New York restaurants - there are tens of thousands of them. You want memorable, not just acceptable. These are our suggestions and we've eaten in every one. Each is a great example of its type; if you disagree, the sin, we hope, is one of omission rather than commission.

The price guide refers to the average cost of a dinner, per person, excluding cocktails, wines, tax and tip. Obviously, the actual price can be very different depending on what you drink. Call ahead for jacket/tie requirements (many expect you to be more dressy at night) and for credit card policies (some establishments may not accept them). We name those chefs considered influential in the great and diverse New York dining scene.

Important: New York restaurants now rarely allow smoking, except at the bar.

American

Asian/East Asian

French

Italian

Other

East Asian

BaBa
53 Bayard St. (betw. Mott and Elizabeth Sts.)
Tel: 212-766-1318

BaBa means gentleman, and everyone working here is super polite. The prices are gentle too for food that seems tastefully exotic without being frightening. From below $10 up to $25
Service after midnight.
Insider’s choice!

Vong
200 E.54th St. (at 3rd Ave.)
Tel: 212-486-9592

Gold-leafed, sophisticated Thailand by way of France. Chef: Jean-Georges Vongerichten. $40-$60
See and be scene.
Famous building.

Do Hwa
55 Carmine St. (Bedford St. and 7th Ave. South)
Tel: 212-414-2815.

Our new choice for the epi-Korean in all of us. $25-$40

Chinese

Golden Unicorn
18 E. Broadway (betw. Bowery and Catherine Sts.)
Tel: 212-941-0911

It’s best to lose yourself in Chinatown and choose at random, preferably up or down some dubious looking stairs. But if you want reliable quality, this authentic Cantonese won’t fail. $10-$25
Insider’s choice!

Joe’s Shanghai
9 Pell St. (betw. Bowery and Mott Sts.)
Tel: 212-233-8888

We’re not the only ones who think the steamed buns and dumplings are worth the wait. $10 and below

Shun Lee Palace
155 E.55th St. (betw. Lexington and 3rd Aves.)
Tel: 212-371-8844

Haute cuisine comparable to the best in Asia. From $25 to over $40

Japanese

Honmura An
170 Mercer St. (betw. Houston and Prince Sts.)
Tel: 212-334-5253.

Hand-made soba. Soothing atmosphere. $40-60

Japonica
100 University Pl. (at E.12th St.)
Tel: 212-243-7752

Simply very good, especially the sushi. Crowded. $25-$40

Koodo Sushi
129 Front St., lower level (betw. Pine and Wall Sts.)
Tel: 212-425-2890.

Not trendy but a real insider secret for sushi lovers. Chef, Lok, (known as Lucky), is a master. Unhurried after lunch when the Wall Streeters leave. Eat in, or “take out” down to the pier a block away and eat by the water. $25-$40
10% NYCard discount in the evening

Nobu
105 Hudson St. (at Franklin St.)
Tel: 212-219-0500.

The sushi, the kitchen, the décor are famous, as are the patrons. Chef: Nobu Matsuhisa. Over $50 Top rate cuisine! See and be scene. Also investigate Nobu, Next Door (and it is, literally) Tel: 212-334-4445 which doesn’t accept reservations, meaning you’ve got a serious shot at landing a table $40 to over $60
Service after midnight.

Toraya
17 E.71st St. (betw. 5th and Madison Aves.)
Tel: 212-861-1700

High tea, high calm, high Asian-style. From $10 up to $40