Where to eat in NYC

[Truroots]

My husband and I are celebrating our 10 year anniversary in NYC. Can anyone recommend a great steak/seafood restaurant with a romantic but not stuffy environment. We are prepared to pay top dollar for great food and incredible wine. We are staying just south/east of central park. Thanks

[RCC]

If you want a real NYC steak, then you'd be making a mistake about the steak ar Marea. It's nowhere near the beefy goodness and size of the NYC steakshouse kinds. Their seafood are OK to good,

[Truroots]

Thanks. Can you recommend a great steakhouse?
Anyone recommend Adour?

[RGR]

Keens, our favorite steakhouse, has been in its 36th St. location since 1885. Thus, in additon to excellent steaks, chops (the signature is the mutton chop), sides, etc., there is the unmatchable charm of the Old NY ambiance.

We've been to Adour several times, most recently a few weeks ago. The food is always excellent, service is cordial and professional, and the space is elegant.

Photos of our most recent dinner at Adour: http://www.flickr.com/photos/11863391@N03/sets/72157629735413728/

http://thewizardofroz.wordpress.com

[RCC]

I'd also suggest, if you are willing to go just across the bridge to Brooklyn and make your way to Peter Luger for the best porterhouse, imho, in the city. I don't recomment their seafood, though.

http://www.peterluger.com/

Now, if you still need a good steak/seafood combo, then I'd say try for Minetta Tavern in the West Village. Reservations for prime dinner hours are tough to get, but there's always a good chance for getting a table for 2 by walking in. Their boned-in NY Strip and the Veal chop are very, very good. Their seafood entrees are excellent, too.

http://minettatavernny.com/menus.php

[bcc]

For what it's worth, I ate once at Peter Lugar's and the porterhouse was second-rate. It had a cotton-wool consistency that second-rate beef sometimes has. I ate at Marea, and to my shame, I ordered the Creekstone beef steak in that great fish restaurant. The portion was huge and it was by far the best piece of meat I have ever eaten.

[Fozzie_Bear]

Uh, Le Bernardin, obviously (for seafood).

[Sneakeater]

Are you 100% sure about the "not stuffy environment" part?

(I was going to ask about the steak, too -- but then remembered that the three or four people who've ordered it have said the steak at LeB is excellent.)

[Truroots]

Thanks for the suggestions. I have looked into reservations at Marea.....2:30 or 10......
As we are visiting from Toronto and have never been to NYC, are there any other recommendations for a memorable meal. I was thinking about Nougatine for lunch one day....I appreciate all your feedback. Thanks

[kathryn]

When is your meal? The really nice, celebration-worthy restaurants tend to book up 3-4 weeks in advance.

What about a place like Craft (assuming you can get in)?

[Truroots]

We arrive in NYC next Friday for the weekend. So either Friday or saturday. I will look into Craft. Thanks. Any other recommendations?

[Truroots]

Can you recommend some fun restaurants/bars to have a drink or two before dinner.

[kathryn]

Book Craft ASAP if you're interested. I see 6pm for two on 6/15 but nothing until 10pm on 6/16, using OpenTable.

If you go to Craft, hit up Flatiron Lounge before or after.

[jovialetr]

I'm also from Toronto, and think Craft is a good suggestion. My husband and I went there for our 1st anniversary and really enjoyed it.

[deprofundis]

Trust me, don't do Nougatine for lunch. Go to Jean Georges instead. Lincoln might be another option.

[Truroots]

Thanks for the suggestions. We ate at marea and loved it. We also ate at Tao. The food was excellent! However it was too noisy! It reminds me of the spice market. What a great city! We had a fabulous brunch at Todd english's restaurant at the food plaza underneath the fairmont.

[EBT]

Marea. get the braised octopus/bone marrow fusili & that bistecca with the bone marrow panzanella.

[peter j]

2nd Marea. Their steak is wonderful. As for seafood, you'll do well with their signature dishes.

[AubWah]

Esca

[Truroots]

Thanks.