I'm going to New York City for the first time June 5-9, and I'm looking for some restaurant recommendations. I want to eat somewhere delicious, in the $25-$40 entree range. If there's somewhere with a fabulous prix fixe menu not over $100, that would be fabulous as well.
My friend and I are already signed up for a walking food tour of the West Village, so I'd like to try a different neighborhood. But I know nothing about NY, so I'm pretty clueless.
I like aaaaaaalllllll kinds of food. If I were going out somewhere nice here in SF I'd head for California cuisine, or California fusion of some sort. So if there's some sort of NY equivalent... I also like a nice steak. Yummm, beef. Fancy Italian would be nice, or French (but French is usually ridiculously overpriced). Or if there's a particularly good ethnic restaurant, I love ethnic food.
Here are a few suggestions off the top of my head... Italian - Osteria Laguna or Osteria al Doge - not in cool locations but if you happen to go to Midtown for Times Square viewing or a play or to Grand Central you might want to go to one of them. I've only been to Osteria Laguna but scarlett has been to al Doge and gave it a good review.
French/Fondue - Artisanal - again, the neighborhood is blah but the food and atmosphere are great
Indian - Pongol - there are 2 locations and everything is vegetarian.
BBQ - I'm a vegetarian but my meat eating friends love Dinosaur BBQ in Harlem and Blue Smoke and I've always been happy with the non-meat options at both places.
There are a lot of great spots in the West Village but if you want to see different areas you could walk east from there into the East village. I love to go to "curry row" 6th street between 1st and 2nd ave. There are quite a few yummy Indian spots that are very affordable. From there you can walk north and check out bars in the East Village and St. Marks Place.
The area around Union sq (6 or 7 blocks north of 6th street) is always busy and by 14th st and 3rd ave there are some yummy thai spots around there.
Veniero's has by far some of the most amazing canolis and other italian bakery yummies (342 east 11th street). http://www.venierospastry.com
You have to get an amazing real NY bagel! This is my favorite and I have made a meal out of a whole wheat bagel with veggie creamcheese before: http://www.ess-a-bagel.com/