Finest Restaurants in Manhattan - money is no concern!

[imageWIS]

I saw an interview on Bloomberg with restaurateur Danny Meyer and he said that the most important thing in a restaurant once you get past a certain level of food quality is the service, if someone can get 5 similar, lets say chicken and potato dinners at 5 different restaurants, the one he is going to go back to, to frequent most often is the one with the better service, the better atmosphere.

Jon.

 

[Earthmover]

Originally Posted by gdl203

I think you mean less stereotypical decor? BLT Steak and Strip House don't look like a typical NY steakhouse à la Sparks, Old Homestead, Palm I/II, etc ... That may be why Strip House is my favorite steakhouse in the city - it is actually a pleasant place! Their meat is great too...

I actually didn't phrase this well, and I knew this at the time -- what I meant to say is that I think in a native Korean person's mind, the idea of a steakhouse isn't congruent with how American's view a classic steakhouse (I don't think Palm in the 50s has a very classic steakhouse decor). And probably the best thing to do is to go almost comically rustic (with cowboy themes and such), or a more indistinguishable restaurant setting that's only moderately reminiscent of a more low-key old school steakhouse. I still don't think I'm explaining well, but this is the best I can do for now.

I've been to Gotham Bar & Grill and it was nice, but I felt that their service was slightly aloof; given choices, I probably wouldn't go back there again, although it may be worth trying out once.

 

[andyw]

You might want to bone up on Korean customs before they arrive as to not shock or offend your guests-something that seems normal and innocuous to a Yank can be terribly offensive to an Asian. QUOTE]

The Japanese invasion and occupation from another lifetime could still be a burning flame.

 

[Beckwith]

Originally Posted by SoCal2NYC

Masa (the most expensive place in the city)
Per Se (ask the concierge at their hotel to try and get a resey)
Bouley
Le Bernardin
Danube
Del Posto
Babbo
L'Atelier de Joel Rubuchon
Le Cirque
Jean Georges
Chanterelle
Nobu

Should get you started...


I agree, but think a very underated, great space is Scalini Fedeli

 

[Beckwith]

Originally Posted by imageWIS

For Italian: Il Mulino.

Jon.


commoditizied and overrated. Scalinatela or Il Giglio are better choice IMO

 

[huysmans]

Union Square Cafe? I have not been in years, is it still highly regarded? Has anyone been to the Morimoto in NYC? I have been to the one in Philly and quite enjoyed it.

 

[gdl203]

I'm not a big fan of USC personally. Went a couple of times but really was unimpressed (both by food and decor). Morimoto is an interesting experience but very much hit or miss. Some of the dishes are great, some are just too gimmicky. The scene is pretty bad though - a little like Budakkan - very B&T

 

[huysmans]

I suspected. The one in Philly was not exactly my scene, but I must admit, the food was great, and he was actually there that night, which added to the overall experience.

 

[Beckwith]

I have been to both, and enjoyed the Philly one better. The NYC one is worth a visit as it is slightly different. I agree with GDL about the crowd, but I think you will find that at anyone of those restuarants on that row.

 

[gdl203]

Originally Posted by Beckwith

I have been to both, and enjoyed the Philly one better. The NYC one is worth a visit as it is slightly different. I agree with GDL about the crowd, but I think you will find that at anyone of those restuarants on that row.
It depends how far you define that row. Not that crowd above 17th street, e.g. at Cookshop, Tia Pol, Klee, Empire, O'Mai, Trestle on Tenth...

 

[Beckwith]

Originally Posted by gdl203

It depends how far you define that row. Not that crowd above 17th street, e.g. at Cookshop, Tia Pol, Klee, Empire, O'Mai, Trestle on Tenth...

Immediate area. Aren't Morimoto, Del Posto and Buddakhan right across the street from each other?

 

[gdl203]

Originally Posted by Beckwith

Immediate area. Aren't Morimoto, Del Posto and Buddakhan right across the street from each other?
Yes. Although Buddakan is on 9th and Morimoto, Del Posto are on 10th along with Craftsteak

I had heard and read the stretch of 10th Ave from 14th to 25th street called the "new restaurant row" in the past, so I wasn't sure if you were referring to this whole stretch through West Chelsea or just the immediate outskirt of the meetpacking district...

 

[SoCal2NYC]

Trestle on Tenth is awesome.

 

[chorse123]

Originally Posted by gdl203

I'm not a big fan of USC personally. Went a couple of times but really was unimpressed (both by food and decor).

I think the food is good if unspectacular. It's a comfortable place with fresh, market food. But it's not a high-style place.

 

[romafan]

Originally Posted by Beckwith

I agree, but think a very underated, great space is Scalini Fedeli

+1!