Looking for diamond in the rough (40th & Park)

[Desidero]

I am looking for recommendations in the vicinity of 40th & Park. My dining companions are not adventurous eaters. I'd like to keep the bill under $60/person. I am considering La Fonda del Sol, but am open to other suggestions. Any thoughts?

Many thanks.

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La Fonda del Sol
200 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10020

[travpard]

Les Halles is a good choice.

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Les Halles
411 Park Avenue South, New York, NY 10016

[sam1]

i respectfully disagree on les halles. the place is a horrible restaurant for the last 10 years. back in the day, it was a solid bistro. these days, the quality is horrible, the service is a joke, and the patrons are mostly tourists thinking bourdain still cooks there.

[stephaniec25]

I agree - Les Halles ranks with the worst restaurants I have eaten at and it's very uncomfortable and about 100 degrees when I went last summer.

What about Artisinal? The food is good and great for not-so-adventurous types.

[Desidero]

Artisianal is exactly what I'm looking for. It's where I took these same guests last year, so I want a change of venue for this visit. Any other thoughts?

Thanks.

[tab10014]

if its so bad... how often do you go?
i was there 3 weeks ago and it was very good
and nobody thinks boudain is there

[eeee]

I can certainly think of worse things than going to Artisanal once a year! Love that place. That said, Rare Bar and Grill is on 37th and Lexington. I like the place (though I adore Artisanal) and it should work for your situation.

[Bob Martinez]

"nobody thinks boudain is there"

Yes they do.

http://www.yelp.com/biz/brasserie-les...

[kathryn]

What Bob said. I have out of town relatives and friends who ask me to go to Bourdain's restaurants, and I have to break it to them that he's not there any more, and they added a ton extra seats after he left, sacrificing quality...

[Desidero]

I appreciate all your responses. I've been to Les Halles and wasn't too impressed, so I'd like to go elsewhere. Any thoughts besides Rare Bar & Grill (which looks like a good option)?

Thanks again.

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Les Halles
15 John Street, New York, NY 10038

Rare Bar & Grill
152 W 26th St, New York, NY 10001

[stephaniec25]

Zengo sounds interesting - I haven't gone yet though but maybe some other CHers can give you more info.

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Zengo
622 3rd Ave, New York, NY 10016

[RGR]

The chef who opened Zengo left very shortly thereafter. Not a good sign....

[boredough]

We were there in early November and really enjoyed it. Was that before or after the chef left?

[jon]

how about convivio? it's in tudor city (about 42rd and 2nd). very good italian-ish food, pasta, fish, steak, etc. if you order right you can keep it under $60/head.

[ellenost]

Convivio recently closed for business. Would Cibo work (41 St. & Second Ave.)?

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Cibo
767 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10017

[Riverman500]

The original post is ten months old.

[ellenost]

Thanks. One never knows if someone else might be helped by it.

[RGR]

I think La Fonda de Sol is an excellent choice. The Spanish-style cuisine is delicious, and the dining room has very attractive decor.

La Fonda del Sol photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/11863391...

[greygarious]

I realize this is a revived post, and that LFDS opened a couple of years ago. Just wondering if there is a connection to the LFDS that was somewhere around 50th and 5th ages ago. I am over 60 and have lived near Boston most of my life but grew up on LI and remember that as a teenager, it was the first nice restaurant I went to by myself.

[sexyLAMBCHOPx]

Resto but ask if the fish is fresh!

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Resto
111 East 29th Street, New York, NY 10016

[ashea9167]

zengo