We have three nights in Manhattan in December and I hope to have three memorable meals. I'm interested in places that are unique to the city, even legendary -- the places you must experience once in your life. What are your three favorites?

How much do you want to spend?

Peter Luger for the best steak of your life

Le Bernadin for the best seafood of your life

Gramercy Tavern for the best overall dining experience of your life

HowardR, I should've mentioned that we're willing to spend what it takes. At the same time, I'm not sure the best dining experiences are the most expensive. What do you think?

Two favorites of mine would be Babbo and Gramercy Tavern.

We love Daniel,cafe carlyle,chanterelle,La cote Basque,One if by Land,Le Circ-great atmosphere ok food,union pacific,hated babbo
check out zagats guide www.zagats.com

Gramercy Tavern
Nobu

Well, if you really want an experience that's "unique to the city," you should try the Carnegie Deli!

Carnegie Deli = overpriced mediocre food along with Stage Deli.

Great Deli? Second Avenue Deli.

I'd add Il Mulino to the list (Italian & pricey)

My FAVORITE restaurant in the entire city is Le Bernardin for french seafood- OUT of this world- every time we go to NYC we have dinner there--
You need to make reservations a month in advance...

IL Cortile for excellent Italian food in Little Italy on Mulberry Street.

http://ilcortile.citysearch.com/1.html

we were delighted with Babbo. can give you menu recs if you want.

The Four Seasons is a legendary, unique restaurant and the one place that captures the New York mystique.

I have 3 excellent restaurants you must visit while in NYC.
1. The Boathouse--a little pricey but the view is phenomenal. Located on the water. It is inside Central Park.
2. Tao--Fabulous cuisine and wonderful atmosphere. Make sure to make reservations!! The dress is casual/chic. You'll probably see someone famous there.
3. Isabellas--Excellent food at an excellent price! Near Central Park. Approx. $20/person.
All three of these restaurants are unique NYC favorites of mine.

my favorite restaurants in the new york area are: the river cafe (actually at the foot of the brooklyn bridge- the most incredible views of the city, and incredible service and good food), chanterelle, on hudson street- it's a real treat, le bernardin- just terrific seafood. if you want a real touristy experience, go to carmines before a broadway show- a lot of food, a lot of fun. i agree that thed 2nd ave deli makes the best corned beef and pastrami sandwich around. novita on 22nd st between park and lex is good, and the gramercy park hotel has 2 new bars which really show off what new york has to offer.

My three picks:

Bouley (downtown, pricey, but worth every penny...the extra tastings between courses are fantastic)

Cafe Luxembourg (Little known, medium priced place on the upper west side, excellent food and wine every time and a celebrity sighting nearly every time as well)

Thailand Restaurant (Corner of Bayard and Baxter, dinner for under $15...absolutely terrific food in the center of chinatown...try chinatown ice cream factory down the street for dessert...)

Gramercy Tavern!!

(I just went there for lunch today - yum yum!! What a FANTASTIC filet mignon...)

I'd avoid Le Bernadin. While the food is indeed superb, the ambiance is sorta dull. You could be anywhere.

For NYC experiences, I'd try:

1. Four Seasons, lunchtime, weekday, Grill Room. Eat at the bar and watch the powerful, wealthy and famous dine.

2. Babbo/Nobu - Both Celeb chefs, both excellent food. Both are trendy and popular. Reserve well in advance, and be prepared for potential attitude.

3. Oyster Bar/21 - NYC classics. Oyster Bar is only good at lunch, at the bar - eat the oysters - really the only good thing on the menu.

Peter Luger's is great, but in Brooklyn. Sortof a schlepp. The Palm/Sparks are also very New York. And, at the risk of getting flamed, Jordan's steakhouse in Grand Central has a great location. Bouley/Chanterelle are both sort of bland - good food, but not very NYC.

Just my two cents...flame away.

Coachboy

I agree with Four Seasons for lunch. You are practically guaranteed to see some CEO you see on TV. It is a beautiful restaurant and the food is excellent. The Brasserie in the same building is a must for very late dining. This is a very cool restaurant.

The Oyster Bar at Grand Central is legendary. Eat oysters and a bucket of steamers. Can't recommend anything else as I've not had anything else. Love it though.

Balthazar: watch Sex and the City in action while having an exceptional meal. Must have the seafood tower served on beds of ice, a bottle of muscadet and incredible Pommes Frites. Disney World version of a French Bistro. Delightful.

One if by Land, Two if by Sea is a very lovely, romantic restaurant in an historic home. If it is a tourist trap, why do so many New Yorkers have special occasion dinners there?

I'll get flamed here but Tavern on the Green is fabulous at night. This is an over the top legendary restaurant in NY. The visual experience is greater than the food but the lighting makes everyone look special. I've actually had a pretty good meal here by ordering simply. I'd have a drink in the Plaza or The St. Regis and then walk to Central Park South, take the carriage ride to Tavern on the Green. You'll feel like your in a movie.

You need a FFF dinner. Fine French Food as New York has more of these places (still) than anywhere else in the US. Many to choose from. Daniel and Le Bernardin seem to be tops right now. I love La Grenouille but I'm an interior designer and I love that room with all the fresh flower and they were exceptionally kind to a young 22 year old foodie many years ago.

Blow out dinner: Gramercy Tavern. Please make your reservations now.

LilMsFoodie