[shmike]

Originally Posted by Trip

That's my plan, they asked me where I wanted to go and I just started naming places to eat. Besides FAO Schwartz, it's the only thing I really want to do.

Give me your rec's that you can remember.

Avatard recommended:

It is NOT upscale. It's not Gray's Papaya either. Somewhere in the middle, but it should NOT be missed, if you are visiting the city. It simply IS the best hamburger on the planet.

http://www.jacksonholeburgers.com/

I used to eat at the 64th street location. Fantastic. I've recently had a very good experience at the 33rd st. location as well.

Method recommended:

Oh hell yes - Now we're getting into my specialty.

What are you in the mood for Shmike? Are you looking for international food? Something eclectic? Tapas?

I'll toss out a few suggestions with different themes:

Fun, interactive dining with awesome food:
Gyu Kaku - Japanese BBQ. It's down in the village area, and has top notch food and drinks with a cool decor.
Rosa Mexicana - Upscale Mexican food. Try their tableside guacamole. Trust me.
Dos Caminos - Same gig, but a little cheaper.

Romantic:
Euzkadi - Spanish Tapas. This is in the East Village. Awesome food, small intimate restaurant, and perfect for feeding your girl.
Casa La Femme - It's great spot with mediterranean food, belly dancers and individual booths that can be closed off

Great Steak:
Uncle Jaks - Hands down one of the best steak places in NYC. They'll swap out your beer glass for a fresh frozen one every couple of minutes.

Sushi:
Hit the uptown Sushi of Gari. It's around 72nd and 4th ave. Sit at the bar if you can and ask for the chefs sampler. Gari will feed you all kinds of really good weird shit till you're full.

Loungy:
Downstairs Marseille. It's a cool spot, very chill and with pretty good food. (44th and 8th)

Actually... Shmike, shoot me a PM with what you want and I'll hit you back. There's just too many to give out a good recommendation without knowing what you're in the mood for.

+ I can hook you up with the good nightlife spots as well, depending on what you're in the mood for.

-Method

Where I hit and my impressions:

Thanks to everyone who chimed in and gave us some tips. I'm back in sunny Florida about 12lbs heavier.

I got in on Thursday and made it a point to have lunch at Jackson Hole.

I had meetings all day Friday and had to skip the after meeting dinner at Del Frisco's because of the GF's incoming flight.

She arrived and we had dinner at Il Corallo Trattoria.

Saturday we had brunch at Sarabeth's (my GF grew up with the chef, we eat there every time we go).

Saturday eve went to Euzkadi, the followed by Wine Bar on the corner and then onto Zinc Bar.

Got to Venieros on Sunday before heading back to the airport.

I didn't get to Gray's Papaya this time but definitely will stop by there next trip.

Thanks again to all the recommendations, all were really good.

Method,
Euzkadi, followed by Zinc bar.