Prixe Fixe options - help choosing

[shannongr]

Hello,

My husband and I are going to NYC in July (just before Restaurant Week wouldn't you know?). Staying in Midtown and want to stay on the island.

We want to go to some great places for dinner, preferably with good prix fixe menus to keep the budget more reasonable.

What I've found so far is: Artisinal, 21 Club, and Le Cirque, and Russian Tea Room (I know it might be past its prime but I've always wanted to eat there)

What would you choose from these? Or do you know of others?

We love French and Italian in particular and used to live in Chicago, so we "get" big-city fine dining.

Many thanks in advance,
Kris

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21 Club
21 West 52nd Street, New York, NY 10019

Le Cirque
151 East 58th Street, New York, NY 10022

Russian Tea Room
150 W 57th Street, New York, NY 10019

[shannongr]

Just to follow up on my original post, I saw that Brasserie 8 1/2 also has a decent-looking Prix fixe dinner. Can anyone recommend this place (or not)?

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

[rkaene]

What about the salon menu at per se? Seats in the lounge area, order off the menu. Fabulous!!

[RGR]

Personally, if I'm going to pay that kind of money (lounge menu prices are far from cheap), I don't want to eat my meal uncomfortably hunched over a coffee table.

[shannongr]

Hmmm, my "a" key is sticking - I meant "having" and "launching" of course

[RGR]

The Per Se lounge menu is a la carte.

[shannongr]

Thank you

[shannongr]

I'm hving trouble lunching the salon menu from their site - is it more like a Prix fixe?

Thanks

[gutsofsteel]

Also it is PRIX FIXE not PRIXE FIXE which should help in your searches.

[shannongr]

See what you get for not paying attention...thanks

[foodismylife]

SECOND PERRY ST
CAFE CLUNY EARLY BIRD IS A STEAL
sorry for the caps never learned to type

[shannongr]

When is the last time you were at Cafe Cluny? I didn't see that special on their website.

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Cafe Cluny
284 West 12th Street, New York, NY 10014

[piegirl74]

Degustation has terrific price fixe - one of the best values for dinner. It was $50 for 5 courses and $75 for 10 courses last I checked. Not sure if that has changed - it's been a while.

Like the others, I suggest doing a price fixe at EMP or something for lunch at least one day. You can't beat it. I find little more luxurious than a lingering, classy meal in the middle of the day while the other poor sods are all working. It's a true indulgence!

[shannongr]

I agree - a swanky lunch should definitely be on the agenda!

[Nick F.]

Have you considered Lunch Pre-Fixes? They are a lot less expensive and also more common and some top places (Perry St, Eleven Madison Park, Tabla) have them for around 25 bucks for 5 courses.

Otherwise, I hear the 50-buck pre-fixe and Torrisi Italian Specialties is pretty awesome and, comparably, affordable though that place is all the rage now and you'll probably be waiting an hour (brave Chowhound) for a table...

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Eleven Madison Park
11 Madison Ave., New York, NY 10010

Torrisi Italian Specialties
250 Mulberry St, New York, NY 10012

[shannongr]

Thanks for the ideas!

Lunch sounds good, it's just that we're not sure where we'll be at lunch time. But definitely something to think about.

[RGR]

"...25 bucks for 5 courses."

Was that "5" a typo?

Eleven Madison Park's 5-course Lunch Gourmand is now $78. Of course, there are the 2 plates for $28/3 for $42 options. Dessert is not included. The tarts cart is $12.

Our most recent lunch at EMP: http://www.flickr.com/photos/11863391@N03/sets/72157623776740643/

Our most recent dinner at EMP: http://www.flickr.com/photos/11863391@N03/sets/72157624114058011/

No 5-course lunch prix fixe at Tabla or Perry St.

Tabla, in addition to the a la carte menu, offers two 3-course prix fixes for $31 and $24.07.

http://www.tablanyc.com

At Perry St., it's 2 plates and dessert for $26, additional plates @$13.

http://www.jean-georges.com

[Nick F.]

Apologies for the typo, meant 3.

[shannongr]

Loved the photos! Make me definitely want to check out EMP.

I noticed that many of the JG places have a good deal- thanks for the idea.

[shannongr]

Can I ask a potentially silly question?

People seem so divided over Mario Batali's places. Some think he's a demi-god, other think his restaurants are over-hyped, some think he's just good for pasta, etc. etc.

From what I've observed of him, he seems to have real cooking chops and knows a heck of a lot about Italiian cusine. I considered going to one of his more casual places for lunch. Is it worth the bother?

[meljohns]

I personally like Lupa especially for lunch in the summer. The food I've had is always good.

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Lupa
170 Thompson Street, New York, NY 10012

[shannongr]

The menu on-site looks good! Better than Babbo maybe?

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Babbo
110 Waverly Pl, New York, NY 10011

[gutsofsteel]

Do you think he cooks every night in every one of his restaurants?

I like Lupa at lunchtime too. Otto is fun for salumi and wine at the bar.

I can't stand Babbo.

Definitely do lunch at EMP. A major treat, and a great deal.

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Lupa
170 Thompson Street, New York, NY 10012

Babbo
110 Waverly Pl, New York, NY 10011

[shannongr]

Well, I realize he couldn't be cooking at every place every night, but I hoped his guidance would show through wherever he put his name.

Maybe Lupa is a better choice. Better pricing too. Plus it seems Babbo is the target of more "hate or love" messages...

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Lupa
170 Thompson Street, New York, NY 10012

Babbo
110 Waverly Pl, New York, NY 10011

[gutsofsteel]

The RTR is an overpriced mediocre tourist trap. Avoid. Le Cirque? I wouldn't do it.

Artisanal is okay, nothing special in my opinion. 21 Club is a classic.

What is your budget for dinners? Also, there are very very excellent prix fixe lunch deals at the best restaurants in town....Eleven Madison Park and Jean Georges are the two that stand out the most.

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21 Club
21 West 52nd Street, New York, NY 10019

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

Le Cirque
151 East 58th Street, New York, NY 10022

[shannongr]

About 50 bucks a person, give or take a few (before drinks of course!!)

Thanks,
Kris