From this list of Manhattan restaurants, give me the top few for dinner for four. BYOB not necessary and in fact, the wine list is secondary [gasp!]. Thanks.
Marea A Voce Dovetail Eighty One SD-26 Corton Gramercy Tavern One Madison Park Hearth Mas Blue Hill Del Posto
----------------------- Randy Sloan, Owner / Vintner / Filler of Fax Paper Match Vineyards http://www.MatchVineyards.com
Posts: 1559 | Location: Napa Valley and East Bay | Registered: Oct 23, 2001
I always enjoyed Grammercy Tavern when I lived in the city (it's been three + years since my move from Manhattan to Miami). I did eat at Hearth about 3 weeks ago when I was there on business and really enjoyed it - I had the Roasted and Braised Domestic Lamb with Lamb Sausage, Buttercup Squash and Chanterelles. It was delicious.
Randy I know neither one of these restaurants are on your list, but:
My favorite steakhouse in the city would be the 82 year old restaurant, Gallagher's Steakhouse , Broadway & West 52nd. I've been going their since the 1970's, so it has plenty of sentimentality going for it, and not only do they have great Steaks, but they pour stiff drinks! Gallagher's still has one of the few wood burning ovens in the City, because it was grandfathered when they changed the laws. Prime Steaks, don't forget the sauteed onions!
Also, for fantastic seafood, and should you want to mortgage your house, you can have dinner at Le Bernardin, on West 51st.
Let me put in a strong and good word for Dovetail. Excellent and selective wine list for openers. But the food is exceptional. A recent dinner started with chestnut soup, a creative blend of chestnut, apple, and just the right spices. And that was just the beginning. One of my best dining experiences in New York...and not nearly as expensive as Marea.
madison park both rock. and i like blue hill a little better than the squidster.