American or Italian near the Guggenheim

[YellowDandelion]

I'm traveling with friends this Saturday to visit the Guggenheim. We have a few other stops planned, but the Guggenheim will be our first - and before that, we wish to eat lunch.

While I enjoy all sorts of exotic cuisine, my company has the most boring taste in food imaginable. They will not budge from American or Italian fare. Zzzz.. they actually LIKE the Olive Garden. (I know.. I know..!)

So I need a reasonably priced American or Italian restaurant - and pizza is okay! - near the Guggenheim. (Please don't suggest Sbarro! :)

Thanks in advance!

[EBT]

How about Square Meal? It will definitely please your friends' palates. BYOB; 92nd between Madison and Fifth. Or there's a Jackson Hole a little further south on Madison, at 89thish...if that doesn't do it for them, I don't know what will.

[prdct]

I second Square Meal, though depending on your budget it might be a bit steep. Avoid Jackson Hole at all costs though--truly horrible steamed burgers.

[City Kid]

Nick's -- east of the Guggenheim on Second Ave. @94th Street -- has IMO among the very best pizza in the city, as well as some Italian entrees and salads. It is comfortable and pleasant (think restaurant, not pizza parlor), good service, but the pizza is the real draw: great crust, slightly charred, with excellent, fresh toppings.

http://www.nicksnyc.com/mainmenu.html

[RGR]

Caffe Grazie is on 84th St., b/t 5th & Madison. Though not recently, we've had a couple of good lunches there. Would work well for vegetarians.

http://www.caffegrazie.com

[goodhealthgourmet]

Ottomanelli at 93rd & Lex is a safe bet. Italian and burgers (they're actually touted by some fellow CHers as the neighborhood's best burgers).

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Ottomanelli New York Grill
1424 Lexington Ave, New York, NY 10128

[YellowDandelion]

Ooh! Looks good! Not a lot of vegetarian options (I forgot to mention that..) but not half bad! :) Thanks!