215924 Fri Nov 12 13:31:19 -0800 2004 7 18 Manhattan 0 1149734 Driving up from Philly tonight for a show at the Mercury Lounge. Anyplace nearby for a good bite to eat? We like food from anywhere in the world. We likely won't have a heck of a lot of time...probably only about an hour. (The gods of traffic are in charge.) Looking forward to suggestions! Fri Nov 12 13:31:19 -0800 2004 0 --susan 1 1149736 Katz's Deli for a Pastrami sandwich or a hot dog in a knish! Fri Nov 12 13:46:02 -0800 2004 1149734 0 Dave 2 1149758 Just be forewarned ... you might not feel that well having a couple of drinks in a hot & loud Mercury Lounge with a belly full of pastrami, mustard, pickles & hot dogs. I can put down an entire sandwich, a few pickles & a Dr. Brown once a week. Fri Nov 12 14:45:37 -0800 2004 1149736 0 212 1 1149737 a couple doors west on Houston is Katz's - a GREAT NY deli, open pretty late. and right next to Katz's is Yoshi, a nice Japanese place we like (excellent spicy fried shrimp roll and good yakitori). one block south of Mercury on Ludlow is Paladar - good latin food and great mojitos. friday night is very busy in the nabe but you should be able to get into these places. also, if your really cramped for time, right across the street is nice guy eddies, good burgers and wings, super fast service, 2 for one drinks until 8. you may already know this but you should have no problem getting a parking spot in the nabe. try the meter spots along Allen (1st Ave) or Essex (Ave A) just south of Houston Link: http://cityrag.blogs.com/main/eat_this/index.html Fri Nov 12 13:48:23 -0800 2004 1149734 0 elvislives 2 1149764 Fantastic. Thanks to all of you for great options (and quickly, too!) This is totally what I was hoping for in the way of neighborhoodly advice. Elvislives, you get extra thanks with a cherry on top for the parking tips. :) Fri Nov 12 15:02:17 -0800 2004 1149737 0 --susan 1 1149750 i third katz's or bereket for grubby but tasty turkish down the block lil' frankie's on first ave and first street for pizza (although the one hour time frame might be tough) Fri Nov 12 14:18:35 -0800 2004 1149734 0 jerusha 1 1149780 The Pink Pony (on Ludlow just down the street from Katz's)...tasty cheap French cafe/bistro fare and cheap red wine...nice mellow vibe...perfect for an under one-hour meal before or after a MercLounge show...good juke box too. Fri Nov 12 15:51:08 -0800 2004 1149734 0 Simon 2 1149978 Simon: This was right on the money for a cold and miserably rainy Friday night. Escargot, hanger steak au poivre, cassoulet, and a bottle of côtes du rhone for the two of us. Fantastic. :) Mon Nov 15 09:27:44 -0800 2004 1149780 0 --susan