VIBE

With tall silk lampshades, lavender walls, crown moldings, shimmering chandeliers, and ten-foot velvet curtains, this decadent double Michelin-starred restaurant is a sight to behold–one of the most traditionally elegant dining rooms in New York City. The French-/Italian-/Spanish-accented cooking is brought out on pristine white china, while a European cheese cart (not to be missed) is whisked around the room.

CROWD

Well-heeled mature couples and groups; theater-goers

WHAT WE WOULD WEAR

Jackets are suggested for men. To match the elegance of the room, we suggest a sleek dress accented with pearls and a shawl.

GO HERE WITH

Parents; other couples; a special occasion date

WHY WE LIKE IT

Picholine is perfect for those who appreciate spiffing themselves up in their Sunday best for a formal wine-and-dine night out. And this is an ideal choice for an elegant pre-Lincoln Center meal (a perfectly refined evening of French food and ballet, for example). And the cheese is simply divine.

WHAT WE WOULD CHANGE

Nothing

GOOD TO KNOW

It remains one of the few restaurants in town to list game on their menu (which, unless imported, is illegal to serve in the United States). For those not looking for an especially elegant experience, there is a more casual, no-reservation cheese and wine bar that offers cheaper wine and tasting plates for groups. Patrons are welcome to bring their own wines, but a corkage fee applies (USD 50). In addition to the three-course pre-theater prix fixe for USD 78 and the four-course prix fixe dinner for USD 95, ten- and twelve- course tasting menus are available for USD 165 and USD 185, respectively.

CLOSEST COMPS

Mélisse (Los Angeles); JoJo (New York)

Click here for our full-form mobile travel guide, The Purple Passport to New York City.