Dinner in the area of 11th Ave. & 51st

[c oliver]

We've got tickets for the Daily Show tonight. The taping is over about 715. Is there anywhere in that general area for us to have a bite, apps and wine is fine. Casual, not silly expensive. Thanks in advance.

[cimui]

Hooray, C -- so glad to hear you're visiting! Right around where you'll be is one of my favorite wine / cheese / small plates bars in all of NYC, Caselulla (52nd St. near 9th Ave). It's in the mid to high range of moderate by NYC standards, depending on how much you drink, mostly. The cheese pairings are truly excellent and the small plates are very good. They have a good selection of wines by the glass.

Here's the menu: http://www.casellula.com/menus.html

The only irksome thing about the place is that they don't take reservations and often, there's a wait. I'm not sure how bad it'll be around 7:15. I've generally been able to be seated at the bar within15-30 minutes, each time. The wait for a table may be longer.

Of the many good recommendations, above, I personally really like Daniel76's Kashkaval rec, Yummyinthecity's Empanada Mama rec. and LNG212's Hallo Berlin rec. Kashkaval is on the lower end of moderate and the other two are inexpensive.

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Oi, just realized you already had your dinner. Sorry I didn't get to you in time. I'll leave this post up in case you return to the area.

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Casellula
401 W 52nd St, New York, NY 10019

[c oliver]

We're here (UWS) til 6/23, then to Cape Cod til 7/3 and back in NYC til 7/16. We thoroughly enjoyed the HK vibe so will have plenty of opportunties for more chow. Thanks, cimui and everyone else, of course.

[the cookie girl]

Sweet Emily's on 51st between 8th and 9th is cute and the staff is so awesome. Try the flank steak sandwich!

[YummyInTheCity]

I like 9th ave, hell's kitchen area. When I lived there I used to go to Eatery on 53rd and 9th, Empanada Mama on 51/9th, Nook is cute on 50-501st and 9th. If you go a little south - Hell's Kitchen is great at 46th/9th.

Just talk a walk along 9th avenue between 44th - 57th and there are quite a lot of cute small inexpensive places...

[c oliver]

It's not an area we were familiar with but we really liked it. We're going to be here for a while so will definitely return.

[D...DF]

I'm also a former HK resident. In addition to Yummy's recs, make sure you hit up Wondee Siam (the original), Azuri Cafe, Daisy May's, Sullivan Street Bakery, and Tulcingo del Valle.

[c oliver]

We'll check them all out, I'm sure. It's really quite different tha lots of Manhattan, isn't it? And I understand some are trying to change the name to something Clinton-esque? And that some are resisting that. I would. I mean, how many places get to be called something so attention getting as Hell's Kitchen??? Thanks, all.

[RGR]

The formal name is Clinton, but everyone still refers to it as Hell's Kitchen. Back in the day, that neighborhood was extremely seedy and, to some degree, dangerous. Now, it's colorful with a terrific array of restaurants spanning many cultures -- and quite safe.

[c oliver]

We lived in SF for many years and have the same kinds of neighborhoods. With the costs always rising, there's hardly any really totally, unacceptable nabes anymore.

[Striver]

It's actually kind of like the Tenderloin (where we recently had a great dinner at Cafe Zitouna!). Taboon is very good - a bit on the pricey side - and no one has mentioned Caselulla, a wine bar with excellent cheese plates on 52nd just west of 9th. We like Hell's Kitchen at 47th and 9th, Nizza, and perennial favorite Marseille at 44th & 9th. We've also had good meals recently at Toloache (contemporary Mexican) on 50th between 8th and 9th.

[YummyInTheCity]

Yep - I loved living in "Clinton" - I still like calling it Hell's Kitchen, hehe. I lived there from 2003-2007, and even in that short period of time I saw 9th Ave. transform completely! I was so sad when I had to move to Boston - I had to give up a rent stabilized apt on 51st and 9th that I loved! Now living around Union Square but I still come up to 9th every so often - love the diversity of the restaurant selections.

Oh yeah - also hit up Amy's Bread for sure if you get a chance. Kyotofu is nice for Japanese desserts as well. If you go to Empanada mama - get the guac and plantain chips - and order a pitcher of sangria.

Oh, also Uncle Nick's for Greek!

[LNG212]

I too like many of the places in hell's kitchen already mentioned. Also to add -- there are two good Ethiopian places Queen of Sheba and Meskerem (both on 10th Ave around 47th). Did anyone mention Hallo Berlin? And if you're around that area for a while, do stop in at Poseidon Bakery -- the best Greek sweets around (9th Ave at about 44th).

[D...DF]

Queen of Sheba is great. My favorite Ethiopian in Manhattan.

[c oliver]

I forgot to take these recs plus we wound up walking north. We had a really nice little dinner at Mangia e Bevi at 9th and 53rd. On Tuesdays their bottles of wine are half price and the most expensive bottle on the menu is still under $40! We just had their antipasto rustico which if provolone, parmigiano, salted ricotta, prosciutto, sopressata, portobello, roasted peppers, asparagus and olives. Only $9. Also had a large salad of argugula, endives and radichio for $7. They make their own pasta and also have lunch specials for $9-11 that include soda or tea. We will definitely go back. Will also check out the recs you've all generously provided. BTW, the Daily Show was great :)

[c oliver]

link:

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Mangia e Bevi
800 9th Ave, New York, NY 10019

[MissyM]

In that area, I like:

Nizza - about 45th/9th - glass of wine are reasonable and good & pizza is very good.

Mercury Bar - 46th/9th - always have some sort of appetizer special and drinks

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Nizza
630 9th Avenue, New York, NY 10036

Mercury Bar
659 9th Ave, New York, NY 10036

[D...DF]

Second Daisy May's. Also Taboon (less casual).

[RGR]

Deleted

[c oliver]

I read that as' not as casual.;

[Daniel76]

I think this place Kashkaval is a cute little spot.. I think it's on 55th and 9th.. Can get a decent bottle of wine and a few different things to eat.. It's very casual and I would say romantic.

[RGR]

I'd head directly to Daisy May's BBQ, on the corner of 11th & 46th. It's a cafeteria-style set-up, and there's no decor to speak of, but who cares? The 'cue is delicious!

http://www.daisymaysbbq.com