227593 Fri Oct 28 14:05:42 -0700 2005 18 18 Manhattan 0 1209816 I want to take an architect friend visiting from the midwest (help me!) out to dinner. Restaurant design is important to him, but good food is important to me. No tourist traps, any cuisine, any neighborhood, $60-80 per person. Thanks... Fri Oct 28 14:05:42 -0700 2005 0 anteater 1 1209818 What type of architecture is he likely to be impressed by? Modern, Art Deco, etc.? Fri Oct 28 14:10:13 -0700 2005 1209816 0 Guillermo 2 1209831 I'm not sure. He liked Tao and Brasserie, if that helps. Fri Oct 28 14:29:13 -0700 2005 1209818 0 anteater 3 1209844 I've always like 11 Madison Park - food AND architecture. Fri Oct 28 14:41:17 -0700 2005 1209831 0 Guillermo 3 1209851 Did he like the chow @ Tao? Thats the real question. Fri Oct 28 14:48:10 -0700 2005 1209831 0 Hmmm 2 1209964 i'd second the vote for 'Public' -- the arcitect friends that i've take there have been impressed. a newer AvroKo designed space is 'Sapa'. Sat Oct 29 15:16:27 -0700 2005 1209818 0 thievery 3 1210001 they took over an existing space...but check out megu Sat Oct 29 20:05:42 -0700 2005 1209964 0 doc 3 1210253 Any AvroKo place is worth a visit. They are a really incredible, impressive team. Their flagship is Public but I just ate at Sapa and I thought it was very good (the ahi tuna with oxtail and arugula was great). They also designed the stanton social and odea, which is a bar. They have a new place, European Union, coming out soon. Just some places to consider... Mon Oct 31 16:00:59 -0800 2005 1209964 0 Jay 1 1209833 What about Lever House? It's a very architecturally significant building, and the food is supposed to be excellent. Fri Oct 28 14:29:57 -0700 2005 1209816 0 susan 1 1209837 Try the Four Seasons (restaurant, not the hotel). Designed by Mies van der Rohe and Philip Johnson. Lots of interesting touches including the chairs, banquettes, etc. Insist on the Pool Room. Start with the pumpkin bisque and then opt for the signature Long Island duck. Go easy on the wine and you might hit your price point (or at least come close). Link: http://www.fourseasonsrestaurant.com/fourseasons/html/index2.htm Fri Oct 28 14:35:14 -0700 2005 1209816 0 steve h. 1 1209848 I second lever house and four seasons, and would tag Town into the mix. However, are you including tips, drink & tax into the $60-80 figure? if so, it's more of a $45-65 budget for food & drinks--in which case i'd go to the Bar Room at the Modern. Fri Oct 28 14:44:22 -0700 2005 1209816 0 Autumnwine 1 1209850 The Modern at MoMA... hands down. Great food, AMAZING space. Fri Oct 28 14:47:45 -0700 2005 1209816 0 jimilady 1 1209858 Asiate, at the Mandarin Hotel. Asian-French fusion. Beautiful space, perfect lighting design, very sophisticated, excellent noise levels for conversation. Great views of renovated Columbus Circle. Chihuly glass sculptures in the Mandarin entrance and in the lobby (35th floor). $75 prix fixe menu pp. Wine list is heavily marked up -- be warned. Food and service are impeccable. Fri Oct 28 15:07:43 -0700 2005 1209816 0 vitsurg 1 1209862 On a different price scale from the fine suggestions I see in this thread so far (except perhaps the Bar Room at MOMA), and with a focus more on design than architecture, how about one of the AvroKo designed places, Public (vaguely australian and definitely ecclectic food in a setting meant to evoke public buildings such as schools/libraries) or Stanton Social (good rendition of the small plate phenom and a nice tailored look). Fri Oct 28 15:17:49 -0700 2005 1209816 0 Sheri-EFB 1 1209883 With great design and food as the requirements, Danube should be your choice. Fri Oct 28 16:29:06 -0700 2005 1209816 0 Ellen 1 1209905 Craft is beautiful and the food is good. The detailing of the space is very nice. Fri Oct 28 18:15:22 -0700 2005 1209816 0 JulesNYC 1 1209950 Matsuri Sat Oct 29 11:57:09 -0700 2005 1209816 0 amp156 1 1210100 It's of the Masters program in Architecture. I'm not an architect but am really enjoying the class. I'd say it really depends on the architect. Most I know are more interested in the food. I know Xing was featured in a few architectural journals recently. Can you give us any more info? Expensive/cheap Sun Oct 30 18:03:07 -0800 2005 1209816 0 J 1 1210338 Tides on Norfolk Street on the Lower East Side. Tiny restaurant totally done in bamboo--with something like 120,000 skewers embedded in the ceiling. Seafood menu is somewhat limited, but everything is very good. Link: http://www.ltlwork.net/tides01.html Mon Oct 31 22:01:43 -0800 2005 1209816 0 Marion Morgenthal