Good food, romantic in NY

[dianeinmd]

We will be in New York staying near central park just after the holidays. Does anybody have a place for good food? My husband and I went to La Bernadin the last time and loved it. Pricey though. We'd like to go somewhere with good food but a little more reasonable. We've been to Tavern on the Green and the atmosphere was great but the food was so so. Any ideas?

[Sean Dell]

Ok, here's one out of left field. You know my preferences when it comes to high end, but what about middle brow, in your own neighborhood?

Two come to mind. Picholine, just near Central Park West, is really really good. It's been revamped recently, and caters to the opera crowd. But the food there is consistently excellent. Slightly lower down the scale, but the experience will still be good, is 'Cesca, on west 75th St.

Neither of these places will bother your picky friend.

Other Hounds on the Upper West Side love Ouest, but I'm not one of them, having recently moved to the Upper East.

- Sean

[tsiblis]

I'm not a fan of Danube, which felt dated, overpriced and stodgy to me. Erminia is a romantic, quiet, delicious Italian on the upper East side. I loved the artichoke and veal chop. Desserts and service were great too.

[dianeinmd]

Thanks for all the great ideas. We will be with another couple and the lady is very picky. Would you change your recommendations due to her attitude? I am so looking forward to this trip. New York rocks!

[RGR]

Perhaps you should describe in what way(s) this woman is "very picky."

[dianeinmd]

I have sent her a copy of the posts so that she can look at the menu's. She is not an adventurous eater.

[RGR]

It's possible that some of the dishes served at Eleven Madison may be too creative for her. However, the fabulous duck for two is the kind of seemingly simple preparation is so fabulous that even the most picky eater would love it. (Unless, of course, the person won't eat duck.)

Just in case she finds the cuisine at EMP, as well as at some of the other suggested restaurants, unappealing, here's an additional place to consider: Veritas. Chef Scott Bryan's New American cuisine is not particularly daring or complicated, but it is full of flavor and delicious. The restaurant is known for its wine list, one of the most extraordinary in the city. Service is cordial and professional. The dining room, which is small with attractive contemporary decor and perfect lighting, is much more intimate than EMP's huge, soaring space.

http://www.veritas-nyc.com

[ellenost]

I agree with all of the above postings since they are all among my most favorite restaurants: Eleven Madison Park, Aureole (I prefer downstairs), Bouley, and Danube.

[chow_gal]

Danube is romantic in an old world way. Feels opulent. I think L'impero can even feel romantic. And upstairs at Aureole.

[Sean Dell]

RGR is on the ball, no question, both with 11 Madison and his comment about le Bernadin). But I prefer Bouley for a truly romantic occasion, coupled with fabulous food. Price is on a par with Le Bernadin, but there is greater variety and it is a MUCH nicer room (hard not to be, I guess).

Bon App!

- Sean

[RGR]

Eleven Madison Park's space is gorgeous (infinitely superior to what I view as Le Bernardin's dining-in-an-office-building-lobby's ambiance), and Chef Daniel Humm's French-inspired cuisine is sensational! As far as cost is concerned, while the Gourmand menu is pricey, the 3-course and 4-course prix-fixes at $76 and $88 respectively are a good deal less expensive than Le Bernardin's basic 3-course prix-fixe, which is $105. In fact, when one also compares that to the $120 Gourmand menu at EMP, the latter is a fabulous bargain.

http://www.elevenmadisonpark.com

Enjoy your stay in NYC and Bon Appetit