Lavinia at Home

Restaurant Type: Japanese
Our Rating: 8.4
Food: 9 • Service: 8 • Décor: 9 • Atmosphere: 8 • Price: 8

It’s located at 245 Park Ave S. (Between 19th Street and 20th Street) in New York City. Tel.: 212-475-9377
This Sushi Samba Park is an assortment place of snacking delights from Japan, Brazil and Peru with DJ Sabo on Friday Nights.
We went to this restaurant second time and had lunch on weekend and I just love this fusion restaurant. The food was great and I got them quite quickly. The ceviche was excellent and my mojito was strong and yummy. This restaurant is mixing South American elements and ingredients with Japanese cuisine and it taste very good. The result is a spicy, natural mix of two cultures that have perfected the art of raw seafood. There was something on the menu for everyone, including great steak, seafood and vegetarian options. The atmosphere is relaxed but the food is fine-dining quality. Best people watching around. Check it out and better make sure to have reservations.

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Popularity: 18% [?]

Restaurant Type: Chinese
Our Rating: 7
Food: 7 • Price: $7.50-$15.95 (Appetizers), $5.95-$12.95 (Soups) $12.95-$38.00 (Main Courses)

Time ago this was the best Chinese restaurant in New York which is located at 570 Lexington Ave, (Cross Street: 51st Street; tel.: 212-583-1668). One day I decided to order take out and was disappointed about the food; it did not have any flavor, it was very blah. However I liked few small things: they had mini chocolates with order included, main course take out plastic container had date, when food was prepared. I had good size portions and had leftovers for next day’s lunch (my favorite).

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Popularity: 56% [?]

Restaurant Type: American

Our Rating: 9

Food: 9 • Service: 9 • Décor: 9 • Atmosphere: 9 • Price: 9 ($12 - $43)

We went to BLT Market for the lunch and were very impressed about this new restaurant. It’s located at 1430 Sixth Ave., (between 58th & 59th St.) Telephone: 212-521-6125

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Popularity: 53% [?]

Restaurant Type: American

Our Rating: 9

Food: 10 • Service: 9 • Décor: 8 • Atmosphere: 9 • Price: 9 ($31 - $50)

Union Square Cafe is one of my all-time favorites. Located in downtown Manhattan (21 East 16th St., NY) and named after the near-by historic intersection in New York City, Union Square Café is perfect for those who enjoy food and don’t mind spending the extra dime for a scrumptious experience. Interested? Not sure yet? Read on, but take heed and make a reservation well in advance if you’re ready to take the gourmet plunge (tel. 212-243-4020).

This established restaurant with new-American cuisine is one of Danny Meyer’s creations, featuring seasonal variations in their lunch and dinner menus and an outstanding selection of wines. Food is the main attraction, with décor being secondary. The atmosphere is somewhat cozy with a casual artistic flair. The wall murals are interesting, but not really what you would expect at a restaurant of this ilk. However, they definitely sparked a conversation during my recent visit. Service is good as well. I didn’t know this at the time, but they appear to be extremely sensitive to cell phone usage. Beware, but don’t panic; they didn’t freak out over my transgression.

During my recent visit, I enjoyed seared yellowfin tuna tartare with pantelleria capers, lemon, celery, fine Sicilian olive oil and a spicy fennel cracker. My partner savoured the beef sirloin carpaccio with crispy artichokes, rocket and parmigiano-reggiano cheese. It was wonderful. For our entrees, we feasted on grilled marinated filet mignon of tuna with gingered vegetables and wasabi-mashed potatoes and a grilled dry-aged, rib-eye steak with smashed and fried yukon gold potatoes and red wine glazed cipollini onions. For side dishes, they let us try two specialties—a 50/50 split—for the price of one veggie. We sampled the sautéed broccoli rabe “Mama Romano Style” and sautéed spinach with lemon and extra-virgin olive oil. While both were delicious, I preferred the latter.

All of the food was excellent and we look forward to going back. My only disappointment is they did not have the gnocchi with truffles. Overall, there is a good reason this is considered to be one of NYC’s best restaurants.

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Popularity: 50% [?]

Restaurant Type: French

Our Rating: 9.8

Food: 10 • Service: 10 • Décor: 10 • Atmosphere: 10 • Price: 9

We have been at Daniel’s 5 times and all have been a delightful experience of flavors. The atmosphere is elegant, beautiful and very formal. It’s located at 60 East 65th St (between Park and Madison Avenues) in New York, Phone 212-288-0033.

The baker’s bread - the most delicious assortment of breads. They serve Prix-Fixed Menu; Three course dinner, $96 or six course tasting menu, $155. The first time we tried the tasting menu which was very nice, but we did not get so full as from three course dinner.

Yes, and we are going back, it’s worth the expense, however, for a special occasion.

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Popularity: 16% [?]