360996 Tue Jan 16 23:06:25 -0800 2007 20 18 Manhattan 0 2195734 I'll be in NYC this weekend for one day and hoping to find some inexpensive dinner options in the Upper West Side. I'm not aware of any good eats in this area...any suggestions? Thanks! Tue Jan 16 23:06:25 -0800 2007 67334 hot dog girl 1 2196112 Gem might be a strong word.. For decent price friendly Thai there's Land on 82nd/Amsterdam. Also, for great Italian, Celeste is great - 84th/Amsterdam - really tight quarters and cash only. Enjoy! Wed Jan 17 01:04:33 -0800 2007 2195734 12695 harrison 1 2196583 If you really are the hot dog girl, you'll enjoy Gray's Papaya on 72nd and Amsterdam. Wed Jan 17 04:01:33 -0800 2007 2195734 16491 selizara 1 2196784 Steer clear of Land. Over-rated, and lacking. Food is sub-par and not "in-expensive." As a resident Upper westsider, the I can tell you that for inexpensive gems, the pickings are slim. Celeste, or Genarro should fit the bill. Wed Jan 17 05:20:24 -0800 2007 2195734 21148 tbone 1 2197013 Jerusalem Felafel is inexpensive and tasty. El Malecon is highly recommended for the rotisserie chicken. Some of their other items are worthwhile, too (e.g., sopa de pollo, mondongo). Wed Jan 17 08:15:13 -0800 2007 2195734 17058 Pan 2 2213674 The churrasco at El Malecon is awesome. A fellow chowhounder had recommended it and it's a great dish for a great price. Mon Jan 22 13:36:46 -0800 2007 2197013 50693 JoLi 1 2206304 The Allstate is still a good standby for comfort food--prepared well, huge portions, and a nice comfy vibe on a cold winter night. Fri Jan 19 17:34:35 -0800 2007 2195734 65727 luveeting 1 2206386 sun chan i would call a gem and inexpensive.. Its a Japanese restaurant that has really good yakitori.. I like the Rice Ball with plum, lots of whole grilled fish.. They have inexpensive unfiltered sake.. Sit at the bar.. Fri Jan 19 17:46:40 -0800 2007 2195734 19579 Daniel76 1 2206394 I agree with the Gennaro recommendation. The best pizza I've ever had can be found at Sal and Carmines, Broadway between 101 and 102. I've never been disappointed by The Cottage on Amsterdam at 79th (I think)- Chinese food. They give free white wine and the food is tasty, especially the dumpling appetizer. Great place to eat before or after a movie. La Rosita on Broadway at 109 is good comforting Cuban food. Super cheap and fun for sharing with friends. But I've heard rumors of it closing. Fri Jan 19 17:48:02 -0800 2007 2195734 67886 franklind0 1 2207735 Saigon Grill is good for inexpensive Vietnamese (Amst. and 90th) or Flor de Mayo on Amst. and 84th for excellent Peruvian chicken, rice and beans etc. Fri Jan 19 22:36:36 -0800 2007 2195734 40105 aleppopepper 1 2210404 La Rosita is closed... 107West on Bway & 107th is nice. Hnery's is waaay overpriced for what it is... Sat Jan 20 23:19:20 -0800 2007 2195734 65284 Josiah 1 2211168 These places are okay, but I wouldn't call them gems. Well, maybe Levain.... Hummus Place (74th/Amsterdam) Cafe con Leche (80-81 Sts/Amsterdam) Levain Bakery (74th/B'way) Sun Jan 21 06:07:14 -0800 2007 2195734 21237 johnnyappleseed 1 2211223 Rack n Soul--BBQ & soul food Absolute Bagel (if you're in the mood for a bagel one evening) Hummus Place 88 Noodle (cheap chinese) Penang (Malay) Sido (simple middle eastern grills, sandwiches) Le Pain Quotidien (several locations in UWS) Sun Jan 21 07:05:56 -0800 2007 2195734 13427 Ora 2 2211775 is rack n soul really good? i've heard some negative things. what are your thoughts? Sun Jan 21 17:44:19 -0800 2007 2211223 57300 nativeNYer 2 2211955 Here's my original report http://www.chowhound.com/topics/232928?query=rack+n+soul&user_name= In the NY dining scene, is there ever true consensus. I try places myself to decide. Rack n Soul is not a big investment--try it. There are places on this board that get raves for reasons entirely unclear to me. I only trust one opinion at this point--my own. Sun Jan 21 19:00:09 -0800 2007 2211223 13427 Ora 1 2211388 I love Café con Leche (the 96th St. one). I also dig Turkuaz and Swagat. For breakfast/brunch, I like Crepes on Columbus - though that's more Morningside Heights. Sun Jan 21 13:20:02 -0800 2007 2195734 10681 piccola 1 2211616 I also recommend Hummus Place (74th/Amsterdam). The menu is small but everything is delicious! And definitely cheap. Sun Jan 21 16:23:44 -0800 2007 2195734 43614 emgoodman 2 2213323 Had the hummus tahini at Hummus Place today, and it was superb. Also good was the iced tea (sweet and with mint, aka Israeli style.) All quite yummy and very inexpensive. Mon Jan 22 04:51:55 -0800 2007 2211616 16491 selizara 1 2213328 Barney Greengrass - Amsterdam and 86th. Get the everything bagel, scallion cream cheese and lox. Mon Jan 22 04:57:42 -0800 2007 2195734 40593 JamesB 2 2213676 Barney Greengrass yes...home of pastrami salmon! But it's not open at night so go early and get enough for dinner! Mon Jan 22 13:39:05 -0800 2007 2213328 68354 thedanny 1 2213675 I like Cafe Ronda for the parrillada. Tenzan for sushi is great too. Mon Jan 22 13:38:21 -0800 2007 2195734 50693 JoLi