What are some restaurants that emphasize local and seasonal ingredients, but are less expensive than the likes of Blue Hill, Dovetail and Mas (farmhouse)

[dyltf]

Hey,

I am coming to NYC soon and have been looking up places to go. On our "planned list", there is Momofuku Ssam Bar, Kefi and Rai Rai Ken for the ramen fix. Along with trying to find a resonably priced restaurant the stresses local ingredients, I am also trying to decide whether to eat at Lupa or Barbuto. Also, if anyone objects to the restaurants listed, tell me and then state some reasons for your dissatisfaction with those eateries.

Thanks

[sugartoof]

I think the Brooklyn suggestions are going to be a little closer to what you're hoping for than Savoy/Back Forty. Aside from Blue HIll, the trend has been slow to catch on in Manhattan. Brooklyn Botanical will be doing a farming/localvore sort of lecture series this summer that will help things but again that's outside Manhattan. Over the bridge, there's also Franny's who own Brooklyn Larder, and for ice cream you can check out Blue Marble. In Manhattan you might like stopping by DiPalos, for some of their in house product, and visit Kosars Bialy and take that kind of approach to local foods instead. They're not going to tell you that every ingredient came from within 10 miles away, but the older businesses have been pretty locked into the same sourcing for years, so it's usually local anyway. You can also visit the Union Square green market, with an eye on the beekeepers local honey booth (the creamed honey is great), and the pretzels.

[Stuffed Monkey]

I'd add to this list, Cookshop, Five Points, Hundred Acres (all owned by Mark Meyers) and Freeman's.

[meatme]

This time of year, Tocqueville, near the Greenmarket in Union Square, has a reasonably priced market prix-fixe lunch and dinner, for something $36 and $48.

[hungrycomposer]

All of the Momofukus feature local ingredients in their salads, vegetable dishes, etc., so you'll be killing two birds with one stone if you go there. If you go to Savoy, I'd recommend lunch, it's more casual and much more affordable.

[chompchomp]

Back Forty in Manhattan? Are you open to Brooklyn?

Also, are you set on Rai Rai Ken for ramen? Ippudo is pretty marvelous.

[dyltf]

What is in Brooklyn?

[demigodh]

Flatbush Farm in Brooklyn focus on local and fresh ingredients and is very good.

[chompchomp]

Just off the top of my head, in Williamsburg, there is Marlow and Sons and Diner. In Fort Greene, the General Greene. In the Slope, Franny's. There are many more...

[ExFlexitarian]

Also Get Fresh Market & Table in the slope. Plus I think Mark (the Australian dude) from Top Chef S 4 is still the head chef there.

[bobjbkln]

For Brooklyn, ask on the Outer Boroughs board. You'll get at least a dozen recommendations within a reasonable price range.

[chow_gal]

For less expensive locavore dining: Savoy, Market Table.

[dyltf]

Thanks for opening my eyes to Market Table, I had never heard of it.

[rrems]

I think Market Table is overrated and overpriced. Also cramped and noisy. For better food and atmosphere, I'd go to Perilla or 10 Downing. Another favorite of mine is Olana, which also emphasizes local and seasonal, and has a more upscale atmosphere. I really like Lupa, definitely keep it on your list.