NYC Restaurants?

[marcyinPA]

We've eaten at Carmine's too, and we really enjoyed it! Portions are made to share, and the Tiramisu was great! But the place gets PACKED...be prepared!

My SIL and BIL always go to Ollie's Noodle Shop. I've never eaten there myself, but I've been told that the food is great and prices are low (for NYC standards anyway!)

 

[Mickey Fliers]

I work a couple of blocks from your hotel!

Madison, and you always have a chance of running into Rosanna Scotto (a well-known NY newscaster) since her family owns the place. If you don't want to splurge for a dinner, right next door is Fresco on the Go, which is a lunch place with outstanding food also owned by the family. I highly recommend the Mediterranean Salad - I get it for lunch every day!
I second the poster who said Fresco - it's on 52 between Park and
Other great restaurants within walking distance - Tao, The Four Seasons, Brasserie, 21, anything on Columbus Circle. Ask for the addresses at your hotel - they'll have them.

If you'll have kids with you (or even if you don't!) you have to go to Dylan's Candy Bar on 60th and Third Avenue - it's a two story candy store with pretty much every candy ever made, from vintage stuff you thought didn't exist any more to new artisan chocolates.

Have fun!

I must also recommend Fresco. We had dinner here last December and the meal was absolutely amazing!!!

Big thumbs up .

 

[Crazy Hakim]

Carmines (Theater district)
200 West 44th Street, (Between 7th & 8th Avenues)

Huge portions, excellent food!

Ellens Stardust Diner
1650 Broadway

okay food, but the waiters and waitresses sing Broadway tunes as they serve, so much fun!

I second the "Carmine's" recommendation!
Me and my son were in NYC last week for the "Harry Carrie & Garp" Show at RCMH and we ate there (again for me).
We could NOT finish all the food we were served!

We did peek in the window at Ellen's one evening and we saw a waitress singing "Part of your World" from Lil Mermaid.

Other recommendations:

Virgil's BBQ, just off Time Square. The BBQ wings were great, Michael said they tasted like a BBQ Smells...... Also get the Mac & Cheese as a side dish.

Angelo's Pizza, hmmm, it was close to Central Park, guessing around 57th Street near 7th Ave. Very good, thin crust NYC Style Pizza. Very good.

Also, if you are looking to do some touring, I suggest you look at the New York City Pass. We bought a 1-day pass (around $58) and worked our day like a Disney plan...... this is how we got our money's worth:
1. Empire State Building Observation Deck (very good)
2. Madison Square Garden Tour (very good, especially if you like Basketball & Hockey)
3. Radio City Music Hall Tour (Very good, nice backstage access)
4. NBC Tour (OK, not as exciting at the others)
5. Rockefeller Center Tour (we had a wonderful tour guide named Sybil, she was SO knowledgeable about the buildings and pointed out all of the little things that so many people must walk right by, every day. She kept us busy for 2+hours and most likely could have gone on for 2 more!)

Now, we still planned on doing the Empire State Sky-ride, and Madame Trousseau's Wax Museum, but while we were waiting for the RCMH Tour, I asked if they had any tickets for the Wednesday Night "Harry Carrie & Garp" Show and when they did we decided to do BOTH shows. So, we forgo the remaining tour items. Just be aware that most items included in the NYC Pass open at 9am and most close around 5:30pm, so you really have to plan your day to get your money's worth.

 

[java]

I was surprised that Tony Danapoli's was as good as it was- We went for a graduation party and it was really nice for the price I thought.
Now for steak our favorite HUGE portions and yummy steaks and mud pie- Ben Benson's(it is expensive though) Morton's is great too. Gallagher's is slightly more affordable and good(we know one of waiters there )
For more Italian- Cinquanta is one of our favorites(off of 5th on 50th)I hope it is still there we have not been in a couple years. Little Italy has now shrunk to about one street. (it is a long street but still just one) There are some great places still down there though.
For an inexpensive meal when you think I can't spend another dime- there is a Ukranian restuarant on 2nd ave. right around 7th street. I think it might even be called the Ukrainian Restaurant. It is in the middle of the block. You get a huge meal of Kielbasa, stuffed cabbage, pierogi all for around $8.(It is down the street from Veselka another great polish place but more expensive- more popular- the Ukrainian place is a whole in the wall but solid filling food.
He he he...We "go into the City" too! I thought everyone spoke that way until I said it once and someone said "Philly?"

 

[hmgolden]

The Ukrainian place that java mentions is called Velselka. Its fantastic. One of my favorite haunts while I was at NYU.

I would also reccomend Cozy's Super and Burger on Broadway at Astor Place.

I love John's Pizzeria in the Theater District. If you are further downtown, I would suggest Patsy's Pizza on University Place and 10th Street.

I'm not a fan of Becco's, I've never had a good experience with the wait staff, although I know several people who swear by their all you can eat 3 pasta meals.

I would encourage you to stay away from any of the chain restuarants. There are way too many good (and pretty cheap) places in NYC to eat. It always pains me when people come back from a trip to NYC and tell me they ate at the Olive Garden in Times Square!

 

[java]

The Ukrainian place that java mentions is called Velselka. Its fantastic. One of my favorite haunts while I was at NYU.

I would also reccomend Cozy's Super and Burger on Broadway at Astor Place.

I love John's Pizzeria in the Theater District. If you are further downtown, I would suggest Patsy's Pizza on University Place and 10th Street.

I'm not a fan of Becco's, I've never had a good experience with the wait staff, although I know several people who swear by their all you can eat 3 pasta meals.

I would encourage you to stay away from any of the chain restuarants. There are way too many good (and pretty cheap) places in NYC to eat. It always pains me when people come back from a trip to NYC and tell me they ate at the Olive Garden in Times Square!

Hmm Velselka is actually on the corner- the Ukrainian restaurant is in the middle of the block. I like Velselka but I think the Ukrainian place is less crowded way cheaper and just as good-usually

 

[Imzadi]

My friend is a concierge in a hotel & she also recommends Gallaghers ny steakhouse on the W.52nd for steaks or Smith & Wollensky's. They are a bit pricier, but they've been around since the early 1900's and they are known mostly for their steaks.

 

[java]

If you go to Smith and Wollensky be prepared to spend big bucks! And everything is extra. All a la carte- So you order a steak for $50 you get just a steak... baked potato about $7-10! I wasn't impressed when we went. I think they used to be owned by the same group as Manhattan Ocean club? I love that restaurant. GREAT waitstaff. Oh and my favorite Italian food was at Felidia's in midtown. I love that one too! Yummy I am gettin hungry when is lunch?

 

[eliza61]

I know you said your husband likes steak, so just a heads up. Steakhouses in NYC tend to be very expensive. My DH & I love Sparks steakhouse on E46th. and Morton's of Chicago. Both are excellent restaurants ( I had one of the best meals of my life at Sparks) but be prepared $100 for dinner for 2 is not unheard of.

 

[MCazer]

Ahh, I forgot about one of the best meals (steak) that I had in Manhattan last fall. It was Keens Steakhouse on 36th. It was so good, but so very expensive. Here is a link to their website:

http://www.keens.com/hoursdirections.html

It is a very old establishment. has these clay pipes all over the place (check out the pictures). A lot of atmoshere!

 

[Imzadi]

That's because here in NYC, we use designer cows.

Actually, the best steak I ever had was while passing through Texas. I guess they just went out back, roped one & brought it in.

 

[2infinityandbeyond]

If you want a very good steak and don't want to pay through the nose for it, go to Balthazar, in Soho, and get the steak frites.