Union Square for good food

[mari502]

Will be visiting soon - what are some excellent moderate places to eat - informal also.

[foodwhisperer]

Republic is good inexpensive Asian fusion, Blue Water Grill is good, on the East side of Union Sq is Casa Mono for really good tapas

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Casa Mono
52 Irving Place, New York, NY 10003

Blue Water Grill
31 Union Square West, New York, NY 10003

[kathryn]

The latter two recommendations are well above the OP's price range.

[kathryn]

Any specific cuisines you like? When you say moderate, how much do you plan on spending per person? Is it more like $20 per person for a meal? Or more like $40 or $50? Don't forget to account for tax, tips, and wine/drinks.

[mari502]

Coming from Kansas - moderate here is about $8-10. Is this an unreasonable expectation on my part in NY?

[Pan]

That's for a whole meal? That is extremely inexpensive! Moderate in New York would be at least $30-35/person, and I'd have to say, a restaurant like Lupa, where an entire meal (antipasto, primo, secondo, dolce) including wine, tax, and tip can sometimes cost around $65, is still moderate, not expensive.

All that said: No, that's not unreasonable if that's all you can afford. You'll just have to be satisfied with eating a lot in Chinatown, at carts on the street, and at falafel and sandwich places and some pizzerias. You can still have good food at that price, but tailor your search by looking for keywords like "cheap" and "starving artist."

[MVNYC]

Rainbow Falafel is a good cheap meal. On 17th off of Union Sq

http://www.menupages.com/restaurants/rainbow-falafel-shawarma/menu

The Lamb Sausage Dog at Dogmatic is surprisingly tasty for under $5 but you will need to get a side too for a meal

http://www.menupages.com/restaurants/...

There are also Halal Chicken/Lamb and Rice food carts around the area. You can get a surprisingly filling meal at these carts.

Slices of pizza are other cheap ways NYers get though the day.

These cheaper places can allow you to splurge for dinner or other meals.

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Rainbow Falafel
26 E 17th St, New York, NY 10003

[Pan]

I had a very tasty, inexpensive lunch of chicken and rice from the halal cart on the north side of the Farmer's Market on Union Square (i.e., on 17th St.) this past February. Recommended.

[mari502]

Thank you! We're going to Union Square to see the green market activity - we will look for this cart.

[Pan]

It was a Rafiqi's, as I recall.

[mari502]

Exactly the kind of thing we're looking for - most excellent - thank you!

[mari502]

These are just great ideas - thank you so much

[MVNYC]

Tebaya has good Japanese style chicken wings and other inexpensive lunch deals.

http://www.menupages.com/restaurants/...

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Tebaya
144 W 19th St, New York, NY 10011

[steakman55]

Union Sq. Cafe, hands down
Don't miss the caramelized banana tart

[mari502]

Thank you~

[kathryn]

Note that Union Square Cafe is pretty popular and books up weeks ahead; there are some walk in tables and you can dine at the bar, but the wait could be long.