Midtown Saturday night dinner with kids

[elasticwaistband]

Hi
We will be getting into Manhattan early on Saturday am, and have a host of activities planned for the day, including a matinee show. I am thinking that our kids (10 year olds) will be a lttle tired by the end of the day, so I am hoping to find a dinner place somewhere near our hotel at West 50th and 3rd.

Any and all recommendations are welcome. The kids especially like steak, Asian, diner-type food, Italian. Not looking for a blow-out meal for this night. Thanks!

[elasticwaistband]

Thanks all for your input. I have actually booked at Zoe Townhouse (62nd and Lex) for that night. I hope it is good!

[RGR]

It is brand new, and there hasn't been much news about it yet, so I hope you'll report back.

[elasticwaistband]

Will report back after my NYC weekend. It looks promising because they have a pizza menu which the kids will love. We were thinking about Otto, but my firiend is an Atkins-diet type, and does not eat pizza or pasta, so this place looks like we can all get what we want.

On another note, we like Asian food. Is Ruby Foos' good to great or just mediocre? It gets such poor reviews that I never really thought about it as an option. Another near our hotel is that Japanese BBQ place called Gyu Kaku on 3rd at 51st. Heard of it? Anyone been?

[Lucia]

Ruby Foo's is mediocre. I'm a fan of Otto--I think it's a great choice.

[kcijones001]

I would suggest Ruby Foo's or Benny Hana for habachi.
I would also sugguest sernedipidy for burgers sandwiches and ICE CREAM! Then you can hit up dylan's candy bar right next door for some treats..The kids will love it and everything (sernedipidy and dylan's) are in the 3rd and 59th area!

[RGR]

Hey, elasticwaistband,

Before we can give you appropriate suggestions near your hnotel, we need to clarify its geographical location. A hotel on West 50th St., cannot be at 3rd Av., because 3rd is on the Eastside and crosstown streets there are East + the street number. So, perhaps, you meant East 50th? If the hotel is, indeed, on West 50th, then the avenue is incorrect.

Note: If your hotel is on E. 50th & 3rd, then doona's Jekyll & Hyde suggestion is not close to your hotel.

[elasticwaistband]

OOPs! You are so right RGR - thanks. It is East 50th and 3rd. Not as many places in that neck of the woods?

[RGR]

There's always good food to be found no matter which neck of the Manhattan woods you're in. lol

Since you say your kids love steak, Smith & Wollensky is just one block from your hotel, on the corner of 3rd & 49th. You can eat in the main restaurant or in Wollensky's Grill.

http://www.smithandwollensky.com/new_york.htm

For Italian, I've heard some good things about Luna Piena, on 53rd, b/t 2nd & 3rd.

http://www.lunapienanyc.com/lunapiena...

[LeahBaila]

Second Luna Piena

[elasticwaistband]

Wollensky's Grill sounds perfect actually. Have you ever been there? I am thinking that the main restaurant might be too heavy and expensive. I understand from opentable.com that they do not accept reservations. Do you think that it would be difficult for a party of 4 at 7:30 to 8:00 pm on a Saturday night in early October?

My other choice would be Landmarc in the TWC - a short cab ride I think, but they also do not accept rezzies!

On your recommendation, we are doing a pre-theatre on Sunday at Trattoria Trecolori - so I don't want to overdose on Italian food - but I'll check out Luna Piena also.

Any word on Destino - also in our general vicinity? If I tell my daughter that JT is part owner - she'll go nuts.

[RGR]

We've never eaten in Wollensky's Grill.

While S&W is expensive, the steaks being as huge as they are, you can make the hit on the wallet smaller by sharing. Iirc, my daughter and I shared one filet mignon. As is the case in most steakhouses, side are served family style. So, for example, one order of creamed spinach should be enough for your entire family.

Though it's been quite some time since we've been to S&W, I know we had a reservation. Just checked OpenTable and they do accept them.

Personally, I wouldn't want to show up *anywhere* on a Saturday night at prime dinner time without a reservation since there could be a fairly long wait for a table. Not great, in my view, especially with children in tow.

Glad to hear you're going to Trecolori. I'm sure you and the family will enjoy it.

[elasticwaistband]

Oh yeah - Middle Eastern cuisine (chicken shish tawoo, hummus, etc.) is also a big hit with the kids.

[doona]

A really great place for kids in Midtown, not too far from where you are if you want a fun New York walk is Jekyll and Hyde. It's on 6th and 57th - next to the Park, fun shopping, etc.

http://www.jekyllandhydeclub.com/

[elasticwaistband]

Looks like a cool place but is the food good? I am expecting to eat some mediocre food at Serendipity that weekend, so I want to try to get some really good places to balance out the "doing it for the kids only" thing.
Thanks.

[valerie]

"Looks like a cool place but is the food good?" In a word, no. Don't waste your time or energy.