Daniel – New York City

Truly experiencing restaurant Daniel begins with making the reservation. If your party of eight is celebrating a special occasion, perhaps chef Daniel Boulud can prepare something dramatic for your table, such as a whole fish to be presented and carved. Are you bringing your new vegan girlfriend for her birthday and are worried there’ll be nothing for her to eat? Given a few weeks notice, Bouloud will create a dazzling tasting menu within those tight parameters. All of this costs extra, of course, but it’s this sort of effort and willingness to make a meal an occasion that makes Daniel one of the very best restaurants in the world. Whatever else you order, the delicate, flavorful, melting-like-butter short ribs are amust. Those seeking extra status can book the private table in the kitchen, where you can observe the small army of chefs working their magic and gaze upon the many photos of the chef with celebrity patrons as varied as Howard Stern and President Bill Clinton.

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