Restaurants

Best in the City: Very Expensive | Expensive | Moderate | Inexpensive

Hotel Dining | Dancing | Good for Groups | 24 Hours | Brunch | Tea/Dessert

Retail | Bakeries

Very Expensive

ADDRESS 2 Harrison Street (Between Hudson and Greenwich, TriBeCa). PHONE NUMBER 966-6960 PRICE RANGE $75-90/person, food only

CHANTARELLE: Small, personal, wonderful. Food and service are excellent. Elegant atmosphere. Very expensive, but delivers. The food is original and delightful.

ADDRESS 455 Madison Ave (btwn 50 + 51, Midtown East). PHONE NUMBER 303-7788 PRICE RANGE $75-90/person, food only

LE CIRQUE 2000: Imagine two grand old rooms with dark wood paneling and an ornate ceiling occupied by Jetsonian interior design. One room is red, the other blue. Both are bustling, but the blue room is electric with activity and sleek people. The service is professional and prompt. The food is superb, perhaps the best in New York. Each dish is a careful composition with no off notes. But make sure you want a room of clashing design and constant activity.

Don't Bother:  Lespinasse (expensive disappointment), Jean Georges (not as good as its press)

Other Top Restaurants:  Daniel (reopened to weak reviews), Aureole (haven't been), Le Bernadin (good food, weak service)

Expensive

Address 34 West 64th St, (Btwn CPW+B'way Near Lincon Center, Upper West Side) Phone Number (212) 724-8585 PRICE RANGE $60-75/person

Picholine: is one of the best restaurants in its class. The food is superb--Interesting dishes that are innovative, mildly French, and occasionally orgasmic. The food is original continental, primarily French though some of the dishes seem like French modern interpretations of classic N. Italian food. One excellent example is the remarkably delicate gnocci which is usually on the menu, in one form or another. The cheese course, though French in conception, is a trip around the world along the knife of a cheese artist who will compose a plate to match your deepest desires. The cheeses come from remote locations in the U.S., Spain, France, Scotland, and other improbable places. Each one has a unique flavor, texture, and aroma. This is NOT brie and havarti. One of the Spanish cheeses is called "Fire in the Throat." This is a truly unique experience. The atmosphere is distinctly French; the decor seems to have traveled directly from an elegant country residence, a home that would be refined, reserved, but built for the relaxation and comfort of its owners.

ADDRESS 90 Prince St., (Bwtn Broadway and Mercer, SoHo) PHONE NUMBER (212) 966-6722 PRICE RANGE $40-50/person

Zoe: Zoe has excellent food, personable service, and an interesting look. The atmosphere is energetic and very SoHo, in its high ceilings, cast iron columns, and extensive tiles. This used to mean it was very noisy, but a renovation earlier this year included a sound- absorbing ceiling which has dramatically reduced what was for me the restaurant's one weak point. The "Contemporary American" (their words) menu is imaginative but reliably delectable.

ADDRESS 11 West 60th (West of Broadway, Upper West Side) PHONE NUMBER 956-4600 PRICE RANGE $45-55

Gabriel's: a Northern Italian gem and it's near Lincoln Center. The food is interesting, the atmosphere is energetic, the service is attentive, and the crowd can be entertaining. The menu has a mixture of pasta, game dishes, and more traditional fare. It's definitely not red sauce and garlic. One of my favorite dishes is the butternut squash tortelini. It's big and busy, but it's still very good. Bustling atmosphere but the service remains careful and refined. Moderately expensive.

ADDRESS 12 East 12th Street (Between 5th and University) PHONE NUMBER 620-4020 PRICE RANGE $50-60

Gotham: Very good food and service. Energetic atmosphere. Order some of the special shoestring french fries.

Moderate

ADDRESS 50 Commerce St. (Btwn Hudson + Bedford, off Barrow, Greenwich Village) PHONE NUMBER (212) 924-5246 PRICE RANGE $25-30/person

The Grange Hall: Original American Cuisine in a space that was once a speakeasy. The menu has a range of dishes from simple to unusual, all good. There are always vegetarian options though my favorite entree is the breaded chicken breast. There are numerous "Small Dishes" which work as appetizers or sides and are fun to share. The portions are ample and there are so many different drinks, with alcohol and without (from Martinis to Microbrews to Birch Beer--on tap!), that you could spend a night imbibing and not have tried half the list.

ADDRESS East at 16th, 46th & 9th, and 76th on Broadway PHONE NUMBER 582-1669, 501-7768 PRICE RANGE $20-35/person

Zen Palate: Probably the best vegetarian restaurant in NY (the only competition is Candle Cafe which is good but more extreme): much of the food is Asian but there is a wide range of flavors and choices; the food is very good and interesting; service is generally good. Divided into two styles of atmosphere. The more formal is asian in its balance and austere elegance with finer food at moderate prices. The less formal is busier, brighter, and cheaper with food that is more fun, less fine but still good. The Union Square (East at 16th) location has both extremes. 46th and 9th is mostly formal Restaurant Row. 76th on Broadway is only casual. Upper West Side.

ADDRESS Lafayette & Great Jones, 7th Ave (Btwn Grove + Barrow, 220-9100), Bway at 85th (opening soon) PHONE NUMBER 533-7000 PRICE RANGE $20-35

Time Cafe: Hip but the food and service are genuinely good. The menu is good and fairly interesting. The generous Market Salad (an entree) and the sesame salmon are my favorites. Plenty of vegetarian options, but all kinds of food. Atmosphere is generally pleasant but can get crowded on weekends. Downstairs is a bar and another flight down is Fez, a music (mostly jazz) club.

ADDRESS 85 Avenue A (5th and 6th Streets, East Village) PHONE NUMBER 212-475-5050 PRICE RANGE $30-35

Opaline: New Orleans French cuisine in a designer space under Avenue A. There's as much substance as there is style in this relative new-comer because the owner but put his personal attention into both. And it's far more welcoming than his other collaboration (The Shark Bar).

ADDRESS On Broadway north of 89th (Also a midtown location, but it's too big and noisy) PHONE NUMBER 724-5588 PRICE RANGE $40-50/person

Dock's: (Uptown; the midtown location is a bit too big) Great fish and good service in a busy black and white tiled atmosphere. The specials tend to be more adventuresome, but there are always simple choices available. I usually get the swordfish, but I've never had a disappointment there. Dessert: Key lime pie or Dock's Mud Fudge. The sweet potato fries are not as good as they sound. Upper West Side.

Inexpensive

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Il Vagabondo: Small, old-fashioned, casual, wait-a-long-time, Italian with a Bocce court in the restaurant with very good simple food. Upper East Side.

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Loeb Boathouse: View of rowboats; 2 in 1: outdoor drinks/snacks and indoor/outdoor Italian restaurant Central Park.

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Tennessee Mountain Rib House: Best onion rings, good barbecue; bad for the cholesterol level, but fun. SoHo.

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The Coffee Shop (on Union Square at 17th Street): Mostly a place to be seen on weekend evenings, other times it is an interesting Brazilian restaurant and an all-night coffee shop. Unusual crowd.

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Empire Diner: 22nd and 10th Avenue: Art Deco diner; 24 hours; menu is worth reading; lentil burger is the most unusual item on menu; great sour cream apple crumb pie from the Little Pie Company Chelsea.

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Spring Street Natural: Natural Cuisine: good, inexpensive, unusual; very casual East Village.

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Acme Bar and Grill: Good, casual, southern food East Village.

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EJ's: Upper West Side, Upper East Side.

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Bubby's: TriBeCa.

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Aggie's: NoHo.

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East 6th Street: for inexpensive Indian food (bunch of restaurants in the East Village; cheap).

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Merchant (Uptown): Fridays and Saturdays it's packed with hungry (not for food) singles. Every item on the menu is inexpensive but only some of the portions are adequate as entrees. Many of the others make good shareable appetizers. Upper West Side (and East Side and Where?).

Restaurants with Dancing

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Rainbow Room: (Deco and dancing): Landmark Art Deco decor, live music, and a revolving dance floor. Good food too (order a dessert soufflé early).Upper East Side.

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Roma Di Notte: (caves and dancing): Good Northern Italian; high prices; private caves good for couples. Old-fashioned service and style. Upper East Side.

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The Supper Club: (Dancing in old theater setting) Mediocre food and service. Good dancing. Turns into popular music later on some evenings (much younger crowd, etc.)Theater District.

Good with a Group

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Lucky Cheng's: Though this an experience with any number of people, the sharing potential raises its impact with a group. This is a Vietnamese restaurant staffed exclusively by asian transvestites. Lower East Side.

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Carmine's: Just so you know, this is not worth it at all if you do not have a large group. They will not take reservations for small numbers and there can be a two-hour wait for food that is just not good enough. If your large group really wants Italian, you may consider this place because the atmosphere is fun and energetic. Upper West Side, Midtown.

Brunch

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St. Regis Hotel: Fancy, excellent food and service, high elegance; harp music. Very expensive.Upper East Side.

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Café Botanica: Very good. Buffet appetizers and à la carte main dishes. Expensive. Upper East Side.

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Palm Court (Plaza Hotel): Great buffet with excellent service, but sometimes they have a long wait (On Mothers' Day, there can be a long line, filled of people with reservations!) . Expensive. Upper East Side.

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Grand Hyatt: Good buffet brunch with views of 42nd Street and Lexington. Service is acceptable. Neither the food nor the service are on the levels of the other three, but neither is the price. Midtown.

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Tavern on the Green: Perfect for lunch, drinks, and (in the summer only) dancing. Also has jazz on some nights. Food is surprisingly good given the size of the place (serving up to 3000 people in a day). Good for tourists and special occasions. The Crystal Room has wonderful views of Central Park. This is also a good place for large private parties.Central Park.

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Boat House Café: Two sections: The inexpensive outdoor area is great for watching the boats on a warm, sunny day. Pretty good food. There is also a largely avoidable, overpriced more formal Italian restaurant. Central Park.

Hotel Food

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St. Regis: King Cole Room and adjacent terrace (brunch/lunch); Lespinasse (Dinner).

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Four Seasons: 57/57 (Dinner), Lobby Lounge (Tea, Dessert).

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The Drake: La Regeance (Dinner).

24 Hours/Kitchen Open Late:

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Coffee Shop (Union Square): Brazilian food and traditional coffee shop fare in formerly trendy site that was once really a coffee shop then taken over by the models who own Live Bait.

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Empire Diner: 22nd and Tenth: Art Deco decor with in-your-face fun menu. Highlights include the burgers including the Lentil Burger and the Sour Cream Walnut Apple Pie (direct from the Little Pie Company on 43rd Street).

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Pizza Joint: pizza (many flavors), burgers, and more; 23 hours/day.

Tea/Dessert

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St. Regis: King Cole Room; Upper East Side.

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Four Seasons Hotel: Lobby Lounge Upper East Side.

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Tea and Sympathy: Great place for a cozy cup of tea--if it's open and if there's a table available. Diet-defying British desserts are rich enough to satisfy and simultaneously lay down thick plaques in the blood vessels supplying your heart and brain. Cute teapots and creamers. West Village.

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Anglers and Writers: Very good for tea and dessert. Wooden tables, country-style setting. Traditional loose teas in pots with separate strainers West Village.

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Café Lalo: The first of the now numerous coffee/dessert places on the Upper West Side. Noisy and crowded on weekend nights but quiet during the day and, in the daylight, you can linger over a cup while reading the Times Upper West Side.

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Edgar's: Named for its location on E. A. Poe Street, the ceiling seems lifted from the House of Usher just before it sunk into the ground. The desserts are good and so is the food. It gets crowded on weekend nights Upper West Side.

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