212793 Wed Aug 04 16:45:45 -0700 2004 16 18 Manhattan 0 1132537 My husband and I will be celebrating our 5th wedding anniversary in a month and I would like to go somewhere truly magical (I am not sure what I have in mind, but I know it's not one of those "cozy" - read "cramped" little places in the village nor places like Jean Georges, Daniel, Bouley, Per Se, Veritas). It can be anywhere in Manhattan and I am open to any type of cuisine (with the exception of American), as long as the space, the food and the ambiance will take our breath away. I hope you can help me find that special restaurant! Wed Aug 04 16:45:45 -0700 2004 0 TatyanaG 1 1132542 The windowside booth-like seating at Asiate struck me as a perfect spot to enjoy a special occasion, although if by "places like JG, Daniel..." you mean that you don't want a prix-fixe menu of $68 or more, then Asiate would be out, too. Wed Aug 04 16:56:41 -0700 2004 1132537 0 brooklynmonkey 2 1132624 Something like that. I looked at the menu at Asiate and found it be interesting but not for me. The price is also a factor. I don't want to pay top dollar and then get a bite-sized plate of food (JG and Bouley are like that, so I imagine Asiate and others would be similar). I want the restaurant to have somewhat of a "homey" feel to it. Not a place packed with stuffy self-important socialites, businessmen etc. Veritas menu is not that interesting to me and Per Se is very "now" and hard to get a reservation at. And besides, I don't really want to go to the latest craze restaurant. I think I had something more cozy and timeless in mind. Thu Aug 05 09:52:06 -0700 2004 1132542 0 TatyanaG 3 1132627 I must disagree about Bouley. I never leave there less than quite full. I think it's a real bargain, actually, at its level. And it is a cozy room. Thu Aug 05 09:55:12 -0700 2004 1132624 0 Nina W. 4 1132638 The only reason I left Bouley whithout being very hungry is because they stuffed us with complimentary desserts. Not that I mind, it's just that the apps/main course were tiny (3 bites maybe) and not particularly exciting. The room is nice, but not very romantic. Chacun a son gout, I guess. My idea of a beautiful romantic space is the room at L'Impero (which I am seriously considering since I love their food!) Unfortunately, their clientelle is mostly very "Upper East side". Thu Aug 05 10:14:55 -0700 2004 1132627 0 TatyanaG 5 1132644 Why do you care who's at the next table, as long as they don't disturb you or behave or look bizarre or out of place? If you like the food and the room and the service, enjoy! (That being said, I think L'Impero is overrated). Try Wallse. Last couple of times I was at Bouley, I was stuffed well before desserts ever came. (And for the record, I live on the upper east side. Some of my best friends are upper east siders :-). Thu Aug 05 10:23:10 -0700 2004 1132638 0 Nina W. 6 1132649 It's not who sits at the next table, it's the fact that a clientelle plays a big part in setting a mood for any restaurant. I meant no offense to you or your friends, and I think you know what I was trying to say :-). I am curious to find out why you find L'Impero overrated. I've only been once myself but found the food to be delicious and the price very moderate (service was completely clueless, though). Thu Aug 05 10:40:19 -0700 2004 1132644 0 TatyanaG 1 1132546 my husband took me to March about 8 years ago for my birthday it was indeed a "magical" experience, at least at the time, maybe someone else can chime in on the food of late, but it's a great place for a romantic special occasion Wed Aug 04 17:03:43 -0700 2004 1132537 0 folklaur70 2 1132553 I was at March about a month ago and had a very mixed experience. I would categorize it as a romantic restaurant. Having never been there before, our server carefully explained the menu options to us (you select how many courses you want.) We ordered a 4 course meal, and were asked if we would like an extra "little something from the chef" I believe was the phrase. I was supposed to get a little pouch (I know that there is a real term for this but it escapes me right now) with lobster and my dining companion who does not eat seafood was to have caviar in his. We were told that there would be a "small supplement" for this, and agree naively based on the fact that the other supplements on the menu were 5 or 10 dollars. I was given the caviar mistakenly as well when we were served our little bites. Since it was some time ago, I don't remember entirely what we had- we also did a wine pairing. I had a sweet pea flan, morels with asparagus, and a soft shell crab. However, about halfway through the second course I began to feel incredibly ill. I don't know what it was and if it was in fact the food, but I got through half of a crab and could not eat or drink anything else because I was feeling so poorly. When it came time for our fourth course (dessert) I told our server that I couldn't eat anything else and did not want dessert. I didn't say that I was sick, and maybe I should have, but at any rate, we were charged for the full four courses for both of us, and that additional "little something" which was all of a bite was $25. I recognize that we had each ordered 4 courses so we couldn't really protest that we were charged, but I would have hoped that they would have taken the fact that I only ate 3 into consideration. Our first server must have ended his shift part way through our dinner, and I was not as pleased with the service as the night progressed. We were the last couple in the restaurant but it was very hard to get anyones attention at the end of the night when all we wanted to do was leave quickly. The food was good, I wasn't overwhelmed with it and neither was my boyfriend who felt fine. I wouldn't go back anytime soon though. Wed Aug 04 17:18:08 -0700 2004 1132546 0 Meils 1 1132560 It would help if you clarify what it is about places like Per Se, Veritas, JG, etc., that disqualifies them. If it's the price...well, a lot of the truly magical places are in that price range. Besides March, two others to consider are Town and Danube, but you're not getting out of them inexpensively either. Wed Aug 04 17:44:13 -0700 2004 1132537 0 Marc Shepherd 2 1132625 Both March and Town are new American so I'm not very interested in going there. Thu Aug 05 09:53:25 -0700 2004 1132560 0 TatyanaG 1 1132569 I've heard nice things about the Austrian restaurant "Wahlse" (sp?) in the West Village. Wed Aug 04 18:11:24 -0700 2004 1132537 0 Jon 2 1132572 I love Wallse. The food is delicious, the service is lovely, I'm crazy about the wine list, and the room is a delight. Wed Aug 04 18:19:07 -0700 2004 1132569 0 Nina W. 1 1132573 Tatyana, a suggestion: Go to Wallse just for a drink and take a look at it. If you like it, you can make a reservation in person and let them know it's your anniversary. Actually, when I'm looking for a special occasion place and I'm considering somewhere I've never been, I usually go take a look at it ahead of time before I commit. Wed Aug 04 18:20:41 -0700 2004 1132537 0 Nina W. 2 1132622 Thanks, Nina. Yes, that makes a lot of sense (I did actually think of Wallse though I haven't been there yet) Thu Aug 05 09:38:29 -0700 2004 1132573 0 TatyanaG 1 1132641 The most "magical" place I've been to in Manhattan is Danube, which someone else mentioned briefly below. The food was wonderful, but the place itself is like being on vacation. When we left the restaurant, it was a shock to be back on the streets of Manhattan. Thu Aug 05 10:18:33 -0700 2004 1132537 0 Nancy N. 1 1132647 I had a transporting experience at Il Buco once, and the food was one of the best meals i've had, although the board is split on this place. Guess you might consider add this one onto your "to be checked out" list. Thu Aug 05 10:36:19 -0700 2004 1132537 0 Autumnwine