IMHO best in NY.

All these restaurants will require reservations and some will be hard to get. They are all very expensive as well. Sam has excellent taste.

Danna,
Thanks for the advice. It's nice to know there are some nice people on these boards. I'll check these out.