Restaurant near McSorley's

[nmurawsk]

My husband and I are taking some friends to McSorley's this weekend for some drinks but would like to do dinner before. Are there any good restaurants nearby? I'm 8 months pregnant so prefer something pretty close, but a short cab ride would work too. Something noteworthy but not ridiculously expensive? Husband not a fan of Asian or Indian food. Our guests are from Charleston and know good food. TIA

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McSorley's Old Ale House
15 E 7th St, New York, NY 10003

[nmurawsk]

Just wanted to report back:

The four of us had a fantastic dinner at Jimmy's No. 43. It was right up our alley. Our waitress was incredibly nice, very knowledgeable and hooked us up with a free overpour beer and 2 comped desserts - one of each of the pear cobbler and the panna cotta, both delicious.

We shared an app of skillet fried beer sausage which was fantastic. One person in our party got an order of the local oyseters, which were from Massachusetts, which she said were just ok. Nothing too special. Two people in our party got the burgers - both loved. One person got the lamb sausage, he also said he loved it. I got the duck confit with roasted root veggies which was awesome. The veggies were earthy but sweet from roasting and the duck was so moist and flavorful. Fantastic beers, great ambiance. So glad we went.

BTW, McSorley's also worked out well. It was crowded but we got seated at a table immediately. No complaints from our waiter either when I ordered water.

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Jimmy's No. 43
43 E 7th St, New York, NY 10003

[thew]

that is seriously one of the most restaurant dense areas around. on the very cheap you have things like caracas arepas. theres euzkadi for tapas on 4th street. pity about asia food as youre right by soba ya and ippudo (btw-isn't indian food asian?)
on the higher end is mermaid inn, great seafood, just a block or 2 from mcsorely's. there's pylos for greek. more exspensive would be degustation, but you need to reserve.

just curious - why mcsorely's? for me, there are better bars around there - even of the dive variety. i get the history of mcsorely's and all, and when in my late teens and early 20's would go once in a while, but.. anyway just curious as to why there......

[nmurawsk]

I don't live in the city and have actually just moved back to LI from Ft Lauderdale after 5 years of being away. So I'm really unfamiliar with what is going on there right now, as far as restaurants go. McSorely's is one of my husbands favorite bars, he genuinely loves the beer and we always have a fantastic time when we go there - despite the less than friendly service and extremely limited selection of food and drink. 90% of the time when we have gone there we are able to get seated -even on a busy weekend night - and can just hang out, drink and relax. I think it's a great piece of NY history to bring out-of-towners as well without being touristy.

So, I know what I'm getting myself into. If we can get in and get seated - fantastic. If not and we're standing around and I want to go, my hubby won't make a groan in the slightest and we'll go somewhere else. Thanks again to all for the help. Looking forward to one of my last nights out for a while.

[thew]

if you head east from mcsorely's you will come across teh unfortunately named burp castle, which is a great beer bar. but it is a lot smaller than mcsorely's.

anyway - enjoy. as a single parent i know what's what with grabbing the going out while you can. but remember parenthood is not a death sentence in terms of going out...... in fact while the baby is still a baby it's the easiest time to take them along......

historical side note - i believe mcsorely's was the last bar in manhattan to allow women in

[boccalupo]

Burp Castle has a nice selection of interesting beers. And Jimmy's is more or less downstairs from it.

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Burp Castle
41 E 7th St, New York, NY 10003

[hazelhurst]

The only thing about the Burp Castle is that is is pretty pricey but I like it becuase it is nice and quiet.

McSorley's probably was the last to admit women...the Men's Bar at the Biltmore hung on for awhile but that all ended about 1970. I remembeer being taken down on St Patrick's day to see Dot Kirwan, McSorley's owner, stand outside on the sidewalk and have a beer handed to her. She was a good sport about it all.

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Burp Castle
41 E 7th St, New York, NY 10003

[GoodGravy]

You mean you don't want a cheeseburger, and the liverwurst and onion platter w/ hot mustard at McSorleys?

[nmurawsk]

Thanks so much for all the great recommendations. Jimmy's seems right up our alley. Can't wait to try it!

[Wilfrid]

Knowing McSorley's on the weekend, and having been partner to an eight month pregnant woman, this all sounds like the worst plan in the world. But good luck to you.

[kathryn]

I'd flip the order if anything as McSorley's is quieter during the afternoon often. But, yeah. It gets awfully crowded on weekend nights and the line to get in gets long.

[Bob Martinez]

Kathryn is right. It would be best to hit McSorley's in the afternoon.

[ellabella]

i know this is at the very upper end of your $18-30 entree range, but what about faustina in the cooper square hotel? i feel like it would actually be relatively easy to make a meal of their bread, olives, salume, and appetizers. i was there a few weeks ago and loved the poached duck egg & fonduta, the warmed/herbed olives, and both the speck and prosciutto.

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Faustina
25 Cooper Square, New York, NY 10003

[sjjn]

Around that area:

Jimmy's No. 43 is right down the block as is Caracas Arepa Bar. Degustation is on 5th, DBGB on Bowery, Bianca on Bleecker and Aroma Kitchen and Wine Bar on 4th.

I'd do Aroma or Jimmy's...

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Jimmy's No. 43
43 E 7th St, New York, NY 10003

[loratliff]

Jimmy's and DBGB were going to be my recommendations as well.

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DBGB
299 Bowery, New York, NY 10003

[boccalupo]

Jimmy's is a fine choice.

[nmurawsk]

Thanks for all the replies so far. We're looking to spend around $18-$30 per entree. I think I'm leaning towards Belcourt so far. We'll be a party of 4 for Thursday night, so hopefully it will be a little less difficult getting a table than Fri or Sat.

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Belcourt
84 East 4th Street, New York, NY 10003

[kathryn]

Apiary is 6 blocks away and takes reservations. I know they have a $35 prix fixe menu on Thursdays, so that might work.

[funniduck]

I would second Apiary! Great food and a great experience. Last time was with a pregnant woman too oddly enough.

[Motosport]

You might want to try Mara's Homemade on E 6th St. It's down home New Orleans style cooking that your Southern friends will enjoy.

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Mara's Homemade
342 East 6th Street, New York, NY 10003

[princeofpork]

I am actually going here tonight. Any Recos?

[kathryn]

There are a lot of great restaurants nearby but not all of them take reservations which might be an issue on a Friday or Saturday night (I assume you realize you may also need to wait to get into McSorley's after dinner).

How large is your group? How far are you comfortable walking? How much are you comfortable spending?

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McSorley's Old Ale House
15 E 7th St, New York, NY 10003

[MMRuth]

Is Casa Mono nearby? Though might be a squeeze for a pregnant woman!

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Casa Mono
52 Irving Place, New York, NY 10003

[kathryn]

That's a bit of a long walk for a pregnant woman! McSorley's is on East 7th, just off 3rd Ave, by Cooper Union.

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McSorley's Old Ale House
15 E 7th St, New York, NY 10003

[MMRuth]

Oops -- I was thinking of another bar!!

[gutsofsteel]

I like Hearth on E. 12th St. but I"m not sure what "not ridiculously expensive" means for you. Can you give us an idea of what you'd like to spend, including tax, tip, and wine at the restaurant?

[Steve R]

I agree on Hearth but, if that's a bit too much or too far, there's Belcourt (2nd Ave off E.4th St) for lamb burgers, bone marrow and other well made "stuff".

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Belcourt
84 East 4th Street, New York, NY 10003