Skybox at Daniel or Per Se

Hello! I wrote about a month ago questioning restaurants for my husband%26#39;s 60th birthday in late October. I now have a reservation at Per Se as well as a reservation for the Skybox at Daniel. Both are for a party of 5 including my 12 year old daughter. Both are 8 course tasting menus - same price. Any opinions as to which one I should keep? I need to decide today or tomorrow. We will also be doing a personal chef from Jean Georges in our room one night and the James Beard House one night. Thanks for any help!

Skybox at Daniel or Per Se

Topping for travelingguy or anyone else who can help. Not sure many of us have been to both of these. You might want to post for opinions on a foodie website like chowhound.

Skybox at Daniel or Per Se

I havent been to Daniel, but I%26#39;ve been to other Boulud places and I would say Per Se for sure. Maybe I%26#39;m wrong because I%26#39;ve never gone through the rigamarole to reserve at Daniel, but I%26#39;m pretty sure Per Se is a much harder reservation to get ....

Having a large expense account, I%26#39;ve been around, and Per Se is the most memorable meal I%26#39;ve had in my life. Almost 2 years later, I could probably describe in detail what I had. You don%26#39;t want to eat much that day in preparation. The 8 course menu will be more like 12 courses.

You can always visit one of the other Boulud restaurants for lunch.

Okay what in the world is a Skybox at Daniel?

A chef from Jean Georges will come to your---hotel room??

And what is the James Beard House??

Gotta google.......

although I have been to both restaurants several times i also don%26#39;t know what the ';skybox'; is although i assume it is the balcony section around the main floor at Daniel

They are both excellent restaurants, obviously. Daniel is very European in feel, very formal, excellent, unobtrusive service and delicious french accented food although not truly French (saucing is kept light and there are numerous dishes that could be American)

Wine list is heavily French and naturally pricey but not insane.

Also has a charming entrance room which serves as a bar. It is very posh and very East Side in feel. I would say that it has more regulars than Per Se...people who come once a week, or once a month, especially from the neighborhood. A lot of New Yorkers although you still get the birthday party, anniversary celebration stuff...but it is very low key

Per Se is perched at the Time Warner building so has views up and over the park unless you are there on a rainy and foggy night and then you will see rain drops (we had this once). The food is very original and creative; service is superb and it is very small, very exclusive in feel.....there is a private room at one side but i don%26#39;t think they seat more than 30 people at a time in the main room, if that. We have seen a large number of business men conducting business at dinner there plus couples getting engaged.

I don%26#39;t know your taste in food, or in your style of restaurants but hope this helps

I remember speaking with a chef who was visiting the restaurant I worked at here in Buffalo who related the story of doing what you are doing now....meaning he had reservations a few months in advance with both Per Se and Daniel for a party of four.

A month before his actual dinner date, he cancelled his reso at Per Se and a few weeks later noticed a $500. charge on his CC for cancelling. This is their policy which was confirmed by the very knowledgable chef we spoke with at length Saturday afternoon in NYC.

Were you or are you aware of this policy?

I would be making some serious phone calls ASAP to see if this policy will be carried out in your case!!

Good Luck and hope this over planning doesn%26#39;t cost you.........

Also, a personal chef from Jean Georges in your room? HHMMMMM

I%26#39;ve never been to Per Se, but I seem to recall you being reluctant to eat there. Considering that, and considering Daniel%26#39;s general quality, I vote for Daniel. The atmosphere is fantastic, and I%26#39;ve heard very mixed reviews about Per Se%26#39;s ambiance from people who%26#39;ve visited. The quality of the food isn%26#39;t in question, but if you%26#39;re going for the whole package, and it sounds like you are, I%26#39;d go with Daniel.

I%26#39;m also very impressed about the personal chef. Have a great time, and please, please don%26#39;t forget to give us a report. I%26#39;ll seriously be waiting to read it.

nars