3 weeks left in NYC and wanting ot make the most of it--

[steffibell]

A good group of friends and I (they're Australian, I'm American) are halfway through our 6 week stay in nyc. Coming to the horrible realization that the company we work for is going to ship us home again we decided that we needed to be proactive with what time we have left.

We are looking for places that are really all about the food. I have to admit my pet peeve is paying a lot to eat boring/OK meals b/c some place has flashy decor and is supposed to be trendy ( ie my expereince at Abe & Aurther and a few others). That being said we're all in our 20's and enjoy places that have more character than classic white table cloth fine dining. Our price rage is moderate-high (we typically spend $50-150pp when we go out. Obviously if it's lees than that we're happy too.

Some places we've enjoyed:
Balthazar
Degustation
Keste
Alda
El Quinto Pino
21 club (food was only moderate, but it had a great old nyc feel we enjoyed)
The Breslin

I've been thinking about:
Hearth
Craft
Amma
Locanda Verde

What are your favorites though? Would appreciate any advice. There are so many places to see and go I get a bit lost in all the reviews.

Also these don't have to be group friendly.. we happily spit in to twos some nights as well.

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

Amma
246 E. 51st Street, New York, NY 10022

Locanda Verde
377 Greenwich St, New York, NY 10013

The Breslin
20 W 29th St, New York, NY 10001

[rivergazer]

If you go to Amma, MAKE SURE TO GET THE CHICKEN SAAG. It is amazing.

-----
Amma
246 E. 51st Street, New York, NY 10022

[thew]

trying not to repeat any already suggested (but i agree with many of them):

public

[sgordon]

WD-50
Chinatown night: Fuleen or Oriental Garden
Marea
EMP
Del Posto
Momofuku Ssam Bar
Falai

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WD-50
50 Clinton Street, New York, NY 10002

Momofuku Ssam Bar
207 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10003

Del Posto
85 10th Avenue, New York, NY 10011

Fuleen
11 Division St, New York, NY 10002

Oriental Garden
14 Elizabeth St, New York, NY 10013

Falai
68 Clinton St, New York, NY 10002

Marea
240 Central Park South, New York, NY 10019

[daffyduck]

i like everyone's suggestions. Other places I can think of off the top of my head are
dbgb, stanton social, aldea.
striphouse and quality meats
i havent been there but scarpetta, minetta tavern, wd50, and blue ribbon might also fit the bill.

[dcole]

I would second Aldea...loved it.

[kathryn]

I don't think Stanton Social is up to the same level of concept & execution as the others mentioned.

I thought they said they've already done Aldea? The OP wrote 'Alda' on the list.

Scarpetta, Minetta Tavern, WD-50, and Blue Ribbon (assume you mean the brasserie) are all good but Minetta Tavern is hard to get into and WD-50 is much more expensive (just a warning).

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WD-50
50 Clinton Street, New York, NY 10002

Minetta Tavern
113 MacDougal St, New York, NY 10012

Stanton Social
99 Stanton Street, New York, NY 10002

Scarpetta
355 West 14th Street, New York, NY 10014

Aldea
31 West 17th Street, New York, NY 10011

[steffibell]

Oh I just saw the typo, I actually meant Alta the tapas restaurant. Had a great dinner for two there one night.

[sugartoof]

"I don't think Stanton Social is up to the same level"

Stanton's all about the brunch, otherwise, don't bother. Most of the dishes are just playful finger foods you would get at a catered corporate party, and the disco atmosphere is more comedic than cool. I just dined there recently, and spent $80 without drinks, and left hungry. Nothing was memorable in a good way. Brunch has been an entirely different experience.

[daffyduck]

I've only eaten at stanton social once and I thought stanton social was pretty good,
nothing earth shattering though. the chicken and waffles dish was memorable to me.

[sugartoof]

I'm a huge fan of Chicken and Waffles normally, and thought the Stanton variation was a real low point. I actually think it's the second time I've ordered it, and just blocked it out the first time, I was so letdown. Everything about it just tastes off to me, and the chicken was rubbery.

The grilled cheese, and corn dogs are standouts. Some of the salads are normal portion and a good way to pad your stomach for the lighter snacks. Otherwise. I'll stick to brunch there.

[gutsofsteel]

I really like both Hearth and Craft.

[rrems]

Recette
SD26
Tabla
Chow Bar
SHO
Oceana

[fm1963]

Casa Mono
Modern Bar Room
Ma Peche or Momofuku Ssam Bar
Lupa
Babbo
Keens

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Lupa
170 Thompson Street, New York, NY 10012

Babbo
110 Waverly Pl, New York, NY 10011

Casa Mono
52 Irving Place, New York, NY 10003

Momofuku Ssam Bar
207 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10003

Ma Peche
15 W 56th St, New York, NY 10019

[kathryn]

fm1963's list is good, I second all of the choices!