Now comes Bardi, an opulent Italian restaurant in Great Neck that offers a luxurious walk into the past and very fine food, as well.

(Last fall, he made his American debut with the opulent, quasi-Viennese restaurant Danube, in TriBeCa.)

Many of today's most opulent Italian restaurants began in relatively humble surroundings and gradually climbed the ladder to luxury.

Inagiku Waldorf-Astoria Hotel, 111 East 49th Street (212-355-0440) - A large circular tempura bar is the attraction at this opulent Japanese restaurant.

This opulent French restaurant has the genteel air and calming cadence of a luxury restaurant in Paris.

Alain Ducasse at the Essex House, the opulent Midtown restaurant, just ordered one case.

Atmosphere: Pizza parlor front, surprisingly opulent Italian restaurant in rear.

He was spotted before the election dining with friends at the opulent Maxim's restaurant in the National Hotel, and plopping down $30,000 in cash to cover the bill.

Chasen's is the opulent restaurant where stars get their chili.

INAGIKU, the opulent Japanese restaurant in the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel, has always been my favorite spot for tempura.