Our Favorite New York Restaurants (in no particular order... click on the underlined restaurants for their website.  Those without websites, we have provided their address and phone number.) New York City (All boroughs): Cha-An Teahouse (East Village): Authentic Japanese tea ceremony held 3 days / week.  They have an amazingly large variety of tea from Japan, China & India... and tasty smorgasbords to boot!  Cash Only. Seven (Fashion District): Always passed it when I went to F.I.T., but can't afford to go in until after I started my career :)  They inspired us to make wasabi mash potatoes. Blue Water Grill (Union Square): On our 6th month dating anniversary, we went there to just have raw bi-valves for brunch.  Their regular food is great too - live jazz music is served with their Sunday brunches. Sequoia (South Street Seaport): We have some more raw bi-valves & champagne there for dinner during our 6th month anniversary.  This place is in the South Street Seaport... we sat outdoor on their balcony and saw the Brooklyn Bridge lit up and there were amateur jazz singers serenading us on the pier below.  One of our most romantic memories. Caviar Russe (Midtown): One of our most decadent dining experiences.  We took our umma there for Mother's day in 2008.  We did their Chef's Tasting with Caviar and were treated like we're judges on the Iron Chef show.  The quality of food and the caliber of service justify their exorbitant prices. Todai (Korean Town): ALL YOU CAN EAT SEAFOOD & SUSHI!!!  Enough said.  They also have a HUGE dessert selection.  I'd recommend going in for dinner and not lunch - the variety of food is so much greater and better then. Heartland Brewery: They brew their own extensive list of beers!  They also have a tasting (little bigger than a shot glass) tray if you can't make up your mind of which variety to try.  We've been to 3 of their 6 locations so far (Time Square, Empire State Building & Radio City Music Hall... they are all good.) Cafe Deville (East Village): We love the decor and atmosphere - and of course, their seafood tower.  It's a great place to go in the summer/fall and sit outside. Franchia (12 Park Ave. Bet. 34 & 35) Korean Tea House - it's a good replacement for Zen Palate which closed down. They serve extraordinary Asian vegetarian dishes with a good length tea list.  Don Bogam (Korean Town - 17 E. 32nd) - Our pick for Korean BBQ.  You get all the essentials without paying the price of the fancier places down the block. Koryodang (31 W. 32nd Street) - Desserts and drinks only.  Desserts were tantalizing... we always try to find this place and never know what it was called or exactly where it is, so it needs to be documented for quick reference :) Teariffic (Chinatown): Trendy Chinese Tea House (formerly Saint Alps) Cheap great small plates and a HUGE variety of tea oriented drinks.  They also specializes in non-alcoholic cocktails and bubble tea.  LOVE LOVE LOVE this place.  It's in Chinatown but waiters do speak English. Green Tea Cafe (Chinatown): Same as above... almost right next door to one another.  Similar caliber. Nyonya (Chinatown Manhattan & Chinatown Brooklyn): We love both places... but frequent the Brooklyn location more.  They are a mix of different Asian cuisines (Malaysian, Thai, Chinese, Indian... etc...)  Must haves when we dine in: Roti Canai, Hainanese Chicken - we always ask for dark meat chicken and chicken broth rice, Sarang Burong, Bah Kut Teh (Daisy's favorite soup, but Todd doesn't like the Chinese herbal medicine-y taste.)  We love all their other stuff too.  They do speak English and take Credit Cards. Republic Noodles (Union Square):  Noodles is their specialty and they do it extremely well.  They have a lot of other stuff - including Sake on their menu.  Trendy but Not expensive.  We also LOVE LOVE LOVE this place!  Be prepared to share tables with others. The View Lounge Not New York City (Everywhere else NY outside NYC): Equus @ Castle on the Hudson (Terrytown, NY): We went there to celebrate the Chairman of IJO's 70th.  I was spoiled with decadent dining and very expensive Brunello's.  Their "Castle" chocolate dessert is a must try - it's a feast  for the eyes as well as for the palate. Suruchi's (New Paltz,NY): Authentic Indian cuisine.  The food is good and the ambiance is very nice. La Cremaillere (Westchester, NY) 46 Bedford Banksville Rd Bedford, NY 10506 (914) 234-2736.  They make their own brand of ice-cream.  French restaurant - Jackets required for men after 6pm.  (One of the places IJO's CEO took all of us for his birthday - upon his recommendation.)