To ask for suggestions for a fab place to eat in NYC

[Bearbehind]

I'm going to New York next month for DH's birthday and want to find a really nice restaurant.

There are so many on Tripadvisor I don't know where to start.

We don't want a mega fancy Michelin star place but somewhere with fab food and a great all round 'experience'

Any suggestions gratefully received.

[SaucyJack]

Never been there, but go and have a cronut on my behalf for starters.

[maddening]

Haven't been but people rave about serendipities - more of a cafe by Bloomingdales but apparently fab.

You could watch a man v food nyc episode also for ideas of where New Yorkers go,

[DefinitelyNotElsa]

I loved Les Halles. I went to the Park Ave one (there's two). Food was beautiful, had a wonderful atmosphere and the service was spot on.

[Mrsj70]

Johns Pizzaria just off times square. Best pasta I've ever had! Converted church with map of manhattan drawn on the wall. Been twice, both times had busy, buzzy atmosphere. I loved it and I'm not jealous honest ;)

[Bearbehind]

Thanks for the replies, Les Halles is looking good!

[frankie001]

Ellen's stardust diner!

[nooyearnooname]

For my 40th we ate at the Modern, next door to MOMA...it was expensive but not extortionate and we thought it was really good value as they gave you so many little intermediate courses as well as what you'd ordered. Food and service were both excellent, and we spent all evening cooing over the lovely clever presentation of the dishes. It was one of those nights where it felt more like we'd had an 'experience' than just another meal in another restaurant IYKWIM? Well worth the money.

www.themodernnyc.com/

It's also where Carrie told the other SATC girls about her engagement to Big!

[Fluffyears]

Was there last week, wish I was still there. Angelo's pizza is a lovely italian next to CBS David letterman studio or ruby Tuesday on times square did an amazing steak. Steer clear of planet Hollywood. Worst meal ever with a waiter who was in
Our face constantly.

[Belindabelle]

The Loeb Boathouse
Tavern on the Green
Grand Central Oyster Bar
The River Cafe

For low key great food try the burger bar at le Parker Meridien or Angelos Pizza both on W57th.

[Guyropes]

Yabu.

This section is for asking people's opinions on debateable topics. Please stop cluttering it up. This thread could have gone in the travel or the food section, or even just in chat.

[fishybits]

Blue Hill
Quality Meats

[cathyandclaire]

For grill/brasserie fayre the Standard Grill (Meatpacking district) and Balthazar (SoHo) are reliably buzzy and good.

[kewtogetin]

TriBeCa grill, owned by Robert de Niro, amazing steaks in a great restaurant, then pop to the bubble lounge down the road for champagne or cocktails.

[alovelycuppatea]

Rosa mexicana or dos caminos.....super high end Mexican....amazing margaritas great atmosphere. Or calls ocho in upper west side or there is an amazing tapas place near flat iron that name escapes me but think it starts with a b....I'll post if I remember

[Bearbehind]

Mmm, the Modern looks good too- this is great info- just ehat I wanted- thank you,

guyropes there are loads of thread on AIBU that could be posted in specifc sections but are posted here for traffic- does it harm you

[Belindabelle]

Where are you staying Bear?

[Bearbehind]

Times Square

[toots111]

What sort of food do you like? What is your budget? Where are you staying? Are you happy to travel? Do you like somewhere noisy / characterful or quiet and sophisticated? Are cocktails important?

[Bearbehind]

toots

will try most things

budget open to negotiation if it's worth it iykswim

Staying in Times Square and don't want to travel too far

Definitely not noisy

Cocktails not important

TIA

[PeacockPie]

Del Friscos (under the McGraw Hill building, I think) on 6th Ave. It was best steak I've ever had, and a great atmosphere. It was recommended to us when we went, and really glad we made the effort!

[JWIM]

Robert at the top of a museum/gallery on Columbus Circle - ?9th floor and views over Central Park.

[waitingforthenight]

we like ny and food! gramercy tavern is quite chichi but we felt v comfortable. just off times square is virgil which does no frills bbq which is sooooooooooo good. tao (featured in satc with the big buddha) used to do a set lunch for the same price as the year so now $20.15, it is a lovely setting and nice lunch it is by near fao shwartz and tiffanys. aquagrill also v nice in the theatre district. for the more fancy ones and also some popular ones try and book online now. have a great tie

[Strokethefurrywall]

Pastis is great for a fantastic breakfast - Peter Luger's steakhouse across Brooklyn Bridget is great. If you don't want to cross the bridge and want a good steak, Benjamins is pretty good.

[awaynboilyurheid]

Carmines is an Italian restaurant, would recommend it, there are two but one is near Times Square. Try the delicious cakes or frozen hot chocolate at Serendipity too.

[misssmilla1]

It depends on the food you want, and the price you're ok with paying, and where you're staying (I live in NYC so can probably give some pointers on what to avoid and where to go)

French, Spanish and Latin American cuisine are very big here; French is usually seen as v high end and a lot of the michelin restaurants (or the ones that aspire to) are these so expect OTT obsequious service. Spanish is also big as it's seen as European so having kudos; then there's lots of Latin American places which are fantastic - Peruvian cuisine especially. You will pay big $$$ for excellent places, and all bills will come with sales tax, plus expect to add on a 20% tip. Anything less and they'll know you're from the UK / mainland Europe Generally try and steer clear of anywhere round times square as it's all pretty generic and rubbish (like leicester square in London)

Out of all the places suggested so far, I'd recommend The River cafe. Its at the top end of brooklyn right by DUMBO and is on a converted barge so if you can snag a table by the windows you can see the lights of Manhattan. Went there for my birthday last week and it is excellent; however if you're taking a bloke, they'll need a jacket (of the collared variety)

if you want authentic NYC steak house, then go to Peter Luger's in Brooklyn. It's been there for decades, comes well recommended and blokes usually love it as you can get half a cow not particularly near a subway station but not far across the river so a cab is cheap and easy peterluger.com/

I'd avoid Les Halles if you want a unique experience; the food is ok but nothing special, and it reminds me of a cross between a cafe rouge and something similar (I was going to say a French brasserie which is daft as that's what it's modelled on!)

I can recommend some more if I think a bit longer; I'd also suggest making a visit to Katz deli on the lower east side for typical NY deli fare (1lb pastrami sandwich) and doing something for brunch on Saturday or Sunday as it's a very NY thing to do. Lots of places do bottomless brunch deals so you can get quite squiffy for quite cheap!