5 days in Midtown

[hal2010]

We'll be in Chelsea for 5 days over Christmas. We've booked Tocqueville for Christmas Dinner and are now looking for some interesting restaurants on the lower half of Manhattan. Vietnamese, Spanish, Mexican, Middle Eastern, Thai, Chinese, Japanese, Indian, or Turkish and a few good breakfast places.

[prima]

Second Boqueria. They also serve a weekend brunch, as well as tapas.

Might also want to consider Bar Jamon.

Second Saravanna- which serves an Indian breakfast, as well as south Indian lunches and dinners.

For Mexican, I like the shrimp and fish tacos at the Mercadito in the EV. There's also a location in the West Village that I haven't tried.

For Chinese, I had Red Egg on my list, but I still haven't tried it.

For Lebanese, I had Ilili on the list, but haven't gotten around to trying it yet.

If you like soup, check out this "south of 34th St" running list, which covers some of the cuisines you've mentioned:

http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/758218

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Saravanaas
81 Lexington Ave, New York, NY 10016

Casa Mono
52 Irving Place, New York, NY 10003

Bar Jamon
125 E 17th St, New York, NY 10003

Boqueria
53 W 19th St, New York, NY 10011

Ilili
236 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10001

Red Egg
202 Centre Street, New York, NY 10013

Mercadito
179 Avenue B, New York, NY 10009

[Motosport]

Excellent authentic Syrian/Lebanese @ Al Bustan E 53rd just off 2 Ave.

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Al Bustan
319 East 53rd Street, New York, NY 10022

[hal2010]

We'll be traveling around a bit, so I was thinking anywhere south of Central Park.
However, that's a huge area to cover so let's say south of 40th.

Thanks.

[RGR]

I never think of Chelsea as "Midtown," but in any case, you have clafified the geography question (though it's still a huge area). However, we still need more specifics. Do you want casual or fancy? And what is the most you are willing to spend per person for *food only*?

http://thewizardofroz.wordpress.com

[hal2010]

I realize it's a huge area, but we'll be traveling around the city, mostly south of Central Park. Last time I was in New York was 20 years ago and my knowledge of the names and extents of the various neighborhoods is limited.

We have reservations at a couple of fine dining places and now we're looking for some cheaper more eclectic restaurants - perhaps things you can't find in other cities. Toronto has no decent Mexican, Indonesian or Malaysian to speak of. And we love Turkish, Vietnamese, Thai and Indian. Also some good delis and breakfast places would be great.

I'd say we're looking at a max of $50 per person for dinner before tax, tip and beverages.

The recommendations so far look perfect. Thanks!

[kathryn]

> Last time I was in New York was 20 years ago and my knowledge of the names and extents of the various neighborhoods is limited.

I highly recommend familiarizing yourself with the neighborhoods ASAP! I assume you're sightseeing?

It might be more helpful to tell us where you plan to be and when (breakfast/lunch/dinner) so at least you'll have a list of options in your back pocket. Then you can avoid choosing any old random place that looks good (and usually turns out not to be). We can help if you give more specifics -- near MoMA, near the Met, near Times Square, near Soho, etc.

Some NY-specific and unique place ideas (note most of these but not all are in your price range):
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/8050...

I think Indonesian and Malaysian may be pretty weak in Manhattan as well (not sure about other boroughs) so you may not get everything on your wishlist.

But you might find other cuisines/options you may not have known about.

[prima]

This thread: http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/795110 mentions quite a few restaurants focused on a number of cuisines that aren't well represented in TO.

Laut's reviews are mixed lately, but you might want to consider it for Malaysian, close to Union Square. Nyonya is another Malaysian option that's located in Chinatown- haven't been in years, but I enjoyed it the last time I was there.

Re: Indian restaurants in Manhattan, you might want to read this recent thread: http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/822563

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Nyonya
199 Grand St, New York, NY 10013

Laut
15 E 17th St, New York, NY 10003

[H Manning]

Here are some ideas to get you started:

Vietnamese - O Mai

Spanish - Casa Mono, Boqueria, Tertulia, Txikito

Mexican - Empellon, Yerba Buena Perry

Thai - Zabb Elee

Chinese - Congee Village, South China Garden, Amazing 66, Szechuan Gourmet, Legend, Grand Sichuan

Japanese - 15 East, Ushiwakamaru, Ippudo

Indian - Junoon, Saravaanas

Turkish - Ali Baba, Turkish Kitchen

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Saravanaas
81 Lexington Ave, New York, NY 10016

Turkish Kitchen
386 3rd Ave, New York, NY 10016

15 East
15 East 15th Street, New York, NY 10003

South China Garden
22 Elizabeth St, New York, NY 10013

Casa Mono
52 Irving Place, New York, NY 10003

Ali Baba Turkish Cuisine
212 E 34th St, New York, NY 10016

Amazing 66
66 Mott St, New York, NY 10013

Congee Village
100 Allen St, New York, NY 10002

Szechuan Gourmet
21 W 39th St, New York, NY 10018

Grand Sichuan
229 9th Ave, New York, NY 10001

Omai
158 9th Ave, New York, NY 10011

Ushiwakamaru
136 W Houston St, New York, NY 10012

Boqueria
53 W 19th St, New York, NY 10011

Ippudo
65 4th Ave, New York, NY 10003

Txikito
240 9th Ave, New York, NY 10001

Yerba Buena Perry
1 Perry Street, New York, NY 10014

Legend
88 7th Ave, New York, NY 10011

Empellon Taqueria
230 W 4th St, New York, NY 10014

Junoon
27 W 24th St, New York, NY 10010

Zabb Elee
75 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10003

Tertulia
359 6th Ave, New York, NY 10011

[kathryn]

2nd Casa Mono, Boqueria, Tertulia, Txikito with a note that I think Tertulia and Txikito are the best of the bunch. Tertulia especially for grilled and seafood dishes; Txikito for Basque cooking.

I would add on Hecho en Dumbo for interior Mexican.

For Thai, I would note that Zabb Elee is Issan style cooking and of no relation to Zabb City on East 13th Street.

For Chinese, I would note that H Manning's list is good but all of those have a particular specialty. If you stray from that specialty, do so at your own risk! South China Garden is known for Cantonese seafood, Amazing 66 for banquet style dishes, and Szechuan Gourmet/Legend/Grand Sichuan are known for Sichuan cooking. Avoid the American-style Chinese dishes.

Plus, the Grand Sichaun in Chelsea on 24th/9th is generally considered the best of the mini-chain. I'd also add on Cafe China which is getting really good buzz here. It also serves Sichuan food.

For Japanese, 15 East and Ushiwakamaru are sushi restaurants -- definitely make a reservation for the bar in advance.

Ippudo is ramen and known for very long waits.

For Indian, I would note to avoid the East 6th Street row of Indian restaurants in favor of "Curry Hill" area for cheaper eats.

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15 East
15 East 15th Street, New York, NY 10003

South China Garden
22 Elizabeth St, New York, NY 10013

Casa Mono
52 Irving Place, New York, NY 10003

Amazing 66
66 Mott St, New York, NY 10013

Szechuan Gourmet
21 W 39th St, New York, NY 10018

Grand Sichuan
229 9th Ave, New York, NY 10001

Ushiwakamaru
136 W Houston St, New York, NY 10012

Boqueria
53 W 19th St, New York, NY 10011

Ippudo
65 4th Ave, New York, NY 10003

Txikito
240 9th Ave, New York, NY 10001

Hecho en Dumbo
354 Bowery, New York, NY 10012

Legend
88 7th Ave, New York, NY 10011

Zabb Elee
75 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10003

Tertulia
359 6th Ave, New York, NY 10011

Cafe China
13 E 37th St, New York, NY 10016

[princeofpork]

Define lower half.

[Motosport]

Below the beltway??

[Motosport]

Correct me if I am wrong but "Midtown" is typically the low 40's to the low 60's not the lower half of Manhattan.