"When a chef comes out of the kitchen with a blow torch in hand and a hanging rack of meat, you know it’s a good restaurant for a birthday. Sure, the dining room at Harper’s itself is gorgeous, with greenery and black leather banquettes that seat a group of six comfortably. But it’s the presentation of the food—seafood towers toppling with crustaceans and the giant format creme brulee (here comes that blowtorch again)—that makes this a memorable birthday choice." - jackie gutierrez jones 2, ann walczak