316465 Thu Aug 10 15:00:21 -0700 2006 10 18 Manhattan 0 1799337 I have a very close friend (who happens to be a chef) coming to stay with me next week. I would like to take him out for a few great dinners - one that might be slightly expensive and one that's less so. Any ideas? Thu Aug 10 15:00:21 -0700 2006 12871 rgs123 1 1799411 Per Se and Dumpling House. Thu Aug 10 15:32:47 -0700 2006 1799337 10641 big o 1 1800162 Per Se is outstanding and is VERY expensive. I'm not sure what "slightly expensive" and "less so" mean, so I'll give you recommendations that are between $150-$200 for two people with a reasonable (about $50) bottle of wine. My suggestions are Aquagrill (imo, the best seafood for the price in Manhattan) and Etats Unis (Great food and an unpretentious atmosphere). For restaurants that are more expensive but not Per Se level, I suggest Blue Hill (emphasis on fantastic ingredients because owners have a farm upstate) and Elveven Madison Park (Daniel Humm, the relatively new chef, has received a lot of buzz about his cooking). Bon Appetit! Thu Aug 10 20:02:02 -0700 2006 1799337 10334 nycexplorer 1 1800221 As a chef, your friend will not want to miss an opportunity to visit the brand spanking new L'Atelier de Joel Robuchon over at the Four Seasons. It's just walk-in for now, first come first serve and he can sit at the counter to watch the action. Mr. Robuchon, the 3 Michelin star 'chef of the century', might even be on the premises during this first month. Here's an article from the NYT: http://www.nytimes.com/2006/08/09/dining/09robuchon.html?ref=dining Not too expensive if prices are similar to the other locations. Tasting menu in Las Vegas is about $125 pp. The other rec would be WD-50. Wylie Dufresne is in the forefront of the molecular gastronomy movement in this country, something your chef friend would be interested in, even if he isn't of that school. 9-course tasting menu $105. http://www.wd-50.com/menu.php For the less expensive dinner, Degustation might fit the bill. Once again, seats at a counter to watch the action. Spanish tapas/small plates, which is the hottest restaurant trend of the moment. Tasting menu $45 pp. Thu Aug 10 20:23:55 -0700 2006 1799337 10510 Pupster 2 1800459 The chef friend might also enjoy a late night excursion to the hangouts NY chefs go to when they go off duty at the end of the night. Mas, for example, which is open until 4 am. If he's interested in restaurant design, he might like to see an AvroKo interior. Stanton Social would be a great casual choice with a good nightlife vibe. Public or Quality Meats are also good AvroKo choices. http://newyorkmetro.com/nymetro/arts/architecture/11773/ Check out the slide show. Thu Aug 10 21:35:47 -0700 2006 1800221 11593 dippedberry 2 1800680 As someone also in the business I could not have made a better recommendation then Pupster did. May have added Momofuku as I love the idea of small chef driven places. Thu Aug 10 23:11:58 -0700 2006 1800221 13773 oysterspearls 1 1800420 Where is your chef friend from? That affects the recommendations because you probably want to take him somewhere with food he can't get easily where he's from. For instance, if he's from, say, L.A. or SF then we probably don't want to make Asian recs because many people say that Asian food options (particularly sushi and many Chinese regional cuisines) are waaaaay better over there than here. If he's from a rural area or something, then I say take him for all kinds of ethnic food he might otherwise not have access to. But then, I'm an ethnic food junkie. Or do you think these expensive three- or four-star kinds of places that people are recommending are more his speed? Thu Aug 10 21:24:30 -0700 2006 1799337 12799 Ike 1 1801342 In no particular order: WD-50 Jean Georges Tia Pol Lupa Momofuku Gilt Those would probably be on my short list of "must tries" in NYC. Fri Aug 11 08:59:59 -0700 2006 1799337 22002 iheartoffal 1 1801356 Chef friend should be treated to a serious/professional place - ESCA (9th and 43rd.) Fri Aug 11 10:03:38 -0700 2006 1799337 14685 serious 1 1802468 This is a heck of a long thread to link to, but it is interesting. Bottom line, they had a very successful evening at WD 50. http://www.chowhound.com/topics/show/215118?user_name=sir+gawain&query=wd+50 Fri Aug 11 19:12:39 -0700 2006 1799337 10511 Deb Van D 2 1805035 Wow, interesting thread if only to see how much things have changed in a year. No more 71 Clinton Fresh Food, Mina's, Biltmore Room; Urena no longer at Suba but at his own namesake restaurant; new chef at 11 Mad Park has it back in the forefront again; initial buzz on Spice Market and Kittichai has completely fizzled; and the news on Jewel Bako possibly going downscale has broken. This city certainly doesn't sit still, does it? Sun Aug 13 14:25:16 -0700 2006 1802468 11593 dippedberry