Holiday visit

[NYCbuckeye]

Hey all-
I moved to Manhattan about a month ago and I have enjoyed checking out the more affordable places all over the city per recommendations on CH. My parents are coming to visit around Thanksgiving for 4 days and I was hoping I could get some more great recs.

We have reservations for per se already. I was thinking EMP or Grammercy Tavern for Thanksgiving day- but probably not go to both during their trip. Unless the experiences are different enough to warrant two Danny Meyer restaurants in a week? I was also considering Craft for one night.

While we area "foodie family," Dad is not huge on sushi or molecular gastronomy-type stuff. I was hoping to do and Italian restaurant one night. I would like to stay in Manhattan and Brooklyn.

I realize this might be a slightly ambitious 4 nights of dining. I was hoping to achieve a variety of New York's best cuisine while staying within our (read: Dad's) comfort zone. We have visited the city many times and I'm hoping to try all new places. That being said, I am avoiding Daniel, Balthazar, Gotham B&G, Union Square Cafe, Bar Americain, Nobu, and Il Mulino, since we have been there before.

Price is not an issue; any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!
--also, I seem to have trouble searching for specific threads, so if there are any threads with relevance please bring them to my attention :) --
Cheers!

[NYCbuckeye]

let me clarify- if there is a Sushi place you think just can't be missed above other places, please suggest!

[hcbk0702]

If you're looking for great seafood, especially since sushi probably won't sit well with your dad, definitely go for Le Bernardin. As a French seafood specialist, the style is markedly different from Per Se's, using delicate, subtle, and deceptively complex flavors to elevate pristine cuts of fish and seafood. Exquisite balance and saucework (I think the sauces here are the best in NYC) reign supreme, to the point that the food is more cerebral and less flashy than its peers, as it relies less on typical flourishes such as large hunks of foie gras or fat-heavy meat. It won't please the standard meat and potatoes crowd who will likely find the food boring and overly subtle; the food here requires some thought to appreciate. For me, the dishes at Le Bernardin are fascinating displays of balance and skill, and the restaurant is the most different in style from Per Se among the Michelin 3 star/New York Times 4 star group, aside from the hugely expensive Masa. But Masa doesn't make any sense if your group isn't comprised of sushi fanatics as it is much more expensive than even Per Se.

If you'd like to visit a Danny Meyer restaurant, Eleven Madison Park beats Gramercy Tavern IMO. However, you might find EMP and Per Se somewhat similar and may be looking for something different. GT has a more rustic, farm-to-table style that many people love and there's no denying its immense popularity year in and year out. If anyone in your party is a beer lover, GT is likely the best restaurant in NYC for him/her. They have an unrivaled list (among high end restaurants) of rare and vintage ales that they treat with the same respect as fine wine, going as far to have specific glassware for different types of beers, so beer geeks will be in heaven. I haven't been to Craft, but the food is more similar to GT than EMP, with a strong emphasis on top-notch ingredients prepared simply.

For Italian, I think Babbo, Convivio, Marea and Scarpetta are the best in Manhattan. If you're looking for outstanding pasta, Convivio gets my vote and the $59 four course prix fixe dinner is a great value. If you're looking for something more upscale, Marea is the fanciest of the four and is seafood focused, similar to Le Bernardin. Their crudo preparations and well-known fusilli with red wine braised octopus and bone marrow dish are excellent. Scarpetta is famous for three "signature" dishes: polenta with fricassee of truffled mushrooms, spaghetti with tomato and basil, and black cod with caramelized fennel and concentrated tomatoes. Any one of them is a good reason to visit. Babbo has long been a NYC favorite. I haven't been recently, but there are many reviews on the board you can search for, as some people absolutely love it while others hate it (and all Batali restaurants).

If you're looking for lunch recs, the lunch deals at Jean Georges and EMP are top choices. They provide exceptional value: $29 for two courses, $14.50 for each additional course, $8 for dessert at JG and $28 for two courses, ~$14 for each additional course, $12 for dessert at EMP. The lunch deals are perfect to experience either restaurant on a budget. I think JG's lunch is considerably stronger overall as most of the lunch preparations are identical to their dinner menu while many of EMP's lunch dishes are quite simplified in comparison to their dinner versions. To experience EMP at its best, go for the $68 Gourmand lunch or the tasting menus at dinner.

[kathryn]

2nding what hcbk0702 said about Le Bernardin. Do note, however, that it is white tablecloth and not exactly what I could call "affordable." It's quite subtle and far removed from, say, a New England style crab shack.

I've always found Craft to be excellent -- definitely more casual than EMP. Might be a little more "comforting" to go to Craft since you can get meat and potatoes (I often recommend it to picky eaters looking for a more upscale experience). They'll be delicious, local meat and potatoes, though. Not a good place if you guys don't like to share, though. The portions are very generous.

[RGR]

All Danny Meyer restaurants have traditionally been closed on Thanksgiving Day. However, two years ago, EMP made the singular decision to be open. We went the first year and, needless to say, the meal was memorable! I believe they will be serving Thanksgiving Day dinner again this year. Afaik, Gramercy Tavern will be closed.

I have yet to have a meal in Gramercy Tavern's formal dining room that has not disappointed me. In fact, during the last dinner we had there earlier this year, both my appetizer and main course were awful. On the other hand, I find the food in the Tavern Room to be quite delicious.

I highly recommend you consider Corton. Chef Paul Liebrandt's cuisine is completely different in style from that being served at EMP or Per Se. Spectacular combinations of flavors and textures! (Note: Corton recently adopted a "no photos" policy.)

http://www.cortonnyc.com

Another restaurant you should also consider is the new SHO Shaun Hergatt. We had dinner there this past week, and Chef Hergatt's very personal style of Asian-influenced cuisine is superb! You can see photos of our meal along with my commentaries here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/11863391@N03/sets/72157622498126890/

http://www.shoshaunhergatt.com

[NYCbuckeye]

Thanks for all the great advice! I appreciate the guidance and will let you know about my dining experiences. We are doing Convivio, Per Se, Craft, and Eleven Madison Park. I'm hoping to fit in Corton, Scarpetta, and Le Bernadin in April. Grazie!