This is simply a first class seafood restaurant. The room is chic yet discreet & attracts a cosmopolitan crowd. There is a small but comfortable bar area. Atlantic Grill is a great spot in the summertime as they open their French doors for sidewalk dining & drinking. Definitely inquire about their extensive selection of oysters (one of the most exhaustive selections to be found in the city); the staff is knowledgeable & obliging. If you’re a sushi lover, no problem, as there is always a selection of incredibly fresh, imaginative preparations. Atlantic Grill offers a limited wine list and the average price is $50.

Tucked away in Tribeca, this impressive steakhouse has 20-foot ceilings, an excellent lounge area with a semi-circular bar, white & blue draperies on the walls, & seriously attractive staff. The service is quietly efficient & very accommodating. The bar & lounge area is a separate room from the main dining room & is definitely among the greatest lounges in the area. Give them a call to find out about the different promotions & DJs on the weekends. The menu is a limited offering of beautifully prepared steakhouse-typical items, but what sets it apart is that you can choose your own sauce or combination of sauces for your entrée. We recommend you go with the waiter’s suggestions. The dessert menu is typical but excellent nonetheless. The average price at Dylan Prime is $80.

Located in one of New York City’s oldest Hotels (The Chelsea Hotel), El Quijote has been in business for over 81 years. Universal considers this place one of the best bargains in town & bargains in this city are hard to come by! This restaurant offers great Spanish cuisine at reasonable prices for longer than most its patrons have been alive, little wonder why the place is always packed. They serve delicious lobster, steaks, & arguably the best paella al a Valenciana outside of Spain, which Universal recommends. Décor is simple, unaffecting, & the service is good. Ask for Jose, the manager, or Nate, his wife, and tell them Universal sent you. El Quijote has a private room than can accommodate up to 70 people and the average price is $25.

It has been said that New York is lucky to have this French jewel in its midst. This temple of French seafood is surpassed, the very definition of “a sure thing.” The bar/lounge area is one of the best in town to have a before-or after-dinner drink. If you want to celebrate a special occasion with a group of friends, be sure to inquire about the chef’s table in a private, glass enclosed room. The privacy of the chef’s room is complemented with a full view of the kitchen so your party can observe their meals being prepared. Prices are through the roof, but who cares, it’s a treat! Universal recommends the Pan Roasted Monkfish; Sea Bean, White Asparagus in a light Béarnaise Scented Broth. Le Bernardin has a private room that can accommodate up to 90 people and the average price is $125. La Bernardin is currently closed for restorations, but plan on reopening on Friday September 9th, 2011.

Set amidst black and white abstract artwork in an art deco décor, there is nothing characteristically “Chinese restaurant” about this high glam space. Mr. Chow’s menu is unsurpassed by its competitors, the dishes are innovative & fabulous, & an extensive wine list compliments the excellent menu. The service is efficient, edging on snooty, but the food more than makes up for the less-than-jovial wait staff. There is a bar overlooking the sunken dining room, exclusively for patrons of the restaurant. Dining at Chow’s is “strictly about the menu, it’s that good.” Mr. Chow has a private room that can accommodate up to 30 people. The average price is $125. Universal recommends: Green shrimp with cashews, Chinese mushrooms, & water chestnuts in a slightly spicy ginger sauce.

How good is this place? It’s located in the middle of a residential area with absolutely no parking and still the place is jammed every night. They say, “Father & son in business is a no-no” (whoever they are). Well that’s not true here! Enzo & his two sons, Roberto & Chris, work together brilliantly to maintain this lovely restaurants reputation, which has remained flawlessly intact for 37 years. They offer an extensive menu with great old-world Italian favorites to choose from. Universal recommends the Fusi alla Grappa (Our signature pasta)which is homemade Istrian bowtie-shaped pasta with mushrooms, grappa and parmigiano. The restaurant has a private room that can accommodate up to 90 people and the average price is $50.

Who would ever think that at the foot of the Brooklyn Bridge is the most romantic restaurant in New York? This is the definition of elegance! The view of the bridge & the downtown Manhattan skyline is like no other!!!! The dining room is dimly lit, accented with majestic floral arrangements, & the service is highly attentive & professional. We strongly recommend the six-course prix fixe tasting menu, a fantastic sampling of the small miracles coming out of the kitchen. You would be remiss to leave without trying at least two of their desserts: Chocolate Sticky Toffee Cake and Caramelized Apple Almond Tart, for example, are amazing. Jackets are required. However, if you want to experience River Café on a more casual level, try the “Terrace Room”: a lighter menu is served here, mostly appetizers and desserts, & the attire is casual but neat. The River café has a private room that can accommodate up to 60 people. The average price is $110.

The entire place is covered in bright bamboo, from floor to ceiling- an absolutely stunning place. Try to get a reservation at the sushi bar so you can witness the awe-inspiring talent of the chefs as they prepare your meal. The menu is pleasant & conformant, nothing out of the ordinary. But do ask for the “sushi of the day,” as it is usually something extraordinary. The average price at Sushi Yasuda is $40.