Marea, Lincoln

What do you like about Mesa Grill? Southwestern flavors? Grilled meats? The sauces and condiments? It would be helpful to know some of your other favorite restaurants but look into:

Acme
Perilla
Louro
The Marrow
Colicchio and Sons
Empellon Taqueria
Yerba Buena Perry

I wasn't thrilled with food at Le Gigot on a recent visit. How about Artisanal or Cafe Luxembourg?

Bouley is a good suggestion. Also Locanda Verde.

Le Philosophe
Louro
The Marrow
Il Buco Alimentari
Perla

One star review from Pete Wells.
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/04/17/din...

But surely at some level it's not nonsense to you, right? You were hoping for a second Michelin star for Aquavit.
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/898128

How about Bouley in Tribeca?

That would not be a problem. If the reservation is under the name of your boss, just tell him about the requested substitution of meat/veg instead of seafood so that he can advise the restaurant when they call to confirm your dinner.

If you don't want to bother your boss about this, you can just inform the server when he or she asks about any "allergies."

Do you have a price range in mind? Cafe Boulud - a few blocks north on East 76th and Madison - has a vegetarian menu.

Thanks for the report. I'm glad you enjoyed Le Bernardin.

The fried rice (with duck, tonkatsu and sweet potato) at Ma Peche is tasty.

Benoit had Tournedos Rossini a special recently but I didn't get a chance to try it.

Based on two visits I also found the small plates to be better than the entrees (and desserts). I'm sure Louro will thrive but can't really disagree with the one star rating.

I do plan to return for one of the tasting menus.

Jean Claude has new location on 2nd Avenue between 70th and 71st Streets. I haven't been there yet but it might be worth considering since the original branch in Soho is quite good.

What was wrong with your recent dinner at La Silhouette?

The Marrow shouldn't be that noisy at 6:45. The noise level is about the same as Perilla and not as high as Momofuku Ssam Bar or Empellon Cocina. I don't recall the music at The Marrow as turbulent.

I was also disappointed with the lackluster spicing during a recent lunch there.

Sneakeater meant after the opera since Minetta is open late. That's what I plan to do anyway.

Right. Le Bernardin would have been my my first choice, and Bouley would have been my last.

Glad you enjoyed your first visit. The carbonara is indeed very good there.

I would suggest Lincoln since you love Italian food. The food is more creative and nuanced compared to the more rustic offerings at Babbo and Esca. The noise level is moderate.

La Grenouille has a great old world ambiance but, just to manage your expectations, the room is cramped and the menu strictly classic and rather predictable compared to other French restaurants in that price range.

Here are some suggestions which are within your budget and have vegetarian, seafood and/or poultry options:

Mission Chinese
Yunnan Kitchen
Motorino
Ippudo
Yakitori Totto
Katsu Hama
Saravaanas
Rubirosa
Mad for Chicken

Scarpetta gets my vote. Hearth is good but it is more of a neighborhood place rather than a destination restaurant.

You might have long wait at Café Sabarsky.

You could make a reservation at Café Boulud instead.

The Marrow
The Dutch
The NoMad
The Breslin

I think you'll enjoy the food Crispo though it's quite loud. How about Manzo or Louro? Also, Babbo tweets same day cancellations at around 3 pm.

The Dutch
Osteria Morini
Balthazar
Blue Ribbon

I haven't experienced any attitude at Wolfgang's, at least not in the East 54th Street location where I've dined at least three times. Do they have a reputation for rude service?

I love Boulud Sud though it's menu is more Mediterranean and rustic compared to the Per Se salon.

For your budget of about $100 to $150 pp I think Picholine or Jean Georges would be your best options for a "wow" Sunday dinner in the UWS/Columbus Circle area.