Recs for lunch date- exciting food and a bit informal

[adamandeve]

My husband and I have been taking advantage of summer fridays at our offices to leave the baby with the nanny and be able to enjoy the manhattan restaurants that parenthood has put a bit out of reach. we've been doing the rounds of places we have liked in the past (Gramercy Tavern, One Madison Park, USC, little Owl, Market Table), but can't decide on something for this week.

I would like something more informal than the places mentioned, maybe more unusual in the food style. My initial thoughts were Aldea, The Breslin or maybe Torrisi. I know these are wildly different. Just looking for something new and exciting.

Any suggestions?

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Market Table
54 Carmine Street, New York, NY 10014

Aldea
31 West 17th Street, New York, NY 10011

The Breslin
20 W 29th St, New York, NY 10001

[RGR]

I highly recommend Allegretti. The contemporary Provençal-style cuisine is delicious, there's a very good wine list, service is excellent, and the ambiance is lovely.

Allegretti photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/11863391@N03/sets/72157623941237600/

http://thewizardofroz.wordpress.com

[Blumie]

Three more wildly different options:

DBGB, Clinton St. Baking Co., Peter Luger

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DBGB
299 Bowery, New York, NY 10003

[RGR]

DBGB is closed the rest of this week -- reopening for Sunday brunch -- for an a.c. upgrade.

http://newyork.grubstreet.com/2010/08/dbgb_is_getting_cooler.html

http://thewizardofroz.wordpress.com