Midtown suggestions with children

[samanh]

Family with a 1 year old coming into town for a weekend in April. We're staying on 48th and 8th and hoping to get suggestions for restaurants which would be okay for children. Coming in from Chapel Hill, NC and we are looking to expand our horizons. We love spicy food and ethnic cuisine. Any thoughts for midtown combination 3 dinners, 2 lunches would be appreciated.

[johleer]

Sometimes rough in Midtown with kids (my bro has 3 under 3 years old!)--Check out the following, all in midtown with something different to offer but all kinda New Yorky. Remember the subways, heading down to the village or Chinatown or lower east side (Katz's deli) is easy as pie!

Chinese: Grand Sichuan on 9th--crowded but really friendly waiters, try the twice cooked pork and dan dan noodles
Mexican: Tulcingo del Valle on 10th
Diner: gotta do this in NYC--Westway on 9th is good, but I like Theatre Row on 42nd b. 9th and 10th. Go for breakfast
Head to Bryant Park and get either the oatmeal or a sandwich from the 'wichcraft booths (run by Tom Colicchio, from Top Chef)
Uncle Nicks-excellent Greek, go there for dinner all the time and they are very accommodating to families. get what you like, but the fresh fries are really good, and the salads are very fresh
Do check out menupages, and nymag.com is a GREAT resource.
Have a great trip!!

[samanh]

Thank you for your suggestions! Great to have so many to choose from. I'm sure the kiddo will give everyone a run for their money.

[Pan]

Call before going to the ~50th St. branch of Grand Sichuan! It had been closed for a few days as of this past Sunday, and I understand that it may remain closed permanently. (Note that this does not affect other branches of Grand Sichuan at all.)

[RGR]

I think it's an exaggeration to say that everybody loves Carmine's. I happen to think there are much better places for Italian food in that area. My pick would be Cascina, on 9th Av., b/t 45th & 46th. Good service and pleasant, rustic ambiance.

http://www.cascina.com

Ruby Foo's, on the corner of B'way & 49th, is a kind of glitzy, family-friendly restaurant that serves Pan-Asian cuisine.

http://www.brguestrestaurants.com/restaurants/ruby_foos_times_square/index.php

Ellen's Stardust Diner, on B'way at 51st, is family-friendly and has retro-50's ambiance.

http://www.ellensstardustdiner.com

La Bonne Soupe, on 55th, b/t 5th & 6th, is a sweet, family-friendly French bistro with lots more on the menu than just good soups.

http://www.labonnesoupe.com

For very good Szechuan cuisine, Wu Liang Ye is just a few blocks east of where you are staying. It's on 48th, b/t 5th & 6th.

Uncle Nick's, on 9th, b/t 50th & 51st, serves very good Greek food in a large taverna-style setting.

Menus for these last two can be found on menupages.com, an excellent resource for restaurants all over Manhattan.

Enjoy your visit to NYC and Bon Appetit!

[hungry_fox]

Wow, RGR suggesting Ellen's, it makes me smile. If you have little kids thats definitly the place, the food is good and it's plenty of fun. Just whatever you do, avoid Mars2112, it's across the street from Ellen's, it's a terrible place and only stays open because of unsuspecting tourists that think it might be fun.

[celebrate18]

Carmines on 44th and 8th -- Italian, loud, fun, high chairs -- serves family style. Go early for lunch and dinner and you won't have to wait. You''ll love it...everyone does!