Two nights in Manhattan With a Food Heathen

[jeff j]

I am going to be in the city for two nights next wednesday and thursday. I am with my boss from the UK who is very difficult to go eat with as he is definitely NOT a foodie.

I need recommendations for Steak/seafood restaurants and Italian restaurants around 40th and 9th so i can appease his ill tastes while still satisfying mine.

[uniqueusername]

I'm a fan of Bocca di Bacco on 54th and 9th - good italian food, not too fussy, homemade pastas (some pretty simple and some more adventurous) and an excellent wine list. It's one of my go-to places for a decent and not too pricey neighbourhood spot (I live in the area)

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Bocca di Bacco
828 9th Avenue, New York, NY 10019

[orthorunner]

Bocca di Bacco is a good option for casual, smaller-plate italian, with a decent wine selection. It can get somewhat noisy in the evening as the night progresses. Other options for Italian include Nizza, which I use as a go-to for casual Italian for not-so-picky eaters who want a solid, relatively inexpensive Italian meal. There is also Trattoria Trecolori, which is popular among theater goers who don't want the typical theater district options.
I actually can't think of any steak/seafood options in the area that wouldn't either be lost on him or not worthwhile for you; I suppose you could go to a Brazilian spot such as Plataforma Churrascuria if interested in a meat-heavy meal?

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

Nizza
630 9th Avenue, New York, NY 10036

Bocca di Bacco
828 9th Avenue, New York, NY 10019

[ml77]

If you're going to do Crispo, then I would do Scarpetta instead. It's in the same area (14th and 9th Ave), better food but still should satisfy a non-fooodie, slightly higher price point but not a lot higher.

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Crispo
240 W 14th St, New York, NY 10011

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

[jeff j]

Thanks ML....I live in Vegas and have been to Scarpetta twice since they opened, so I am looking for something different

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

[Motosport]

Puttanesca on 9th Ave & 56 has very good Italian food without being too "gourmet" trendy.

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Puttanesca
859 9th Avenue, New York, NY 10019

[Ryan Goldschlager]

You're not too far from A Voce, Barbuto, Del Posto or even Po, which are all excellent. There's also Co. for upscale pizza ...

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

A Voce
41 Madison Ave, New York, NY 10010

[loratliff]

I think that Del Posto and Po would totally be lost and/or a waste of money for someone who's not a foodie. (And neither of those are remotely close to 40th and 9th.)

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

[jeff j]

thanks

[rrems]

For steak, Keens should definitely satisfy both of you. Italian is harder without knowing what sort of dishes your boss would likely order. I assume you want something traditional, but traditional Italian-American red sauce, or traditional real Italian? Does he like pasta, or just fish and meat? And how far from 40th and 9th are you willing to go? I'm thinking maybe Crispo for Italian but it's not in walking distance.

[jeff j]

Thanks for Keens.. Any decent Italian thats not too high Brow. personally, i like Esca's but i think that is wasted on him. As long as we arent hampered by snow, we have a couple of mile radius with no problem. I would prefer not a red sauce restaurant like Patsy's but give be a couple of option.

Thanks

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

[peter j]

Seconding Keens. Crispo for decent Italian that's not too high brow.

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Crispo
240 W 14th St, New York, NY 10011

[rrems]

Sounds like Crispo would work. For something a little fancier, maybe Orso? And for seafood, Oceana. They have fabulous food, a huge variety and it can be as simple or elaborate as you want.

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Crispo
240 W 14th St, New York, NY 10011

Orso
322 W 46th St, New York, NY 10036

Oceana
120 W 49th St, New York, NY 10020