From: imber@maniform.com 
  
 On Mon, 01 Sep 2003 21:15:23 -0500, "Iron-Fan-Defence" 
  wrote: 
  
 >Hi and Help! I'm bringing my wife over for a suprise birthday present 
 >and would like to book a restaurant for the evening but could do with 
 >some advice as to where! 
  
  The other recommendations you received are very good (Rosa and 
 Patria). Patria is a bit pricey, however, so be aware of that. 
  
  I think there may be a really perfect choice for you, and I'm 
 afraid I just can't think of it at the moment. 
  
  I would like to recommend Esca. There's no music, and romance can 
 be found anywhere you bring it, imo, so I'm not sure about those particular 
 criteria. But what it has going for it is that it's excellent (haven't been 
 there in more than a year, to be honest, but I imagine it has remained on a 
 high level), it's in the theatre district (43rd and Ninth) and it's got a 
 lovely outdoor area, which, if the weather is good, can be a delight. It's 
 also a bit pricey, but I think you meant that you're willing to spend a 
 bit, but you'd like to avoid overfussy and pretentious places. In that case 
 Esca is a terrific choice. It's a seafood place. Esca means "bait", just to 
 show you they have a sense of humor. 
  
  A really good Mexican place is Dos Caminos. There are two. One is 
 at Park Avenue South around 20 something, the other is in Soho on the 
 corner of West Broadway and Houston. The food is first rate at both places, 
 and the decor at the Park Avenue location, by the renowned Toronto 
 designers Yabu Pushelberg (Blue Fin) is especially nice. 
  
  I'm not sure whether these recommendations hit your target, but 
 perhaps they'll help, and maybe they'll give others ideas. 
  
  Good luck, DGI 
  
 --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05 
  * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)