Coming in from LA, during NY restaurant week...

[JPomer]

New York chows:
we'll be in the city during NY restaurant week. Are these really good deals?
Is lunch better than dinner?
Any particular restaurants better than others?
We're looking at maybe lunch at Union Square Cafe if we can get in, and also maybe Bolo?
11 Madison Park?
Periyali?
Any advice?

[chips and salsa]

Seeing how most of these replies have yet to suggest any other RW choices, here are some of my favorites in order from best to semi-best (I've been to all of these places during RW):

Cafe Boulud
Gramercy Tavern
Aquavit (Dining Room)
Lupa
Craft (this may not be on the list this time)
Nougatine
Esca

[JPomer]

Actually dbird I was born and raised in the city. I happen to like all the restaurants I've mentioned, but have never been in town during restaurant week. Hence the question.
By the way, you people on the NY boards might consider chilling on the attitude.

[csw]

haha..sometimes i wonder if the people on the boards are even from NY and not kentucky.

[dbird]

I intended no insult in suggesting you might be unfamiliar with NYC or using an old Zagat's, which I speculated on because your choices are mostly places that were more popular in years past.

[dbird]

Looks like you are not very familiar with NYC and relying on an old Zagat's. If you are in town for only a few days I would just go to places that interest you (with good kitchens today) and not worry about restaurant week.

[Dave Feldman]

The advantage of both USC and EMP is that they are both Danny Meyer-owned, and he's reliably generous in his offerings during Restaurant Week. You will not be treated as a second-class citizen during RW; in fact, the last time I went to EMP at RW, I believe we were not even offered the regular menu.

[mrnyc]

i'd skip BOLO, but all are decent bargains.

as an aside i dont see how your "coming in from" anywhere plays into that, but whatev. you will eat reliably well with those choices, have a good visit.

[Lucia]

I agree w/this. Restaurant week offerings for dinner last summer were really skimpy, and dessert (dry poundcake) was downright bad.