NYC restaurant suggestions

[Space Coast Laurie]

Used to go to NYC all the time when I was a kid, but I haven't been there in probably 25 years now. Heading up there several days in August with my guy's 20 year old daughter. Staying in the midtown area.

Where would you suggest we eat that's yummy, interesting/memorable and not too over-the-top expensive? Obviously with a 20-year old I won't be hitting the bar scene on this trip, so an extensive liquor selection is not necessary. I like just about every type of food except that I'm not that big on Mexican food and Megan doesn't do sushi. Would love to include some Italian, Chinese and an awesome New York deli. Somewhere that we might bump into someone famous would be kind of cool as well.

[ScoopLV]

Originally Posted by Space Coast Laurie

Would love to include some Italian, Chinese and an awesome New York deli.

You can do both Italian and Chinese on Mulberry Street. (Although Arthur Ave. in the Bronx is a better Little Italy than the one on Mulberry.) Deli? Katz's on the 200 block of Houston.

[Hoc]

Originally Posted by Space Coast Laurie

Would love to include some Italian, Chinese and an awesome New York deli.

"Awesome New York Deli" is different, depending on what you like. Do you want to stay in Manhattan? I think Katz's has the best pastrami, also fantastic brisket sandwiches, and people go crazy for their hot dogs and knishes. My mom used to love their fries. And a good "NY Deli atmosphere."

Carnegie Deli, looked down on by many locals, IMO has the best Corned Beef, and decent cheesecake (though Junior's has better cheesecake).

Stage Deli has the best blintzes. 2nd Avenue Deli is liked by many locals, but I find everything there too salty.

The good thing about Katz's is that it is on the lower east side. That means that you can also stop by Yonah Schimmel's Knishes for a good knish to go or a great noodle kugel. You can stop by Russ & Daughters package store and get some good smoked fish, chopped liver, halvah or other stuff. You can walk a couple of blocks to Gus's on the sidewalk and get great pickles out of the barrel, dill tomatoes, marinated artichokes, sauerkraut, or other stuff. All before or after you go to Katz's.

And go to Sugar Sweet Sunshine Bakery on Rivington for the best Lemon Cupcakes on the planet.

Chinese in NY tends to be greasy, and many of the more established places are now fairly expensive. However, on Eldridge Street in Chinatown, there are some great dumpling places, where you can eat for under $10. I personally think that Vanessa's Dumpling House is one of the best, but I've had other great dumplings there (and they have some other stuff, like Chinese Broccoli, etc.)
For Cantonese, I tend to stick with Wo Hop's (downstairs) which is delicious and not too expensive. But there are others that tend to be better rated.

Italian, a friend of mine from New York raves about Carmine's in the theater district, which can be pretty crowded most of the time. But I've never eaten there. Frank recommended Destino NY at about 50th and 1st for their meatballs when we were there about a year ago, and they were great.

[John Cummings]

We spent 12 nights in NYC in mid-Manhattan last July. Our favorite deli is the Carnegie Deli on 7th ave. around 54th street. Awesome deli sandwiches. They are huge and very good. We also loved their strawberry cheesecake which is large enough for 2 people to share. I love their brisket ( ask for the gravy ) and my wife loves their Pastrami. We ate at the Stage Deli but were very disappointed. The food and service was not good. I talked to the concierge at the Michelangelo Hotel and he told us that the Stage deli had gone downhill and was just riding on their past reputation. We ate at many outstanding restaurants including the best Mexican meal we have had which is saying a lot because we have eaten at Mexican restaurants all over Mexico, California, Arizona, Texas, etc. My wife is Mexican and we used to own a Mexican restaurant in San Jose, CA. We ate at a lot of good steakhouses and others but no Chinese. We did eat at one highly recommended Italian restaurant but it wasn't all that good.

[fillde]

I just got back from the Manhatten club. I would recommend Carmines on 44 St for Italian. Da Rosina on 46 St for $28 prix fixe Italian dinner. And Johns pizza on 44 st for excellent NY pizza. Go to Katz's for deli sandwiches.
I finally saw a Broadway play that didn't put me to sleep. Rock of Ages. If you like 80's music such as Foriegner, Journey, etc you'll love the play.

[MULTIZ321]

I concur with the Katz's Deli recommendation.

To make your visit more enjoyable, rent the movie 'When Harry Met Sally" with Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal. The famous and hilarious "faked orgasm" scene was filmed at Katz's Deli. Katz's Delicatessen - in "When Harry Met Sally" - from You Tube

If you decide to go to the Carnegie Deli, don't forget to take cash - Carnegie's doesn't accept credit cards or checks.

Enjoy your visit to NYC.


Richard

[Hoc]

Originally Posted by MULTIZ321

If you decide to go to the Carnegie Deli, don't forget to take cash - Carnegie's doesn't accept credit cards or checks.

Katz's takes credit cards, but you have to go to the counter toward the back, where they keep the sodas. Don't try to pay with a credit card at checkout near the door.

[folashade]

Katz's is the best deli hands down
Craftsteak is doing halfCraft in the front of the restaurant where they have a limited menu and it is much less than the regular restaurant
If you like Pork you have to check out Porchetta

[sun starved Gayle]

"Excellent Dumplings" in China town right off Canal Street for, you guessed it, excellent dumplings.

Highly rated in Zagats and very easy on the wallet. Don't know if I would make a special trip just to eat there, but if you are in the area it is a good place for a quick cheap lunch.

Gayle

[Hoc]

Originally Posted by sun starved Gayle

"Excellent Dumplings" in China town right off Canal Street for, you guessed it, excellent dumplings.

Eldridge St. has a number of dumpling houses with excellent dumplings. We liked Vanessa's best, and it was an entire plate of dumplings for about $5, plus a couple of other wonderful things (soup, noodles, Chinese Broccoli, etc.) for really reasonable prices.

[lvhmbh]

Although you get great suggestions here (I have been chastised for mentioning other bbs - why I don't know???) you may want to try www.chowhound.com and go to their NYC board. They recommend everything from hot dogs to haute cuisine

[thheath]

Originally Posted by ScoopLV

You can do both Italian and Chinese on Mulberry Street. (Although Arthur Ave. in the Bronx is a better Little Italy than the one on Mulberry.) Deli? Katz's on the 200 block of Houston.

I'd like to second Mulberry Street in Little Italy, there are so many excellent restaurants there and many offer specials if you dine by 6:00.

http://www.littleitalynyc.com/

[mulen24]

I was in NYC with family last summer. We visited the "Azuri Cafe" which has excellent Kosher Israeli food. If you enjoy middle eastern cuisine then you have to visit this place. The owner is a bit outspoken but the food is so great you can't complain! It's not too expensive, and it's very small -- but the food is memorable. I wish I had eaten there more than once during our trip.

[MULTIZ321]

Originally Posted by mulen24

I was in NYC with family last summer. We visited the "Azuri Cafe" which has excellent Kosher Israeli food. If you enjoy middle eastern cuisine then you have to visit this place. The owner is a bit outspoken but the food is so great you can't complain! It's not too expensive, and it's very small -- but the food is memorable. I wish I had eaten there more than once during our trip.

Azuri Cafe
Middle Eastern, Kosher
465 W 51st StNew York 10019
(Btwn 9th & 10th Ave)
Phone: (212) 262-2920


Richard