Are expensive New York restaurants worth the price? Sometimes

If you're planning to visit New York City, you've probably made plans to dine in at least one of the famous and expensive New York restaurants hey, it may be a once-in-a-lifetime experience. You want to make the most of your carefully planned vacation. If you're not a native New Yorker, you've probably heard that all restaurants in New York City are expensive, with many not worth the price. Your vacation dollars are precious and you don't want to waste your money on a disappointing experience. You scour the New York Times reviews, as well as the travel guides, looking for the perfect and worthy expensive New York restaurants.

Be aware that both the restaurant critics and travel book reviews may be influenced to laud, or denigrate a restaurant, on the slightest of reasons. Who can you trust? The short answer is, very few! Unless you've got the solid recommendation of a trusted friend, you're taking a chance.

Here's just one example, from personal experience, on how things might work out at any expensive New York restaurant.

As a bonus for a job well done, one of my husband's New York clients offered him dinner for two at the restaurant of our choice. Out came the Times and the travel guides. We finally settled on a famous and expensive New York restaurant, which seemed to have garnered accolades from one and all, citing excellent food, romantic ambience and impeccable service. We made reservations for Saturday night.

Oh, how we looked forward to dining in an expensive New York restaurant we might not have indulged in, were it not for the generous client. We arrived hungry, anticipating one of the finest meals of our lives.

We were seated at a corner table with as much fanfare as the Head Waiter could muster. What immediately struck us was the contrast between the plain concrete floors and the fine linens and tableware. Looking around, we noticed other, well-dressed diners. We sensed, from the heavenly aromas wafting into the dining room from the kitchen, that this was food to die for, although no one was yet expiring, that we could see.

We placed our order. The first course was a shrimp cocktail, described on the menu as coming straight from Heaven. The waiter delivered this course, placing the dishes on the table as though presenting a gift from God Himself. We saw three large prawns on each dish, dressed with a red cocktail sauce, with a slice of lemon on the side. My idea of the superiority of the expensive New York restaurants was quickly going south. I could have (and had) prepared better, both in presentation and definitely, quantity! Nonetheless, the prawns were cooked perfectly and tasted terrific.

Next, the entree, broiled salmon with Hollandaisse, accompanied by three wedges of roasted potatoes and a smattering of Haricots Vert, which made a nice contrasting color note. Again, it was notable how very empty the plate seemed and the plate was small to begin with! Hmmm.

Dessert was fresh strawberries, plump and perfect, with the smallest spoon of whipped cream I'd ever seen. Still, it was good.

It's been many years, but as I recall, the bill totaled close to $200, to me a ridiculous price for so little food.

So, what's the moral to this story? It's true that, when dining in Manhattan, all are expensive New York restaurants. After leaving this restaurant, we walked for a while and then found ourselves entering a New York deli and ordering a couple of sandwiches we were still hungry, although not generally big eaters! Then satisfied, we returned to our hotel for after-dinner coffee.

For truly successful experiences at expensive New York restaurants, ask a native New Yorker for a recommendation!