B.R. Guest Restaurants

Another restaurant group that will always aim to please is B.R. Guest Restaurants. I've eaten at Blue Water Grill, Atlantic Grill, Blue Fin, and Isabella's. My favorite of those four is Blue Water Grill in Union Square. Isabella's would come in second, located on the Upper West Side. The group also owns Ruby Foo's and Dos Caminos. I've seen quite a few reviews on Dos Caminos that have been favorable.

Danny Meyer Restaurants

A friend of mine asked me for a "nice" restaurant suggestion the other day. I asked, "what is the price range?" She said, I don't know, just a nice restaurant. Well, if you are looking for something nice - which I believe means a great ambiance, infallible menu, great service and a decently priced bill at the end ($20 - $40 a plate, probably $100 bill for two by the end), you can't go wrong with any of the Danny Meyer Restaurants - I haven't tried all of them but I have tried Union Square Cafe, Gramercy, Tabla, Blue Smoke, and Shake Shack. I've been very impressed with all of them, Gramercy Tavern takes the cake though.

Next time I'm at the MOMA I'm going to try Terrace 5.

Woo Lae Oak

148 Mercer
212-925-8200
woolaeoaksoho.com

Noveau Korean! This is the chicest "cook-it-yourself" restaurant. Great for a different date and if you want to get really cozy, ask for a seat upstairs. You are required to take your shoes off as you sit on the floor, so don't wear the socks with holes. It's dimly lit, some spaces are sectioned off with bamboo for more intimate settings and each table has it's own grill.

My suggestion is to have someone order the pre-fix to try some of the different appetizers like rabbit wrapped in bacon and daring desserts. Main entrees run the gamut from duck and pork to chicken and filet minon brought to the table raw. All of it is delicious, depending on your skills at the smokeless grill using chopsticks. It's pricey ($30-$50), but worth the entertainment and countless laughs over the lost lumps of flesh in the grill.