Rouge Tomate is a completely green restaurant featuring multiple dining choices, including completely private, semiprivate and right-in-the-mix dining options! If you'd like to learn more about the various components of the restaurant, complete with tidbits like how to dress and where to sit, please read on.

Reservations are strongly recommended and can be made by phoning the restaurant directly, online at OpenTable.com or by clicking the "Make a Reservation" icon above.

Seating at Rouge Tomate is comfortable and includes a variety of options, including comfortable leather booths with backs as soft as chenille, white oak armless chairs with creamy leather upholstery -- measuring 19 inches in diameter -- and similar but higher chairs at the bar. Tables are generously spaced, as there is one row of booths against the wall, two rows of tables in the middle and a semiprivate alcove, in addition to the downstairs dining area, which can be subdivided in multiple configurations. Seating in the private Walnut Room is in fully upholstered armless chairs. Booths for four are rectangular and measure 30 inches by 60 inches; they offer plenty of room for your meal and plenty of additional privacy.

You can enjoy multiple dining experiences at Rouge Tomate. You can have a completely private meal in the Walnut Room, for instance, or you can be part of all the action in the upstairs dining room. The décor throughout is minimalist, reflecting the restaurant's green and sustainable values in its exposed white oak tables, LED lighting and signature tree murals. Tables are generously spaced, but if you want one of the best, try for one of the two booths in the Alcove on the upstairs level. From here you have privacy, plus a view of all the action in both dining rooms. If you'd rather be seen as the life of the party, take a table in the main upstairs dining room. During our visit, downstairs was only utilized during the evenings and for private events; for lunch you therefore can choose only one of those two areas, or the bar. The noise level is moderate and the space is light and airy; there's no need for an LED flashlight here! Any questions about the restaurant, its S.P.E. policy or its juice bar? Simply ask! Oscar, the general manager, knows every bit of information about this restaurant -- and about the Brussels original, too. He's eager and happy to discuss. So was our server, Jessica, who was lovely. Pleasant manners abound here, beginning with the smiling hostess at the maitre d' station. Service is perfect for businesspeople who have limited time for lunch, as there's a special "quick fire" menu that's designed especially for them. Even if you order from the a la carte menu, however, the staff will do its best to get you in and out and back to your office in a timely manner. So, if you are interested in fine dining, but still want to keep things on the healthy -- and environmental -- side, Rouge Tomate is for you.

Although the main restrooms are downstairs, there is a handicapped bathroom on the first floor past the maitre d' stand.

Although the dress code is smart casual, please use discretion.

Rouge Tomate is centrally located on 60th Street between Madison and 5th Avenues. It's therefore easy to get to by taxi, bus and subway. Subways that take you the closest are the N, R and W trains, which stop at 5th Avenue and 59th Street; you can exit the station at 60th Street for added convenience. Alternately, if you are arriving by car, there is street parking, as well as a pay garage two doors down from the restaurant.

Although it's young -- having opened in fall 2008 -- Rouge Tomate secured its first Michelin star in 2009 for 2010. Its design made it one of four restaurants that was nominated in 2009 for Interior Design magazine's "PROJECT Design Merit Award" as part of its annual "Best of Year" awards. We expect Rouge Tomate to secure even more accolades in the future.

*Please note that the restaurants featured at TravelsinTaste.com may have changed their personnel, menu, pricing, decor, hours of operation, etc., since our last visit. The competitive and creative nature of the fine dining scene virtually assures that changes will occur on a frequent basis in order to make diners happier, meals more pleasurable and visits more frequent. Given their frequent fluctuations, most restaurants welcome inquiries about their current hours, menu and more.