Union Square Restaurant

[pcpie331]

hi

I am meeting a couple of friends for dinner tonight, wanted to stay in union square area.. any recommendations aside from coffee shop, blue water, not to pricey..

thanks much

[KateI]

casa mono on irving place..tapas and very good

[RGR]

I think Casa Mono is going to be difficult to do on a $20-$30 budget unless the o.p. and friends have very tiny appetites.

[MMRuth]

I agree - we routinely spend $200 there for lunch, albeit with large appetites and a penchant for a bottle of wine.

Edit - I shouldn't say "routinely" - we don't go there routinely, but when we do, that's about the tab.

[MB fka MB]

I think I need to get invited along for that lunch!

FWIW, I do find that some of the dishes are rather large and rich, therefore filling. I am normally a hungry grrrrl and the pork cheeks was about too much for me on my last visit (saturday). (and awesome) $16 IIRC plus the bread is good and the house cured olives are fantastic.

[Steph80]

union square cafe!!

[Nikki NYC]

Do you think he can do that for $20 to $30 a person?

[Nikki NYC]

There are a lot of links talking about Union Square restaurants, but I'm happy to make recommendations. Do you like Indian or Asian food? There is a lot of that in the area that is reasonable. Also, about how much per person do you consider "reasonable"?

[pcpie331]

love asian food.. reasonable $20 - $30 per person...thanks

[Nikki NYC]

On University there is L'Annan and Saigon Grill. Lemongrass Grill is between University and Broadway (12th Street?). Republic (noodles) is on USW - good food but noisy, you sit at picnic-style tables, and you are uncomfortably close to your neighbors. If you want really inexpensive, there is The Cottage on University at 15th - it is basic (but good) NYC Chinese food. There are sushi options, too, but I'm not sure you can get away with it at your price range. Hope this helps!

[RGR]

If the food at the L'Annan on University is anything like its older sibling on 3rd Av., I would avoid it like proverbial plague. Awful!

[bearmi]

It is. I know a lot of people eat there but it's not very good. The food there tasted like there is a Chinese chef in the kitchen and he replaced his soy sauce with fish sauce. I would recommend Saigon Grill.