For the service
"You’d expect more stuffiness from a place like this, especially because everyone is wearing a really nice suit," says Ilan about Thomas Keller’s extraordinary restaurant. In addition to the exceptionally attentive service, Ilan likes the gracious welcome at Per Se’s hostess station. "It’s not snobby. I don’t feel awkward about the way I act there," he adds (10 Columbus Circle; 212-823-9335).
For the ambience Ilan adores the quintessential New York feel of Florent, a 24-hour bistro in the Meatpacking District. "I like that it’s a French diner with counter seating—I love counter seating—and I like the dark lighting, too. It always has a fun late-night feel even in the middle of the day," (69 Gansevoort St.; 212-989-5779).
For the dining room "I don’t think my own restaurant will look anything like this, but I love this place," Ilan says about the pretty Tribeca restaurant with grand details like huge windows, giant chandeliers, pillars and magnificent flower displays (2 Harrison St.; 212-966-6960).
For the food "Their food is the best," Ilan says of this Chinatown institution. "The skin on the roasted baby pig is so thin and crispy, it’s like a candy shell. It’s served at room temperature, so I have no idea how the skin stays so crispy. Everything is simple, cheap and delicious" (28 Bowery; 212-349-0923).
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