mike

Can anyone recommend a good restaurant near MSG to go to before a show. Italian or American fare. Price doesn't matter. Thanks.

Ted

Unfortunately that's not a great area for restaurants. Mustang Harry's, a popular sports bar/restaurant just south of MSG, offers above average food (much better than typical pub grub). It's on the west side of Seventh Ave at 30th Street. I'm sure other New Yorkers will have some other suggestions.

al

Pretty slim pickins around MSG. Lots of restaurants with names you've heard before (McDonalds, Houlihan's, TGI Fridays) but nothing too exciting. Mustang Harry's (or Mustang Sally's a couple blocks further down 7th) are about as good as it gets.

Better yet, take a 10 block walk north and eat at Ruby Foo's, Carmine's, Joe Allen or Becco.

gc

Domenico's at 40th and Lex. Not too far...a nice walk or short cab ride. Best veal chop in the city.

Frank

I agree with Domenico's and Rossini's at 38th and Park is even better and closer to your hotel. Be prepared to anti up the bucks.

Ted

Be aware, mike, that Domenico's and Rossini's are NOT "near MSG," but they are great restaurants. If you want something within walking distance, your options are very limited, as discussed.

ga

Ted, Ted, Ted...

40th and Lex is 2-3 blocks east and 4 -5 blocks north of MSG, correct? After the veal chop, you need a little exercise, don't you?

gc

oops...mea culpa...we're talking after the show...

There's a good Chinese 1 block west, I believe, on 36th.

Ted

ga, ga, ga . . .

Lexington Avenue is 5 blocks east of Seventh Avenue, but two of the those blocks are LOOOONNNGGG avenue blocks, or roughly 4 street blocks. Bottom line: Lex is well over a half mile east of Seventh.

gc

Ted,
I think we disconnect on the definition of a "short" walk.

Can we agree that it's a mile, give or take from MSG to 40th and Lex and let Mike draw his own conclusion?

Jim

Good steak house right across the street from the Garden called Tupelo Grill.

Ted

Well, let's agree that New Yorkers perception of "walkable" is very different from most tourists. I routinely walk 20-30 blocks for an appointment and consider that perfectly normal, but my tourist friends think that's nuts. But then again, they drive a block to the post office in their hometowns.

My experience is that a tourist looking for a restaurant "near MSG" would not be pleased walking over to Lex. It can take a non-NYer 40 minutes to walk a mile.

(For some reason, I'm assuming mike is a tourist. My guess is he's looking for something within 5-10 minutes, walking like a normal person (non-NYer), of MSG.)

me

walk 10 blocks south to chelsea. tons of nice restauarants south of 23rd st on 7th and 8th avs. Less touristy than the theater district options.

mike

Thanks to all who replied. We're actually going to catch the Andrea Bocelli concert and wanted to have dinner first. We're coming from NJ some maybe we are better stopping somewhere along the way. Maybe if Tupelo's Grill is good, we will try that. Thanks again.

andrea 2

Andrea Bocelli - she's great!

mike

He

suzanne and greg

There is at least *one* good restaurant in the MSG area - Keen's Chop House on 36th between 5th and 6th. Steaks, seafood...and on the less expensive side, an excellent burger at the bar. It's a venerable slice of old NY, and it's not one of those places that is set up just to make an easy buck from the MSG crowd.

monica

Why don't you try ILO at the Bryant Park hotel. It is on 40th Street between 5th and 6th Avenue. Very nice food, upscale, modern restaurant. It is not too far to walk to MSG.

Barb

Tir Na Nog...on 8th Ave behind MSG...

It is an Irish Pub with Amzaing food...If you walked by, you may not think anything of it...but it is amazing...do a search if you wish...

Enjoy the show...I'm still hoping to get tickets!

mike

Thanks. Someone also recommended Foley's? I think it's about 10 blocks away.