Where is a nice place to eat dinner in NY with a $300 budget?

Question

It's a one year anniversary and I was wondering where are some nice places to eat? I heard four seasons is a great place, but after doing some research their food is dissapointing and not worth the price. I have about $300 for two people, and was wondering what restraunts are good out there?

ALSO! Any restraunts during restraunt week worth going to? I havn't heard of most of them on the list, and I hear some snub you during that week with lower quality food and service.

Thanks for your help.

Answer 1

300 is a pretty good budget, but unfortunately it's a little below all the really high end, romantic places, and a little more than the lower end places with a great atmosphere and good food.

If I were you, I would consider Jean Georges.  They have a 3 course prix fixe summer menu for 98 dollars a person.  including tip and wine that should come up to about 300 a person.  The famous Jean Georges tasting menu is 148 per person, which is a little more than your budget, but is absoultely superb.  The ambiance and service is fantastic at JG, and you are guaranteed to have a great night.

My new favorite fine dining establishment is Allen and Delancey.  It will definately run you less than 300 bucks, and the head chef used to train under Gordon Ramsey, and used to work at some of the best restaurants in paris and london.  The atmosphere is old school s**y, lots of dark woods etc.  The caramelized bone marrow is to die for.  Service is good, but not as formal as JG.

You are correct regarding the 4 seasons.  The room is breathtaking - but the food is mediocre and thus grossly overpriced.  It's more of a place midtown business men go for powerlunches.  Not a place you'd want to go on your own dime.

Restaurant week deals are hit or miss.  for the most part - all of the really great places only offer the deal for lunch  so i would stick to the places i recommended for your special occasion.