59 East 59 St.

[Lizbet]

We're looking for a place to have supper Friday evening (before a play at 59359) near the theater, which is on 59 St. between Park & Madison. We like ethnic food, if not too hot, but American is OK too. I don't remember ever eating dinner in that area before. We like good food that's not too pricey-- about $25 p.p. Any suggestions? Maybe something between Lex & 3 Ave? Thank you.

[fm1963]

For ethnic:

Chola (Indian) - 58th bet. 2nd and 3rd
Grand Sichuan - 55th and 2nd
Ma Peche (the bar menu is within your budget) - 56th bet. 5th and 6th
Katsu Hama - 55th bet. 5th and 6th

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Chola
232 East 58th Street, New York, NY 10022

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

[thew]

for ethnic:

le Veau D'or (very old school french - complete meal w/ app @ dessert around $30)
Serafina Osteria

[Phil Ogelos]

Just stroll down 60th Street, lizbet, between Park & Madison: there are a clutch of places on the north side of that block any one of which should meet your needs.

[Lizbet]

Thanks to all of you for your suggestions. In response to Phil's idea, I took a look at menupages and found Cinema at 60 St. It looks like a place we would like, and it got good reviews there. Has anyone eaten at Cinema? What did you think of it?

[gutsofsteel]

Cinema is a chain of bad diners.

[Lizbet]

We ate at Cijnema at 60 St. and were perfectly satisfied. I would not say the food was great, but certainly very decent. We had tapas and small plates. I especially liked the lobster and artichoke spring roll. Not conventional diner fare.

[Phil Ogelos]

I attend 59E59 a lot, Lizbet, and always go to a place in the block I described: a nice room -bright in a good way, a warm, classical space [bar in front, banquettes and tables arrayed behind it]- and good cuisine, usually French. It also appears, based on my experience, to be the post-theater dining spot of choice for the actors from the plays at 59E59.
I'm sorry I can't recall the name for you, but if you're in front of it, you should feel naturally drawn to the place I mean. (And the one I'm talking about is by no means part of a chain!)

[City Kid]

Was it Bistro 60 (mid-block, Madison-Park, north side)? I went there recently before going to 59E59 and it was most enjoyable and reasonably priced. By the way, Lizbet, we took advantage of the prix fixe on our 59E59 ticket envelope, which was quite a bargain.

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Bistro 60
37 E 60th St, New York, NY 10022

[Phil Ogelos]

It could well be, ck; I followed the link in your post but there were no photos shown. Meaning I can't say for sure, but that the place you mention has 'bistro' in its name makes me suspect it's the one I know.

Lizbet's a grownup, I suspect, who doesn't live or die by the cloud's judgement: let her walk into that streetspace and decide for herself. There are at least three pretty good places on the north side of the block. And it's only one meal, as my friend in the wine business is wont to say.

[EDIT: eat a twinkie before the show. lizbet, and then have dinner *after* the show -assuming you've left your kids at home, a late meal would be much better, much cooler.]

[Lizbet]

I usually do prefer eating after a movie or play, but we were in the city earlier and had that block of time to fill. Also, since I live at the south end of Brooklyn, I find long subway trips home late at night not cool at all. A bit like Cinderella, I feel I must be home by midnight.