Restaurants around MoMa?

[jaredk]

Hey my girlfriend and I are going to be hanging around MoMa and Midtown this Saturday and I was wondering what suggestions nayone may have for a moderately priced restaurant for the two of us. I am down for all cuisine reccomendations, but I would like to keep the avg price per dish below 30 or below.

Can anyone help a guy out?

[flight of ideas]

This might be late but I thought I'd post anyway. The MoMa has a wonderful cafeteria - deadly busy, but worth searching for a seat. Great selection of sweets and savouries and your order comes is delivered to your table quickly. I think it's called Cafe 2.

[jaredk]

No it isnt late as we hope to go this upcoming Saturday. Is this worth it for a nice dinner, or an intermediary before dinner? Any other suggestions?

[RGR]

Why late? jaredk is asking for this coming Saturday, the 13th.

[RGR]

Seasonal, a few blocks from MoMA, on 58th, b/t 6th & 7th, is a hidden gem with superb Austrian cuisine, friendly service, and lovely ambiance. It has deservedly received a Michelin star. Prices fit you budget.

Photos of our dinner at Seasonal can be viewed here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/11863391@N03/sets/72157622915332504/

http://www.seasonalnyc.com

[jaredk]

Seasonal looks very good. I will have to look into this restaurant. Thanks!

[boccalupo]

La Bonne Soupe (relatively inexpensive French), or Alto (pricier Italian).

[RGR]

Yes, Alto does serve excellent Northern Italian cuisine. However, as you point out, it is very pricey. The 4-course prix fixe is $89. If you go a la carte, main courses are high $30's - low $40's -- well above jaredk's stated budget. The superb pastas, which are superb, aren't exactly inexpensive either, but they are in the teens for smaller portions and in the $20's for main course portions. .

Photos of our recent dinner at Alto: http://www.flickr.com/photos/11863391@N03/sets/72157622789519891/

Haven't been to La Bonne Soupe in ages but it's always been a good bet.

http://www.labonnesoupe.com

[boccalupo]

With Alto I would go for the pastas, which are probably the best thing they do anyway. or lunch prix-fixe if you can get there earlier in the day.

La Bonne Soupe is nothing special, but the food is simple and well-prepared and a very good deal for the price in Midtown.

[RGR]

Alto does not serve lunch on Saturday.

[jaredk]

Would it be possible to get a dinner resy at Alto on saturday? Is the place booked weeks in advance? I would be fine just having pastas there. Is this enough for a dinner?

[RGR]

A quick check of OpenTable for Saturday shows only 10:30 p.m. However, restaurants don't always give all their reservations to OpenTable, so they might have another time available if you call them directly.

As far as just having pasta goes, the portion should be generous enough to fill you up though you might want to have an appetizer and dessert, perhaps sharing those to keep the cost down.

P.S. Keep in mind that Valentine's Day is on Sunday, and many restaurants are making it Valentine's weekend since there are diners who will be celebrating on Saturday instead of Sunday.

[jaredk]

Yeh I just checked and no good times. I know that and I am trying to avoid any V-day events. Hmmm, maybe this is not the weekend to dine out.

[RGR]

Have you decided against Seasonal? It doesn't look as though they are doing a special V-Day menu.

http://www.seasonanyc.com

[gutsofsteel]

I strongly second the recommendation for Seasonal.

[Deenso]

I'd recommend Anthos for lunch. It's a block away from MoMa, on 52nd St. between 5th & 6th Avenues. Very good modern, Greek(-ish) food. They have a 3-course prix fixe lunch for $28. Don't know if it's only weekdays or every day, but it's certainly worth a call.

[kathryn]

Anthos does not serve lunch on Saturdays.

[Toot]

Fig and Olive, http://www.figandolive.com. It is on 52nd bet Fifth and Madison.