30th Birthday Restaurant -something to remember

Hi !

We are travelling to NY for first time in Nov and I would really like to find a great restaurant for my boyfriends birthday.

Ideal cuisine would be either italian or a steakhouse- mid range price - with a casual dress code - (we dont want to have to dress up in a jacket and tie!)

I would love to find somewhere which is a little bit different/special and somewhere to remember.

Any ideas ????

30th Birthday Restaurant -something to remember

Those cuisines are not my speciality, but you can search by cuisine on

www.menupages.com

The Italian places I like are:

Puttanesca

www.menupages.com/restaurantdetails.asp鈥?/a>

Three of Cups (less expensive and more casual)

www.menupages.com/restaurantdetails.asp鈥?/a>

Pepolino

www.menupages.com/restaurantdetails.asp鈥?/a>

30th Birthday Restaurant -something to remember

I suggest Biricchino on the corner of 29th St. and 8th Avenue.

www.menupages.com/restaurantdetails.asp鈥?/a>

Or, on the UWS, there%26#39;s Fiorello, Broadway between 63rd %26amp; 64th (and if you like foreign or independent movies, you can see one at the Lincoln Plaza Cinema on the same block).

www.menupages.com/restaurantdetails.asp鈥?/a>

One of the best Italian restaurants that I have found is called Mona Lisa%26#39;s. It is in Brooklyn, but well worth a cab ride.

I can%26#39;t vouch for the food, but Lucky Cheng%26#39;s is a place you%26#39;ll remember forever. All the waiters are in drag; I%26#39;ve never seen so many trannie trainees in one place. It%26#39;s at 24 First Avenue (between 1st and 2nd). Bring your camera, a healthy sense of humor, and watch out for the bathroom attendants.

I%26#39;d make a reservation at Balthazar (reserveations for dinner are mandatory and should be done well in advance)... The joint is jumping and a real NYC experience filled with celebs, locals, and visitors alike..

To keep within your budget might I suggest:

Ordering the Cote du Beouf for 2. It is a huge Rib steak and it comes with veggies and onion rings.

For dessert perhaps try the profiteroles (little cream puffs filled with ice cream and covered with a luscious chocolate sauce.)

Or for dessert you can walk just down the street and share a rice pudding at Rice to Riches... a really strange place that sells only rice pudding...in 100 varieties.

For more info on Balthazar check out menupages.com.