ok...i lived in dallas for awhile and appreciate your excitement and anticipation of our restaurant scene. are you getting sick of javier's and nick and sams?

anyways, to answer your questions:
1) you can't go wrong with the tasting menu at Degustation (but if they're still doing their riff on the "cheesesteak", you have to try it.
2) the russ and daughters "experience" is second to none, although it's not a formal restaurant. it's a cultural landmark, however, and one of the treasured experiences that connects us to all those who came before us (try the gaspe salmon or wild baltic)
3) Jean Georges should be an excellent lunch. I never make it that far uptown but have been there for dinner.
4) Ssam Bar is great. You shouldn't have a problem at 11. Try the rice cakes, steak ssam, rib pot, yellowfin sashimi, pork buns, apple salad, brussel sprouts
5) Prune does a nice brunch, but it does get crowded quickly. try the rattatouille if you get in.
6) Babbo is the best. the pasta is the star but don't get the tasting menu. you will 100% get sick. but do get three split betw. 2 people (black pasta, goat cheese tortelloni, and fennel and sausage)
enjoy!

sounds great

otto would be great, in my humble opinion

raouls is a soho classic

I'm a foodie looking to shed those extra winter lbs without sacrifising good food. please help!

gino's - upper east

matzoh ball soup - katz
smoked salmon bagel - russ and daughters
1/2 sour pickles - gus'
grilled corn - cafe habana
goat cheese and pomegranite syrup - cafe gitane
strawberry gelato - ciao bella
devils on horseback - freemans
blue balls - marshall stack

Or: Oriental Garden...what should I eat at these restaurants? thank you

L'Absinthe or Le Charlot

raouls in soho...and ask for the au poivre sauce for dipping. sinfully good!

just show up an hour or so before you want to eat. they'll get you seated.

Fred's at Barneys

the strip house is sexy, old homestead is old school. craftsteak is too big (i like cozy spaces). why not craft?

$250

quintessance

old homestead all the way. peter luger is past its prime (no pun intended). old homestead is the original "meatpacking" district steakhouse. plus, if you want to have a drink afterwards there are plenty of options. why go all the way to brooklyn? but if you do...lugers is now accepting credit cards (they just won't tell you).

saigon bakery for sure. in the back of a jewlery shop...can't beat it!

Luzza's (1st betw. 12th and 13th)

WHAT IS GOING ON THERE?? Rumor has it that AKHTAR NAWAB, formerly of Craftbar and the never opened Allen and Delancey, is the new chef. If that's the case, the line at EU should grow quickly. With NAWAB in the kitchen, I just wish I lived closer.

any one know if this is true????