Sardi's?!?

[orthoirv]

Is Sardis worth going to. Were from California and want a restaurant for fathers day near times square. Any equivalents?

[roze]

Yes the food at Sardi's is quite terrible however it can be a really fun place to grab a drink pre or post a show (my father loves the bar actually). My advice would be to stop in for a drink sometime around that time and then head elsewhere for dinner. Both Keens and Esca are excellent choices as previously said and quite close by.

[Sneakeater]

Yes! The food at Sardi's is execrable, but the downstairs bar is one of the great places in New York to drink. And the downstairs bartender, Jose, is one of the great people in New York to get a drink from.

[bronwen]

Sardi's is one of the last bastions of New York, so many of the old staples are closing. If you're looking solely for NY atmosphere, a meal there isn't as terrible as others would have you think!

[Sneakeater]

I dare someone to try it, to see which of us is right.

[ellenost]

Definitely skip Sardi's! Sardi's is a true "tourist trap" (has been for at least 20 years). Not sure what you mean by "equivalents".

[foodwhisperer]

Sardi's is horrible. Keen's perhaps, or Esca.

[H Manning]

Esca is good. I loved the tasting menu.

[kathryn]

2nd Keens.

I'd also consider Monkey Bar:
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/837100

If old school NY is your thing, consider getting JUST a drink somewhere as Sneakeater/roze recommend below:
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/849527