Husband's First Time in NYC - Need Good Food

[Linz403]

NYC is near and dear to my heart and would move there if I wasn't already embedded in my suburban midwest life (that I also love, btw). In any event, my husband has finally agreed to go to NYC with me and I want to make sure we have good meals on our long weekend. This is what I have/need so far:

-Breakfast (Diner style):
Clinton St. Baking Copany
-NY Pizza:
Joe's Pizza on Carmine
NY Pizza Suprema
-Pre-Theater dinner:

-Italian restaurant - dinner
I Trulli
Paprika
-steak dinner
DelMonico's
-lunch:
Shake Shack

We don't typically like to really expensive dinners with exotic plates (husband is less adventurous, if you know what I mean). I tend to like off the beaten path, non-touristy type restaurants. I've been to Emelio Balatto's several times and think it's just OK (food wise), but I love the idea of it (small, relatively unknown, good atmosphere).

Any help would be greatly appreciated!! Thanks for sharing your thoughts on your great city!

Thanks,
Linz403

[roze]

Skip Delmonico's- Keen's hands down.

[Pan]

I love Banh Mi Saigon. I haven't been there in a while, because Baoguette St. Marks is right near me, but I definitely have to go back some time for their great spicy banh mi ga!

[Linz403]

Thank-you for the great suggestions! Can't wait to review further! Nothing is wrong with lots of options!!

[RGR]

Re: steak. I highly recommend Keen, a quintessential NYC steakhouse, which has been in its 36th St. location since 1885. Thus, in addition to delicious steaks, chops (including their legendary mutton chop), sides, etc, and excellent service, there is the unmatchable Old NY ambiance -- walls covered with authentic American memorabilia and row-upon-row of old clay smoking pipes suspended from all the ceilings. Plus, there are pipes belonging to famous people dating back to the 19th century displayed in cases in the vestibule.

http://www.keens.com

I like I Trulli well enough. It has a lovely back garden for warm weather dining, and if you stick with the handmade pastas, you'll be fine. That said, I would suggest you consider Scarpetta and Convivio. While hardly unknown, both have food that is superior to I Trulli's.

http://www.scarpettanyc.com
http://www.convivionyc.com

Pre-theater: Marseille and West Bank Cafe are too very good options.

http://www.marseillenyc.com
http://www.westbankcafe.com

[City Kid]

I have never been to Keen's but am dying to try it based on what I read on CH. In any case, don't waste your steak option on DelMonico's. Though the atmosphere is somewhat interesting Old New York, the food and service are not on a par with the better steakhouses.

[kathryn]

Keens is great and worth the trip! It's also easy to get into last minute, and has saved my butt many times.

[CornflakeGirl]

Do you definitely want two Italian dinners? I would swap Paprika with The Redhead. It's not Italian but it is in the EV which is why I thought of it when I saw Paprika. They just received a star in the NYT.

I would also skip one of the slice pizza joints and head to Keste or Jim Lahey's Co.. For variation if nothing else.

-----
The Redhead
349 E 13th St, New York, NY 10003

Keste Pizza & Vino
271 Bleecker St, New York, NY 10014

[Pan]

I concur. I love Keste. I've never heard of NY Pizza Supreme, so I doubt it's anything great, though I stand to be corrected.