UWS budget dinner (early bird OK)

[artichoke queen]

Friends on a budget are coming into town this afternoon. Any suggestions?

[feralfluke]

Saigon Grill on Amstdm & 91 is excellent and affordable, nice matn also has an early bird special and nice outside seating, and if you want decent pub food and a great atmosphere..try The Parlour (irish bar & restaurant), on 86th and Bway

[Miss Needle]

Not Italian, but Pio Pio is a wonderful place for Peruvian roast chicken. The UWS ambiance is good, especially at the price point.

[UWSEater]

Ouest has a relatively cheap Prix Fixe before 630 I think. $33 for three courses. Not rushed when I've done it, and very good food.
Celeste and Gennaro's are both good italian, and won't be too busy earlier in the night. Cash only. At Celeste get the pizzas and cheese plates, and at Gennaro's the fresh pastas are really good.
La Rural up on 98th (?)and Amsterdam is also good for meet and Argentinian, cheap and have a great outside garden to eat in.
Greek, there's always Kefi on 72nd, good food, but gets crowded.
Chinese, not recommended on the UWS.

[kelea]

I 2nd Celeste and Kefi. (Just FYI, Kefi is on 79th not 72nd). Not too impressed by Gennaros and I don't like how there's min spend per person.

[UWSEater]

Sorry, is on 79th, not 72nd. Brain not functioning clearly this friday afternoon.
I've never actually had them impose the min on me at Gennaro's though, always ordered as little or as much as I wanted.

[artichoke queen]

thanks to all. we've been to kefi and love it. will check out all of these other suggestions.

[kcijones001]

Cuisine?

[artichoke queen]

Italian preferred, but Chinese, Mexican, Greek are OK, too.

[twiggles]

might be a little outside of the neighborhood, but Greek Kitchen on 58th and 10th is very reasonable, and tasty. For Mexican, Gabriela's (columbus and 93) used to have an early special up until 5:30, but i'm not sure if they still do.

[artichoke queen]

Thanks Twiggles,
A neighbor mentioned Celesste on Amsterdam and 84th. Any experience there?

[twiggles]

celeste is great but it depends on how many people. it is a small place that gets very crowded. but very good food.