I had a great meal at Ralph's Bistro in Healdsburg. More than anything I loved the service and atmosphere! http://www.bistroralph.com/ Totally fun spot and in a really cute town! Much less touristy than Napa. In San Fransisco you have to go for dinner at Flour and Water. Just divine!

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Flour + Water
2401 Harrison Street, San Francisco, CA 94110

Gottino on Grenwich Ave has great tapas and wine. Really fun to sit at the bar, but for 6 people their garden is probably better. bobo on west 10th str has a happy hour from 5-7pm with $5 rose and $1 oysters. It is my go-to place for after work drinks... They also has a long list of canapes and shared plates on their menu. I love the bite-sized tuna thing they have and a peking duck to share. have fun!

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Gottino
52 Greenwich Ave, New York, NY 10011

OMG, your Atlanta friend better be impressed by bobo! The interior and atmosphere is amazing and truly unique. I love that the food is local/seasonal and the burger and duck is my favorite! The cocktails are delish and obviously you can get a strong Martini there! Go and order the "dinner party" if you want the whole package!

Wow, I can so related to that craving. I went to bobo in the west village last week and had duck as a starter and as a main! I shared the starter with my husband and it was duck accompanied by chard leaves, pickles and a spicy sauce that you assembled yourself. The duck was so soft and tender - so good!
Then I ordered their breast as a main. It came with a date puree, chorizo and hazelnuts - so amazing. Juicy, tasty - I will def come back again and again for that! It was $29 which I think is reasonable for such great quality meat. I know bobo only sources from local and ethical farms. I am sure you can get more breast for your buck in Chinatown, but I have no idea what kind of meat that is...
I did some research after my visit and found a video of the bobo chef making the duck!
http://ozersky.tv/2010/07/bobo-duck/
Also, they have a blog:
http://bobonyc.tumblr.com/

Report back what you think if you go. I'd be curious to hear another duck overs review.

bobo is my favorite! I keep telling friend to go and they all love it. bobo has a great cocktail list - I always get the London Calling and the bobo. The atmosphere is awesome, it's in a townhouse on west 10th. Good luck with that mama in law!
www.bobonyc.com
If that's not your thin, Cafe Cluny on West 4th is a safe choice.

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Cafe Cluny
284 West 12th Street, New York, NY 10014

Taim, hands down!

I love Westville for all their veggies you can mix and match as you like. Also, bobo has a $1 Oyster happyhour, with $5 wine from 5-7pm... Perfect pre-theatre snack. They also have hot dogs and $14 Lobster Roll on the weekend. It is SOOOO good.

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Westville
210 W 10th St, New York, NY 10014

BabyCakes is amazing! The cupcakes are vegan and you can even get gluten free! But that's just an added bonus! The cupcakes are actually the best I've ever had!

Have you had the ones at bobo restaurant? They have one with earl grey tea ice cream! Great grown-up version of the classic.

the burger at bobo in the west village is sooo good! It's got Gruyere cheese and leeks! I know, unexpected, but yet so delicious. You can eat it at the downstairs bar which is more casual and easy - and they have great cocktails and beers. Sold?
http://www.bobonyc.com