Places near Westin, Times Square

[runsfast]

I already have one post about Per se, and now I'd like to ask another unrelated question. We are staying at the Westin, Times Square. I'd love to hear any suggestions about good places to eat that are nearby. Not at all sure where to go for breakfast/brunch. On past visits we've eaten in other areas at Bubbys, Pastis, Normas, and others I can't remember at the moment. We can still do that, and will if that's necessary in order to have a really good breakfast. Any ideas? We'd also love some suggestions for lunch and dinner, both in the area and out. I've read lots of ideas on higher end restaurants, and, other than Per se, we will try a few. What I need now are some thoughts for great restaurants that are more neighborhood/cozy/homey in nature. We love most ethnic cuisine, but please don't limit suggestions to that. Just not interested in take out, fast food, hot dogs or things of that nature. Thank you in advance for your suggestions!!

[Littleman]

I'm not sure if Esca's and Marseille are both neighborhood restaurants but they are both very nice places to dine serving lunch and dinner. I have always enjoyed dining at both. They are both a block W of your hotel. Marseille closes at 12 and Esca around 11:30 I think on most days. Both would be good for dinner after the theater. Do you like BBQ. Dallas BBQ is around the corner from the W. I will let the locah CH's help you further. Good luck and have a nice trip.

ESCA @ 402 West 43rd St., New York, NY 212 - 564 - 7272.
http://www.esca-nyc.com/
Marseille @ 630 9th Ave., New York, NY 212 - 333 - 2323.
http://www.marseillenyc.com/

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Esca
402 West 43rd Street, New York, NY 10036

[kathryn]

OK, so the Westin is at 42nd and 8th, meaning you are very close to many of the interesting and/or ethnic places near 9th Avenue/Hell's Kitchen like Pam Real Thai, Hallo Berlin, and Uncle Nick's.

Here's also a recent report from someone who stayed near Bryant Park:
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/709838

And very close to a number of subway lines -- as soon as you add in taking the subway, nearly all of Manhattan is in play and there are tones of great cozy/homey/neighborhood joints, so it's hard to recommend without knowing some more parameters. Cuisine type? Perhaps a neighborhood you'd like to check out more than others?

If you're willing to spend a bit more money and stay in that general area:
db Bistro Moderne -- Daniel Boulud's contemporary French bistro, popular for pre-theatre dining
The Modern -- upscale Alsatian formal dining in the formal dining room where jackets are required, small plates + hip atmosphere in the bar area and I LOVE the Bar Room
Esca -- Mario Batali's seafood restaurant, known for crudo, popular for pre-theatre dining. I love their seafood based pasta dishes and the whole porgy. The crudo I'm not so big on, but other people are.
Keens Steakhouse -- not cheap and not super ethnic but historical. I love taking visitors there because the room is amazing as is the food and scotch list.

Some of my favorite sit-down ethnic in Manhattan is nearby:
Szechuan Gourmet -- though I've also heard good things about Lan Sheng
Madangsui -- Korean BBQ

Cozy/homey/neighborhood (albeit a bit cramped) places are:
Pylos
Blue Ribbon Bakery
Little Owl
Redhead
Peasant
Pearl Oyster Bar
Prune
Perilla
El Quinto Pino
Sorella
Cafe Katja
Kuma Inn
Motorino

I've also heard good things about L'artusi, Apizz, August, Market Table, Joseph Leonard, Recette. Just be warned that a lot of these places don't take reservations because they're more casual in style. Most of these are downtown, too.

See also:

Best breakfast and brunch:
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/707772

Please help me eat during a month in new york
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/716238

Don't leave NY without eating these foods
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/610739

Pizza in NYC
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/692820#5454962

BTW, I highly recommend RGR's self guided Lower East Side Gustatory tour but sub in Pickle Guys for Guss' Pickles:
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/493333

Top 3 cheap eats that are NOT street food
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/700760

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Pearl Oyster Bar
18 Cornelia St, New York, NY 10014

Perilla
9 Jones Street, New York, NY 10014

Pickle Guys
49 Essex St, New York, NY 10002

Apizz
217 Eldridge St., New York, NY 10002

Kuma Inn
113 Ludlow St, New York, NY 10002

Little Owl
90 Bedford Street, New York, NY 10014

El Quinto Pino
401 W 24th St, New York, NY 10011

Market Table
54 Carmine Street, New York, NY 10014

Cafe Katja
79 Orchard St, New York, NY 10002

Madangsui
35 W 35th St, New York, NY 10001

Hallo Berlin
626 10th Ave, New York, NY 10036

Szechuan Gourmet
21 W 39th St, New York, NY 10018

Blue Ribbon Bakery
33 Bedford St, New York, NY 10014

Pylos
128 E 7th St, New York, NY 10009

Esca
402 West 43rd Street, New York, NY 10036

Pam Real Thai
404 W 49th St, New York, NY 10019

Uncle Nick's
747 9th Ave, New York, NY 10019

Sorella
95 Allen St, New York, NY 10002

Joseph Leonard
170 Waverly Pl, New York, NY 10014

Lan Sheng
60 W 39th St, New York, NY 10018

Recette
328 West 12th Street, New York, NY 10014

Motorino
349 E 12th St, New York, NY 10003

[kathryn]

This recent thread may also help.

Foodies from out of town need rec for intimate dinner
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/719695

[runsfast]

Thanks so much to both of you. This site is a bit overwhelming at times, because there are so many places to choose from. You've certainly given me lots of choices, and I truly appreciate your efforts.

[kathryn]

You're welcome! Let us know where you end up and please report back how your meals were. :)