NYC solo dining

[lusaka]

Hello fellow Chowhounds! You've always given great advice, and I need your help once again. Will be in NYC February 21 thru 24. Looking for dining options. Really don't care what cuisine, as am open to all. Will be staying at Hilton New York Midtown - 6th & 53rd. Budget, whatever (but somewhat realistic - you know how reimbursements go!). Hope to have companionship, but as this is business, am usually on my own after meetings. Any suggestions? Thank you for input and taking care of me in prior travels.

[cricri7]

You could try Bar Boulud which opened at the beginning of January. You can eat at the bar also. I was in NY at the beginning of January and wanted to try it but they opened the day after I left:(

[lusaka]

Thanx for the input so far...it's been a huge help. Plz know this will be my 1st time in NYC. I love the post RE schwarma...can't wait to try. Nobu 57 - would love to experience. Need reservation for bar? Any recs RE pizza? How's dinner at the Modern? Yes, I'm a true newbie, so need all the help I can get. Dinner $s range from 50-75. Thanx for all your help!

[idia]

Blue Fin in Times Square is singles-friendly and has anything from small plates to full menu and a neat and very popular bar.

[cimui]

I think dinner at the Modern would be a great idea for a solo diner. I've seen plenty of people at meals at the bar. Technically you don't need a reservation for that, but it would be a good idea if they allow it. It can get very crowded.

I'm not much of a pizza person, but places that other people like a lot include Patsy's in Harlem and John's Pizzeria in the West Village.

I really enjoy having dinner at the sushi bar at Shimizu and Yasuda, by myself.

Since it doesn't seem like you're a fancy food snob or wedded to the area, you may also want to venture out of the area to Hell's Kitchen (west of where you're staying) and try Empanada Mama's. Excellent and inexpensive.

Further north, on 72nd St., there's a great little Greek place called Kefi that's worth checking out.

ANd of course there are gazillions of options in Chinatown. Doyers for Vietnamese, New Green Bo (only for xiao long tang bao -- little soup dumplings -- though), and lots more.

GIve us some indication of cuisines you want and you'll probably get a lot more replies.

[Jane A.]

Pizza - You're within quick walking distance of Angelo's Pizza - great thin crust pizza. Take a friend 'cause it's full pies only. North side of 57th Street between 6th and 7th.

[newportt]

I dined solo in Nobu 57 this past weekend. Sat at the sushi bar and had a fantastic time. You can order from the complete menu. The restaurant has a beautiful design and you don't feel you are cut off from the festivity sitting by yourself at the sushi bar. I will say this is one NYC experience very worth having!

[cimui]

I'll just throw out a couple of suggestions to get you started (though more specifics about what you're looking for would be helpful).

In the area restaurants that I find tasty--though short of phenomenal--include Insieme, Anthos, Shimizu, Sushi Den, the Modern Dining Room, Sukhadia's, Morrell's Wine Bar, and Cafe Gray. The schwarma cart on 53rd, right outside of your hotel is also good.

[RGR]

You really need to give us some clues. If you want some new options, tell us where you've been before so we don't repeat. Any favorite cuisines? Do you want to stay close to the Hilton, or are you willing to travel? Are you comfortable dining solo at a table, or do you want bar dining? And when it comes to a per person figure for food, what do you -- or better yet, your company -- consider to be "realistic"?