193214 Thu Jan 03 09:59:22 -0800 2002 3 18 Manhattan 0 1031122 My girlfriends and I are contemplating 2 days in the city in Feb. We might book one of the special "Paint the Town Red White and Blue" packages that includes meal vouchers for a limited number of restaurants. Before we select the package, we want to know whether the following participating restaurants are good enough to make us limit our eating choices: Cafe Centro, Nino's, Vice Versa, Etoile and Jennifer's. We are adventurous, sophisticated eaters who have traveled widely, but we certainly would like to know what kind of food is served, and if the atmosphere of these restaurants would be pleasant for 3, 40ish (on the upside!) women to enjoy a meal (no singles bars please)! Thu Jan 03 09:59:22 -0800 2002 0 Rachel Garron 1 1031126 Cafe Centro is a lively Italian restaurant in the Grand Central area with pretty good, not great food. Usually kind of crowded and the service isn't the best, especially at the busiest times. Nino's, another Italian, is on First Ave. near 72nd St. Better food, pleasant atmosphere, smooth service. Vice Versa is in the theatre district (W. 51st St., between 8th & 9th Avenues). "Casual elegance" with Northern Italian menu. Never heard of Jennifer's or Etoile, but looked them both up in several books. Jennifer's appears to be an inexpensive casual place at 117 W. 58th St with 2 kitchens - 1 American and 1 Italian. Etoile was listed in the yellow pages at 109 E 56, but I can't find anything else about it. Perhaps someone else can help. I called them, out of curiosity, to see what kind of food they serve. The young woman who answered described it as "American, with touches from all over. We have a very vast menu and it's all delicious. I know that because I eat here all the time." Hope that helps you with your decision. Thu Jan 03 11:22:59 -0800 2002 1031122 0 Dena 2 1031133 I went to Etoile once. It's actually a restaurant/club, and I went with a group for dinner about 2 hours before the music/dancing action gets going (which allowed us to stay without a cover charge). It's a beautiful, elegant space and the food was very nice, with good service. It was quiet and relaxed when we were there, but became much more lively and crowded as the club crowd poured in. This might be a nice option if you're not usually a club person (since you can beat the cover and leave if the after scene is not to your taste). Thu Jan 03 13:02:58 -0800 2002 1031126 0 mary mary 1 1031204 I live down the block from Jennifer's and honestly I have never ever seen anyone go there except for the overseas tour groups that stay in the neighborhood and seem to be on package plans. Sat Jan 05 18:26:36 -0800 2002 1031122 0 Nicole Kaplan