663178 Wed Oct 28 19:14:06 -0700 2009 6 18 Manhattan 0 5139101 My husband wants to buy a $200 gift certificate to a nice restaurant as a thank-you to a colleague who did him an academic favor. The person lives in the 10025 area code, he travels a lot on business to Shanghai, but we don't know his food preferences, and since we live in California, we have no idea what good restaurants are in or near his zip code. (He's gone for months at a time on business, so we thought something close to home would be convenient for him.) Could anyone give us some recommendations? It would be nice if the place also has a nice-looking gift certificate, but the food is the most important factor. TIA! Wed Oct 28 19:14:06 -0700 2009 17220 Claudette 1 5139231 Can't go wrong w Union Sq Hospitality Group, which includes Eleven Madison Park, Tabla, etc. http://www.ushgnyc.com/ Wed Oct 28 20:10:03 -0700 2009 5139101 19462 simetrias 2 5139252 Ditto. Danny Meyer runs the Union Square Hospitality Group and has some of the most popular restaurants in NYC -- everything from the 4 star Eleven Madison Park to the BBQ restaurant Blue Smoke to the burgers and shakes joint Shake Shack. Gift cards from his group can be used at any of his restaurants, of which there are several, including the aforementioned EMP, as well as the perenially popular Gramercy Tavern (a fellow named Tom Colicchio used to work there) and Union Square Cafe. Wed Oct 28 20:20:21 -0700 2009 5139231 10936 kathryn 3 5140392 Great suggestions - thanks, simetrias and kathryn! Thu Oct 29 10:07:29 -0700 2009 5139252 17220 Claudette 4 5140405 One if By Land has gift certificates. Thu Oct 29 10:10:30 -0700 2009 5140392 66022 bronwen 5 5140416 "...the food is the most important factor." Most Hounds agree that the food at OIBL sucks! Thu Oct 29 10:14:10 -0700 2009 5140405 13867 RGR 1 5140880 If he likes steak, Peter Luger has gift certificates as well. http://www.peterluger.com/gifcer.cfm Thu Oct 29 12:34:56 -0700 2009 5139101 1093353 fm1963