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Top tasting menus

By Daisy Carrington | dcarrington@am-ny.com

3:26 PM EST, February 20, 2008

Outside Payard on the Upper East Side.

In a town so full of dining options, it's challenging enough choosing a place to eat out, let alone knowing what to order once you get there. For a little peace of mind, try leaving the decision to the chef. Here, a list of some of the city's best tasting menus.

Payard Patisserie & Bistro If you want the chef to keep you guessing, head to Payard, where Philippe Bertineau not only changes the tasting menu nightly, he makes sure that no two people at one table are served the same line-up. There is a five course-tasting menu ($72) and a six-course tasting menu ($87), but the chef normally throws in an extra course for good measure. (1032 Lexington Ave., bet. 73rd. and 74th sts; 212-717-5252)

Babbo Carb lovers can get their fix at Mario Batalli and Joe Bastianich's West Village haunt, which offers an eight-course pasta tasting menu ($69). While the names of the dishes do little to enlighten, it's best to just have faith. You'll be rewarded with a barrage of delicious morsels. There is also a traditional tasting menu ($75), which includes tender venison with mint pesto, as well as a number of other goodies. Be warned, you'll need to book a month in advance (110 Waverly Pl., bet. MacDougal St & Sixth Ave.; 212-777-0303)

wd-50 If you have an adventurous palate, a visit to Wylie Dufresne's Lower East Side lair (for that's truly what it is) is imperative. The chef serves up some of the city's most unusual, avant-garde fare, and the best way to sample it is with the 12-course tasting menu ($125). Where else will you be able to eat poached oysters in a smoked grape broth? (50 Clinton St., bet. Rivington & Stanton sts.; 212-477-2900)

Per se It's impossible to compile a list of tasting menus without including the granddaddy of New York City fine dining. Chances are you'll only visit Thomas Keller's much lauded establishment to celebrate a once-in-a-lifetime occasion, say, an engagement or an organ transplant, reason being that the nine-course tasting menu comes with a hefty price tag ($250 per person). But you won't walk away disappointed: Keller carefully constructs each course, ensuring that the flavors, textures and aesthetics of everything you eat come together. Warning, you'll want to book two months in advance. (10 Columbus Circle, at Time Warner Center; 212-823-9335)

Tailor Now that you've overloaded on savories, why not indulge your sweet tooth? Tailor has four tasting menus: a three-course sweet tasting menu, a five-course sweet tasting menu, a seven-course salty and sweet tasting menu, and a seven-course chef's tasting menu which includes savories and sweets. Chef Sam Tailor is known for his innovative desserts, and while a pairing of rum braised banana and mustard ice cream may not sound appetizing, trust us, it's worth getting a little experimental. (525 Broome St., bet. Sullivan & Thompson sts.; 212-334-5182)