welcome fellow foodie!! I guess my experience at Bouchon was based on what I ordered - all of my courses (I think I had 3 plus a bottle of wine) were really, really good. As a matter of fact, it was DH and my anniversary, and the server was soo attentive that she heard me mention in passing that cheese is my favorite food. When I passed on dessert, she came out with a custom cheese plate with the most amazing, fresh honeycomb that curled my toes!!
For NY, I've been wanting to go to Babbo forever!! I go there on business frequently and have never made it

I like Mario Batalli (DH and I love Italy and cook most of our meals with Italian influence) quite a bit, but haven't been in that part of Manhattan much. My favorite place in NY that I've been to thus far is Artisinal - which is a fromagerie and really great restaurant. I want to say its around Madison and 5th, but cant recall specifically.
Good to know we have these things in common...if I could write my own job description it would be doing something in the food industry (I love to bake but not sure I want to do en mass) and be an author and stay at home mom. Ahhhhh to dream!!
Re: Captain Serious
The first time we ordered firsts, seconds, and desserts, and went through 3 or 4 bottles of wine (there were 5 of us).
The second time, my husband and I had the regular tasting menu (he as two: one pasta, one regular), and it included some of the most unique items I've ever imagined. It finished with a cheese course (a selection of your choice of mild or sharp cheeses served with fennel-infused honey), followed by a trio of desserts! What a way to end a meal; I was in love.
If cheese is your thing, have you ever been to Murray's Cheese shop in Grand Central Station (https://snipurl.com/3sr36)? They have this amazing truffle cheese called Sottocenere. It's best when it's at room temperature, and wonderful. But the best cheese I've ever eaten is another truffle cheese called Boschetto al Tartufo Bianchetto. It's reviewed on this website: https://snipurl.com/3sr2m and can be bought through www.igourmet.com.
As for my dream job, it would be travel writing and/or sommelier.