We just got back from a lovely 3-day visit to Paris. I couldn't find much information on foodie vegetarian dining before we left so, in the interest of helping future vegetarian travelers, I thought I'd share a brief list of restaurants that were particularly good to me. I did not make many reservations on my trip 5 years ago and, as a result, wound up with many croque monsieurs without ham. We wanted to do better this time and tried to find restaurants that were up snuff for both meat eaters and non-meat eaters. For what it's worth, we are 40-something New Yorkers and like to believe that our standards are high.

All restaurants were notified in advance of my dietary restrictions.

Friday lunch - Chez Dumonet
When I called, I was informed there would not be much, "maybe an artichoke or something." True enough, there was not much to choose from, but said artichoke was a delicate and delicious salad, and there was enough on the menu to make a fine feast.

Friday dinner - Le Martel
Went here on the recommendation of a friend who is a frequent visitor to Paris and enjoyed the best vegetable tajine I've ever had, certainly better than anything we ate in Morocco - loads of asparagus and capers in addition to the usual vegetables. My husband had bbq pork and couscous, called something like Mamounia, one of best dishes he ate in Paris this time around.

Saturday lunch - Les Papilles
Prix fixe so I was left in the hands of the chef. Soup and omelet with vegetables were delicious. Prix fixe also includes a cheese course and dessert. You can email for reservations and to notify of dietary restrictions: lespapilles@hotmail.fr.

Saturday dinner - Au Passage
The menu changes regularly but it consists of many small plates and there is sure to be something for the vegetarian.

Sunday lunch - bread, cheese, La Fougasse, etc. No restaurant visit.

Sunday dinner - Mon Vieil Ami
We had been here years ago and the food did not leave a big impression, but they've come a long way. Several options here and the staff is very accommodating. Note: This place is loaded with fellow tourists. That said, my meal was outstanding and I'll certainly go back on our next trip.

On our last trip we ate at Arpege and Maceo. Both will happily accommodate you. If we had had more time, I would have returned to Maceo. Arpege was a bit over the top and pricey for me (but many will disagree).

Thank you. No, it doesn't have to be a tasting menu.

Hi. I am looking for something fairly swanky, but perhaps not Per Se swanky. The big catch is that I am not really into seafood and that rules out a lot of the new contenders. For what it's worth, our favorite upscale places, in addition to Per Se, are Atera and Corton. We were underwhelmed by The Modern and Lincoln, and the husband has no interest in the new EMP. I just called Jungsik and they can keep the seafood out of my meal. Is that a good choice? Where oh where should we go?

Thank you!

Hello, all.

My husband turns 50 next month and I'm trying to figure out where to take him. He loves EMP so I thought NoMad might be an interesting surprise for him. Is it up to snuff and special occasion-y enough? I don't need anything terribly fancy - food is most important - and I'm wondering which venue to choose between the two. Which would you pick and why?

Thank you!

Thanks so much, everyone! Picholine sounds like the winner but if you come up with any other stellar ideas, please post. I'm not going to specify which room - we'll just see what happens.

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Picholine
35 West 64th St., New York, NY 10023

Those are all great options. Also, if it's a nice day and you feel like a stroll, Gradisca on W13 can't be beat for good food and kid-friendliness. Grand Sichuan and Legend are pretty good with kids too if your pals want Chinese.

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Grand Sichuan
229 9th Ave, New York, NY 10001

Gradisca
126 W 13th St, New York, NY 10011

Legend
88 7th Ave, New York, NY 10011

My husband and I are going to something at the Beacon for his birthday and I'd like to take him for a memorable dinner before the show. All I can think of is Telepan but we've been there a couple of times already and I'd rather try something new. What are you favorites these days? Much obliged.

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Telepan
72 W. 69th Street, New York, NY 10023

Another vote for Boulud but you have a lot of fantastic options. We recently had a great vegetarian meal at Tocqueville, which is well worth a trip with or without a vegetarian. Not sure how upscale you want to go, but you will do well at EMP, Per Se, Devi (but service is odd there), and Blue Hill, to name a few. Personally, I'd go with Tocqueville or Cafe Boulud and you probably won't have a hard time getting a reservation at either.

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Per Se
10 Columbus Circle, New York, NY 10019

Cafe Boulud
20 East 76th St., New York, NY 10021

Blue Hill
75 Washington Place, New York, NY 10011

Chelsea Ristorante is nothing special but there are always kids in there and the menu is pretty straightforward and solid. Our favorite kid-friendly spot is Gradisca - they adore kids and the food is generally very good. Both places have a full bar for the adults. ABC Kitchen could work if the kids like to eat early, but you'll need a reservation.

Eataly is a zoo, even worse weekend night, I think.

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Gradisca
126 W 13th St, New York, NY 10011

Chelsea Ristorante
108 8th Ave, New York, NY 10011

ABC Kitchen
35 E 18th St, New York, NY 10003

Eataly
200 5th Ave, New York, NY 10010

I have spent a lot of time over there and my favorite spot for lunch, dinner, or takeout is Ali Baba on 34th. You are wise to avoid the NYU food. If you're up for a bit of a stroll, you're not far from many good Indian options in the upper 20s.

Surya on Bleecker is reasonable. I haven't eaten in the restaurant recently but it's always been pretty reliable and solid. Plus it's comfortable and they have a full bar so your pals can relax after all of that walking. There's also Bombay Talkie but a) that might be too far for you and b) is a little pricier, I think.

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Bombay Talkie
189 9th Ave, New York, NY 10011

We were at the Abingdon farmers market this morning (open every Sat) and they had plenty.

There are a lot of great recs here. I'd also add I sodi on Christopher.

Are you looking for something close to Birdland, or are you willing to travel?

I haven't eaten there for a year or two but, assuming nothing much has changed, I can tell you that the food is perfectly average. I wouldn't seek it out but it's not disgusting. If you are fussy, get something light during the show and then go out for dinner elsewhere.

Also, I'm quite fond of La Bergamote, a great place for croissants, pastries and sandwiches.

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La Bergamote
169 9th Ave, New York, NY 10011

Whoops - typo on my part.

Grand Sichuan on 9th and 24th for Chinese takeout and/or delivery. Co. is right across the street.

Does anyone know where I can find a non-Carvel ice cream cake in this town? Someplace in the West Village or Chelsea would be ideal but I'm flexible. Thanks very much.

We have a toddler so Chelsea Ristorante is in regular rotation. Sgordon's description nails it - it's nothing special but they are family-friendly and reasonably-priced. I've taken my parents and grandmother there on several occasions and they were all happy. I wouldn't call it festive, though, and there's something a little cheesy about it, but the food is solid and the service attentive. The other family-friendly Italian place we frequent is Gradisca. It's probably a bit pricier than CR but the staff is fantastic with kids and the food is far better. Also take a look at Intermezzo. I haven't been there since they changed management but believe there was a recent posting here about how good it was.

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Gradisca
126 W 13th St, New York, NY 10011

Chelsea Ristorante
108 8th Ave, New York, NY 10011

Take a look at Maialino too. Great wine list without a huge markup. Not huge, but interesting. Oh, and the food is great too.

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Maialino
2 Lexington Avenue, New York, NY 10010

Check out opentable.com to get a sense of what's open and available today. You can search by neighborhood.

She is just about two and doesn't make a lot of noise. However, I try to be respectful of those around us, who don't necessarily want to hear a kid babbling when dining. She goes out with us a lot - Barbuto, Locanda Verde, and ABC Kitchen are recent venues - and, if dining with her, we'll eat at 6:30 or 7. If Recette and casual and kind of loud, I think we'll bring her.

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Locanda Verde
377 Greenwich St, New York, NY 10013

Recette
328 West 12th Street, New York, NY 10014

ABC Kitchen
35 E 18th St, New York, NY 10003

She's pretty well-behaved but I try to limit her dining to loudish places so we don't disturb everyone around us. Should I get a sitter? Thanks.

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Recette
328 West 12th Street, New York, NY 10014

Yes, I agree with JungMann - neither restaurant is really worth a visit. Personally, I'd go with Suenos if I had to chose between the two because, while Crema has nice cocktails, the food tends to be overdressed and too heavy. What about Rocking Horse? It's not spectacular but it's in the neighborhood and the food is better than that at Crema or Suenos.

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Crema
111 West 17th Street, New York, NY 10011

Rocking Horse Cafe
182 8th Ave, New York, NY 10011

Suenos
311 West 17th Street, New York, NY 10011

I love Cafe Loup but for the atmosphere, not the food. If the birthday boy wants a solid martini and a burger, the Loup is for you. Otherwise, the food is overpriced and nothing to write home about. Haven't been to Danal in ages so I can't comment there. How far are you willing to stroll? I love I sodi on Christopher but maybe that's too far? Good food, good bar (and wine list), and good volume.

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Danal
59 5th Ave, New York, NY 10003

Cafe Loup
105 W 13th St, New York, NY 10011

I called Billy's and it turns out they can provide what I need. Thanks, folks.

Hello. I'd like to do some sort of cupcake decorating activity for my child's birthday. A better mother would bake the cupcakes herself, but I am too lazy. Any ideas where I could get unfrosted cupcakes? Thank you.

Give Tiny's a shot. Great fake meatball parm hero too.

Check out the Zampa menu. While there are often several egg and french toast dishes, they also offer pasta and sandwiches and have a decent wine list.

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Zampa
306 West 13th Street, New York, NY 10014