Help need midtown restaurant for new inlaws

[foodieiam]

Hi bloggers - I'm treating my daughter's fiance's parents to dinner in Manhattan while thery are on the East Coast (they live in Calif.). We will be four people. I met them already and stayed at their home when I was visiting my daughter in CA. Would like a not-too-noisy, moderate to expensive upscale place, perhaps eclectic cuisine, or maybe French? They are of middle eastern descent, very modern and food-oriented.

Thanks!!!

[kessdarln]

Maybe closer in the price range you had in mind. Brasserie 8 1/2. I ate here last year. The atmosphere is nice, service was good, and the meal was tasty. It is not EMP or Le Bernardin but I think it would be a nice fit. Prix Fixe $35 with optional wine pairing $18.

http://www.patinagroup.com/restaurant...

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Brasserie 8 1/2
9 W 57th St, New York, NY 10019

[foodieiam]

Thanks - that has possibilities too.

[gutsofsteel]

Given that J-G is a bit expensive for your budget, I would suggest you consider Allegretti, a lovely Provencal restaurant. The food is delicious, the room is casually elegant, and the service is pleasant and professional. I think it would be very appropriate for your requirements.

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Allegretti
46 West 22nd Street, New York, NY 10010

[RGR]

Obviously, not in MIdtown, but if the geographical parameters can be streched southward, Allegretti is a fine suggestion. (Note: As much as I love Allegretti, I really miss the white tablecloths at dinner, which gave the room a more elegant feel.)

Another excellent choice in that area would be Tocqueville. In addition to superb cuisine, it has one of the most elegantly beautiful dining rooms in the city.

http://www.allegrettinyc.com
http://www.tocquevillerestaurant.com

[foodieiam]

Thanks, RGR -- Allegretti looks like it fits better with my budget for this time. I will check it out.
Any other thoughts?

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Allegretti
46 West 22nd Street, New York, NY 10010

[RGR]

You might also want to consider Seasonal Restaurant & Weinbar, which is in Midtown. Delicious Austrian-inspired contemporary cuisine and pleasing atmospherics. It's been awarded a Michelin star.

Seasonal photos here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/11863391@N03/sets/72157622915332504/

and here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/11863391@N03/sets/72157623530798034/

http://www.seasonalnyc.com

[foodieiam]

RGR - my older daughter (who is joining me) wants to try Tabla. I',m not a fan of Indian food and not sure if that would be too out-of-the-box for my guests. But she says it's 'yummy' What do you think?

[RGR]

foodieiam,

Tabla's menu consists of some some dishes which are traditionally Indian and others which I would describe as Indian/Asian-influenced Contemporary American.

For example, when we were there in November, I had the Pan Roasted LI Duck, which was pretty much straight Contemporary American.

Pan Roasted LI Duck: http://www.flickr.com/photos/11863391@N03/4146842336/in/set-72157622905725130/

Someone else at our table had the halibut, which had an Asian-inflected sauce.

Halibut: http://www.flickr.com/photos/11863391...

In your original post, you said that your guests are "very modern and food-oriented." So, I think they would find Tabla's cuisine quite appealing.

Service is excellent (not suprising since it's a Danny Meyer restaurant), the space has colorfully attractive decor, and the noise level is conversation-friendly. If you go, be sure to reserve upstairs. It's a bit more formal (tablecloths) than the more casual downstairs (which used to called Bread Bar), and tables are less close. Also, you might want to request a round table.

[foodieiam]

thanks, sounds like a good choice.

[coasts]

just got back from Tabla and was completely underwhelmed by the food. we tried five different dishes and only one stood out...the Baby Artichoke appetizer. cocktails were weak, too. good service and nice looking place, but the food was disappointing.

[foodieiam]

This seems more in the price range and the menu looks appealing. I can't see spending $700-800. There will be other occasions as we plan for the wedding.
Thanks so much for all the responses!

[Motosport]

If you think a Middle Eastern place would work try Byblos on 39th just East of 3rd Av. Authentic Lebanese/Syrian food with a belly dancer show in the evening.

[RGR]

We haven't been to Byblos in ages. Unless there's been a serious rise in the quality of the food, and they've done something -- actually, a lot -- to improve the decor, I don't think this is the right restaurant for this particular occasion. Not that the food was bad, but there is so much better Mediterranean cuisine to be had in spaces that do not have cheezy decor.

[Motosport]

What we like about Byblos is that it is authentic Syrian/Lebanese cuisine without the Turkish/Greek overtones of restaurants that try to cover all the Mediteranean bases. Kibee nayeh and babaganough like "Jidaugh" (grandpa) used to make.
Fancy upscale decor, no. Great service and food, yes.

[RGR]

You don't say how soon you will be doing this, but presuming you have enough time to secure a reservation, I would suggest Jean Georges.

Photos of our recent lunch at Jean Georges can be viewed here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/11863391@N03/sets/72157623804646010/

If they love fish and seafood, Le Bernardin is, of course, another excellent option. Same caveat re: reservations.

http://www.le-bernardin.com

[foodieiam]

Hi - it's in two weeks. By the way - I recognize your posts from the NJ Rest. Forum (which I do not subscribe to anymore), and you are pretty savvy. I think Jean Georges may be a tad expensive - what do you think a dinner for four would be there (with wine).

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Jean Georges
1 Central Park W, New York, NY 10023

[chow_gal]

Many restaurants share their menus online. 3 course prix fixe is $98. That should give you an idea.

http://www.jean-georges.com/

[RGR]

You did say "moderate to expensive upscale..." Jean Georges fits the latter two descriptive terms -- though it's not in Per Se territory. The 3-course prix fixe is $98pp. The 6-course tastings are $148. All meals include the little extras: amuses and mignardises. Wine cost depends entirely on what you choose to drink. Obviously, you will need to factor in an addtional 9% tax & 20% gratuity. This may all be moot since 2 weeks is very short for J.G. reservations, especially if you mean this to happen on a Saturday night.

In order to make more appropriate suggestions, it would be helpful to know your per person budget for food only. Also, what other cuisines would be acceptable? Any that would be verboten?

[kathryn]

What RGR said: preferred price per person (specific dollar amounts are always appreciated), day of the week you'll be dining, preferred cuisines, and even a preferred neighborhood can help us tailor our suggestions appropriately.

[RGR]

foodieiam said Midtown, but willingness to expand those geographical boundaries would, of course, open up more possibilities.

[hcbk0702]

Dinner at Jean Georges for four people will be $700-800 with a moderate wine budget after tax and tip. Le Bernardin would be in the same range, perhaps slightly higher. Tasting menus and more expensive wines would dramatically increase the cost. At both restaurants, lunch is a much less expensive than dinner.

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Jean Georges
1 Central Park W, New York, NY 10023

Le Bernardin
155 W. 51st St., New York, NY 10019