We didn't try the kangaroo or boar. (These were not options on the set group menu.) I had a scallop appetizer which was very good, though it didn't necessarily feel very different from what you might get elsewhere. The duck entree was excellent, and did feel distinctive. (It was served with a sesame soy dressing.)

Thanks again to Chowhounders for all you share. While I don’t frequently feel what I might add would be valueable, I read (and appreciate) your messages regularly. Perusing the Manhattan board helped me to choose Public for a special group dinner, even though I (and my guests) had never been.

The events manager Kimberly was very gracious and worked with me via email (my preference) to plan the event. I chose to offer the 3 course prix fixe and Kimberly readily agreed to tweak one option to best accommodate my party. When the number in our group shifted a few hours before the event, it wasn’t a problem.

We all thought the restaurant was gorgeous, especially the lighting. (Another CHer remarked on the atmoshperic temperature on his visit…and yesterday, a late summer/early fall day, it did feel just a little bit too warm around the bar, perhaps in part b/c of the lighting.) It felt stylish, kind of modern-urban romantic. Everyone who helped us, from the hostess, manager Mary and Andy, our wait person, was really terrific. They were kind, flexible, and professional. I couldn’t have received better service.

The food, I thought, was excellent. It was just the right balance of “different” w/o being too exotic that my guests - who included adventurous eaters and decidedly not adventurous eaters - were all comfortable. The group feedback ranged from delicious to very good, and everyone said they want to return soon.

I highly recommend Public, especially if you’re hosting a group!

Just wanted to say thanks to folks who participate in the forums, and in particular those who’ve posted comments about Tocqueville.
I’d been looking for a place for my birthday, read a lot of different threads and decided on Tocqueville (despite, as some have pointed out, virtual silence about it on other sites). The reports I read here were pretty compelling. The photos were fabulous. The enthusiasm was encouraging.
Went last night and had a great time. The uni pasta appetizer was the best thing I’ve ever eaten. It would be my last meal request. Other items were very good, though not necessarily swoon-worthy over any of the city’s other great restaurants. I’ll be going back for the uni and together w/ all other elements – good drinks/wine, gracious services, lovely and intimate dining room – we had an excellent meal and thought it was a really good value.
I really appreciate these forums and all the helpful comments folks are constantly providing. Thanks!

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

funny - the last time i went for indian, it was my standby banjara. location may tip things in banjara's favor. will give a shout on how things turn out. thanks very much!

i'm looking for a budget friendly restaurant to meet a friend from out of town and thinking, for a few reasons, indian would work well...but i need a downtown location and when i look up the health inspection ratings (i know this may be overkill...but for the guest list, it's wise for me to do so ;), many of the CH faves are eliminated.

can anyone recommend good indian food downtown (or curry hill area) that isn't expensive (let's say entrees top out around 15-18) and that gets an A rating with no violations for evidence of roaches/mice?

culling the boards the best i'm coming up with is taj tribeca...is taj on 6th just as good? (the location would be much better.)

thanks in advance...my heart broke a little when i saw some of the ratings for the other spots...

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Taj Restaurant
310 E 6th St, New York, NY 10003

Taj Tribeca
18 Murray St, New York, NY 10007

Newer place styled as more healthy/delicious (eg, turkey and fish made fresh vs. frozen/fried pork, burgers, etc) quick service option? It's in South Loop - 1511 S. State Street.

Full disclosure - I know a couple of the partners and went to a private tasting on my last trip to Chicago. I don't have any stake in the place and thought the food was great! Curious to know what others think, especially as I look ahead to where I'll go to eat on my next visit!

i'm way overdue on a report, but just want to say thanks to all the feedback on my original query. we went to striphouse and, indeed, the ambiance was just right. the "strip" part of the decor was not overdone. the tables were really close, but - even though it wasn't very loud - we never heard the couples next to us. (actually, maybe they were just more quiet than us. did get the sense once or twice they may have been listening to us.) my date - now boyfriend ;) - seemed to really enjoy the ribeye and the mac and cheese - mentioned in other threads, iirc - was a great recommendation as well. appreciate your help!

Thanks again, everyone. I am keeping the "safety" reservation at Striphouse. (Not sure why someone made the sarcastic remark about "safety". I made one reservation - to be sure/safe that I had something secure for the date in question - at a place I'd be happy to go and, in the event I changed my mind and decided on somewhere else, would have cancelled well in advance. I didn't use the word or otherwise suggest to the restaurant that I wasn't looking forward to the dinner - which would be inaccurate, b/c I am in fact looking forward to it - so I think I approached it with appreciation/respect and good intent. But whatevs...)

For the comments on the steak - b/c, again, I'm not giving any consideration to the non-meat dishes - the location and the suggestion that it's not too sexy (which, I agree would be cheesy) and platonics/families would also be comfortable, I'm feeling good that this is the right choice.

Will be sure to report back!

Thanks for the feedback.
While the views at TWC may be intriguing, I think a plain ol' ribeye will make him most happy. (Ie, I looked at the menu and the chili rubbed aspect of the Porterhouse ribeye may not elicit the same reaction as a traditional prep.)
I know Strip House has the extra sexy vibe, but I was concerned that it might be one of the overly noisy/boisterous places. I want romantic (more than overtly sexual) and not too packed...and good service. FWIW, Strip House is where my safety reservation is.
I'll take a look at BLT Prime...
This is about 2 weeks away, but I'll be sure to report back!

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BLT Prime
111 East 22nd Street, New York, NY 10010

Strip House
13 E 12th St, New York, NY 10003

For a special bday dinner, I’d like to take the guy I’m dating to a great steakhouse. This is somewhat foreign territory for me, considering I don’t eat red meat. (But I’m happy to make do w/ the menu at any steakhouse, so no consideration need be given to non-red meat options.)

If I recall correctly, his favorite cut or type of steak is a ribeye. I’ve searched the boards and looked at menus online and have narrowed to 3 spots (and made a reservation at one so I have something for sure). FWIW, he’s been to Luger’s and did not emerge a fan. And I think recall him giving high praise to Morton’s in Chicago.

Which among Primehouse, Dylan Prime and Strip House would you give the edge to for best ribeye/steak?

Factoring in that he is somewhat fashionable and we’d prefer a downtown scene with a nice (but not too loud) ambience, which would you recommend? (This is for a Monday night, so I’m not overly concerned about crowd/volume.) The downtown/semi-fashionable ambience is why I ruled out Keen’s or other “old NY” type places.

Many thanks in advance!!!

Hi - Any news for '09 re: NH lobster rolls? I am driving from NY to Portland, ME today and am looking for a dinner stop! Any recommendations along that route or standouts this summer? Thank you!

i sometimes dine alone...pearl is one of my favorite restaurants and the last time i ate there i was alone...but if you're new to dining solo and working up to it, i wouldn't recommend pearl. it's usually quite packed and busy. if you're alone, you'll likely be seated at the bar, squeezed in b/w others, most likely couples (not necessarily romantic, i just mean two people together).

and given how busy and packed it is, it's not the kind of place where the bartender can have an extended or leisurely hello/chat. (i've seen the bartenders have conversations w/ customers, but always w/ someone else calling for their attention, doing lots of other things, etc.)

i've certainly seen other people do it and, as i said, i've done it myself...but of all my solo dining experiences, i've felt most conspicusous and uncomfortable at pearl and i don't think i'd do it again.

as for recommendations, when i eat alone i generally look for places where i will generally be left alone so i don't have the best advice to "get out more". however, probably my best solo dining experience was at jane. great meal, great service, nice chat w/ bartender.

thanks, winechic and blind mind. i usually ask about beans at any kind of restaurant...it's always good to bear in mind. and the comments about construction solidify my decision to stay in terminal. i may have to bring along my own meal from nyc though, since i tend to hate airport food (comments about la carreta notwithstanding)...thanks again!!!

thanks to all! your comments have been very helpful. last night i also thought to call a miami friend of mine. he recently moved away from the city, but in the past month has been in and out of the mia airport many times. he told me no, it's not enough time right now, w/ the security times. (and he also had positive things to say about La Carreta.)

so i will sit around mia for 3 hours...will be a good excuse to go visit sometime later this year as it's been too long since i've visited.

thanks again! ps - re: the heights of cuban food or trekking for cuban food being a waste...there's none of it where i live now and for a girl who spent a couple of years in miami, i like to get a little feel for cubano vibes when i can. i mean, i don't even eat pork or red meat...so mostly i was just looking for beans and rice and background noise (outside of an airport).

Thanks to you both! I think I'm going to give it a shot! Fordnesor, is there a place as close you would recommend over Versailles?

I went to high school in Miami many many years ago, so it's a city I feel fairly comfortable in and why I'm feeling ambitious enough to try...although things have changed a lot since I moved away!

Thanks again!

I've looked at previous threads and see comments that 4 hours is enough time...but how about 3?

On a Friday afternoon, I've got a layover b/w 12-3pm and would love to run out for lunch and get some good Cuban food or anything else great, if feasible considering travel, security, etc.

I also see a lot of recommendations for Versailles. I'll be looking for something fast, inexpensive, but delicious! Does it fit the bill?

For what it's worth, I'll be coming in and out of an American terminal.

Thank you in advance!!!
CJ