NYC - where to eat?

[DizneyDogs]

So DH and I decided to go to NYC for a weekend getaway - neither one of has been there before. Where are some good places to eat? any other travel tips of what to see and do welcomed as well!

update: Hotel is booked so just looking for other things to do while there and restaurant recommendations we mostly like Italian, Mexican and Steaks

 

[It'sWDW4me]

I'm researching a trip to NYC, as well. I found, via someone posting a link on another NYC thread, a LaQuinta in Secaucus, NJ - right across the river from NY close to the Lincoln Tunnel - that has a king bed suite for about $160/night (this is mid-week so weekends may be a little higher). Continental breakfast is included in that price. There is a bus station right outside the hotel and, for $3.95/person each way, you can take the bus right into Time Square - I've read it's a 15 minute ride.

I've also found a LaQuinta promo code WSI which takes the price per night from $165 to $112, before taxes, for a 2-bed suite!

I'd like to hear of decent (I don't need 5-star but no cockroach specials, please) places to eat in the city, too.

 

[lady_hlh]

In the winter you can stay at the Hampton Inn Midtown North for less than $200 a night with continental breakfast but if you're going soon that might not be possible. At certain times of the year when the hotels in NYC are too expensive we drive to Jersey City and stay at the Courtyard by Marriott which is less than $200 plus it is right next door to the train which takes you in to NYC and leaves you near Herald Square. As far as places to eat my DD is in love with the Pret Manager sandwich shops. My DD also loves Ellen's Stardust Diner for the singing waiters, the food is OK like a Fridays or such.

 

[disney4us2002]

I'm going to jump on this thread as well since we're planning a trip to NYC for a pre-cruise trip. My kids want to see Times Square all lit up and are interested in either Top of the Rock or Empire State building. Does anyone know where I can find discounts for either or both of them - $23 X 5 of us = a very expensive 20-minute viewing. Also, would it be worthwhile to get the NYC Entertainment book? Any decent coupons for sights, activities or restaurants?

We stayed in Secaucus, NJ before our last cruise from NYC but didn't tour the city at all. Secaucus is just 5 miles from the Manhattan port but with traffic getting thru the Tunnel, it took us nearly an hour. Just something to keep in mind about taking the bus. This trip we are also staying in NJ but we're trying the train into Penn Station from Secaucus as it is an experience the kids also want to try.

 

[bamor]

If it is just two people, priceline or hotwire would be the way to go.
Recently won the W in Midtown East for $105/night ( a Saturday night ) on priceline. See www.betterbidding.com or www.biddingfortravel.com for tips.

Travelzoo is another great option if looking for lodging specials in NYC.

For families, look at Radio City Apartments, the Affinia Properties, The Embassy Suites Downtown.

www.hopstop.com will help with subway and or walking directions
www.menupages.com for restaurants broken down by area

IMO, if you are going to NYC, stay in NYC.

 

[rvchat]

what cuisines do you like? what's your budget?

eateries galore, but depends on a few things.....

If it is just two people, priceline or hotwire would be the way to go.
Recently won the W in Midtown East for $105/night ( a Saturday night ) on priceline. See www.betterbidding.com or www.biddingfortravel.com for tips.

Travelzoo is another great option if looking for lodging specials in NYC.

For families, look at Radio City Apartments, the Affinia Properties, The Embassy Suites Downtown.

www.hopstop.com will help with subway and or walking directions
www.menupages.com for restaurants broken down by area

IMO, if you are going to NYC, stay in NYC.

 

[melmar136]

last May DD and I went to NYC for a long weekend. We ate at Ellen's Stardust Diner too. It was really fun. The food was ok, not wonderful, but the singing waitstaff was great. We also did a great tour...lots of walking, but very informative, and the guide was awesome. http://www.realnewyorktours.com/ Kind of expensive if you have a larger family.
We also went to a comedy improv place that I found on tripadvisor.com. It was for all ages, and wasn't very expensive. We had a great time there!

 

[bamor]

If staying in the Times Square area, both Angus McIndoe and Havana Central are still on restaurant.com I believe. Both are very good.
John's Pizzeria is very good. Chinese anywhere.

 

[ilovejack02]

I am going in Dec, just booked. Staying at Hampton Inn in Times Square, running about 300 a night . I plan on eating my way through NYC lol. Will be on the hunt for the next few months, for all the good places. Ellen's sounds fun , but will prob skip it . I am dying to go to American girl cafe, but not for the food lol just want to see all the little girl's and the dolls .

 

[PrincessMomofTwo]

Just got back from NYC. Had a wonderful time. We did Priceline and bid on our hotel. We got The New Yorker for $160 a night. Free internet. It was very clean, we had a great view of the city, and security was very good. You had to show your room key to get near the elevators. I highly recommend it and doing Priceline. When we checked in we were told our room would have been $240 or something close to that. It is a short walk from Time Square. The subway station was a few steps away, which was very convienent since we came from JFK and used the subway to get around the city. It's also a block away from Penn Station. Have a fun trip!

 

[poohbearbt]

Carmines in the Theater District is the BEST Italian food on the planet hands down. I also like the Carnegie Deli.

You wont find too many bad places to eat in NYC.

 

[DAPford]

we went to NYC for my DD 15th birthday and ate at Ellen's and agree food is good (not gormet) but the real experience is the show it was a great time

 

[Offsides]

Carmines in the Theater District is the BEST Italian food on the planet hands down. I also like the Carnegie Deli.

You wont find too many bad places to eat in NYC.

I lived in NYC for 3 years.

Agreed about Carmines. It is DELICIOUS.

If you're into cookies, there is a bakery on the Upper West Side called Levain that has the BEST cookies I have ever had in my life.

There is also a place in Chinatown called Joe's Shanghai (there is also one near midtown, but it is not AS good and more tourist-y.. but the Chinatown one is a bit of a trek) that has these amazing soup dumplings. And after you have dumplings, you can walk over to Little Italy for dessert. They have an absolutely amazing lava cake.

I used to eat at a place called Vynl a lot. not bad food and not too expensive. They also have a good brunch. If you're looking for a good bar type place, Brother Jimmy's is good. They have good drinks and really really amazing mac-n-cheese. Right by the UWS Brother Jimmy's is another bar called The Gin Mill that is also good.

There are a lot of awesome places in NYC. Have fun!!

 

[Tinker'n'Fun]

Some of my favorite dining places NYC:

Ellen's Stardust diner: yes expensive, but cool to hear the waitstaff sing Broadway show tunes to you. http://www.ellensstardustdiner.com/

Carmines: Family style, delicious Italian. VERY BUSY because of location, reservations are recommended. http://www.carminesnyc.com/

Otto/ Enoteca Otto Pizzeria: owned by Mario Batali, the least expensive of his restaurants but absolutely wonderful from the cheese platters, to the pizza's, to the gelato. My all-time favorite. http://www.ottopizzeria.com/

I have tons more, but you are only there a short time. For other meals, I highly recommend a deli for lunch one day, and eating from a street cart the other day.

Breakfast: Deli, deli, deli!

Enjoy your stay.

 

[Tree]

Check to see if your business is associated with club quarters hotels-they are business hotels. We stayed in one one block away from Rockerfeller Center for about $220 a night

 

[DCbride]

We always take relatives to Becco. It is an easy walk from Times Square and has a wonderful menu. We usually get the pasta deal- 3 different pastas (all you can eat) for $17 for lunch and $24 for dinner. My picky 21 yo ate 17 raviolis!

 

[jama]

We stayed at Hilton Times Square..booked through Oyster.com..
Dallas BBQ in Times Square is delicious and very inexpensive

 

[lisa-upnorth]

we love to take the train into the city from upstate! I stay at the Marriott Marquis and find that the travel time is saves is priceless!! as a previous poster mentioned, your 'short' trip in can waste an hour or more. I pay between $260$300.I look out at Times square. Has 2 starbucks in it for quick breakfast.EVERYTHING is right outside your door!!!!
As for eating, I agree that you should try Carmines. We also did the buffet in the Marquis called The View Restaurant.Not cheap BUT it is THE ONLY revolving view of the city and having a meal as the sun sets on the Chrysler Building was amazing to me!

 

[luckyfin]

Check to see if your business is associated with club quarters hotels-they are business hotels. We stayed in one one block away from Rockerfeller Center for about $220 a night

I was able to book this same hotel on Orbitz for April 30th for $152. It was $169 but then I was able to google a 10% code. It gets great reviews and I couldn't beat the location/price.

 

[DizneyDogs]

thanks for all the reply's I am taking lots of notes