359536 Fri Jan 12 06:37:27 -0800 2007 7 18 Manhattan 0 2180564 and if you could compare it to other restaurants that would be helpful. we're taking a friend for her birthday, and she was thinking maybe BLT fish, but i can't tell if they have a raw bar upstairs. is the downstairs platter decent? she's been to aquagrill a few times before, so she would rather try something new, but we all know they have the most selection. is balthazar really ridiculously touristy? and blue ribbon grill, how is the variety on the platter? jack's luxury oyster bar seems to get mixed reviews. it will be dinner for 3, so places that give 2 of each thing isn't great either. i've been reading posts all night and can't seem to come to a concensus. i feel like everyone is just voting for the one restaurant they go to (not having been to the others). so anyone that can offer insight after having been to a number of places will be my hero! Fri Jan 12 06:37:27 -0800 2007 13880 jungirl 1 2180762 I'd try Artisanal or Blue Ribbon Fri Jan 12 12:08:46 -0800 2007 2180564 10173 guttergourmet 1 2181384 If it ain't broke.... Aquagrill is the choice. Fri Jan 12 16:05:37 -0800 2007 2180564 12695 harrison 1 2181555 Balthazar isn't ridiculously touristy, not at all. And their plateau is as good as Aquagrill, although I prefer Balthazar's ambience. - Sean Fri Jan 12 16:35:04 -0800 2007 2180564 11294 Sean Dell 2 2181798 I love the plateau at Balthazar. Fri Jan 12 17:21:39 -0800 2007 2181555 23114 Fielding 1 2181837 hi jungirl... i like Balthazar: while i prefer to go there on weekdays in the late-afternoons or very late at night, it's still a viable dinner option and has a nice festive atmosphere for a birthday... i wouldn't recommend JLOB - the selection is not very good, the service can be annoyingly stuffy, and the seats are cramped... by "blue ribbon grill" i'm not sure if you meant "blue ribbon" on Sullivan, or "Blue Water Grill", the seafood place on Union Square...i think Blue Ribbon has declined a lot over the years and with their no reservations policy, you might have a very long wait (okay if you don't mind drinking nearby for an hour or so, until they call you) -- i was never a huge fan of the place anyway...Blue Water Grill (Union Sq) is large and efficient and professionally run -- the oysters are always fresh and the room is nicely lit, but i've always thought it lacks charm and feels like a medium-high-end chain restaurant... i'd say Balthazar...in addition to the seafood, i recommend the salads, especially the beet salad and the Balthazar salad... Fri Jan 12 17:30:17 -0800 2007 2180564 11077 Simon 1 2183786 also BLT Fish is worth a try. Sat Jan 13 01:10:39 -0800 2007 2180564 10173 guttergourmet 1 2187350 balthazar and blue ribbon are also good--though certainly not cheap. i've had their towers, and they're excellent. the one at blt was very disappointing, though. in fact, i found the food there rather over-rated. Sun Jan 14 10:24:14 -0800 2007 2180564 65727 luveeting