Everyone enjoys those truly special occasions when they are in New York City and really have the opportunity to enjoy the best the City really has to offer. You know what I'm talking about—those rare occasions when cost is not an issue. When such times arrive, locals as well as out-of-towners have several choices of the best restaurants to choose from. The ones listed are just a sampling of what this vibrant City has to offer in the way of fine dining.
Eleven Madison Park
Located at 11 Madison Avenue,
Eleven Madison Park really offers more than just fine dining. The restaurant has been designed to encourage dialogue between patrons and their servers about what French-inspired dishes they wish to try.
A quick glance at the small cards that only list the ingredients may cause you to think the menu is rather limited. That isn't the case at all; you can chose from a number of choices. You can even order from a four-course or five-course tasting menu (this has replaced the a la carte menu.) No matter what you order, you're sure to enjoy every bite of the meal as well as your entire dining experience.
Le Bernardin, 155 West 51st Street, New York
If you're looking for a fine dining experience that includes seafood,
Le Bernadin should be your first choice. You'll like the way the dishes are listed on the menu, as it not only tells you what is available but how it is (or isn't, or almost isn't) cooked.
Don't worry if a member of your party is a meat lover. There are a number of choices, including Kobe beef and one entrée featuring squab. And, don't be put off by the "corporate" atmosphere, either. This is truly an upscale seafood restaurant worthy of your special occasion.
Masa
This is one of three fine dining restaurants located at 10 Columbus Circle in New York City. Although they are close together in location, each restaurant is vastly different.
Masa is a unique dining experience, because patrons don't get to choose what they'll eat—Chef Masa Takayama tells them what they will have that night. Fortunately, everything he chooses will be good, and you don't have to worry about everyone having to eat the same thing. He will choose from five or six appetizers and the 20 to 25 seafood dishes he serves. You'll then top that off with a decadent dessert.\
This is a very small restaurant; it only seats 26 people. This is the one to choose for that really, really special occasion.
per se
ee cummings, the poet who wrote in all lowercase letters might choose this restaurant, simply for the way it presents its name. Its "real" name is
Per Se in the Time Warner Center, but it's usually billed just the way you see it here.
You'll enjoy the nine-course tasting menu at per se; there is a vegetarian option available on this selection. Plan on spending at least five hours in this 64-seat restaurant, however, because that's about how long it will take to finish your entire meal. It will be worth every minute, though.
