NYC Itinerary (mostly set...help needed)

Are you thinking of going to Balthazar for brunch? If so, consider Lafayette as an alternative. It's Andrew Carmelini's french brasserie, they do a great brunch, it's also more accessible than Balthazar. You might also consider Cherche Midi, which is owned by Keith Mcinally, who owns Balthazar. My favorite place for brunch is The Dutch.

Since you're already going to a Torrisi restaurant (Carbone, which is great, but pricey), I'd go to L'Artusi, which I really like. One word of caution, it can get hot on the second level, so try to stay downstairs if you can.

FiDi is tough. The only place I know that's very good is North End Grill, which is a Danny Meyer place. Upper West Side, I'd try Telepan, if it's open for lunch, or Dovetail. Also, Bar Boulud and Boulud Sud are right near Lincoln Center, as is Lincoln, Jonathan Benno's (former chef de cuisin at Per Se) Italian place, which is really good but doesn't get a lot of hype.

As for wine bars, I go to Corkbuzz regularly, and Pearl and Ash, which isn't a wine bar, but has a great, reasonably priced list. Probably the best place to go and drink a bunch of Italians by the glass is Eataly.

If I think of other stuff, I'll edit.

Good list, a lot of ground to cover.

Minetta Tavern is my favorite place in the city. Just feels like NYC to me. Difficult reservation to get at decent times, but it can be done. They also have a great brunch.

My wife would say to swap Gramercy Tavern for Gotham Bar & Grill for lunch. It is a beautiful space.

I second the Dutch recomendation. I haven't been to Lafayette, but Locanda Verde and Dutch have always been good. Locanda Verde in Tribeca wouldn't be too far out of the way from the FiDi. But if you haven't been to Balthazaar, do it. Check out 22 Hours in Balthazaar

We stay in the East Village and there are some great lunch places around there. Just on E.7th between 1st Ave and Ave A is Luke's Lobster, Caracas Arepa, and Porchetta. A stellar lunch is to split a lobster roll, walk across the street and split a porchetta and then walk up to Milk Bar and get a cereal milk soft serve.

I have the perfect place for Italian wine. In Vino 215 E. 4th between A and B. Really small, kind of hidden but incredible. All Italian wine list, divided by region. Really knowledgeable staff and excellent food from a Babbo veteran.

Also in the East Village is Empellon Cocina. Normally wouldn't recommend Mexican to a NYC visitor, but it is outstanding. Or just go to the bar and get a drink and some of the best guacamole ever.

A couple of other favorite places. Il Buco on Bond, right off of Bowery (across the street from Billy Reid, Amite native doing well in fashion). The more casual Il Buco Alimentri (NYT 3*) is one block over on Great Jones. Also on Bond is Mile End deli. Lots of good press - it was good, but I wouldn't say it lived up to the hype.

Tertulia in the west village was my favorite new discovery on the last trip. Spanish, really good. Went with a group of six and did the family style pre-fixe. Every dish was a winner.

My friend that we stay with lives across the street from Pouring Ribbons. Great bar and bartenders. Joaquin is the best. Let him know you are from New Orleans. He knows the Cure guys, Chris Hannah and Chris McMillian.

Do not wear tennis shoes or even topsiders to Campbell Apt. No white-soled shoes. Go just to see the place, but I like the other places on you list more. Also Pegu Club and Death & Co are good ones. And PDT. And if you are in FiDi, try Dead Rabbit. Haven't been, but my friend loves it.

Have a great trip and report back.

I loved Luke Lobster.

Daniel was my favorite, but you have a great list.

Damn. That city never sleeps

I had one of my worst fine dining meals at Marea, but I understand others mileage will vary. The octopus is pretty solid though.

Eta: what is the name off white's casual Tuscan joints? Had an amazing meal there. Down in tip of Manhattan. Awesome pasta, great porchetta, killer bone in steak, and sommelier's mom lives in Algiers, LA

Osteria Morini?

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Upper West Side lunch suggestions

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Check out Genarro on Amsterdam btw 92nd and 93rd. It's a quaint little Italian Restuarant with great food and an excellent selection of wines. Cash only though.

or maybe try

Lemongrass Grill on Broadway btw 94th and 95th for Thai.

Thank you! There are some great suggestions on this thread.

Marea was the last place that was eliminated last year so we want to go this year.

We secured Ko reservations...we were lucky. I am having second thoughts the more I read. Anyone been?

Korean bbq in Manhattan? It gets bashed by ny chowhound (queens is much better). We simply cannot fit it in in Queens though. Any manhattan suggestions?

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The Dutch

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Showed up there once after staying out all night for a brunch business meeting on my way out if town, one of the sickest I've been hungover it was horrible

We won't be uptown too often.

Our other option that night is gramercy tavern (which I have been to for lunch, but my wife has not been)