Tribeca Restaurant Guide
These are all only my opinion and I don't eat steak much.
First, let's cover the places also open for lunch: Nam 110 Reade St at W. B'way 212-267-1777 is surprisingly good. Roc 190-A Duane St at Greenwich 212-625-3333 has good homemade pastas. Flor de Sol 361 Greenwich St bet. Franklin & Harrison 212-366-1640 has ok paella even if it doesn't have the delicious burned part, the socorrat, and it's cheap at lunch. Odeon 145 W. Broadway at Thomas 212-233-0507 is a must-see tourist attraction and not bad at all.
The next bunch are dinner only. Yes, you need a reservation.
Bouley 120 W. Broadway at Duane, 212-964-2525 is easily the best restaurant in the area, but quite expensive, although the lunch isn't so bad. The bakery across the street is reasonable and you can buy a sandwich and eat it upstairs. At night, the cafe upstairs is crowded and a bit noisy at times but delicious.
The Harrison 355 Greenwich St at Harrison 212-274-9310 is my second favorite. Share the food. The appetizers and choice of dishes are great. Fresh 105 Reade St bet Church & W. B'way 212-406-1900 has terrific seafood.
Chanterelle 2 Harrison St at Hudson 212-966-6960 is only for a big event when someone else is paying. It's terrific.
Nobu sucks for being so crowded and loud with most of New York's ugliest people but Nobu Next Door isn't bad. Megu isn't worth the money. Ninja is hilarious and not expensive if you watch what you order and avoid the Kobe beef, but it's not worth the money finally, and the performace is silly. We hear Matsugen Soba will open soon in the old 66 space.
Not Bad For the Money Department
Capsouto Freres
Le Cercle Rouge if you sit outside on a nice afternoon
Montrachet (but it's very straight and expensive, not quite fun)
Unromantic
City Hall
Kori
All of the almost interchangeable Italian places on Greenwich St.
Bubby's
Acappella (too dark to see your date)
Overpriced and Overrated Department
Scalini Fedeli
Tribeca Grill
Ponte
Azafran
Blaue Gans (good food, slow service)
Il Giglio (good but way too much food and money)
Horrible
Mr. Chow
Takahachi
Zutto
Petite Abeille
Mary Ann's (really really bad)
Viet Cafe