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 ...

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 ...

Gam Mee Ok / Gahm Mi Oak

09. November 2003 Korean, Midtown 0
43 West 32nd Street between Fifth and Sixth 212/695.4113 about $30 for two solontangs, with two drinks, with tip ♥ ♥ Solontang is bone marrow soup that the Koreans have perfected. Gam Mee Ok slow-cooks beef bone marrows in large vats of water until the broth becomes milky white. It is served in a clay ...

Sparks Steak House

09. July 2003 American, Midtown 0
210 East 46th Street between Second and Third 212/687.4855 $200 for two, with a bottle of wine, without tip ♥ ♥ ♥ My older brother lives in Manila and whenever he visits New York City, he has one request: eat a nice slab of steak at Sparks Steak House. When mafia boss Paul Castellano and ...