New YOrk City restaurants

I have several friends traveling to NYC this weekend to run a marathon and they are looking for a nice casual restaurant. I would think they probably want some pasta or something else kind of healthy, light and not outrageously expensive.

Any ideas??


thanks,

jamie

what Part of the NY will they be in?

Queens, Brooklyn, Manhattan, the Bronx, Staten Island?

what Part of the NY will they be in?

Queens, Brooklyn, Manhattan, the Bronx, Staten Island?

I believe they will be in Manhattan. The race is in the Central Park area so they are probably staying nearby.

A lot of the restaurants in that area are either tourist traps or very expensive. A great casual place for pasta is Otto. This is Mario Batali's casual wine bar. The pastas are tasty and usually something that you wouldn't find in Kentucky. It is on 8th street at 5th Avenue, right before you get to Washington Square Park. From Midtown take the 6 Train to Astor Place, walk three blocks west on 8th, it will be on your left side under a red awning before you get to 5th.

Spigolo is a great small Italian place, get reservations.

The Stanton Social on the lower east side is a trendy martini bar with GREAT food.

Le Cirque if you want a very expensive, delicious dining experience.

They can eat Pad Thai at Pongsri Thai at 106 Bayard Street ( near the courthouses) My brother's wife (thai) works there and I used to eat there a lot.. so did John Kennedy Jr. (what a shame)!

Then after the race ( later) tell them to be sure and stop at the Chinatown ice cream factory for the best green tea ice cream ever, and some other interesting flavors as well!

Also, they can go to "Press toast" at 112 Macdougal street between bleecker and 3rd! for interesting Pressed sandwiches!

Enjoy!

Well, Tavern on the Green (in Central Park) is delicious, but it's not cheap.

http://web.tavernonthegreen.com/

If you are adventuresome and like to try different cuisines, there is a Turkish place that called Beyoglu that is very good:

1431 3rd Ave (at 81st St.)
New York NY 10028
Phone: (212) 650-0850

I was there last month. Here are some great places in Times Square

Hakata 230 W 48th St - Great sushi

Tony's Dinapoli http://www.tonysnyc.com - Great Italian

Virgil's BBQ (Owned by the owners of Carmines) Really good lamb BBQ
http://www.virgilsbbq.com

If we are going beyond pasta for runners, I'll add a few more:

Great food/casual atmosphere in Manhattan:
Hearth
Landmarc
5 Ninth
Pearl Oyster Bar
Prune
Cafe Boulud
A Voce
Lupa
Casa Mono
Tia Pol
Little Owl

Decent food, fun atmosphere
Balthazar
Pastis
Spice Market
Red Cat

Expensive/great food
Bouley
Le Bernardin
Jean Georges
Craft
ADNY
Daniel

Must have a reservation about a month ago:
Babbo
Per Se (disclaimer, I've not dined here)

No offense to other posters, but I would avoid Le Cirque and Tavern on the Green

Little Poland Restaurant
200 2nd Ave (Cross street: 12th Street)
Open 7 a.m. to midnight

A neighborhood joint featuring inexpensive, authentic Polish-style home cooking. Pierogies and potato pancakes like my grandpa used to make.

Little poland is still there? ( and I mean little) the place is tiny but the food is delish!

Hey Ron,
on the fancy/expensive side, (and my old neighborhood) you forgot Sparks, and the Palm (one and too)!

Not sure if it is still there...I has been two years. there is a place called MOCCA. It is a Hungarian Restaurant located at 1588 second ave...between 82 and 83 street. They have a list of specials from 11 am to 4 pm and all priced under 8 Dollars....and the ownwer and his staff are real hungarians....

Not sure if it is still there...I has been two years. there is a place called MOCCA. It is a Hungarian Restaurant located at 1588 second ave...between 82 and 83 street. They have a list of specials from 11 am to 4 pm and all priced under 8 Dollars....and the ownwer and his staff are real hungarians....

It looks like Mocca has closed.

I found a few other reviews that were a bit dated but when I called the phone number the nice lady with the computer voice told me the number was out of service at this time.

http://www.charlesmathes.com/best_new_y ... aurant.htm

Thats to bad...Nice people...great food....