424365 Tue Jul 24 16:06:09 -0700 2007 10 18 Manhattan 0 2779669 Need a restaurant Rec. near the Pegu Club, on Houston and West Broadway. For Birthday dinner for 2 w/husband. Someplace nice, but not too pricey- OK if expensive but worth it. Has anyone been to Provence? They had such a bad review in the Times....has it improved? Thank you! Tue Jul 24 16:06:09 -0700 2007 12843 Sharon 1 2779777 i was at Pegu Club a few days ago...i love their "Fitty-Fitty" (half gin, half dry vermouth, orange bitters)... My faves that are directly near there: -- Ushi Wakamaru for sushi -- Balthazar But Pegu is fairly central to most downtown areas: a ten-to-fifteen minute or a five minute cab and your radius can include Tribeca, Union Sq, West Village, etc What cuisines are you most interested in for this dinner? Tue Jul 24 16:37:37 -0700 2007 2779669 11077 Simon 1 2779858 Savoy. I love the Pegu Club. I ordered a drink off the menu and it was a while in coming. Then the server stopped by to say they were missing one of its ingredients, so had sent someone to buy the missing liquor! Tue Jul 24 17:00:40 -0700 2007 2779669 29326 akowit 1 2781534 the mini scallop burgers at pegu club are delicious and shouldn't spoil your appetite for dinner. lupa is right near there if you can get a reservation. relatively inexpensive for tasty italian in festive atmosphere. balthazar is a great pick. peasant (wine and more rustic vibe, okay italian) and public (great cocktails / good wine list australian fare w/ hip and trendy vibe) are both solid nearby choices. Wed Jul 25 08:40:14 -0700 2007 2779669 13695 thievery 1 2781864 Omen Lupa Ushi Wakamaru Savoy Bellavitae Wed Jul 25 09:45:16 -0700 2007 2779669 12670 zEli173 2 2781890 Lupa, Balthazar, I hear good things about Savoy & have never been, mayb Zoe? I'm undecided how I feel about the place but I think it can be a bit pricey for what it is... For low key, inexpensive but filling & delicious pasta (& pizza & salads,) I love Il Corallo Trattoria. Also a fan of the more casual, comfort food oriented Nolita House. They have some good wine & artisinal cheese deals in addition to the menu. Wed Jul 25 09:50:13 -0700 2007 2781864 81666 mlt9 2 2782787 i had a very poor meal at Omen last weekend...i reviewed it separately... Wed Jul 25 13:23:07 -0700 2007 2781864 11077 Simon 1 2782369 Lupa, Jane, Bellavitae, Aurora Soho, Po Wed Jul 25 11:31:08 -0700 2007 2779669 10216 Lucia 1 2782450 What's the deal with walking in to Lupa? Their only availability is at 11:00 pm on Friday. (shocker!) I'm intrigued by Aurora Soho and Jane. Are they both crazy-loud? Also, anyone been to Savoy lately? We haven't been in years, but it was truly amazing back in the '90's. Wed Jul 25 11:50:40 -0700 2007 2779669 12843 Sharon 2 2782474 Would you be hitting Lupa before or after Pegu? I've walked in early (6ish) at Lupa without a problem, but later it will be packed and very loud. If you can walk in, see if they'll seat you in the back, as the bar area gets nuts on the weekend. Wed Jul 25 11:56:37 -0700 2007 2782450 67215 williej33 2 2782502 I haven't been to Savoy, but there was a recent poor review that you might want to look up. Jane is a good solid American place--comfortable and relaxed. I've only been to Aurora Soho once. I loved my meal (polenta crusted fish) and dessert. My boyfriend's pork belly was woefully overdone, though. So, it's a bit uneven. Wed Jul 25 12:01:04 -0700 2007 2782450 10216 Lucia