Failed at Restaurant Week last time, help me this year?

[emmaxoxo]

Hi, family of 3 [Mum, Dad, DD20] coming to NYC in 2 weeks. We ate at Butter in 09 for RW and it was terrible, stuffy, bad food hated it.

This year, we've looking for somewhere laid back, casual clothing, for the dinner menu. What's the best restaurant taking part this year? Any cuisine, just no seafood.

I've been looking at some in the village area, such as Po, One if by Land, North Square, and Gusto.

Where do you recommend as a must eat?

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Po
31 Cornelia St, New York, NY 10014

Butter
415 Lafayette Street, New York, NY 10018

One If By Land, Two If By Sea
17 Barrow St., New York, NY 10014

North Square
103 Waverly Place, New York, NY 10011

Gusto
60 Greenwich Ave, New York, NY 10011

[villainx]

I think in general, if it's for lunch, many of the top restaurants have deals for lunch that you don't have to wait for RW. There are just lots of good deals for lunch, outside of RW.

For dinner, um, I can't see most of the RW places as worth it for taking up their offer. Their are notable exceptions, for sure. But go where you want and construct your own 3 course meal by splitting apps or mains.

[kathryn]

Right now is the "restaurant week extension" which means the best places have already dropped out. Additionally, the better restaurants only do lunch, and weekday lunch at that. I would focus not on RW but on finding a place whose regular menu meets your budget.

[Cheeryvisage]

I think the only good place that does dinner that's participating in the RW extension is SHO Shaun Hergatt.

I've reviewed my RW experience at SHO here: http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/796029

It's more business casual though, not regular street clothes casual.

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SHO Shaun Hergatt
40 Broad St, New York, NY 10004

[Cheeryvisage]

Oh, Apiary, I hear, is pretty good too. I haven't been yet, but plan to soon.

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Apiary
60 3rd Avenue, New York, NY 10003

[City Kid]

Give a better idea of price parameters, cuisine preferences, and neighborhoods and you'll get lots of suggestions. I personally very much dislike One If By Land, awful food and service when I have been.

[hungryinmanhattan]

Modern bar room might have extended I heard. Not sure- call them. Do a search of this board for ideas. I also do not like RW food at OIBL.

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The Modern
9 West 53rd Street, New York, NY 10019

[kathryn]

Nope, I just checked the list on NYCGo.com. The Bar Room at the Modern hasn't extended their RW offer.

[emmaxoxo]

Thanks guys, maybe we'll skip RW then.

Another question then, lunch alfresco in either the village, chelsea, les, or upper west or east side. Either at prixe menu at up to $35pp, or al a carte up to $35pp. Looking for casual street wear, down to earth type of place, any cusinse apart from seafood, such as American, Italian etc...

[kathryn]

$35pp before tax, tip, drinks?

Does it have to be alfresco? Most restaurants will not take a reservation specifically for outdoor seating; it's typically first come, first served. You might make a reservation and still end up waiting if you really wish to sit outside.

Also all outside eating spots are not created equal. Some have only sidewalk seating w/ little shade. It could be on a busy street or right above a train line. Plus, if the weather is very hot (you are coming in late August after all) and/or bad you'll end up inside anyway. It could be insanely hot or thunderstorm-ing.

You might want to consider a place like Aquagrill, which has a patio that is almost completely covered and has AC. But you won't really feel like you're "outside."

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Aquagrill
210 Spring St, New York, NY 10012