Get an early reservation at Le Bernardin or Marea. Neither one is conventionally romantic but definitely swank and luxurious, serving some of the best food in New York.

Why not try Marea? It's much closer to your theater and the food is better than Torrisi.

Guacamole and chips!

How many friends, and do you have a price range in mind?

You could look into Hill Country, Momofuku Noodle Bar's fried chicken dinner, Yunnan Kitchen, and Rubirosa.

If the wife hates seafood, she will hate Per Se's seafood. Their preps enhance, and do not disguise, the seafood.

That's like asking vegetarians to try meat at Per Se just because we like the meat dishes there. We can't impose our tastes on others. She should request the substitutions.

I think restaurants use noise to control the demographics (i.e. age group) of the dining patrons. As the price point increases, the noise diminishes. On the UES, Cafe Boulud and Salumeria Rosi on Madison Avenue are pretty quiet.

Lincoln
Marea
Del Posto
Ai Fiori
Perla
Torrisi Italian Specialties
Salumeria Rosi (Madison Avenue)

Pete Wells gave two stars each to Pig & Khao and Jeepney. I must try balut.

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/13/din...

One star from the New York Times.
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/27/din...&

Benoit

I recently had an excellent tournedos rossini at Le Philosophe.

Okay, in that case I would go with The Modern as suggested above, or maybe Blue Smoke, because locavore (GT and USC), and Italian food (Maialino) are very well represented in San Francisco.

The Modern Bar Room is a favorite of Bay Area friends. The Modern Dining Room is pricier and perhaps a bit too similar to Gary Danko, Michael Mina and other high end SF places.

Where is your friend coming from?

Benoit - Paris
Morimoto - Philadelphia
Buddakan - Philadelphia
Saravaanas - Chennai
Minamoto Kitchoan - Tokyo

I guess you could make the case that Per Se is an outpost of French Laundry in Yountville since they share many dishes.

Agreed! I went to Louro because of the many recommendations on this thread and loved the gnocchi and everything else.

If you like seafood, then Le Bernardin. If you prefer a broader menu, consider Corton in addition to Bouley.

Second Perla. Also: Manzo, Lincoln, Il Buco Alimentari e Vineria, Marea.

Rubirosa
http://rubirosanyc.com/familystyle.ht...

Szechuan Gourmet on 39th Street.

My friends in their early twenties have enjoyed:

The Modern Dining Room
Jean Georges
Del Posto

I bought some epoisses and fourme from Murray's Cheese for tomorrow night.

Marea - shortrib ravioli
A Voce Columbus - crispy pork belly with figs, balsamic and pistachios
Picholine - bacon and eggs
Lincoln - linguine alle vongole
Minetta Tavern - bone in New York strip steak

What were your favorite dishes of 2012?

For lunch, Del Posto would definitely be appropriate for well dressed and well mannered children. Enjoy.

Katsu Hama - cutlets and ramen

Szechuan Gourmet

Yakitori Totto

Ma Peche - Vietnamese fusion

Sugiyama - kaiseki

Blue Ribbon Sushi Bar and Grill - the sushi isn't stellar but the cooked dishes are quite good

Sushi of Gari - the west 46th street branch is about a 10-12 minute walk from Carnegie Hall

Some people like Joe's Shanghai, Chom Chom, Lili's 57, and Tang Pavilion though I've had mixed experiences during my infrequent visits.

Marseille
http://www.marseillenyc.com/menu.aspx

Manzo is great.

I love Perla.

Absolutely.

I've been to Almayass once. The decor is quite nice and the food is good though the restaurant was nearly empty and service seemed tense.

I'd go back again though just for the food. I think Illili is hipper and livelier and the food is just as good there.

Del Posto
Ai Fiori

What's interesting to me is that Wells chose to publicize his reservations rather than discuss them with Humm privately. Wells is obviously recognized at the restaurant.

An EMP demotion would cause a stir, wouldn't it. More publicity for Wells, especially coming so soon after his Guy Fieri review.