664373 Tue Nov 03 09:50:11 -0800 2009 7 18 Manhattan 0 5152166 My boyfriend and I will be in the city on Sunday and Monday in mid-November and wanted to make dinner reservations at two of the best restaurants. We don't want the usual fussy, tradional French, but still want something along the lines of Daniel - just with a more creative, exciting menu. Was considering EMP, Gramercy Tavern or Jean-Georges - but would love some suggestions. Please help! Tue Nov 03 09:50:11 -0800 2009 1121396 TraceyHP 1 5152316 While EMP, GT, and JG are all excellent I wouldn't describe them as "MOST creative" in Manhattan. Also all three of those are quite popular and possibly completely booked up already (given that you are coming in about 2 weeks). They might be able to squeeze you in at the 5pm and 11pm slots if you're willing to dine then. Additionally, Eleven Madison Park and Jean Georges are closed on Sundays. Gramercy Tavern is open but from OpenTable.com, looks fairly booked up. They will, however, put you on the waitlist. Tue Nov 03 10:28:49 -0800 2009 5152166 10936 kathryn 1 5152339 None of the restaurants that have been mentioned so far are even close to creativity, although EMP is great.. WD-50 is your best bet. Tue Nov 03 10:36:01 -0800 2009 5152166 103013 beaulieu 1 5152442 You might want to consider SHO Shaun Hergatt. I think Chef Hergatt, who originally hails from Australia, is serving cuisine that is creative, somewhat different than the usual suspects, and exciting. Although I've heard that they are now busier than they were when we dined there mid-week, you should be able get a table on Monday. Closed Sunday. Photos of our meal can be seen here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/11863391@N03/sets/72157622498126890/ Veritas has always been one of our favorites, and we enjoyed Chef Scott Bryan's Contemporary American cuisine during his long tenure. But when Chef Grégory Pugin took over the kitchen last year, the cuisine change was radical. And, imo, his French cuisine is creative, exciting, and seriously delicious. Veritas is open on Sunday. Photos of our most recent dinner there can be seen here:http://www.flickr.com/photos/11863391@N03/sets/72157622495582842/ At Corton, Chef Paul Liebrandt is certainly serving very creative French cuisine. Many unusual combinations of textures and flavors that make for an exciting dining experience. The are closed on Sunday, and getting a reservation on Monday will probably prove difficult, but it's worth a try. They no longer permit the taking of photos, so I have none of the outstanding meal we had there in September. But take a look at these: http://www.flickr.com/photos/ulteriorepicure/sets/72157617790815595/ Tue Nov 03 11:07:24 -0800 2009 5152166 13867 RGR 2 5153351 Second SHO. You might want to consider my favorite, Falai. I have not returned to Corton since we went when they first opened. Links to Falai and SHO threads: http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/233792 http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/642544 I thought some of the food we had at Aldea was creative. Especially their signature dish, duck paella. I haven't been since August. A fairly recent thread: http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/620909 Tue Nov 03 15:37:21 -0800 2009 5152442 73159 financialdistrictresident 1 5152732 It depends on what you mean by "creative." Although I think all three restaurants you listed are great, I don't consider any of them as particularly creative, especially Gramercy Tavern, which may be close to the opposite. Jean Georges is probably the most creative of the three as there tend to be more unusual and precarious flavor combinations on the menu, especially given Vongerichten's love of Asian ingredients and flavors. When Jean Georges opened 12 years ago, it was certainly creative at the time. wd~50 is easily the most creative restaurant in NYC, but it is deeply divisive; people seem to love it or hate it. It's definitely for more adventurous palates. Corton is also creative, though still more formal and restrained than wd~50. Perhaps that's a good middle ground? Tue Nov 03 12:40:22 -0800 2009 5152166 204151 hcbk0702 1 5152854 Wow, thanks for such wonderful suggestions! I'll start looking into these now. My boyfriend hasn't been to the city in years and I want to take him for some unforgettable meals that weren't the usual fancy French but were still delicious and extravagant. If you have any other recommendations, I'd love to hear them! Thanks again! Tue Nov 03 13:06:45 -0800 2009 5152166 1121396 TraceyHP 1 5177188 Thanks everyone! We're going to SHO Shaun Hergatt on Monday night and Scarpetta on Sunday night. Can't wait - I'll give full reports when I return! Thu Nov 12 16:46:48 -0800 2009 5152166 1121396 TraceyHP