Red Cat, but not Red Cat

[NinaO]

Looking for a place with a vibe and ambience like Red Cat, not pretentious but still elegant, with a similar type of New American food, but for lunch time.

Financial District or Upper East Side are more convinient locations but anywhere in Manhattan will do.

Any suggestions?

[scrittrice]

Cookshop was my first thought--I was just there for brunch the other day and was thinking that it's probably really nice for a weekday lunch. (Brunch is great, but a little hectic.)

[adam]

Ah - I didn't notice that the OP had asked specifically for lunch - I'm looking for dinner. Thanks for the recs.

[280 Ninth]

Two places come to mind in the same neighborhood as the Red Cat: (1) Trestle on Tenth, right across the st. from Red Cat--I recommend BUT I'm not certain they're open for lunch, so check on Menupages.com first; and the Green Table, in Chelsea Market.

[adam]

Reviving this old post, does anyone have other ideas? Something comfortable and solid, nice without completely breaking the bank, good for large groups (8 or so) with a variety of ages/likes/dislikes? I may just end up at Red Cat - it's a great place - but trying to think of other similar places. Cookshop would be another possibility I suppose.

[RGR]

I haven't been to Red Cat, so I may be way off the mark here, but I would recommend Cafe Boulud. I've not had lunch there but from my dinner experiences, I can assure you it offers understated elegance without pretentions. As for the cuisine, while it is French influenced (as is much of New American cuisine), there are 4 different menus + daily specials that provide an eclectic range of dishes. Needless to say, the food is superb.

http://www.danielnyc.com/cafeboulud

[dkstar1]

Why not one of the other former Beanstalk Restaurant group restaurants...The Harrison (www.theharrison.com).

[Lucia]

That's what I was thinking too, but it's also closed for lunch.