Nice restaurant with informal dress code?

[exl72]

Please help. I'm in NYC for the day with my wife (today). We're going to spend all day shopping and doubt we'll have time to go back to our hotel to change. We're in our mid 30's and like to dress in jeans and sneakers (considering it's summer and we have to walk a lot). Can anyone recommend a nice place to go for dinner that is not strict with dress code?

[RGR]

Your request is way too broad. So, it would be helpful to have a few specifics in order to make appropriate suggestions. Cuisine preferences? Any avoids? Any particular neighborhood? Budget per person for food only?

http://thewizardofroz.wordpress.com

[exl72]

Preferably American, International or Italian cuisine. Any neighborhood is fine. If it's close to the trump plaza even better. Budget is not an issue.

[exl72]

I'm going to give PO a try. I'll let you know how it goes. Many thanks.

[cambridgedoctpr]

i think that includes almost every restaurant in manhattan perhaps excluding Per Se and Le Bernadin. I go to Jean Georges a 3 star Michellin restaurant and wear jeans and a t shirt at lunch without looking out of place.

The last day of summer was 9/20, but clearly the weather is not cooperating; fall does not seem to be here today.

-----
Per Se
10 Columbus Circle, New York, NY 10019

Jean Georges
1 Central Park W, New York, NY 10023

Le Bernardin
155 W. 51st St., New York, NY 10019

[exl72]

Thank you so much for your reply. I guess the nice weather and jet lag had me confused with the season. Any specific suggestions for dinner? American, International or Italian Cuisine?

[cambridgedoctpr]

Italian: i like the Mario Batalli restaurants though good luck in getting in
Frech/fusion: I am a fan of Jean Georges and you could eat outside without needing to dress up
French/new americaI also like Le Bernadin and 11 Madison Park; they even let you bring wine for 35.00 a bottle at EMP. You might sit at the Bar at 11 Madison but you will be under- dresesd for Le Bernadin
street fare: Xian's famous food various locations and of course, Chinatown is always a great place for casual food.

I am from Boston and do not know manhattan as thoroughly as the natives. Look up Kathryn's posts; she is the local expert.

-----
Jean Georges
1 Central Park W, New York, NY 10023

[exl72]

I got excited about Jean Georges but it's closed on Sundays. Will check out Kathryn's post. Many thanks.

-----
Jean Georges
1 Central Park W, New York, NY 10023

[kathryn]

Jean George's formal dining room is closed on Sundays; Nougatine and the Terrace (which I believe is part of Nougatine) is open, but it has a different menu.

Le Bernardin and EMP are both closed on Sundays as well.

-----
Jean Georges
1 Central Park W, New York, NY 10023

Le Bernardin
155 W. 51st St., New York, NY 10019

Nougatine
1 Central Park West, New York, NY 10023

[kathryn]

Many upscale restaurants are not open for dinner on Sundays.

IMO depends what kind of jeans and sneakers you mean.

Bright white gym shoes (running shoes) or fashion sneakers? "Cool" distressed hipster jeans or high-waisted "mom jeans"?

You could walk into a place like Maialino, Locanda Verde, or Scarpetta, and while they probably wouldn't refuse service to you, you might feel a little under-dressed.

Maybe Po, Peasant, or dell'anima for Italian? For American, Prune, or perhaps Hearth.

Your request is still pretty broad.

-----
Po
31 Cornelia St, New York, NY 10014

Peasant
194 Elizabeth Street, New York, NY 10012

Dell'Anima
38 8th Avenue, New York, NY 10003

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

Locanda Verde
377 Greenwich St, New York, NY 10013

Maialino
2 Lexington Avenue, New York, NY 10010

[exl72]

Thanks for your advice Kathryn. Informal dress code?: Always cool jeans and sneakers. I'm going to PO tonight.

[FoodDabbler]

I'm confused. If I, as a man, wear high-waisted "mom jeans", will I be refused entry at restaurants? Can you even get high-waisted jeans any more? All the jeans that I seem to see hang distressingly well below my naval. It is I who wear a distressed look in them, not my pants or shoes.