The latest offering from chef Michael White is located in The Setai hotel on Fifth Avenue (White also presides over Marea and Osteria Morini). Ai fiori means “among the flowers,” and this large, tranquil space is bright with floral arrangements that add an air of romance and celebration. The menu changes frequently, but look for pastas such as the luscious Trofie Nero, Ligurian- style squid’s ink pasta, with a pleasantly tangy ragout of squid and scallops. The equally outstanding main courses may include laurel-crusted cod with brandade, black truffles and porcini; or an outstanding veal chop with new potatoes, prosciutto and sage. There are more than two dozen wines by the glass.















What are your recommendations for a restaurant in the East 60's in New York where we could take several family members - about 6. We don't want anything too outrageously expensive, but something with a little atmosphere would be great. There will be senior citizens, and so nothing that is too spicy.
Also, JoJo on 64th between 3rd and Lex. is excellent - a Jean Georges Vongerichten bistro.
Howdy-
I ask myself the same question frequently as my wife's family lives up there. We visit about once a month, and honestly the best meals I have had in the city were downtown/LES/Gramercy/Village/etc. Sometimes you just don't feel like that 60+ block trip... And you certainly don't always feel like a 9-course tasting menu. The following are reasonably priced and have the kind of food we want to keep coming back to--
B. Cafe - 75th b/t 2nd + 3rd - Classic Belgian restaurant -- excellent beer selection, the frites are great -- but moule and otherwise...
Chat Noir -- 22 e. 66th -- great little bistro between Madison and 5th in the first floor of a brownstone.
Café Boulud -- 20 e. 76th -- definitely the fanciest of this list, yet casual when you grab an outside table. This is our "fancy dinner spot" when Daniel is booked.
ZaZa's -- 65th and 1st -- Great outside dining (might be a squeeze to have 6 in the main dining room).
I am always looking for new spots, so please reply if you have any other suggestions...
Good luck!
--Aaron
Which restaurants do you recommend for a pre-theatre dinner in the theatre district? We are considering db Bistro Moderne.
Which restaurants do you recommend for an anniversary dinner? We had a fabulous meal at Le Bernardin a few years ago. Is La Grenouille still excellent? Wine Spectator has highlighted BLT at the Ritz so we are considering it too.
are there any restaurants you recomment in theatre district that are not french or Italian. lippy
We ate dinner at La Grenouille last week. It was an extraordinary meal especially with the wine pairings for each course as recommended by our expert waiter. The staff did an excellent job of serving us without being overbearing. We recommend it to anyone for a special evening in New York.
Thank you for your help. We will follow your advice and let you know about our experience in late July.