Good Restaurants on the Upper East Side?!??

[LindayMalia]

Hi,

I'm moving from Brooklyn (Fort Greene) to the Upper East Side (gasp?!!).

Anyone have good recommendations for moderately priced restaurants there? Any genre would do.

Thanks!

[chowbeth]

Fort Greene to the UES?? -- poor you.

I was stuck on the UES last week and went to Beyoglu because I saw a comment somewhere that it was the only reason to trek to the UES for a meal. I was sceptical but was truly shocked by how good it was. Like everyone else, I only had the mezzes, but they were FABULOUS and cheap.

I also second Itzocan, the owners run the place with love and the food is interesting and good.

[MMRuth]

I wouldn't say that Beyoglu is the *only* reason to trek up here. (grin) That said, there is a lot of mediocre chow to be had.

[JC2]

First of all, Barking Dog is 94th and Third. Also, why doesn't anyone ever mention Itzakan (sp?) It is 101 and Lex and definitely the best restaurant uptown. I also endorse Etats Unis, but I don't think it is moderately priced.

[MMRuth]

I do mention Bistro Itzocan sometimes - I think it might be in some of the threads that I linked to above - and I agree with you that it is an excellent restaurant. I've not tried Barking Dog.

[hopegoode]

Just wanted to add another vote for Cipolla Rossa. The branzino special was quite good and the BYOB makes it even more desirable.

[City Kid]

Both locations are terrific...love the entrees and you can't beat the $7 panninis -- I loved the wild boar sausage and broccoli rabe one!

[preppie foodie]

welcome to the hood! there are places to eat...in addition to the other posters' recommendations, I would also add

spigolo (82nd and 2nd)

the wine bar at etats unis (82nd, just west of 2nd). Its across the street from the restaurant. You can order their menu or the one at the wine bar. Make sure to pre order the chocolate souffle, great lobster club, guac, and mohitos..can be crowded as its small.

Land (thai restaurant) cheap and delicious

Payard (pastries, croque monsieur, great for snack/coffee, more expensive dinner

Tiramisu, Brio, Bella Blu. All reliable, solid italian but ask about prices for the specials at Bella--learned this the hard way.

Candle Cafe and Candle 79 --vegan/healthy organic. candle 79 more expensive.

ko sushi ( I think much better than Haru) you can eat there and they also deliver

cipolla rossa which another poster listed. they now have a second location on 60th/1st. trying it tomorrow nite. will report back to the group.

barking dog (two locations, 78th/york and one in the 90s on lex maybe? good, fresh diner food, make a great cobb, also delivers...

follow me cafe (62nd, just east of lex)

fig and olive (lex between 62nd/3rd) sort of on the fence about this one as it seems to not be as good as it was and also more expensive

[Gelaine]

Ditto the York Grill. Sotto Cinque is iffy....

[thew]

i think that in almost any other city it would be a destination restaurant - here its an unknown neighborhood place

[City Kid]

I had one very disappointing dinner at York Grill. Maybe I should try it again some time.

[thew]

since i moved from the 80's to the 70's, not to mention became (sigh) a single parent, i dont go so much anymore (NYC is funny like that) so the quality may have dropped in the last few years. but i was a regular diner there for many years previous to that and always enjoyed it.

[thew]

a few off the top of my head in assorted styles and price ranges:

flex mussels
naruto ramen
etas unis
york grill
tatany 72
tenzan sushi
italian village pizza

[pbjluver]

love love love Italian Village Pizza (on First btwn 79th and 80th)
the best eggplant parm heroes
wonderful service

[jackieparis]

Glaser's Bakery
Cipolla Rosa
Gauchas Latino Bistro
Nick's Pizza
Sushi Suki
Our Place (Chinese)

[Jane A.]

I've recently discovered Andre's Cafe (2nd & ?84th). Wonderful homemade soups, chicken crepe, chocolate babka. Hungarian home cooking. And I've been meaning to try Sotto Cinque (86th bet 1st & 2nd. Like the look of the menu - maybe locals up there can give you/us real information about that one.

[shivohum]

Second Andre's. Also add Square Meal for an amazing grilled cheese, Alice's Teacup for scones, Two Little Red Hens for a bakery, Corner Bakery as a bakery and for brunch, second Beyoglu, Via Quadronno for coffee, Table D'Hote for brunch.

The Vegetarian New Yorker: http://vegny.blogspot.com/

[MMRuth]

I love the coffee at Via Quadronno. And, I've never had the grilled cheese at Square Meal - will have to try it sometime. I really have enjoyed everything I've eaten there.

[shivohum]

Yeah, enjoy, and report back :-).

Also, Ichiro for Japanese food is quite tasty.

The Vegetarian New Yorker: http://vegny.blogspot.com/

[Little Cupcake]

Welcome to the nabe!!!!

Rathbone's- burger & a beer

Cafe D'Alsace- brunch

Square Meal- semi-posh lunch

Fetch- brunch, Philly cheesesteaks, better bar food

Cilantro- Southwestern food & Margheritas

Nina's

Buddha BeeBQ- This is a hole in the wall Korean BBQ , a healthier choice

Naruto Ramen- go on Monday nite for $6.50 bowl of ramen

You may also like the Auction House bar. It has a "downtown feel."

[trixareforkids]

You poor thing. I live UES and its pretty dull> Alot of good rec's here. JG Melons for a good burger.

[MMRuth]

Also Ottomanelli for burgers and fries - I prefer it to JG Melons.

[City Kid]

I must thank you, MMRuth, for re-introducing me to Ottomanelli. I love their burger and fries and what a bargain! I used to go years ago when they were on Madison @97th Street, but they had fallen off my radar. Going tonight for a burger, in fact! Much bigger, better, and cheaper than JG Melon.

[trixareforkids]

The one on York or the one on Lexington?

[City Kid]

I go to the one on Lexington.

[MMRuth]

That's the one that I go to as well.

[notsochubbychubette]

Felice for simple italian and good wine
Pio Pio for a good piece of peruvian chicken

[MMRuth]

Welcome to the neighborhood. Where will you be living, more or less? Here are a couple of threads that may help:

http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/510600
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/415094
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/583078

[RGR]

Cafe d'Alsace, on the corner of 2nd Av. & 88th St.

http://www.cafedalsace.com

Upscale Cafe Boulud, on 76th St., b/t 5th & Madison, serves a 3-course lunch prix-fixe for $24. Open for lunch Tues.-Sat.

http://www.danielnyc.com/cafebouludNY...

[pbjluver]

try out BEYOGLU...Turkish
Third Ave. and 81st.

also check-out www.menupages.com

[LeahBaila]

I highly second Beyoglu. Also:
Zocalo
Uva
La Cantina Toscana
Bistro Chat Noir
Wu Liang Ye

www.thelunchbelle.com

[LeahBaila]

Update: La Cantina Toscana is no more. R.I.P.

www.thelunchbelle.com

[RCC]

La Cantina Toscana is gone and in place is a better restaurant - Cipolla Rossa. The menu is an improved Tuscan-based and as far as our dinner there 3 weeks ago, it was BYOB.

[trixareforkids]

Zocalo closed its now Flex Mussels. Have not been yet.

[LeahBaila]

Oh my...I did not know. When did this change? Thanks so much.

www.thelunchbelle.com

[notsochubbychubette]

yea when did this happen?! I live across the street!

[notsochubbychubette]

I take that back, i was thinking zaza

"Zocalo on 82nd Street is now closed for renovations. We will be opening in November as Flex Mussels. Thank you for your patronage."
http://www.zocalonyc.com/east/index.php

[LeahBaila]

Holy smokes...I'm speachless. Thanks for filling me in. :(

www.thelunchbelle.com

[jinglejangle]

The same owners just turned it into another Cipolla Rossa location. Same menu as the uptown location and they made it BYO. So don't fret and enjoy!

[Brian W]

All threads on Beyoglu finally end up with everyone admitting that they never order the entrees, only the apps. Beware of the entrees!

[MMRuth]

That is so true!

[trixareforkids]

True, I have only had the vegetable mezze with the flat bread. Its great for a lunch.

[RGR]

We've been to Beyoglu once. In addition to a variety of mezzes, we actually did order a main course -- the donner kebob, which turned out to be quite tasty.