As Julie mentioned, I’ve spent a lot of time in New York during my adult life. I’ve had too many dining experiences to recount (and I don’t remember them all anyway).

But regarding a few of your suggestions…

Peter Luger. I ate there one time and was almost underwhelmed by the experience. Perhaps the problem was that I had heard and read so much about the place that it would have been hard for it to live up to the hype. Another problem: I had a large steak (T-Bone/Porterhouse, I think?) that was prepared for two people. My dining partner and I couldn’t agree on the degree of doneness. (It’s difficult to have a steak cooked half rare, half medium well.) Neither of us was happy.

Zabar’s. If there is a heaven, I hope it’s a whole lot like Zabar’s. I usually have breakfast there at least once on each trip (bagel, lox, cream cheese, coffee). I can spend an hour just strolling, taking in the sights and smells. It’s the one place in the city that I can honestly say hasn’t changed one iota over the past twenty-five years.

We have places that we must visit on every trip (Katz’s, Heartland Brewery, Moshe’s, just to name a few). But we’ve made notes from your suggestions, and we will visit as many places as possible. Habana Outpost sounds fantastic (I love a good Cuban sandwich) and Blue Ribbon Brasserie sounds and looks amazing (I love a good late-night meal…what Julie calls “the drunk munchies”).

Thank you again for your suggestions. I can’t wait to get started.

Stay tuned…photos and reviews are forthcoming!

There was also this restaurant about 1-2 blocks off Times Square on 42nd Street that had the best sweet potato fries. Highlights of that night included some guy walking in with a boombox and did a lounge act and an authentic street fight with people I was with from Charlex (the people who did the SNL opens, FragleRock and the “You Might Think” Cars video).

The sad highlight…going to Windows On The World and feeling the WTC sway….and ears popping 3-4 times on the 80+ floor elevator ride.

Of late, he has posted about a lot of burgers (I think he has a paid gig with the “serious eats” website to do just that) but if you go back through his less recent stuff you’ll find review after review of the very best steakhouses in new york.

There are a few fine dining reviews thrown in as well, including his most recent post on Per Se

Momofuku Ssam Bar is also a great place and if you’re looking for drinks I’d suggest the Flatiron Lounge . It’s not cheap, but it’s one of my favorite bars in the world.