Sushiden

09. July 2004 Japanese, Midtown 2
19 East 49th Street on Madison Avenue 212/758.2700 about $480 for four omakases, with a few drinks, with tip ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ There are two Sushidens in New York City, one on Sixth Avenue and this one on Madison. Whichever branch you pick, make sure you ask to be seated at the bar so ...

Sparky’s All-American Food

09. June 2004 American, Brooklyn 0
135 North 5th Street off Bedford Avenue, Williamsburg, Brooklyn 718/302.5151 about $15 for two, with two drinks, without tip ♥ ♥ ♥ Updated, 2005: Sparky’s has opened a branch in Manhattan, 333 Lafayette Street off Bleecker, 212/334.3035 You can’t call yourself a New Yorker if you can’t make yourself cross the Brooklyn Bridge. Brooklyn is ...

Aquavit

08. June 2004 Anglo-Euro, Midtown 0
13 West 54th Street 212/307.7311 about $300 for three, with a few drinks, without tip ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ Updated, 2006: Aquavit has moved down the block at 65 East 55th Street between Park and Madison Avenues, 212/593.0287 I had one of the most surreal dining experiences at Aquavit with two of my friends. It ...

Artisanal

08. June 2004 French, Midtown 0
2 Park Avenue at 32nd Street 212/725.8585 about $125 for two, with two drinks, without tip ♥ ♥ Known for its cheese selections, I took advantage of Restaurant Week and was greatly disappointed with the Artisanal discounted menu. Who wants to be tied down with a choice of either hanger steak or salmon? Four of ...

Bar Jamon

09. January 2004 Spanish, Union Square + Murray Hill 0
125 East 17th Street on Irving Place 212/253.2773 about $125 for two, with a few drinks, without tip ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ Jamon is Spanish for ham and Bar Jamon is the most recent translation in the New York City scene. Mario Batali’s latest digs is right next to Casa Mono, his fifth restaurant in ...