Good food and cocktail bars around Chelsea

[ausjen]

Hi Chowhounds,
I was very pleased to find this site.....
My Mum and myself are visiting New York for a fortnight in September - and we can't wait!! We are staying in Chelsea and are looking for recommendations on where to eat and drink around the area. We both love a good strong cocktail and enjoy hearty brasserie style food? We're not looking to spend a fortune on every meal but would be happy to have a slurge on one or two, if you think there's a place that shouldn't be missed?
I'd be very grateful for any suggestions?
Thank you very much in advance!

[ausjen]

Thanks for the ideas guys. We're staying with a friend of a friend on W23rd/9th. Budgeting around $30 (including tax/tip) excluding drinks; a bit more for dinner of course. Thinking about a day trip also to the Hudson Valley Food and Wine festival - has anyone been? Thx, Jen

[small h]

The Hudson Valley Food & Wine Festival is in Rhinebeck, not Manhattan (as I'm sure you know), so you should ask about it on the New York State board.

[NYCkaren]

You'll be right in my neighboorhood then. I'd definitely second the recommendations for Co. and Txikito, already mentioned here. Both are very good and will be a one-minute walk for you.

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Txikito
240 9th Ave, New York, NY 10001

[Blumie]

Markt is a Belgian restaurant on 6th Avenue and 21th Street. I definitely would describe their menu as "hearty brasserie style," and they have a wonderful selection of Belgian beers. (I can't attest to their cocktails, as I think I've only had their beers!)

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Markt
676 6th Ave, New York, NY 10010

[asegg]

If you are interested in a kitschy americana feel, definitely check out Trailer Park Lounge on 23rd between 7th and 8th. It's super cute, laid back, and they've got lots of fun cocktails, including flavored margaritas. I go here with my mum too!

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Trailer Park
271 W 23rd St, New York, NY 10011

[Blumie]

I haven't been myself, but Trailer Park is not the first place that comes to mind when I think of "hearty brasserie style food"!

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Trailer Park
271 W 23rd St, New York, NY 10011

[small h]

I've been, and it's certainly hearty, as in artery-clogging. But brasserie-style...no. The food isn't very good, and neither are the drinks. That said, it's an enjoyable place to knock back a beer & some fries and admire the trashy decor, if you're in the area already.

[takk]

You might like Boqueria (Flat Iron) for food and beer/wine. Then a few doors down Flat Iron Lounge for great cocktails. Mt wife and I did that combo a few months ago and had a great time. I suggest visiting their websites.

http://www.boquerianyc.com/
http://www.flatironlounge.com/

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Boqueria
53 W 19th St, New York, NY 10011

[kathryn]

Flatiron Lounge is good but might be a bit too far west dependent on where the OP is staying. I love the drinks there, though, and the atmosphere.

Rye House is nearby as well but can get rather crowded.

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Flatiron Lounge
37 W 19th St, New York, NY 10011

Rye House
11 W 17th St, New York, NY 10011

[kathryn]

Where in Chelsea? What's your price range including tax (nearly 9%), tip (20%), and drinks?

There's lots of great restaurants nearby in a variety of cuisines, although not that many hearty brasseries I can think of off the top of my head. Perhaps other hounds can chime in.

In the neighborhood, there's Company (aka "Co.), Txikito, El Quinto Pino, Red Cat, Tipsy Parson, Cookshop, Grand Sichuan, Ovest, Trestle on Tenth...

http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/720223
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/706385

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

Trestle on Tenth
242 Tenth Avenue, New York, NY 10001

Red Cat
227 10th Ave, New York, NY 10011

Txikito
240 9th Ave, New York, NY 10001

Tipsy Parson
156 Ninth Avenue, New York, NY 10011

Ovest
513 W 27th St, New York, NY 10001