HawthorneVillager.com

We'll be heading to NYC for a few nights and wanted to know if anyone has some recommendations on restaurants.

We don't have a Seagull-esque budget , so will go for only one 'good' meal (~$150-200). The rest will just be in the Milestones price category. Any insight on good cheapy places would be also be most welcome. We're going to be staying in Midtown but anywhere in Manhattan works. Thanks!

Tavern on the Green would've been nice. Always wanted to go there

That was on the list until we found out that it closed down. Apparently the operators filed for bankruptcy and they converted it into a Central Park visitor centre. too bad because our likely hotel would have only been 4 blocks from it.

If you’re around Time Square at dinner time and you want some GREAT authentic BBQ, Virgil’s is the place to go. The food is incredible, but I warn you, the portions are HUGE! We didn’t have too much luck w/ other restaurants in and around Time Square. However, you need to get an authentic piece of NY Cheesecake while you’re there and Juniors is the place to go! It is in the Time Square area. I wouldn’t go there for dinner if I were you, the food is OKAY. But definitely stop for a coffee and a piece of cheesecake at some point!

The best dinner we had their was at Olives Restaurant (inside the W Hotel) on Park Ave, down by 17th St. They have excellent food and the prices aren’t crazy, especially for NYC ($10-15 for apps, $25-35 for entrees).

If you’re looking for authentic NYC pizza, Lombardi’s is the place to go. It’s on Spring street, in Lower Manhattan. It used to be a little hole in the wall, long narrow place with all of the stone ovens at the back. But, I believe they’ve since expanded their operation and taken over the place next door. I’m sure it’s still the same great pizza though!

Last but not least, if you’re looking for an authentic, old school steakhouse, for a GREAT steak dinner, Keen’s is the place to go. It has that vintage steakhouse feel and the steaks are excellent (for US Prime beef... I’m not a big fan, has a different taste to it than Canadian beef, grain fed). It is a pricey dinner, but very good.

Be very glad it is closed down! I'm sure it was great back in its heydey, but towards the end you were paying obscene amounts of money for the name on the awning.

We ate at Balthazar when we went to NYC last fall as well. And I would echo the above statement. We went to two other places that were fantastic as well but I can't remember the names of the top of my head. I'll check with my wife and post later on. But Balthazar is a definite must. We went with three other couples that are in NYC several times a year so they knew the best places to go.

I got them...

http://www.frankrestaurant.com/menus_specials.asp
http://www.spicemarketnewyork.com/

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Chris Derksen
Crave Systems
751 Main Street East Unit 2
Milton, ON L9T 3Z3
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cderksen@cravesystems.com
http://www.cravesystems.com

mesa grill (Bobby Flay's restaurant). By far worth every penny.

Carnegie Deli has fantastic food!

http://www.carnegiedeli.com/home.php

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Actually we went there and weren't too impressed - the prices were expensive and the seating is cramped. The food portion wasn't that great either............

We really enjoyed Gordon Ramsay's Maze restaurant - they have superb service and will make you feel like an absolute millionaire...........food is really tasty as well - and its at a value price - we had two 3 course meals for around 120 including tax+tip (appetizer, main course, dessert).

thanks for all the suggestions, folks. Lot of homework to do now!

Tao is incredible, located not far from Carnegie Hall on the south end of Central Park:

http://www.taorestaurant.com/

Food was great, atmosphere was even better.

I'm not sure if your going for pleasure or business, but maybe you'll enjoy the city pass
http://www.citypass.com/new-york
It's not a restaurant, but may save you money if you are planning to visit some of these sites

Best burger I've had in recent memory was at "Rare". About $16 but worth every penny. There was something going on about onions and whisky and pure bliss. My wife had something she really liked too but I was too busy with my burger to remember what it was. I believe the word "salad" was involved.

Midtown...east side. Maybe around 2nd Ave and 40th. Not far from Empire State - walking distance.

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Mark

I'll second Tao, BUT if you're only doing one thing, head to Mark Josephs and order the Bacon appetizer and the Porterhouse for two.

http://markjosephsteakhouse.com/index/

mmmmmmmmmmmmm!!!

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Fred De Carolis
FREDHELPS.COM or on Facebook
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