playing tourist in a couple of days, X square area

[bornie]

Need recs in or near times square for bagels, a slice, italian, thai, vietnamese, black & whites, italian cookies, Thx!

[kathryn]

If you stay in Times Square, for some of those items you'll get "okay" or "decent" versions at best. The further you go (east or west), the better you'll do in general.

Bagels: Times Square Bagels or walk over to H&H

A slice of pizza: I would not get a slice of pizza near Times Square. A lot of the good pizzerias these days are whole pies only. John's in Midtown is OK (related to the one on Bleecker street) but pies only. I've heard decent things about Naples 45 and Zigolini. I believe those are also whole pies only.

Italian: Esca or Convivio? Neither are cheap though and you didn't specify a price range.

Thai: take the Queens bound 7 train to 69th-Fisk to get to Sripraphai, 64-13 39th Avenue.

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Esca
402 West 43rd Street, New York, NY 10036

Naples 45
200 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10166

Convivio
45 Tudor City Place, New York, NY 10017

Times Square Deli
168 Madison Ave, New York, NY 10016

[Hinterlander]

I have nothing but great respect and admiration for you as a human and a poster, but when someone asks for something in or near Times Square, it's pretty useless to tell them to go to Queens.,

[orthorunner]

Zigolinis on 9th ave is indeed pies only, but they are Neapolitan so they're not as filling as other full pies and easily split between two. Def the best pizza in the area.
There are quit a few Thai places in the 9th ave area, including Wondee and Pam Real. While I don't think Amy's Bread has black and white cookies, they have some fantastic cookies/cakes etc that are worth trying out. At all costs, avoid Restaurant Row on 46th!

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Amy's Bread
672 9th Ave, New York, NY 10036

[Striver]

Stick to the 9th-10th Ave. area and you'll have plenty of options without having to go somewhere else. Times Square bagels on 44th right off TS are fine (better than H&H IMO). For Italian, Esca for upscale (seafood, primarily), Trattoria Trecolori for homestyle southern Italian, Gallo Nero for Italian wine bar), check posts for others. For Thai, Wondee Siam; I also like Breeze for an interesting non-traditional take on Thai. No particularly good places I'm aware for B&W's or Italian cookies in the area, but if you wander west, Sullivan Street Bakery on 47th near 11th has some excellent savory choices (not a pastry shop). For basic burgers, Shake Shack on 8th and 44th is worth the line (much shorter than Mad Sq), 5 Napkin burger on 45th & 9th is fun (love their lamb burger). Lots more - avoid the traps and there are plenty of good and interesting dining options in the area.

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Sullivan Street Bakery
533 W 47th St, New York, NY 10036

Trattoria Trecolori
254 W 47th St, New York, NY 10036

Esca
402 West 43rd Street, New York, NY 10036

Wondee Siam
792 9th Ave, New York, NY 10019

Gallo Nero
404 West 44th Street, New York, NY 10036

[kathryn]

2nd Esca, Sullivan St Bakery, and Shake Shack.

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Esca
402 West 43rd Street, New York, NY 10036

[buttertart]

Sorry but did not like Trattoria Trecolori when we went there earlier this year, the food barely came up to Tutta Pasta level.

[Pan]

I agree with the recommendation of Wondee, but I'd add that my recommendation is only good for the original location, on the east side of 9th Av. between 52nd and 53rd, and that it is best to stick to the "Secret Thai" menu and ask for very spicy and Thai style, for those who can handle that (if you're really serious and they believe you, they'll give you some delicious and challengingly peppery food).

[AubWah]

if you eat in time square you wont be just be "playing tourist" you will be tourist. get on the subway its very friendly and go to some places actually worth eating