restaurant recommendation needed - NY or miami

[shirt]

my parents are going on a very jammy holiday at the end of the month to celebrate their 40th anniversary. before heading off on a caribbean cruise, they are spending 3 nights in new york, 3 in miami, and 4 nights travelling around florida. i think they also have a night in san juan before boarding the ship.

i know they are going for a meal in grand central station, and have a broadway show booked for the night after. as a gift, i want to book a decent restaurant for them and give them the money for the meal.

the only night they have left free in NY is a sunday, miami would be mon-weds. no idea where they plan to head to in florida other than the everglades.

any recommendations? price guide would be welcome too

[shirt]

can a mod stick this in holidays & travel for me please.

[Number 8]

Sunday Lunchtime - Buffet at BB Kings with the Harlem Gospel Choir singing. Brilliant (about $35-40 per head if I recall correctly)

Sunday evening - Frankie and Johnnie's Steakhouse. Probably best in NY.

I lived in NYC for just under a year, so I've eaten/drank at most places.

[tamore]

try getting in the gramercy tavern in NY. was recently voted one of the top 50 restaurants in the world.

[anonymous-user]

tamore said:

try getting in the gramercy tavern in NY. was recently voted one of the top 50 restaurants in the world.

Apologies, I wasn't that impressed having heard wonderful things about this place - it was Ok-to-good food, not anywhere as special as I was expecting, but very expensive, even by NY standards. I was actually much more impressed on the same trip with a meal at Tabla (owned by the same group) which served a truly stunning Indian/American fusion meal. Had the tasting menu and have to say it ranks with the best meals I have ever had. Excellent service also!

Edited by anonymous-user on Monday 11th October 15:47

[tamore]

had ham said:

tamore said:

try getting in the gramercy tavern in NY. was recently voted one of the top 50 restaurants in the world.

Apologies, I wasn't that impressed having heard wonderful things about this place - it was Ok-to-good food, not anywhere as special as I was expecting, but very expensive, even by NY standards. I was actually much more impressed on the same trip with a meal at Tabla (owned by the same group) which served a truly stunning Indian/American fusion meal. Had the tasting menu and have to say it ranks with the best meals I have ever had. Excellent service also!

Edited by had ham on Monday 11th October 15:47

we didn't actually get to eat there, it was full as we'd chanced it. no apologies needed!

actually had one of the best value meals ever in a place called bond45 on the recommendation of our doorman. cracking steak and not silly prices.

[threesixty]

Money no object one would be dinner at per se in nyc, it's quite an experience.

[RDMcG]

Scarpetta in NY is a superb Italian restaurant.

[Bullett]

The Ramsay place is very good but very expensive, booking essential.

Also recommend the Rainbow Rooms in the Rockafella centre, up top (65th? floor) and with a great view of the Empire State and the rest of downtown. Again - Expensive.

[Mobile Chicane]

NY the better bet I think.

Friends live in Florida half of the year, and they struggle with restaurants there, complaining that even the supposedly 'good' places are rubbish compared with the UK.

[Trommel]

shirt said:

I know they are going for a meal in grand central station

If they're going to Michael Jordan's, tell them to take a coat.

[Slaav]

If in NYC, then do you want upper end pretentious? Or mid value basic? Or great value quirky?

There are plenty of stupid money places in NYC that are over hyped and over rated. I have never eaten in Rainbow Rooms but the venue alone is worth the trip. 100%. They will love it!

If in Fl., then where? if you say Everglades, nowhere to go but Naples at that age. Supposedly one of the wealthiest places in good ol' USA. Restaurants and service to match. 5th Avenue in Naples is a banker and no real need to book as wall to wall restaurants (if you ignore the brokers and tax lawyeres ) Will check for details if sounds good for you/them?

If in Miami; again, what are you hoping or looking for? Upper end or value?

Smith and Wollenskys on the south end of Miami Beach is a great location and suitable for oldies. If you want something 'trendy' but upper end, go for one of the Beach Clup hotels or somewhere like 'Table 8' if it is still open as great for a slightly older crowd whilst still full of 'beautiful and trendy' people.

HTH?

[RDMcG]

Joe's Stone crab in Miami is an institution, but evidently its all about the crabs and its not a sophisticated place........

http://www.joesstonecrab.com/


I have always liked the Union Square Cafe in NY...great service, been there for years....


http://www.unionsquarecafe.com/

[shirt]

Thanks for the tops so far fellas, there's some great looking places so far.

The Floridian section of the trip will be in Miami, Key West and a place called Marathon. The crab shack looks like a good shout for local flavour.

The rainbow room would have been ideal, but apparently it's closed now. Are there any other eateries with a view of the NY skyline?

The Gramercy tavern and Scarpetta are looking best so far.

[Fatman2]

+1 for Gordon Ramsay's. The food is absolutely first class and the service brilliant too.

I took the wife for a treat and the meal cost $300 (when it was 2$/£). I'm not rich by any means but I would do it again tomorrow as it really was that good.

[Slaav]

shirt said:

Thanks for the tops so far fellas, there's some great looking places so far.

The Floridian section of the trip will be in Miami, Key West and a place called Marathon. The crab shack looks like a good shout for local flavour.

The rainbow room would have been ideal, but apparently it's closed now. Are there any other eateries with a view of the NY skyline?

The Gramercy tavern and Scarpetta are looking best so far.

Where are they staying in Key West? Dont know Marathon so can't help with eateries there but the whole of Duval is wall to wall places to eat so spoilt for choice in Key West.

Send them down to the SUnny Bar on top of the Pier House (or beside) as the setting sun is pretty spectacular there and again, suitable for 'older' people.

[s3fella]

RDMcG said:

Joe's Stone crab in Miami is an institution, but evidently its all about the crabs and its not a sophisticated place........

http://www.joesstonecrab.com/


I have always liked the Union Square Cafe in NY...great service, been there for years....


http://www.unionsquarecafe.com/

When I went to Joes with some business colleagues, they looked at me all weird when I had a NY strip steak! (dont eat seafood!)

Also, tell them to try "Mangos" (Tropical Cafe) on Ocean Drive Miami Beach. Hope your old man's ticker is ok......! Eye candy aside, the food is actually quite good, and it's guaranteed a fun night!