I second Telepan!

Buvette! Butter and herbs creep into every corner of your nose. The entrees are surprisingly affordable. The coq au vin is terrific. The only tradeoff is it's usually jampacked and they dont take reservations-it will be loud and crowded and your server will be busy, but the food merits the hype.

JG Melon

I'm taking my boyfriend for his 30th birthday and he deserves it. He's an adventurous food writer with fancy shmansy taste. We've already been to Torrisi for the regular menu awhile ago. Never been to Atera -- what do you recommend? I'll be throwing a party separately for his friends, but this is the main event.

He's curious about how Atera's menu different from Momo Ko and EMP.

I'm interested in ambiance and good service. Any information is so much appreciated.

Lunches-Delizia, Pyramida, Palasio Azteca, Second Avenue Deli, Bareburger

Post-work cocktails -- Jbird

all excellent recommendations--thanks so much! any other ones you've enjoyed? i'm thinking very dim lighting with candles and i'm fine if the crowd is boisterous, but i'd love a slick, sexy feeling.

Parm or Rubirosa-both great choices, Parm has amazing cocktails and ice cream cake.

Nom Wah Tea Parlor and Golden Unicorn

I second Benoit, there's also Kashkaval--charming and wallet-friendy as well as the semi-new Lyon and Le Relais de Venise is a Paris import with a great steak prixe fixe deal-it acts the French part well. For lunch, check out the New Leaf Cafe in Fort Tyron Park-not too long of a trip on the A train from where youre staying and very memorable.

Hey, I'm looking for a resto with sultry environs and a menu where the food merits the hype. I'd love to request your guidance on restaurants that are seductive and impressive, but also really great food. I'm wide open to anything. Price point flexible--but would trade pampering and attentiveness for a laid back vibe.

Amazing.

I would love to try making macarons! daquoise sounds heavenly-do you have a recipe?

A cool GF take on a lemon meringue pie sounds great. Would you be willing to share the source of the recipe?

This is incredible. Thank you so much for the valuable guidance!

I thought the tasting menu was fantastic but the service fell short of expectations.

I'd like to make a delicious gluten-free dessert for a Labor Day barbecue? Any delicious ideas. Any help is much appreciated.

Jimmy's No. 43, and Cafe D'Alsace has a beer sommelier!

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Jimmy's No. 43
43 E 7th St, New York, NY 10003

I'd try Zum Schneider or Mission Dolores.

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Zum Schneider
107 Ave C, New York, NY 10009

Thank you so much!

Hi all, I posted awhile back when I was choosing a restaurant for my boyfriend's birthday a couple weeks from now. We settled on Corton, and we'll be having dinner there on a Friday at 9p.m. (We won't be doing the tasting menu--too pricey.)

I've been doing some reading and many diners have been disappointed and have posted reviews that aren't the rosiest. I would love to hear advice from those who have been. I'm just looking for some opinions and any insight is much appreciated.

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Corton
239 West Broadway, New York, NY 10013

Thank you all for the great advice!

I can't thank all of you enough for all of this valuable guidance. I learned a lot -- and now I'm ready with great ideas for any big celebrations.

The boyfriend has spoken and his picks are Jean Georges, Locanda Verde, Annisa, Corton, Toqueville and 15 East so I'll be going with one of those 6. If you guys have had enjoyable/ NOT enjoyable experiences at any of the above, I'd love to hear about them. I sincerely apologize for the change in direction. Thank you so much repliers!

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15 East
15 East 15th Street, New York, NY 10003

Jean Georges
1 Central Park W, New York, NY 10023

Corton
239 West Broadway, New York, NY 10013

Locanda Verde
377 Greenwich St, New York, NY 10013

That sounds really great too.

I haven't been to any of those! Thanks for all your help.

Thanks so much for offering to help! He's been to a lot probably like you. He's been to Degustation, Momofuku Ko, Brooklyn Fare, WD-50, Falai, Del Posto. My budget is limited, and I suppose it would be nice if we could get away with $60 per person or under, but I don't know how possible that is with his tastes so any ideas will help. For my birthday we went to Aldea, and he really liked that. Thanks again.

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WD-50
50 Clinton Street, New York, NY 10002

Del Posto
85 10th Avenue, New York, NY 10011

Falai
68 Clinton St, New York, NY 10002

Momofuku Ko
163 1st Ave, New York, NY 10003

Aldea
31 West 17th Street, New York, NY 10011

Hi everyone. I'm looking for the perfect restaurant to take my boyfriend to a birthday dinner for just the two of this in June. He is a food writer and an adventurous eater. His three favorite restaurants are Sassabune, Sushi Yasuda and Momofuku Saam Bar, but I was hoping to take him somewhere new. Any cuisine is up for grabs. The only thing that he can't eat is oysters. I'd love to take him somewhere celebratory and exciting, and I'm open to all suggestions. Any help is much appreciated!

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Sushi Yasuda
204 E 43rd St, New York, NY 10017