433867 Wed Aug 22 10:50:48 -0700 2007 14 18 Manhattan 0 2869920 My significant other and I are meeting my parents in NY for the US Open next weekend and want to treat them to a decent meal. We're staying near E 62st and 2nd Ave and it would be great to go somewhere within walking distance (less than 1 mile). Less than $25/person (recent college grads can't afford much). Italian is always good. We could cab or subway somewhere too. Any suggestions? Thanks! Wed Aug 22 10:50:48 -0700 2007 25651 esa321 1 2869945 Serafina on 61st between Park and Madison Wed Aug 22 10:55:06 -0700 2007 2869920 110996 LeahBaila 2 2869966 I've been to that Serafina once (once was enough) - it's a favorite of my visiting in-laws from the Dominican Republic, but I found the food to be really lacking,especially for the price. Lackluster salad and pizza, though I recall the calamari being decent. Does seem to be popular with European and Latin (wealthy) tourists, though I really can't figure out why. Does your proposed price include drinks? I'll try to think of an alternative. Edit - is this for lunch or dinner? Wed Aug 22 10:59:56 -0700 2007 2869945 10985 MMRuth 3 2869992 Exclusive of drinks. Dinner. Wed Aug 22 11:03:35 -0700 2007 2869966 25651 esa321 4 2870004 What about Luna Piena? http://menupages.com/restaurantdetails.asp?areaid=0&restaurantid=3313&neighborhoodid=0&cuisineid=0 Wed Aug 22 11:06:09 -0700 2007 2869992 110996 LeahBaila 4 2870017 $25 is really tough - though I understand your situation. What about Patsy's Pizzeria - cash only, I believe, but pretty decent pizza. Wed Aug 22 11:09:01 -0700 2007 2869992 10985 MMRuth 5 2870348 The Patsy's on E. 60th at 3rd is actually a decent (if casual) place for dinner. They have good pizza, decent pastas, and a fantastic appetizer of thinly sliced zucchini and eggplant fried to almost crisp with a garlic yogurt dipping sauce. It gets a bit noisy, but they have a quieter upstairs room. When I lived in the nabe (a couple of years ago now) we took my visiting parents there and they really enjoyed it. Wed Aug 22 12:24:43 -0700 2007 2870017 10669 Amuse Bouches 4 2870091 We recently had dinner at Primola (on 2nd, b/t 64th & 65th) for the first time. the food was nicely-prepared and very tasty. They start you off with a generous plate of meats and cheese, along with a variety of olives, on the house (+ good bread, of course), so you don't really have to have an appetizer. Get pastas for the main course (prices in the teens) and maybe share a couple of desserts, and you should be able to meet your budget. http://www.menupages.com/restaurantdetails.asp?areaid=0&restaurantid=294&neighborhoodid=0&cuisineid=0 Wed Aug 22 11:23:38 -0700 2007 2869992 13867 RGR 5 2870111 Sounds like a great suggestion - will have to check it out myself as well - have been racking my brains to come up w/ something nice for the OP. Wed Aug 22 11:28:37 -0700 2007 2870091 10985 MMRuth 1 2870106 i really like via oreta on 1st (between 61 - 62, i think, west side of street, blue awning). really simple, classic italian - they make their own pasta, so it's very fresh. entrees are in the teens, i think, so you could even share some appetizers or a dessert. Wed Aug 22 11:27:13 -0700 2007 2869920 103140 RussianGirl 1 2870262 I've been eating at the Vag for over 30 years. Reasonable prices and great food. Boce court in the middle of the restaurant. http://www.ilvagabondo.com/ Wed Aug 22 12:07:30 -0700 2007 2869920 39601 stevel 2 2870276 I was trying to remember the name of that place - it's been years, but remember having a nice meal. Wed Aug 22 12:09:10 -0700 2007 2870262 10985 MMRuth 1 2871094 Les Sans Culottes - 2nd Ave @ 57th. Classic French bistro. Not fancy and not inventive but good food and great value. The appetizers are basically all you can eat. Excellent pate. $22 prix fixe at dinner, $14 at lunch. Chola @ 58th st between 2nd and 3rd. Indian. Can be excellent. You're also very close to the F train. It runs express to Jackson Heights where you can find more diversity and cheaper restaurants with better quality. From there you can take the 7 train to the US open. To save money for dinner with the parents, eat at Chicken Kitchen. 2nd Ave @ 62nd. Extremely cheap but very tasty grilled chicken. None of the sides are really good. Don’t be afraid by the way the place looks and the curt service. I eat in there all the time but take-out is probably your best option. Ask for a juicy chicken and don’t go on Sunday (The regular guy is not working the grill on Sundays). Although they have some off-days, this place is usually good and sometimes ascends to great heights. Wed Aug 22 15:02:15 -0700 2007 2869920 64008 ow77 1 2871103 Consider Canaletto on 60th St off 3rd. They bring you a nice little plate of parmesan and salami when you sit down and a plate of cookies to share after dinner, both on the house. If you stick to pasta or just an entree you might squeek by price wise. This is a real neighborhood restaurant and Brad is a great host. You won't find anything exciting on the menu but it's a reliable spot for you and your parents. Wed Aug 22 15:04:03 -0700 2007 2869920 120061 Texstyle 1 2871487 Take them to ZaZa's on First Avenue and 64th street. Excellent Italian at great prices. Everytime I take someone there they love it and always go back. My aunt was in from Colorado for a week and went there three times. The service is great with a cozy atmosphere, outside garden as well. Try the Linguini Nere delicious! Wed Aug 22 17:15:37 -0700 2007 2869920 48497 eileenfon