Restaurant suggestions for 70th birthday

My parents are going to New York April 12-15 to celebrate my mom's 70th birthday. I am hoping to make them reservations somewhere and pay for a birthday dinner for the 2 of them (I will not be there).

They live in Toronto and have been to New York before but not for a few years. They are quite active, and have travelled a lot, and generally like all types of cuisine, though I would say their preference would be more mainstream Italian, French, fusion etc.

I'd like to send them somewhere that's special enough for a birthday dinner without being pretentious, and probably not somewhere too loud or too "trendy". Price wise I would say mid-range, maybe $25-$35 entrees (is that mid-range?)

Location - they are staying at the Essex on Central Park south, but could go anywhere by taxi or subway.

2 places that come to mind only because I've been a few years ago are Public and Waverly Inn (although our waiter was very rude at Waverly), but I'm sure there are other good choices as well.

Any recommendations are welcome!

madison65 in Manhattan

Bar or pub near Massey Hall

I am going to a concert at Massey Hall and am meeting up with a friend for a drink beforehand. Any suggestions of where to go that's close (within a block or two) of Massey Hall? I want to avoid Yonge St./Eaton Centre if possible. Thanks!

madison65 in Ontario (including Toronto)

Need Rec - Bayview or Mt. Pleasant Restaurant strip

Vero on Bayview is always a good choice, and there's a brand new one called l"Avenue that looks good but haven't tried it.

madison65 in Ontario (including Toronto)

Drink spot in LES before Schiller's dinner

We are a group of 3 women in our 30's from Toronto, going for dinner at Schiller's in the Lower East Side on Sat night. We're looking for somewhere fun and hip to go for a drink or two before dinner, within walking distance of Schiller's which is on Rivington. Any suggestions welcome.

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Schiller's Liquor Bar
131 Rivington St, New York, NY 10002

madison65 in Manhattan

Sel de la Terre - which location?

We are looking to have brunch at Sel de la Terre and wondering if one location is better than the other. We are staying closer to Back Bay so will likely do that one, but will go to Long Wharf if that is a better option.

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Sel de la Terre
774 Boylston St., Boston, MA 02199

madison65 in Greater Boston Area

Father's Day brunch

I am looking for suggestions for Father's day brunch to go with my husband and our two kids ages 4 and 7. We are staying in Back Bay but are open to going anywhere in the city. We don't want anything too fancy or expensive, just good ambiance and good food, preferably a patio if it's a nice day. Also nowhere where we'll need to line up, and we can make reservations if necessary. thanks!

madison65 in Greater Boston Area

Scups in the Harbour- open?

Is Scups in the Harbour open? From the website it doesn't appear so, but just wanted to check. If not, is there an alternative option that someone could suggest, in terms of somewhere a little different and by water taxi? thanks!

madison65 in Greater Boston Area

Looking for restaurant recommendations

I will be in New Orleans from Jan 20-23 with my husband to celebrate my 40th birthday. We are looking for restaurant recommendations for dinners, and perhaps one or two lunches. We are staying in the Green House in the Garden District, but can also walk/taxi etc to other areas. Price wise we are willing to splurge for one or two of the meals, but inexpensive is good too! Authentic New Orleans food/experience is what we are after for the most part, and atmosphere is just as important as the food.

A couple places that seem to be not-to-miss are Galatoire's and Commanders Palace. I've made a reservation for Galatoires but I see now that it is the downstairs where we would want to be. How early should we come to wait in line, and how long would we wait? Also is Commander's palace better for lunch or dinner or jazz brunch?

Any and all other suggestions welcome!

madison65 in New Orleans

Looking for restaurant recomendations

I will be in Boston with my husband ( we are in our 30's) and looking for restaurant reco's. We are looking for fun and funky and/ or romantic. Not fine dining though are willing to splurge a bit. Atmosphere is as important as the food, and a good wine and/or beer list is always good. We are open to most types of cuisine, but if I had to specify would say seafood and Italian. Somewhere to go for a drink befoere or after is good too.
Two places that have been recommended by locals are Bricco and Towne - thoughts on these?
Thanks!

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Bricco
241 Hanover St., Boston, MA 02113

madison65 in Greater Boston Area

Bar on Danforth for pre-dinner drinks

Am looking for a bar on the Danforth within walking distance to the Globe to have pre-dinner drinks. Preferably somewhere that's a little cozy/romantic, but am open to suggestions.
thanks!

madison65 in Ontario (including Toronto)

College St recommendations?

It's been ages (like a couple of years) since I've gone for dinner on College st. I would love to go and wondering what a good place would be for a romantic yet fun, dinner for my husband and I who are in our late 30's. Grace sounds good, as does Calisto and Cinq 01. Ambiance is key, as is the food. Thoughts on these or other suggestions?

madison65 in Ontario (including Toronto)

ISO - restaurant in Midtown/downtown T.O. for birthday dinner

Am looking for somewhere to take my husband for his birthday (38). Location wise it should be midtown or downtown, or Queen east - we're coming from Yonge/Eg and don't want to drive or cab too far. We don't want anything too pricey, but still something nice for a birthday dinner. All types of food are good but we tend to lean towards Italian, French, fusion etc, though could be convinced of something else. Good wine and beer list always a plus.
thanks!

madison65 in Ontario (including Toronto)

Dining around the W Hotel

I will be staying at the W Hotel on Square Victoria (between downtown and Old Montreal) and am looking for somewhere close by for dinner. We are 2 women in our 30's, looking for somewhere not too expensive but with good atmosphere and good food (not picky on what kind of food, though tend to like French, Italian, Meditteranean, fusion, etc). Any suggestions appreciated!

madison65 in Quebec (including Montreal)

Montreal restaurants

I will be in Montreal for a weekend with 2 girlfriends in our 30's, staying at the W hotel near Old Montreal. We are looking for restaurant recommendations for the 2 nights. We are looking for something fun and lively, ideally not too pricey, can be trendy or lowkey. Location is pretty open, but would probably like to be somewhere around St Laurent or St Denis for one night. Any recommendations for places for a drink or two afterwards- not clubs but more bars or lounges.

thanks!

madison65 in Quebec (including Montreal)

Dining recommendations in Miami/South Beach

My husband and I are coming to Miami next weekend for a long weekend and looking for some suggestions. We are in our 30's and are staying at the Standard in South Beach.

We want to do one night in the Design District and are deciding between:
- MIchaels Genuine
- Fratelli Lyon
- Sra. Martinez

The other 2 nights we'll probably stick to South Beach. The night we arrive we'll probably do something fairly casual, and the other night we'll do more of a night out.

We're not looking for anything too high end, or pretentious, or expensive, though will splurge for one of the nights as necessary. We like good atmosphere - could be trendy and fun, and/or lower key and romantic, and possibly somewhere with outdoor dining or outdoors for a drink first, and a good wine list (and possibly beer list for my husband who's a bit of beer conaisseur). Food-wise we're up for anything though definitely want to indulge in local fare some of the time.

We'd be walking or cabbing. As well, any recommendations for a place for a drink prior to or after dinner would be appreciated.

Thanks!

madison65 in Miami - Ft. Lauderdale

Drinks on Harbord St?

Am going to Harbord Room for dinner but our reservation isn't until 9pm so we're looking for somewhere close by for drinks (and possibly an appetizer) to go to beforehand. Does anyone have any recommendations for a nice spot for a drink (and would we need reservations?) Tati Bistro, Loire and Harbord House all look good online but haven't seen any of them in person.

madison65 in Ontario (including Toronto)

Looking for perfect dinner spot

My husband and I have 2 nights in Chicago- one of which we're going to onesixtyblue, and trying to decide on the other night. We're looking for fun, trendy and/or romantic and intimate... with atmosphere being equally important as food. Willing to splurge if it's worth it,but don't want anything overly stuffy, and probably not more than $20-$30 entrees. Is North Pond a good choice? Even though it gets such good reviews for some reason I don't feel excited about it. Also we'll be looking to go out afterwards to see some live music, jazz bars etc - is there a better area to be dining in to do this afterwards? We can easily take a cab too. And we're staying at the Amalfi near the Magnificent Mile.
thanks!

madison65 in Chicago Area

Looking for restaurant for romantic/fun dinner

Sorry, I meant to say Magnificient Mile - either the Allerton, Raffello or Indigo hotels.

madison65 in Chicago Area