New York City Restaurants (With kids)

[GeorgeY]

We are going on vacation in Mid July and taking a 2 day stop in NYC, staying in Times Square at Doubletree, before heading to our destination. I know making NYC a side trip is bad, but thats all the time we had.

What restaurants would you recommend in the Times Square area, that are good, and also accomadate kids (Ages 16, 12, 5) All good diners who are not wild or loud in restaurants.
We don't want to go to any chains, we would like something unique to new York.

I have read about Johns Pizza and Carmines on this site, is it okay for kids?
How about bobby Flay?
Or Sardis?

TIA,

George

 

[TheZue]

When we were at John's there was a field trip next to us, your kids will be fine there

 

[Missy1961]

Carmine's is great for kids.

 

[auntie]

Head downtown to Little Italy. We like Paesano's. Then you can hit Chinatown for some knock offs.

http://paesanosoflittleitaly.com/index.html

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

Carmine's is okay, the food isn't all that good. The food at John's is much better, and it's more kid friendly.

Bobby Flay's restaurants/bars are all very nice and upscale. Wouldn't say they are necessarily kid friendly or not.

Sardi's is one of my favorites, but I am very biased. Again, the food is not all that good, but you are there for the experience. If you go late enough (after 10:30pm), you're likely to catch some actors after their shows. A few years ago I was there pre-theater, and sat at a table next to Stephen Sondheim.

I would actually suggest also getting out of the Times Square area. Avoid most of Times Square and Little Italy like the plague.

Joe Shanghai is amazing Chinese food, and specialize in "soup dumplings", which are basically dumplings filled with soup. Outrageous.

Also, outside of Times Square, Serendipity 3 is fun, delicious, and super kid-friendly. There are often very long waits to get in, but Dylan's Candy Bar is right down the block, if you're looking to bide your time, as is Bloomingdale's.

My favorite restaurant in the Manhattan that is very *New York* is Smith & Wollensky. If your family likes steak, this is where to go for a nice night out on the town. (It's on the East side of midtown so walkable to your hotel). My dad first took me there when I was eight or nine, and I try to get back there once a year, at least. It's very pricey, but so worth it.

Hope that helps a little.

 

[LiberalPrincess]

Ellen's Stardust Diner is a great 50s throwback with singing servers. Truly entertaining. The Mars 2112 restaurant is a space themed restaurant which serves decent food. Virgil's Real Barbecue is awesome and very kid friendly. For just all around great pasta near Times Square, I would say Becco is the place to go.

 

[AmandaSparks730]

I've heard great things about Ruby Foo's, if your kids enjoy Chinese food.

Jeckyll and Hyde is ridiculously overpriced, and the food isn't all that good.

I know it's a chain, but Bubba Gump's Shrimp Co. has GREAT food and is VERY kid-friendly. Mom and I loved it!

 

[JessicaR]

Becco
Churrascaria Platforma
Ruby Foo's
Virgil's

Just my personal opinion but just say NO to Carmines and Mars 2112.

Hope you have a great trip!

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

Becco
Churrascaria Platforma
Ruby Foo's
Virgil's

Just my personal opinion but just say NO to Carmines and Mars 2112.

Hope you have a great trip!

Oh, now you have me craving Churrascaria... yum.

 

[ColoradoMom!!]

We were just at Ellen's Stardust Diner a week ago tonight. I was so looking forward to it, and was so disappointed. The food was way overpriced, and only one of the waiters/singers seem to actually be enjoying themselves. Maybe it was an off night, but they all seemed bored and preoccupied.

Our two best meals were near our hotel (Affinia Dumont) at 34th and Lexington. Vezzo's pizza and The Barking Dog - just more our style and $$. We didn't even think the cheesecake at Junior's was all that.

However, we had a wonderful trip, walked through Times Square a bunch - loved the Jamba Juice - a quick treat. We saw Toy Story 3 in 3-D at the theaters off Times Square on opening night. Sailed the little remote control boats at Central Park, saw a Yankees Game, Phantom (got a deal on Broadwaybox and because that's all I could afford), Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, and took the Night Tour on the Greyline which was good.

Have fun!

 

[JerseyJanice]

I've lived very close to NYC my whole life, and I have a few different suggestions.

If you want to eat in the heart of Times Square, this place is a NYC original. High quality food and fun, Irish atmosphere:

http://www.rosieogradys.com/seventhavenue/index.php

Steaks? I see that Smith and Wollensky was mentioned upthread. It is awesome, but for a slight more reasonable price, try:

http://www.gallaghersnysteakhouse.com/

Lidia from PBS runs this place, kids love pasta, and you can't beat the fixed prixe menus:

http://www.becco-nyc.com/

Grand Central Station is a few blocks away from Times Square, but totally worth going to see. If you come to the main terminal, look up and see the celestial sky. It's so beautiful, and if your family likes seafood, they'll love this place:

http://www.oysterbarny.com/

So many great places to see in NYC. Hope you and your family have a blast.

 

[chloelovesdisney]

In the Times Square area with the kids I'd go to Ruby Foos, John's or Virgil's.

Just my opinion but I'd skip Serendipity, the line is ridiculously long and it's nothing great. They were also closed not that long ago by the health department for rats. I've been there many times, it seems that everyone that comes into the city to visit has read about it and insists on going there. If you want to eat on that block after going to Dylan's I'd go to the California Pizza Kitchen next to it or Cubana across the street. I also don't see the big deal about Dylan's, but once again everyone that comes to visit always seems to want to go there.

For steak I like Sparks or Wolfgang's. I think the kids would be better at Sparks.

Have fun!!!

 

[emma'smom]

Former NYC'er here whose DH still works in Manhattan--so we take the kids with us all the time.

I totally disagree about Carmine's. We love Carmine's and it is very kid friendly. The one is Times Square is a bit touristy---the one on the Upper West Side is better---but both are fine.

Also, if your looking for easy and good---try Ollie's Noodle Shop. It's a NYC chain-- chinese food that is very reasonably priced. They are all over the city. I think there is one on Broadway just south of Times Square (great for lunch on your walk to Macy's). We love the Cantonese Noodle soup!

I find everything in "Little Italy" to be tourist traps. To each his own, I guess. However, Ferrara's is a great bakery for italian pastries/coffee. Then hit the Tai Pan bakery across the street for chinese baked goods.

Finally, for fun...if you pass a Tasty-D-Lite, you have to stop and get one! It's just soft ice cream (or an ice cream like substance)....but the flavors are crazy good and you can get them in low fat versions. It's classic NYC!

 

[chloelovesdisney]

I like Umberto's in Little Italy but my favorite Italian is Villa Mosconi.

http://www.villamosconi.com/

 

[stephbillalec]

Carmine's is okay, the food isn't all that good. The food at John's is much better, and it's more kid friendly.

Don't listen!!!! The food at Carmine's is out of this world! My kids (10, 7, 5) love it there!!
We think the food at John's is okay. Maybe b/c we're from New Haven, but the pizza there wasn't anything special compared to what we get from our local pizza places. It is beautiful in there, though!

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

Don't listen!!!! The food at Carmine's is out of this world! My kids (10, 7, 5) love it there!!
We think the food at John's is okay. Maybe b/c we're from New Haven, but the pizza there wasn't anything special compared to what we get from our local pizza places. It is beautiful in there, though!

I was talking, for the record, about the one in TS. Maybe the one on the UWS is better, but Carmine's in TS is gross.

 

[stephbillalec]

I was talking, for the record, about the one in TS. Maybe the one on the UWS is better, but Carmine's in TS is gross.

Really? We love the TS location even though the UWS is much easier to get into. We've been dozens of times to both places and have never been disappointed. To each his own!

 

[java]

Becco
Churrascaria Platforma
Ruby Foo's
Virgil's

Just my personal opinion but just say NO to Carmines and Mars 2112.

Hope you have a great trip!

I agree with everything she said.

Becco is my favorite and the kids like it too- but their favorite "Casual" is Virgil's!

And I really agree with the bolded!

 

[JerseyJanice]

I like Umberto's in Little Italy but my favorite Italian is Villa Mosconi.

http://www.villamosconi.com/

I didn't realize that Villa Mosconi was still around. I didn't click on your link yet, but it's the one in the Village, yes?

Years ago, they served mozzarella sticks made from fresh mozz that were to-die-for.

 

[frndshpcptn]

I'm actually going to Carmine's tonight with friends who are in from out of town.

Would I go if I didn't have people coming in to visit? No. I have great Italian places in my neighborhood (UES) that I prefer.

Is it awful?

No, it's totally fine. Decent Italian food, huge portions, cute atmosphere - just pricey. Plus, they have a gluten free menu which I am SUPER happy about - i can have pasta alongside everyone else tonight!

It's annoyingly crowded and we'll have a long wait - but it's not horrible by any stretch of the imagination.