Heading to NYC... any great restaurant recommendations?

[holden]

Trattoria Trecolori is a great little Italian place near Times Square.

 

[piccolopat]

I don't have much to add to these wonderful suggestions but it makes me realize I have to get out of my office more. I have worked across the street from Grand Central Terminal for more than 20 years and I always just run out the door for a quick lunch and then I'm back to work. You might try Il Mulino downtown for some great Italian. We like Virgil's for BBQ. If your want to stay close to the hotel, we like Café Centro on 45th, just through GCT, up the escalator and through the MetLife building. Rock Center Café at Rockefeller Center is nice and is also a nice walk from your hotel. Have a great trip!

 

[crazymama]

Both are good! Gotham West Market has an Ample Hills ice cream, Cannibal and an Ivan Ramen. Both have delicious options - it just depends which area you'll be near. Vanderbilt is right near the Grand Hyatt. Gotham West is across town. I think Vanderbilt has more variety - but Gotham West certainly has good food (plus an Ample Hills, which is great ice cream). Will you be that far west at all while here?

We are going to walk all over the place... I even bought a "Walking Tours of Manhattan" book and have flagged the ones we want to do! That's how I am planning to balance out all this great food that I will be inhaling!!!

 

[crazymama]

Two Times Square/Theater District pubs that we enjoy are Emmett O'Lunney's and Hurley's Saloon. We also love PJ Clarkes as PP mentioned. Fresco by Scotto in Midtown has fantastic Italian food in a very pretty setting and is reasonably priced by NYC standards. If you go, you MUST have the meatball appetizer-best meatballs on the planet-as good as the ones my born and bred Italian nonna used to make-seriously-and she was an insanely good cook. Bobby Flay's Bar Americain is outstanding-I have made a dinner out of the side dishes alone-they are so good and for seafood Oceana is exquisite-best salmon I have ever had in my life and the seafood paella for two is amazing.

None of these are in the strasosphere occupied by Daniel or Per Se-where dinner for two will easily run $500 and $1000 respectively.

We actually ate at O'Lunneys a couple of time last trip because we were staying right across the street at the Millennium. I really like their food and relaxed atmosphere!

 

[crazymama]

Yeah, I don't think I'll ever understand people who visit NYC who eat at the Times Square Applebee's or Olive Garden.

That is exactly what I am trying to avoid. I have been to NYC twice and was chaperoning a dance troop and theatre group respectively. Yes we ate at both those places. This time it's all about me me me!! (Well I suppose my DH a bit too... )

 

[crazymama]

For a quick bite to eat, Urban Space food hall is right near your hotel. In terms of unique offerings in there, if you like sushi, try the sushi burrito from Hai Street Kitchen. My favorite is the salmon, but if you don't like spicy ask them to substitute the sauce with the miso one.

I also like Shake Shack burgers... there's a location right inside the Grand Central food court. If you like korean BBQ, I like New York Kimchi, which is also in midtown (the restaurant is down the stairs in the back when you walk in). You don't have to do the full traditional korean BBQ with the meat grilling. And for Turkish/Mediterranean food, I like Akdeniz (you won't want to eat the food from Epcot Morroco after this!).

I'm guessing you may not venture to Queens, but if you do HinoMaru Ramen in Astoria is amazing! Also Spring Shabu Shabu in Flushing is sooo yummy and a great way to try this hot pot dish if you've never had it before since it's buffet style.

What kinds of food do you like or want to try? There are so many good places

We probably won't get to Queens but we are going to Flushing for the opening day of the US Tennis Open!!! Maybe we will leave the event in time to go for dinner at Spring Shabu Shabu before heading back to hotel. We both love all food really. Spicier the better too!

 

[crazymama]

SO many options for so many budgets - big question is where are you staying?What are you going to see? You venturing out of Manhattan? Plenty of great cultural spots in Queens for cheaper. Great spots in BK

I can go on and on and on lol

Let me know where you will be and ill offer some thoughts

We love all kinds of food!! At Grand Hyatt. Budget wise... willing to splurge as this is a pretty special trip for us! Other than Flushing we won't be leaving Manhattan I am pretty sure. Thanks!!!

 

[jevs]

We are going to walk all over the place... I even bought a "Walking Tours of Manhattan" book and have flagged the ones we want to do! That's how I am planning to balance out all this great food that I will be inhaling!!!

Sorry to hijack the thread @crazymama but what is the name of the walking tour book? Sounds like something we could benefit from when we're there.

 

[crazymama]

Sorry to hijack the thread @crazymama but what is the name of the walking tour book? Sounds like something we could benefit from when we're there.

You aren't hijacking at all! It's called Walking Manhattan Author is Ellen Levitt and is published by Wilderness Press. It's available on Amazon for less than I paid at Chapters Books here in Canada. Hope that helps!

 

[jevs]

You aren't hijacking at all! It's called Walking Manhattan Author is Ellen Levitt and is published by Wilderness Press. It's available on Amazon for less than I paid at Chapters Books here in Canada. Hope that helps!

Thank you

 

[piccolopat]

We love all kinds of food!! At Grand Hyatt. Budget wise... willing to splurge as this is a pretty special trip for us! Other than Flushing we won't be leaving Manhattan I am pretty sure. Thanks!!!

If you have time, take the Staten Island ferry roundtrip. You'll go past the Statue of Liberty and have great views of lower Manhattan, the Verrazano Narrows Bridge, etc. Best of all it is free.

 

[crazymama]

If you have time, take the Staten Island ferry roundtrip. You'll go past the Statue of Liberty and have great views of lower Manhattan, the Verrazano Narrows Bridge, etc. Best of all it is free.

That's a cool idea! Free is good too!!!!!

 

[Caskett616]

I don't have much to add to these wonderful suggestions but it makes me realize I have to get out of my office more. I have worked across the street from Grand Central Terminal for more than 20 years and I always just run out the door for a quick lunch and then I'm back to work. You might try Il Mulino downtown for some great Italian. We like Virgil's for BBQ. If your want to stay close to the hotel, we like Café Centro on 45th, just through GCT, up the escalator and through the MetLife building. Rock Center Café at Rockefeller Center is nice and is also a nice walk from your hotel. Have a great trip!

I know the feeling - when you're at work it's hard to find the time to do a nice lunch. Especially now - so many bosses expect so much from their employees. But I do try to find time to do stuff after hours, when I can afford it!

 

[Nickunited]

We love all kinds of food!! At Grand Hyatt. Budget wise... willing to splurge as this is a pretty special trip for us! Other than Flushing we won't be leaving Manhattan I am pretty sure. Thanks!!!

Nice - where in Flushing?

Yes, then to splurge around there - Caplital Grill is a great. Smith and Wollensky is a nice steakhouse

Damn - I mean really splurging is Cipriani right accross the street

Other than that, there are so many different places to eat - great places it really depends on what you like. I could suggest so many but you might not like it.

I know Hells Kitchen has many great places now as well.

Another solid place I always enjoy is Tribeca Grill in Tribeca - was owned by Robert Dinero - in fact, might still be and he has been spotted there.

Also - for a great experience - again - splurging - look into the 21 club - it was an old Speak Easy and is a really cool experience.

 

[crazymama]

Nice - where in Flushing?

Yes, then to splurge around there - Caplital Grill is a great. Smith and Wollensky is a nice steakhouse

Damn - I mean really splurging is Cipriani right accross the street

Other than that, there are so many different places to eat - great places it really depends on what you like. I could suggest so many but you might not like it.

I know Hells Kitchen has many great places now as well.

Another solid place I always enjoy is Tribeca Grill in Tribeca - was owned by Robert Dinero - in fact, might still be and he has been spotted there.

Also - for a great experience - again - splurging - look into the 21 club - it was an old Speak Easy and is a really cool experience.

I don't know Flushing at all but we are heading to the US Open... wherever that is lol! I know we take the number 7 and the stadium is right there. Blind leading the blind around NYC really but its an adventure! We will have a subway map and our passes and see what trouble we can get into.

 

[PigletsPal2]

DH and I just celebrated our 50th wedding anniversary in NYC and wanted a posh place for our anniversary dinner. I went on the web site OpenTable.com and got a recommendation for Ocean Prime at 123 W 52nd Street. It looked good, so we made a reservation. It's a seafood and steak house, and it's phenomenal! DD#1 called them after we left home and told them it was our anniversary and asked if they could give us a little extra attention.

Could they ever! When we checked in, we were escorted to a semi-private booth in an alcove and seated at a table sprinkled with little glittery love icons - hearts, flowers, "I love yous," "Forevers," etc. Our server quickly arrived with a complimentary bottle of champagne and the good wishes of the staff.

DH ordered filet mignon with a baked potato and asparagus and I had the crab cakes with mashed potatoes and asparagus. Now, you have to understand that I'm a Maryland girl and somewhat of a crab cake connoisseur, so I had to see if New York crab cakes would measure up. Well, Ocean Prime somehow got a copy of my mother's recipe, because they measured up just fine! The mashed potatoes were fluffy and buttery (and enough for a whole family) and the asparagus was fresh and cooked to perfection. DH's steak was prepared exactly as he likes it (medium well) and could almost be cut with a fork. He didn't need the steak knife they brought to the table. His baked potato was HUGE, fluffy, and overflowing with butter.

For dessert, we ordered the carrot cake, which was also comped. Our server was attentive but not a bit overbearing. Apparently word of our anniversary got around the restaurant, because four other couples stopped by our table to offer their good wishes. We knew 50 years was a big deal to us, but we never imagined so many other people would be so impressed by it.

This is a long answer to your short question, but I felt Ocean Prime deserved a good review. It was pricey, but definitely worth it.

Queen Colleen

 

[crazymama]

DH and I just celebrated our 50th wedding anniversary in NYC and wanted a posh place for our anniversary dinner. I went on the web site OpenTable.com and got a recommendation for Ocean Prime at 123 W 52nd Street. It looked good, so we made a reservation. It's a seafood and steak house, and it's phenomenal! DD#1 called them after we left home and told them it was our anniversary and asked if they could give us a little extra attention.

Could they ever! When we checked in, we were escorted to a semi-private booth in an alcove and seated at a table sprinkled with little glittery love icons - hearts, flowers, "I love yous," "Forevers," etc. Our server quickly arrived with a complimentary bottle of champagne and the good wishes of the staff.

DH ordered filet mignon with a baked potato and asparagus and I had the crab cakes with mashed potatoes and asparagus. Now, you have to understand that I'm a Maryland girl and somewhat of a crab cake connoisseur, so I had to see if New York crab cakes would measure up. Well, Ocean Prime somehow got a copy of my mother's recipe, because they measured up just fine! The mashed potatoes were fluffy and buttery (and enough for a whole family) and the asparagus was fresh and cooked to perfection. DH's steak was prepared exactly as he likes it (medium well) and could almost be cut with a fork. He didn't need the steak knife they brought to the table. His baked potato was HUGE, fluffy, and overflowing with butter.

For dessert, we ordered the carrot cake, which was also comped. Our server was attentive but not a bit overbearing. Apparently word of our anniversary got around the restaurant, because four other couples stopped by our table to offer their good wishes. We knew 50 years was a big deal to us, but we never imagined so many other people would be so impressed by it.

This is a long answer to your short question, but I felt Ocean Prime deserved a good review. It was pricey, but definitely worth it.

Queen Colleen

Sounds like a wonderful night out!!!!

 

[wilkeliza]

I don't know Flushing at all but we are heading to the US Open... wherever that is lol! I know we take the number 7 and the stadium is right there. Blind leading the blind around NYC really but its an adventure! We will have a subway map and our passes and see what trouble we can get into.

That's easy take the 7 to Mets-Willets Point. You can also take the Long Island Rail Road. It costs more but is faster and more comfortable.

 

[smitty0705]

Just writing to second (or third?) the urban space food hall on Vanderbilt. It's a great new addition and we have always eaten something great.

 

[leebee]

We really enjoy Becco (355 W.46th, between 8th and 9th Aves) and usually go there every time we are in NYC. We've had good meals at Et Cetera Et Cetera (352 W. 44th between 8th and 9th Aves) but find it's best to stick to the pasta dishes; meat entrees have met with mixed reviews. For a different experience, try Havana Central in Times Square (151 W. 46th St) for Cuban food with generous portions and reasonable (for NYC) prices.

We will never go to Serendipity again. HUGELY long wait, even with reservations, tables are packed in like sardines, the food was mediocre at best, and the place was dirty.