Gramercy and J Georges booked-what else?

[PeteGourmand]

Foodies!

Me and my girlfriend are real food lovers and want to capture the essence of NYC dining experiences and need your help! We stay in NYC for 9 days and have already reservated tables at Gramercy Tavern and Jean George(lunch). We don't want it to be too pricey.

What else once in a lifetime food experiences are there?

/Pete

[TVC15]

Ok heres my two cents.

Along with some of the restaurants above.

Le Bernadin (SP) Yes its formal, but its wonderful.

For fun and great food. Spotted pig or my current fave,The John Dory which has on the menu a fish head of the day and the best Parker house rolls ever.

Since I seem to be talking a lot about fish restaurants, Nothings more New York than The Oyster bar in Grand Central. Then head upstairs to Cambells Apartment for a cocktail.

Or walk over to the St. Regis and have a nightcap in the King Cole bar.

Enjoy

-----
Grand Central Oyster Bar
89 E 42nd St, New York, NY 10017

Spotted Pig
314 W 11th St, New York, NY 10014

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

Campbell Apartment
89 E 42nd St, New York, NY 10017

King Cole Bar
2 E 55th St, New York, NY 10022

The John Dory Oyster Bar
1196 Broadway, New York, NY 10001

[kathryn]

Once in a lifetime reads as "very expensive" to me. Like Per Se...

I think you're better off focusing on "unique" or "very NY" places.

Here is my list of what I consider to be 'unique' to NYC: in addition to pizza, bagels, and brunch, you can try Xian (Chinese) food, Issan (Thai) food, organic/local/sustainable Japanese BBQ, authentic Basque (Spanish) tapas, creative diner food, pretzels, hot dogs, halal carts, steak, high end Italian, Italian subs, creative Italian-American, high end non-sushi Japanese, creative desserts...

http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/8050...

Some restaurateurs & chefs who are very "New York"-y are also worth a look: Danny Meyer, Mario Batali, David Chang, April Bloomfield, etc.

Much will depend upon your budget, if you can afford, say WD-50 or Takashi (which has great non-offal dishes too though many focus on the offal there I love the kalbi, ribeye, etc), vs. Zabb Elee or Xi'an Famous Foods.

But you can easily balance out the more expensive meals w/ cheap eats.

-----
Per Se
10 Columbus Circle, New York, NY 10019

WD-50
50 Clinton Street, New York, NY 10002

Xi'an Famous Foods
88 E Broadway, New York, NY 10002

Takashi
456 Hudson St, New York, NY 10011

Zabb Elee
75 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10003

[PeteGourmand]

Thanks a lot!

I totally agree with your choice of words. I don't want to focus too much on pizza and bagels etc, I think one evening containing that kind of food is enough. Our budget is about 100$ per evening and person but as you state the more expensive meals could balance with the cheaper ones.

Thx
P

[taboo]

I think you should get to Union Sq. cafe, Gotham Bar and Grill as well as WD-50.

-----
WD-50
50 Clinton Street, New York, NY 10002

Union Square Cafe
21 East 16th St., New York, NY 10003

Gotham Bar and Grill
12 East 12th Street, New York, NY 10003

[LBNJNY]

Eleven Madision, Veritas, Boqueria (Spring Street) for starters!

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

Veritas
43 East 20th St., New York, NY 10003

Boqueria
171 Spring St, New York, NY 10012

[RGR]

Veritas for a "once in a lifetime" dining experience? Not in my book! Not even close! For years, it was one of our favorites, and it would easily have made my "don't miss" list, especially when Grégory Pugin was in charge of the kitchen. However, after the restaurant closed and reopened with Sam Hazen as e.c., we tried it twice, and the food didn't hold the proverbial candle to the cuisine of either Scott Bryan or Pugin. Very disappointing! We have absolutely no desire to go back, and I no longer recommend Veritas as a dining destination.

http://thewizardofroz.wordpress.com

-----
Veritas
43 East 20th St., New York, NY 10003

[Winterpool]

It would help to know what sort of food you like, especially if you're looking for a 'once in a lifetime' meal. Also what your parameters for 'pricey' might be. Per Se probably qualifies for the former but unfortunately also the latter...

You might look at other luncheon options for affordable dinners at top restaurants. Mario Batali's Del Posto offers a $29 luncheon, for instance.

Depending on your tolerance for hipster youth, you may want to consider any of the Momofukus as a New York experience, both for the food and the crowd. Luncheon at the Noodle and Ssam Bars is reasonably priced.

Are you keen on Chinese food?

-----
Per Se
10 Columbus Circle, New York, NY 10019

Del Posto
85 10th Avenue, New York, NY 10011

[PeteGourmand]

Thank you very much for your reply. Per Se is on the verge of beeing too pricey.

I woudn't classify Chinese as my favorite area but if there are any Chinese restaurants in NYC that you think will blow me away then I would definately consider it.

I think we gonna focus more on dinners than lunches.

Other ideas?

-----
Per Se
10 Columbus Circle, New York, NY 10019