I'm looking for suggestions for high-end restaurants that are ideal for dinner dates with clients. Ideally, the lighting would be a bit subdued to ensure privacy, and the food and service will be top-notch. Also, I'd love to hear about the general layout of the space - it's sometimes a bit unnerving when the tables are very close together and there's a concern about others over-hearing the conversation.

All top notch, fantastic service plus the experience is unbelievable ! As far as tables, it is best to always ask for something more private (corner table).

http://www.lincolnristorante.com
 THE BEST .. and you know what?
 There is soooo private family restrooms

My favorite places that I have taken dates too, are - Blue Ribbon Brassiere - in the West Village intimate and fantastic food.  Les Halles Brassiere (Park Avenue) - Anthony Bourdain's place though he is never there.   Finally, Bar Bouland - Upper Westside by Lincoln Center - bit bright lighting wise, but excellent wine and food. You can Google these or find them on Open Table.  Hope this helps.

Let me add one more - this is a fun bar, never been but plan to go:
Gallows Green on top of the Sleep No More Hotel www.mckittrickhotel.com

The restroom near the restaurant in the Standard Hotel. Men and women enter thru the same door. You go into a large room with a see thru screen divider. Men go right and women go left. You can still see who's using the general areas on both sides but the stalls are private. Easy enough to converse with the other side, though.

security even do not wink once when couple goes to family restroom and states there more then 10 mi

Betony, Casa Lever, Le Bernardin, and The Modern.

I was sooooo close to going there! I went to a performance of Sleep No More, and did visit the bar inside the performance, but did not have a chance to visit the bar on top of the hotel. Darn - next time!

The bar is beyond fabulous as well.

I guess I usually end up in Meatpacking for dinner dates quite frequently. Thus some of my favorites in that area are:

There used to be a place called Tao . The bathrooms used to have Asian signs and no one knew which one was male or female ( maybe they have changed that ).
It was easy to walk in the men's room and have guys either freaked out or happy a woman walked in on them.  
It was an " open invitation! "  
LOL
Xoxox
Vanessa

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I second the Spice Market! Fond memories.

Anyone know how Per Se is these days? It was fantastic last time I was there, a few years ago.

These are some mighty good but pricy places!  Hard to get out of le Bernardin for under $300. Is this the expected dinner for two, or just best of the best? Are there any places that provide the right atmosphere snd great food for UNDER $100?