Sorry, Alan would love to help, but you must first read all 3240 posts starting in 2014, it’s all here. 
… but seriously, my last experience with Le Bernadin, was a great one. Wife and four kids aged 14-20, had a blast. I believe right before lockdowns. Sure, it was pricy, and fairly large room. but it still had that Michelin pomp (along with uber$$$$$ wine list). I think we drank champagne the whole time. They treated us great, and we had a memorable time.
Well Le Bernadin was boring for a while but I was blown away by my meal last October. Previous lunches always seemed “correct” but uninspired. Not so last meal , true 3 * and a value.
I’d love to be be paid to eat there. Bet you’d love it if you are fish focussed.
Loved Rezdora - amazing pasta, like in Italy. Been twice recently.
Semma for upscale Indian. Equal to top London Indian though less formal, best in city IMO.
Jua or Atoboy for upscale modern Korean.
Katz for Pastrami.
Really depends what you are looking for.
Sorry, didn’t mean to be a jerk or anything, this thread is just so full of great information it would be a shame not to dig in first, and then come back with specific questions maybe. The regular contributors do a terrific job and, unlike a lot of other restaurant threads, it’s updated at least weekly.
What type of dinning experiences are you looking for Alan?
Any preferences for cuisine, dietary restrictions, etc would certainly help in recommendations more tailored towards what you’re looking for
Sarah—You weren’t. You were candid and it’s appreciated. All good. I’ll definitely go back and look.
not really looking for ethnic food. Get enough in LA.
Would like French, Italian. Loved Per Se long ago. Enjoyed
Madison Park, pass on veggie version now.
Carbone?
Per Se again?
Peter Luger?
I’ve done my penance and read past 300 posts. Didn’t go back to beginning since it seems just historical.
Not going to NY till early December.
I personally have no interest in the way NY does “fancy.” It’s too affected, corporate, boring. Things are different in Europe, where I can be down with the white tablecloth pomp and circumstance. In NY, it’s by far the least exciting of the options.
I would say snag a reservation at Atomix if at all possible. Don’t think of it as Korean because it’s not “ethnic food” at all, it’s just some of the best cooking in the world right now. I’d also recommend Aska, though a trip to Brooklyn is required (it’s right over the bridge, so Uber is fast and easy), and Atera for high end nordic. People like Rezdora a lot, people I trust, so I’d put that on the list even though our experience wasn’t that great. Secchu Yokota is somewhere to consider - yes, it’s Japanese, but I don’t know of anywhere in LA that is going high end tempura like this. I think you’d enjoy The Modern or the more casual Bar Room, where there is a very good and reasonably priced wine list as well as strong food, if not the most innovative.
Exactly what I was looking for. After French, Korean is my favorite and LA has a great Korea town. I’ll study the list and much thanks.
I don’t know anyone who doesn’t have great things to say about the Modern.
If you want fancy, that’s a good choice.
Recently returned to Llama San on 6th Ave. Once again I was amazed at the quality and creativity of the Nikkei cuisine (Japanese/Peruvian). Four of us did almost the whole menu, which, no surprise is seafood-centric. It’s uncommon to find this level of sophistication, artistry and complexity in such an informal setting. The beverage menu (including only wines from coastal areas & fabulous piscos) is off-beat and well curated.
Pricey but worth it.
N.B. I know the owner and have sold them some wine. So, perhaps I get a slightly VIP experience. But I always pay my own way except for the odd comped drink.
Sister restaurant Llama Inn in Williamsburg (with another about to open in Madrid) is more casual and less expensive. It attracts a younger crowd with similar, though less elaborate food and all Spanish/So American wines. Later this year, they are opening a 6,000 sq ft place in the Spiral building at Hudson Yards. Word is it will slot in between the 2 existing ones.
I’m sorry I even said Korean because it’s really not, and now you have expectations. But it is very, very good. I consider it a top contender for the best restaurant in the US right now, and the contender part is just because I haven’t tried them all.
I enjoyed Daniel much more than the Modern. Though I like the Bar Room a lot.
keep trying! Rooting for you.
Modern allows corkage, if that’s a consideration.
Here now, on the way to Paris tomorrow.
This trip is mostly about visiting our 8mo granddaughter, but we ate a wonderful dinner at Claud with friends not seen since before the pandemic. Josh and Chase get it and I expect great things from them at Claud and beyond. The last time I felt this type of excitement about a new restaurant was when Septime was open during its shakedown period; you could sense that when they were done dialing things in, they were going to be special.
Going tonight to Côte to celebrate our daughter and her husband’s anniversary and his new job starting tomorrow. Will order Champagne(s) from the list and I’ll bring an early vintage of Beta Monticello. It’s great to be back in NYC, even if only for grandparent duties.
I’ll try to sneak lunch tomorrow at Marea or at least stop by to pick up an order or two of fusilli with octopus and bone marrow for the ride to Paris.
another recommendation for Atomix (as strongly as possible)! It excels on every level
any thoughts on oxalis in brooklyn? full menu vs a la carte? solid or nothing special? i went to place des fetes when it opened and barely remember what i ate…not a good thing.
Alan -
I really don’t like three star places like Les Bernardin or Per Se. I do like Brooklyn Fare. The big difference is first and foremost Chef Cesar is always in the kitchen at Brooklyn Fare and second the cost is mostly due to the quality of ingredients and not the Pomp and Circumstance. Based on your posts it seems like you do like the fine dining spots which is cool, lots of people love them. What I would suggest is go to one and then mix it up with what NYC does best and see what you think afterwards and of course report back.
Modern Korea is on fire in NYC. Check out Jungsik, Atomix, Jua or for something casual Atoboy. There are others as well. I love Atomix and it would be my first choice but it is very hard to reserve. If you can’t reserve there go with Jungsik which trained Chef JP of Atomix and Chef Kim of Jua. The Modern interpretation of Korean food is very different than LA. Except Kinn because the Chef worked at Atomix, Blanca and Jungsik in NYC.
Please, please hit Brooklyn - Try a casual lunch lunch spot like The Four Horsemen (they have a Michelin star) or dinner at Rolos in Queens or Vinegar Hill in Dumbo. You really can’t understand NYC dining without going to Brooklyn.
Hit a restaurant in Rock Center for a snack or apero to see whats going on there Le Rock or Lodi.
High end Japanese - NY has a different Japanese scene than LA with a lot of options for all styles. This is a must.
Then hit some of the smaller spots like Contra, Estela or Ko. This is where NYC like Copenhagen or Paris really, really shines. Casual spots with some dishes better than what you can get a place like Les Bernardin.
Finally NYC has many great wine centric restaurants like Chambers, Claude, Charlie Bird or The Grill (I put this here because I only go there because of the wine).
I have been diving deep into the LA scene lately, just back from two weeks there, and I understand it more and here is big shocker I am elevating it to the 2nd best food city in the U.S. surpassing San Francisco BUT NYC is still by far the best dining city in the U.S. so enjoy! Feel free to continue to ask questions…
We were in NYC for the US Open this weekend and managed to try both Atoboy and Semma. Both were fantastic - thanks to everybody on this thread that pointed those out.
Thanks for reporting back. I need to try Semma.