Birthday dinner in NYC

[Annie68]

I found a great rate on the Doubletree on Lexington Avenue for our NYC trip this month & am finalizing our plans. It's our first time visiting, so we are doing the usual touristy stuff. I was hoping someone could recommend a good restaurant to take my DD to for her 18th birthday dinner? There will be 3 of us; we were looking for something nice, but not crazy expensive. Any suggestions?

 

[Kimberle]

We ate her last Sat night. http://www.etcrestaurant.com/index2.htm

It was excellent. We had lamb, cornish hens, salmon, pasta, risotta w/ lobster, plus lots of desserts. It was not bad price wise for NYC. I was also quiet enough for conversation.

We had lunch as Ellens Stardust Dinner. What a disapointment. It was tacky inside, very overpriced, slow and NOISEY. A true "tourist trap". We arrived at 11 am, too.

 

[Annie68]

We ate her last Sat night. http://www.etcrestaurant.com/index2.htm

It was excellent. We had lamb, cornish hens, salmon, pasta, risotta w/ lobster, plus lots of desserts. It was not bad price wise for NYC. I was also quiet enough for conversation.

We had lunch as Ellens Stardust Dinner. What a disapointment. It was tacky inside, very overpriced, slow and NOISEY. A true "tourist trap". We arrived at 11 am, too.

Thanks for the link, the menu looks wonderful!

 

[java]

One of our less expensive favorties is this
http://www.becco-nyc.com/

It's owned by Lidia B. - who's main restaurant Felidia is one of our all time favorites. (expensive though)

Becco has that same yummy factor- just cheaper ingredients- so cheaper prices but still delicious.


My kids love Virgil's bbq
http://www.virgilsbbq.com/

Particularly the train wreck fries.

We like this one too-
http://www.havanacentral.com/mambo/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=35&Itemid=65

 

[DISshopkeeper]

I can second Becco. Love that place!

 

[frndshpcptn]

I love Almond (near Madison Square Park). The food is wonderful, prices are reasonable...it's a bit noisy, but not overwhelming. They also have a location in East Hampton.

 

[EthansMom]

I'm not sure of the price and the theme might be a little different than you were thinking of, but a friend highly recommend taking (albeit younger) kids to Mars 2112 (http://www.mars2112.com/about.htm).

I don't know if your DD18 would think it was cool, but most kids I know would love to take a rocket ship to Mars for dinner!

 

[java]

I'm not sure of the price and the theme might be a little different than you were thinking of, but a friend highly recommend taking (albeit younger) kids to Mars 2112 (http://www.mars2112.com/about.htm).

I don't know if your DD18 would think it was cool, but most kids I know would love to take a rocket ship to Mars for dinner!

Ethan's mom I have to disagree with your friend. That place is tourist trap with a capital T. Really the food is awful and the service is worse. and they charge for the "ride" which is similar to star tours I guess? but star tours lite I would say.

When it first opened it was cool- they had aliens that would dance around- now it's more just people walking around. Attitudey. We tried again after our bad time and it was way worse. The waiter would disappear for long periods of time. It took us 30 minutes to get our check. I would pass on this one. It was expensive and the food was awful. The first time we went it was ok food. The next 2 times really bad- we give a place a second chance after a bad time thinking everybody has an off day. 2 bad ones and you're off the list. jmho.

Trip advisor also trashes this place so I am not alone I guess.

We actually preferred Jekyl and Hyde for the "themey" types of places.

 

[ckay87]

We love to eat in Little Italy. Mulberry St. just north of Canal. Any restaraunt is fine. Just stop at one with the cutest waiter out front

 

[monkey68]

My vote goes to Serendipity 3. Depending on when you go, you may need to wait though. But the frozen hot chocolate is soo good. Maybe that's just cause I'm a chocolate addict.

 

[EthansMom]

Ethan's mom I have to disagree with your friend. That place is tourist trap with a capital T. Really the food is awful and the service is worse. and they charge for the "ride" which is similar to star tours I guess? but star tours lite I would say.

Thanks for the review. Now I'll know to not take DS7 there for his next birthday!

 

[java]

Thanks for the review. Now I'll know to not take DS7 there for his next birthday!

You know if he is into the "aliens" It might be worth it to check it out. (Just don't eat much- like stick to appetizers maybe?
But for a 7 year old......hmmm let me think my middle guy is 6 and I'm going to pick him up I'll ask what his favorites are!

 

[KSchwagg86]

I'm not sure of the price and the theme might be a little different than you were thinking of, but a friend highly recommend taking (albeit younger) kids to Mars 2112 (http://www.mars2112.com/about.htm).

I don't know if your DD18 would think it was cool, but most kids I know would love to take a rocket ship to Mars for dinner!

NO--stay away...so overpriced, the food is not good and the atmosphere is geared towards much younger children...I actually LIKE Ellen's Stardust diner, but How about Carmine's? It's right in Times Square and has amazing family-style Italian food.

 

[Caradana]

18 ... if she is:

... into the Food Network, loves Italian, and is interested in maybe moving to NYC in her 20s - http://www.ottopizzeria.com/
(don't be thrown off by pizzeria in the name ... it's very much a restaurant. It's on OpenTable if you prefer to make reservations that way. This is Mario Batali's very outstanding casual place)

... into theater, acting, music - http://www.restaurantthalia.com/

... interested in Spanish culture and food, and is the kind of girl who likes to explore interesting new things - http://www.boquerianyc.com/ (I like Boqueria Soho personally but I hear the Flatiron location is good too)

... into fashion and the scene, and wants to see the NYC that models and actors like, cobblestoned-street-West Village style - http://www.pastisny.com/index.php (also terrific for brunch)

Enjoy! This is absolutely, in my mind, the greatest city on earth!
D

 

[Annie68]

Thank you all for the great suggestions! I am off to look up menus....

 

[pezheadmeg]

Charlie O's. It is my go to dinner place when I want more than diner food in Manhattan. I've even done Thanksgiving there. Plus the bill is never huge.
http://www.rieserestaurants.com/home.asp

 

[sharonW]

We like Rosie O'Gradys, I love the lobster
ravoli and dh enjoys the crab cakes! Have
a great time, hope your seeing some Broadway
shows, they're outstanding!!!

 

[MissMet]

I love 5 Napkin Burger... sooooo good & it has a more young, trendy feel. Also Bobby Flay's Bar American is really good.

I also agree about Becco being a good choice & to not go to mars 2112.

 

[Missy1961]

I see my 2 favorites have been mentioned: Virgils & Carmines. I highly recommend each one.

 

[Annie68]

Thank you for the wonderful suggestions!