Sunday Lunch on the UES - I Need Help, Please

[missybean]

I will be taking my 15 y/o daughter to the 92nd Street Y (Lex btwn 91st and 92nd) on Sunday for a 3 week summer program. She has to be there between 3 and 4 and so we thought we would go out to lunch before hand.

As we are not familiar with the neighborhood, we could use some recommendations. We are adventurous eaters (for example, her favorite vegetable is artichoke and she had tongue tacos for lunch today) so something unusual or "foreign" would be her first choice.

Any and all suggestions are much appreciated.

Thanks

Missy and The Sprout

[missybean]

Thanks again for the suggestions. I wanted to try Beyoglu as I love Turkish food. However, The Sprout wanted something "different" (we eat in Patterson, NJ quite often, which is filled with various middle-eastern restaurants) and found Cafe Mingala, a Burmese Restaurant (2nd Ave btwn 72nd and 73rd). Since we'd never tried Burmese food, we decided to take a chance.

Having nothing to compare it to, we have no idea if their food is authentic or not. That being said, we found the dishes to be underseasoned and fairly lackluster. Again, I am not sure if Burmese food is just lighter than we expected or if this was not a good representation.

We'll have another lunch opportunity when pick up The Sprout in 3 weeks.

Missy

[JC2]

Why don't you try El Paso Tacquera on 97th St btw Madison and Park?

[missybean]

Thanks for the suggestion. We have a number of good, authentic Mexican places locally so probably will look for something a little bit more off-beat.

[JungMann]

Off-beat on the Upper East Side is not that easy. Around the corner from the 92Y, there are a decent ramen place and a South African wine bar (with some very tasty fare), but otherwise it is Italian, Americanized Thai or just plain ol' American.

Travel along a little further and you'll find some gems. Om for Indian, Pio Pio for Peruvian chicken, delicatessen at Second Avenue Deli, Austrian at Cafe Sabarsky or, my favorite, Sichuan at Wa Jeal. There is also a British candy shop up Lexington that is worth a visit for some roast chicken flavored chips and Aeros.

[rose water]

I've not been here but it sounds good: http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/860129

[missybean]

Thank you all for the wonderful suggestions. I know which one I would choose but I promised The Sprout she could pick. I hope she picks the "right" one.

[UES Mayor]

Well tell us which one won?

[Toot]

Zebu Grill on 92nd and 2nd may fit the unusual and foreign criteria. I haven't been there for brunch but had dinner a couple of times and it was good. If you go try the cheese rolls.

[carcrash]

Nonna's Table? I haven't been but am planning to check it out today- looks fun and well-suited to the occasion. Also around the corner from the 92Y.

[City Kid]

Many more convenient places if you head over to Madison, including a couple of French bistros that have a nice variety of dishes, (artichokes!), and nice ambiance. I particularly like Le Paris and Pascalou on Madison between 92-93 Sts. Sfoglia, an upscale Italian on Lexington and 92 has an excellent lunch (prix fixe $28). This link will help, the only defunct one is Neka, no great loss:
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/788632

[kathryn]

Toloache's newish UES location is a short walk away.

I've also heard good things about Beyoglu.

[fm1963]

Szechuan Gourmet on 2nd Ave. and 71st St.

[pammi]

If you're willing to go to Park Avenue and 63rd Street, there is Psrk Avenue Summer.. It's a beautiful place to start a 3 week visit to NY and the food is quite good too..

[missybean]

Thank you for the recommendation.

Park Avenue Summer looks lovely though I think it may be a bit too refined for Sunday. This will be the first time The Sprout will be away for home for so (?) long and Mr. Bean is having a hard with it. I think he would be more comfortable in a more casual environment.