SF hound looking for 2 must eat dinner places in Manhattan

[vierra]

Going to NY for 2 nights and want to find 2 nice restaurants to try out.

[a_and_w]

Babbo and Craft.

[Ali B]

Cafe Boulud is another one of Daniel Boulud's NYC restaurants, and it is slightly more laid back than Daniel. The food at Cafe Boulud is amazing and the presentation is interesting... I was with 3 people and we had the chef's tasting menu (It was about 8 courses, but it was my B-Day so I decided to go all out). What was unusual was that they brought all 3 of us different selections for each course. We all wound up sharing so we could taste everything.

Eleven Madison Park is another place to go for a great meal. Both are pricey, but worth it!

[antjones9]

WD-50 is great and the place to go for something truly unique.

[jennielap]

Babbo is my favorite restaurant in Manhattan. Daniel is great if you can get in and want to shoot the works. I would also recommend Craft. We've been there several times and it's one of our favorites. Atmosphere is more casual (tho the prices are still right up there!).

[Raisel]

I would try Danube, the food is very good, the waitstaff are very professional and the atmosphere is beautiful. Very romantic.

The new le Cirque is quite good, especially the tasting menu.
Service was great and the new space is a real WOW.

[chocokitty]

I would also add in Daniel, Alain Ducasse and Chanterelle to my previous recs. I don't know if you would go to Per Se, the East coast version of Keller's French Laundry since you live in SF.

[maya_s]

Good point. And there's not enough time to make a reservation anyway. I have very similar picks: Le Bernardin, Babbo, Jean Georges, Aureole, Daniel. If I have to pick one, I'd say Le Bernardin.

[DonnyMac]

You didn't mention when you're going, so I don't know if you have time to make reservations 30 days ahead, which is required for prime time at Babbo, Grammercy Tavern, etc.

I would suggest that make a later reservation 8 or 8:30 at the Bar Room at the Modern. I think it is fun and fantastic, with the opportunity to taste alot, in terms of both food and wine. The interior is unlike anything in SF.

[vierra]

Unfortunately I don't have 30 days to make the res. Dinner will be on July 27 & 28. Will try anyway - thank you!

[manic2]

3 Faves if price is not an issue...
Chanterelle
Cafe Boulud\
Veritas

[sailorbuoys]

Just an FYI: Prune is closed until July 12.

I would second on Gramercy Tavern and jean Georges but not on Hearth. I have heard Peasant is amazing, but I have not been.

[chocokitty]

My recommendations are Le Bernardin , Babbo or Lupa, Jean Georges, and Aureole.

[dherman76]

I would recommend:

Lupa
Sushi Sen-nin
Grammercy Tavern
Gusto

For dessert, if you'd like a nice cozy romantic evening, La Laterna in the West Village.

[steve h]

babbo and le bernardin would be my recs. substitute esca for lb if you want to lower the tab a bit. all are worthy, none have a direct counterpart in SF.

[Paul H]

"babbo and le bernardin"

If you have to pick only two, these would also be my recommendations.

[triplecreme]

I was there in January and we ate at Prune in the East Village. It was by far the best meal we had in NYC. Check out my photos: http://triplecreme.blogspot.com/2006/...

[antjones9]

Prune really is a lovely restaurant. The food is excellent and inventive. The space itself is fairly cramped and a bit loud. Otherwise it's really excellent.

[Porthos]

Sushi Yasuda for nigiri. Sit in front of Yasuda. Be prepared to be blown away. It's not asian food. It's nectar.

Babbo for Italian or even Lupa for italian.

Jean-Georges for fine dining. Especially if you've been to the Ritz in SF so you can compare. Get the tasting menu with wine pairing.

[Tal]

These are my NYC favorites- nothing too fancy (except maybe gramercy tavern) but all worth a visit.
Lupa
www.luparestaurant.com
Tomoe
http://www.menupages.com/restaurantdetails.asp?areaid=0&restaurantid=732&neighborhoodid=0&cuisineid=0
Hearth
http://www.restauranthearth.com/
Saigon Grill
www.saigongrill.com
Gramercy Tavern
www.gramercytavern.com

[Peter Cherches]

Do you care what you eat, how much you pay, and where they are?

[vierra]

Non asian food, nicer dinner venue w/ no $ restrictions really, anywhere in manhattan. Thank you!