Looking for two recommendations

[flwrgr473]

I'll be visiting NYC over Memorial Day weekend, staying at the Waldorf Astoria. On Thursday evening, my boyfriend and I would like to go to a great restaurant (looking for a fantastic dining experience -doesn't have to be a cozy/romantic spot but great if so) that's within walking distance if possible. We're willing to walk a bit (mile or two). I'm a Food Network junkie, so tempted to try Bar Americain, but don't want to get pulled into celebrity chef hype. Anywhere around/under $100/person is fine...

On Friday evening, our parents are meeting us in the city to meet for the first time. We'd like to take them to somewhere in Times Square (will take cabs) where they'll at least get to see/walk by the lights/scenes. For that evening, we'd want to go somewhere with good food obviously, but also somewhere that's not overly noisy. Probably $50/person is a pricepoint that we'd want to stay around..

One other thing - The reco's don't have to be the MOST popular places that I'll play hell trying to get in to with every other tourist in the city over a holiday weekend :)

Looking to have a fantastic NYC experience! There seems to be so much to choose from - the research is almost overwhelming!

-----
Bar Americain
152 W. 52nd Street, New York, NY 10019

[UnderemployedInNYC]

For an amazing dinner around Times Square, Chef Charlie Palmer's Aureole (he's been on top chef) is amazing, and with careful ordering you can hover near $50. It's at 42nd and 6th. It would be a great place to take the bf's parents.

Bar Americain isn't bad, but I would urge you to go to a restaurant that is more uniquely NYC. If you walk east on 43rd into tudor city, you can go to Chef Michael White's Convivio. Amazing food, and tudor city is a charming quiet oasis in midtown with views of the UN and of the water.

http://underemployedinnyc.blogspot.com

-----
Bar Americain
152 W. 52nd Street, New York, NY 10019

Convivio
45 Tudor City Place, New York, NY 10017

[rrems]

I also strongly recommend Convivio. With a bottle of wine (they have some good offerings in the $40 range) dinner for two will be just over $200 all in. For the dinner with parents, your budget is on the low side for the area if you are includings drinks, tax and tip, but check the menu for Marseille and see if it would work. The French/Moroccan food is delicious, the atmosphere is very attractive and lively yet not too noisy.

-----
Convivio
45 Tudor City Place, New York, NY 10017

[flwrgr473]

Thanks to all! These looks like some great recommendations - I'm reading up now. Just to clarify pricepoints for future recos, my guidelines were before drinks/tax/tip - Thanks again! Can't wait to see NYC...

[RGR]

That info makes a huge difference with regard to recommendations. $100pp for food only opens up the possibility of quite a few stellar restaurants within walking distance of the Waldorf.

La Grenouille, one of the last of NYC famous haute French Grandes Dames, serves delicious traditional French cuisine.

La Grenouille photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/11863391@N03/sets/72157617284703785/

Alto serves excellent high end Northern Italian cuisine. (Same chef as Convivio, where it's Southern Italian and much less expensive.)

Alto photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/11863391@N03/sets/72157622789519891/

The Modern Dining Room serves superb Alsatian-inspired Contemporary French cuisine.

http://www.themodernnyc.com

Le Bernardin's superior French cuisine focuses on fish and seafood.

http://www.le-bernardin.com

[flwrgr473]

Thanks so much RGR... Alto and La Grenouille both look fantastic. Thinking I may do Alto with my bf alone on Thursday evening and take both sets of parents to La Grenouille later in the weekend for a pre-theatre dinner.

-----
La Grenouille
3 East 52nd Street, New York, NY 10022

[RGR]

Sounds like a plan. Enjoy!

[UnderemployedInNYC]

Alto is great. Awesome wine list, and as at his other restaurants, Chef Michael White is on the ball, particularly with pastas and seafood. At Alto, there is a pasta with sea urchin that I love. Also, the tasting menu is well worth the price.

Enjoy!!

http://underemployedinnyc.blogspot.com/

[flwrgr473]

Thanks UnderemployedInNYC! My mouth is watering already after reading the menu.... Reservation made :)

[UnderemployedInNYC]

Have fun!! Also- save room for a cheese course. I know a lot of people prefer sweet desserts, but the cheese course at Alto is really tip top.

http://underemployedinnyc.blogspot.com/

[flwrgr473]

UnderemployedInNYC - You've gave some great recos thus far, so I'm hoping to pick your brain once more - We've added a broadway night to our trip - Chicago on Sunday evening. We'd like to do a pre-show dinner and I was leaning towards Becco, but no reservations are avail...any ideas?? Italian isn't a requirement - Looking for good food, not too casual/not too dressy atmosphere, would like to stick to around $50 pp for food and drinks for this one...

-----
Becco
355 West 46th Street, New York, NY 10010

[flwrgr473]

And if anyone else has recos, pls chime in! :) The show is at Broadway @ 49th, so something not too out of the way would be great...

[rrems]

Look into Orso. The food is far, far superior to Becco, and if your budget of $50 does not include tax and tip, you ahould be able to meet it. To save more, you could share a pizza for an appetizer, as they are far too much for one person.

-----
Orso
322 W 46th St, New York, NY 10036

[flwrgr473]

Thanks rrems! Looks like Orso doesn't do online reservations, so I'll have to call tomorrow. The menu looks great. Any other ideas anyone? Maybe a great American or steak place nearby?

-----
Orso
322 W 46th St, New York, NY 10036

[UnderemployedInNYC]

How did I lose track of this thread? Sorry it took me so long to get back to you on this one- I'm glad it's not memorial day yet!!

Um, pre-theatre is tricky and not my area of expertise- I've heard that Chef Daniel Boulud's db Bistro Moderne does pre-theatre. The food is delicious and definitely one of his more affordable restaurants.

[calconscious]

I really like the bar at Gilt - at the Palace - walking distance from the Waldorf. Nice cocktail and bar food - but not an entire dinner - depends on how you eat. I like smaller portions so the romantic ambiance - the low density crowd and the the ability to hear the conversation make it a win win for me.
Also - it's a little more of a scene - but the Bar at the Modern - is really good - again small plates and can be loud but if you go a little earlier or a little later - a nice option.
I think you can walk to Times Square from the Waldorf - just my opinion - I have elderly parents and they could walk it no problem

[flwrgr473]

Thanks calconscious! Any recos for a full dinner other than just bar food? I think ideally we'll go to a nice dinner then follow by cocktails at another place just for a change in scenery.

[RGR]

To clarify, when you say around $100pp for the meal with your bf and $50pp for the parents' "meet and greet," is that for food only? Keep in mind when considering costs that in addition to drinks, you have to include the nearly 9% tax and a 20% tip.