Extravagant business lunch
The Place
Café Gray 10 Columbus Circle, nr. 59th Street, third floor 212-823-6338
The Reason
Impressive, expensive food, and you won’t be distracted from deal-making by the view, since the kitchen blocks it. Plus, Per Se is too slow.

Regular business lunch
The Place
Gotham Bar and Grill 12 East 12th Street, nr. Fifth Avenue 212-620-4020
The Reason
There’s a $25 prix fixe menu, which means you get all that light, lofty elegance for a very reasonable price.

Flirting with a co-worker
The Place
La Lunchonette 130 Tenth Avenue, nr. 18th Street; 212-675-0342
The Reason
It’s French; they understand these things. And given its location, it’s unlikely you’ll see other co-workers, unless you work at the gas station across the street.

Bitching about your boss
The Place
Burger Joint 118 West 56th Street, nr. Sixth Avenue 212-708-7414
The Reason
Tucked away behind a curtain, which increases the sense of secrecy. Booths, and plenty of ambient noise, thwart eavesdropping.

Seeing a friend
The Place
Schiller’s Liquor Bar 131 Rivington Street, nr. Norfolk St. 212-260-4555
The Reason
In the late afternoon, before the evening frenzy, there’s no better place for a long chat over chicken paillard.

Related:

• Archive: “The Everything Guide”
• Table of Contents: Apr 25, 2005 issue of New York | Subscribe!