Amaranth

Dining room cloaked in warm colors of red and gold, this UES gem boasts fresh imported ingredients from Mediterranean neighbors France and Italy creating delicious, thoughtful dishes that are suited to impress lunching ladies, Euro transplants, and hard core New York foodies alike. Brick oven baked Focaccia Robiola takes the prize for crowd pleaser, or go for bold-broke and try the Octopus Carpaccio. Outdoor seating for watching nearby Madison Ave. shoppers bustle their way through credit suicide. Bank account's not looking so hot after dinner for two at Amaranth, but who needs savings these days, anyway? Spotty service is a typical complaint, but if you're down for taking time and settling in, it won't present too much of an issue.