Daniel - Divine!

I don't even know where to begin. All memories of my dinner at Daniel are coalescing into a single swoon of pleasure. With great effort, I will try to pinpoint the individual stimuli, among them: a special appetizer of creamy risotto with freshly shaved white truffle, a healthy mound of pristine tuna tartare topped with a layer of sevruga and surrounded by radish "petals", a warm tarragon flan accompanying a potato-crusted Arctic char ...wine-braised short ribs so tender that a fork cut right through them... and finally, a mocha Christmas bûche, a molten chocolate soufflé with intensely nutty pistachio ice cream, and petits fours which included holly-decorated chocolates made on the premises. But wait; I must not forget the fresh bread that threatened to spoil my appetite: garlic focaccia, sweet Christmas bread with raisins and powdered sugar, crusty black olive rolls and much more. If you haven't yet been to Daniel, it is time for you to experience one of the places that makes New York City great.

Daniel: 60 East 65th St., (212) 288-0033.