I'm going to be in New York the weekend before Valentines Day and am looking for some advice on dining. I've never been there before and am flying my wife in for the weekend.

I have reservations at both the World Trade Center Marriott and the Marriott Marquis for hotels and will pick from them when I get there and can check them both out.

My wife and I both like steaks and chicken (originally Huskers so we're beef eaters). I'd like to take her somewhere nice for obvious reasons.

Can someone please make a few suggestions for both of these areas? I would greatly appreciate it, as would my wife.

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As long as you are going to be at the WTC, you may want to look into going "upstairs" to Windows on the World, particulary if you have never been in the city. I do not think that the menu will blow you away but you can certainly get a good steak. You are going for the view as much as anything else (certainly the best window seat meal above 1,000 feet), and it is well worth it and the food will not be a compromise.

Having said that, "Windows" is certainly not the best cuisine in the city. If you are going to be in the downtown area, an excellent choice is the Gotham Bar & Grill. Don't let the name fool you, because it is not bar and grill fare. This is upscale dining with food that is arguably second to none. Gotham is located in the NYU area on (I believe) 12 Christopher Street.

Mid-town is a little more difficult though. It is pretty much dependent on how much you are willing to sacrifice. I would take a healthy look at Zagat's before you make any decisions, though. The first thing that you need to do is decide on a 'type' of food.

Gotham is a must however, IMHO.

May I recommend Roy's of New York.. He has a couple of restraunts around the world.. Peeble Beach California, Hawaii, Scottsdale, AZ etc... The food is VERY good. They have an EXTENSIVE wine list..

Roy's of New York is located just off the main lobby at the Marriott World Financial Centre.. Aprox. two blooks south of the Marriott World Trade Center.. on West Street...I honestly don't know if the serve steaks at Roys... But I had to RECOMMEND it...

For excellent steaks in midtown GO to Sparks Steakhouse in the east fourties... Between second and third avenues.... You'll love it!
Enjoy NYC!
Mike

[This message has been edited by MIKE MAHONEY (edited 01-23-2000).]

[This message has been edited by MIKE MAHONEY (edited 01-25-2000).]

I have to completely agree with Mike.

I ate a Roy's in Hawaii and it was incredible. Let me however add a few of my personal favorites. I don't work in the food industry so I don't want to hear anything from anyone. I'm actually a Paramedic. My favorite places to eat were listed in Forbes a few weeks ago- look yourself, I don't care.

I recently went to NY with my girlfriend who shall we say does better than I. So now you all know who paid! Anyway these places are amazing. I highly recommend reservations. And be prepared to spend money. I bid you fair warning. All are in Manhatten except Peter Lugar's steakhouse.

Peter Lugar's Steakhouse (Brooklyn) quick cab for top notch steaks.
Angelo & Maxies- amazing steaks and prime rib
Balthazar- great food, good atmosphere
Blue Water Grill- seafood
Union Square Cafe- continental food, hard to get in to, so reserve it early
Park Avalon- Continental, owns Blue Water Grill.

You really can't go wrong with any of them, or Roys.

You may also want to possibly consider if you try Gotham B&G that they have an absolutely wonderful and incredibly inexpensive set menu or prix fix lunch (about $20. or less). I believe the wine specials are still also available at lunch but I'm not certain. I haven't been here for a while, but it is a fine choice if in the neighborhood- or even if you're not!

Ah, a paramedic. So the space is between the "a" and the "m", not the "e" and the "d"---whew!

Hey Richard, enlighten me. What the heck are you talking about?

Wrong post....

[This message has been edited by kyklin (edited 01-26-2000).]

l not i

la medic I believe. Some of doc's family?

On the hotels, the Marriott Marquis is IN Times Square in the middle of everyplace you want to be. The Marriott at World Financial Center is where the Marquis always ends up sending guests once they're booked...it's kinda lonely and quiet down there...you'll need cab or subway to go ANYWHERE. Unless you're getting a big savings at WFC (which is possible), then you'll choose the Marquis.

All the restaurant suggestions are great. For added perspective, you might take a look at www.zagat.com.

One of my personal faves is called "La Metairie", a cute little romantic french bistro in Greenwich Village - barely seems like you're in the city. Another with an awesome reputation as one of the most romantic restaurants in NYC (although I've never been) is "One if by land, TIBS".

[This message has been edited by Paulo (edited 01-26-2000).]

No offense intended, LAMEDIC!

Romantic Restaurants:

Aureole (perfect filet, great organic chicken)
Gramercy Tavern
L'Espinasse
Capsouto Freres

Make your reservations now! Weekend reservations in NYC (especially around Valentine's Day) are impossible.


[This message has been edited by gabbysz (edited 01-26-2000).]

None taken.

By the way, how does one go from being a junior member to a regular member? I assume that as with other discussion groups its based on #posts? And aside from 'status' are there any main differences?
Thanks guys.

- Very embarassed.

OMNI - LAMEDIC I received my EMT training and worked as volunteer on Cornell University 's EMS team. However, we can't transport - liability too high!

Another anecdote, in Ithaca, the company that operates the only funeral home also operates the ambulance service. The funeral home, not coincidentally, is right next to the ambulance station. Talk about convenience.

la medic (en francais) or is that L.A. Medic? I presume not lame dic ?

You are right junior member just based on # of posts. Full members have no special privileges other than we somtimes think we know it all--now that's a laugh