New York restaurants?

[h0b0]

Really enjoyed my meal at Eleven Mad. But, it's a long meal so make sure you have time and are not rushed. Also, one draw back of the duration you are there is that it's a "bit" on the pricey side due to wine. My wife and I had 2 bottles of wine, beer for me and their house spirit. (When they put the bottle down, don't be shy. Drink it)

[VTECMatt]

GCH said:

Eleven madison is 28 days in advance.

I used my amex concierge the first time , booked direct the second time on a week or so's notice. They do pop up on opentable too and are most helpful over the phone.
It is also the most relaxed of all the high end NYC restaurants for dress code- places like Per Se (which is very good, particularly the service), Daniel (not a fan personally) and The Chef's Table at Brooklyn Fare (amazing food, but one of the hardest reservations to get anywhere) are all strictly dress shoes, slacks, shirt, jacket etc, with no leway whatsoever.
Eleven Madison is much more relaxed

Sounds perfect, thank you for your help.

[VTECMatt]

h0b0 said:

Really enjoyed my meal at Eleven Mad. But, it's a long meal so make sure you have time and are not rushed. Also, one draw back of the duration you are there is that it's a "bit" on the pricey side due to wine. My wife and I had 2 bottles of wine, beer for me and their house spirit. (When they put the bottle down, don't be shy. Drink it)

First proper abroad holiday since our honeymoon in 2005 so defiantly in the mood to relax, allowed plenty of time to do the touristy stuff.

[HDM]

Try the burger at The Spotted Pig, but don't go starving, it's not big so you may find yourself waiting.

[h0b0]

VTECMatt said:

h0b0 said:

Really enjoyed my meal at Eleven Mad. But, it's a long meal so make sure you have time and are not rushed. Also, one draw back of the duration you are there is that it's a "bit" on the pricey side due to wine. My wife and I had 2 bottles of wine, beer for me and their house spirit. (When they put the bottle down, don't be shy. Drink it)

First proper abroad holiday since our honeymoon in 2005 so defiantly in the mood to relax, allowed plenty of time to do the touristy stuff.

I notice in the link provided that it estimates a meal at 11 to be 140 pounds per head. I would double that including "cheap" wine and tip. I am getting old, at 35, so we went for the afternoon seating and would recommend it. Other tasting menus I have been wanting to see the end because of exhaustion but doing the afternoon means that you are awake. Well at least me anyway. Also, we were not as lucky as other regarding booking even though we called the moment the phone line opened for our intended day. So, you may need to be a little flexible.

If budget is not an issue make sure you order vintage wine. How To Open A Bottle Of Wine By Snapping Its Neck With Hot Port Tongs

[easytiger123]

thanks for the link to that video...wonderful!

[R11ysf]

http://www.fettesaubbq.com/

Amazing BBQ, best I've had outside of the Southern states. You have to queue up and order by weight, well worth the tube ride to Brooklyn.

[VTECMatt]

h0b0 said:

I notice in the link provided that it estimates a meal at 11 to be 140 pounds per head. I would double that including "cheap" wine and tip. I am getting old, at 35, so we went for the afternoon seating and would recommend it. Other tasting menus I have been wanting to see the end because of exhaustion but doing the afternoon means that you are awake. Well at least me anyway. Also, we were not as lucky as other regarding booking even though we called the moment the phone line opened for our intended day. So, you may need to be a little flexible.

If budget is not an issue make sure you order vintage wine. How To Open A Bottle Of Wine By Snapping Its Neck With Hot Port Tongs

Aware of the cost, we will only go once. Not sure I can afford a vintage but tempting to see!

[Elderly]

The VERY best steak I've ever 'experienced'
http://peterluger.com/about-peter-lugers/

[only1mikey]

To celebrate our first wedding anniversary I've booked a stay in New York this November - it's our first visit to the States and NYC and cannot wait.

I've been looking for somewhere special to eat on the date of the anniversary and was hoping to book something well in advance to avoid dissapointment... but it has come as a bit of a surprise that many of the restaurants can only be booked nearer the time. I too was looking at Eleven Madison Park but have heard reports of people being on hold for an hour, before even getting through. Does anyone with previous experience suggest any tips on the best way to get a booking?!

Also, any other suggestions welcome for a michelin star restaurant near(ish) to West 46th Street greatly appreciated. I prefer a less formal and more relaxed dress code if preferable.

[sly fox]

rehab71 said:

Great steak joint http://www.keens.com

HTH

Keens was the worst restaurant we visited in NYC - average food, lousy service, nothing special at all. Was not the only table unhappy.

There was a thread about this a few months ago- lots of recommendations for NYC eating.
but...
Norma's for Breakfast
Aquavit for something special - like a Swedish/Nordic Heston restaurant.
Try the new trendy Korean high end restaurants.
Spice market
Pampano (south american seafood)

[sly fox]

Here was the link- some great places on here:
http://www.pistonheads.com/Gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

[RDMcG]

If you want an amazing bar I recommend the Dead Rabbit on Water Street right at the lower tip of Manhattan. Is on many lists of top ten bars in the world and the food is pretty good, great oysters….

[Burwood]

Elderly said:

The VERY best steak I've ever 'experienced'
http://peterluger.com/about-peter-lugers/

ive had better at goomans and peter luger is no better than goucho. pretentious and over rated imv

[GCH]

Burwood said:

Elderly said:

The VERY best steak I've ever 'experienced'
http://peterluger.com/about-peter-lugers/

ive had better at goomans and peter luger is no better than goucho. pretentious and over rated imv

Lugers is good, but no better than any very good steak place, and certainly not to the level of hype it gets...plus it is cash only

[dxbtiger]

Was in NY in September, the only 3* place we could get into was Jean George, we left it to late to get into 11 Madison and Daniel which were our first choices. JG was very good as you would expect.

Also really enjoyed the Standard Grill (we stayed in Meatpacking so was just around the corner) and Balthazar which is a bistro/bar kind of affair.

[Soir]

We went in December & I spent ages researching eateries (not Michelin)

Normas at le meridien for breakfast is a must - fantastic
Balthazar in soho also very good for breakfast
Lombardis pizza is soho was good (cheap & cheerful, also oldest pizzeria in NY)
Southern hospitality BBQ (few blocks from times sq) was good, again cheap & cheerful
Shake Shack - I would honestly eat a burger from here ever day if I could

The more expensive ones:
Saxon & Parole in soho (trendy some celebs go) really nothing special
Smith & Woolensky - biggest disappointment was supposed to be the best steak house. Was very old fashioned & clientele over 50 (which is fine) but the waiter was awful/horrible. First steak I had to send back (which I am very reluctant & embarrassed to do) second steak better but nothing better than a standard Groucho grill back home.

If I went again, I'd do one fine dining (star) and the rest pizzas, burgers & BBQ

Have a great time!

[Burwood]

GCH said:

Burwood said:

Elderly said:

The VERY best steak I've ever 'experienced'
http://peterluger.com/about-peter-lugers/

ive had better at goomans and peter luger is no better than goucho. pretentious and over rated imv

Lugers is good, but no better than any very good steak place, and certainly not to the level of hype it gets...plus it is cash only

cash only? It must have been 8 years since i was there. Very odd not taking plastic.

[Le TVR]

Lets not forget breakfast:

http://www.pershingsquare.com/

Oppposite Grand Central under the viaduct. Best breakfast I had in NY.

[RDMcG]

E A T on Madison is also great fro Breakfast.

I agree with previous post on Smith & Wollensky. It was great when it started, but last time I went it was just awful.

A couple of well-established places with great service are Union Square Cafe and Gotham Grill..superb food and atmosphere.