664924 Thu Nov 05 10:25:56 -0800 2009 1 18 Manhattan 0 5158351 Aldea, Grammercy Tavern, Eleven Madison Park, Degustation, Bouley and Toqueville assuming they are all open that day. We like to go someplace excellent and leisurely that day and we want to try something new. We've been to Jean Georges, Picholine, Tabla, Tamarind, The Modern, Aureole, Mas, Le Bernardin, Cafe Boulud (which really underimpressed us), Veritas, Craft and Gotham Bar and Grille. Given the economy and the fact that we'd like to retire some day soon, we'd like lots of bang for the buck and price will be a consideration. We generally avoid Italian in Manhattan since we are from Philly and it is easy to get great Italian at home. We're not giant Sushi eaters and anyway Morimoto started in Philly, so when we are up for great Sushi, again we can get it easily enough. Philly is weaker on great new American, fusion, haute Indian, and upscale Thai and Vietnamese. Thu Nov 05 10:25:56 -0800 2009 1102058 middleagedfoodie 1 5159267 Aldea is new, excellent, and laid back (but still a bit hip/modern) and the portion sizes are huge for the quality of food. And I know you said you usually avoid Italian, but I was really impressed by Scarpetta on my visit a few weeks back -- amazing bang for the buck, and gargantuan portion sizes, killer bread basket, and best spaghetti pomodoro I've had in my life. Thu Nov 05 15:05:39 -0800 2009 5158351 10936 kathryn