Brahmama

We will be there for the 8:00 Concert, and I'm not sure how long it will last. We were planning to eat somewhere around 9th Ave - so now looking for this area. I've checked the area restaurants listed on the Carnegie Website and they are $$$$$ for us.

So I'm hoping for a suggestion from you. We can eat before or after - and prefer tapas/small plates - but price has to be tops $$$ (as listed on MenuPages) or below. Anyone got a newbie in this area?

LLindaC

There are lots of small restaurants in that area. Have you checked opentable? They often have early bird bonus pointes for theatre patrons.

basingstoke2

Les Restaurant Sans Culottes East is a country French place where the portions are far from small. However, the food is great and the price is right. Very right. You start out with a huge rack of assorted French sausage, big basket of raw veggies, a crock of country pate, and bread. This is before you order. Nice ambiance too. Check out their website. It is on 2nd ave, one or two buildings north of 57th st. Since it is just off 57th, it is not a long walk from Carnegie - about 15 minutes.

basingstoke2

I nearly forgot. The Sans Culottes West is also listed but it is closed.

mclaurie

By going to menupages and looking in west 50's and then chosing tapas, I found Park Blue which sounds like what you want, but I've never been.
http://menupages.com/restaurantdetai...0&cuisineid=64

Trattoria Dell 'Arte is right across from Carnegie Hall and known for their antipasto-you can sit at the antipasto bar and make a meal out of it and maybe some of their thin crust pizza.

Angelo's pizza on west 57 st. is another option.

Kennedy's Irish pub/rest. also on west 57th st is another option.

Brahmama

Great ideas!

I had thought of opentable.com in the past, but completely forgotten about it. Great source.

And the country French place made me hungry just reading about it! I'll check it out.

I had read that the Tratorria Dell 'Arte was expensive, but what a good idea - just the antipasto and (yum) my favorite - thin crust pizza.

I had already checked out Kennedy's and it's very pricey. (for us, that is!)

Thank you all for the new ideas.

coolbluewater

For something very casual, Le Pain Quotidien is close by--check their hours, though.

Also, you are ten minutes from the Time Warner Center. There is Bouchon Bakery on the third floor--they also have a sit-down area where you can get a fairly inexpensive meal. Landmarc is there as well.

I work in the area: Trattoria Dell'Arte just for antipasto will still be expensive, definitely check the menu! It's about $21 for a mix of veggies and seafood, I believe--though the thin crust pizzas are inexpensive. Food at Parc Blue--more of a bar/lounge than restaurant--is good. But the portion sizes are like tapas so plan accordingly.

NeoPatrick

What about the French brasserie like place at Broadway and 53rd -- Maison? They have some nice full meals -- like roasted chicken with asparagus and mashed potatoes for $15.50, or Grilled Salmon Roasted tomato, artichokes and leeks vinaigrette for $ 18.95. And they have some nice wines by the glass -- reasonably priced.

Your original idea of tapas is available at Molyvos which is very close to Carnegie Hall and is a great place. But the usual problem with tapas I find is that by the time you've done enough of them for a meal, you've spent more than a decent meal would cost.

doug_stallings

I'd suggest Tintol at 155 West 46th St, about a 10-minute walk away from Carnegie Hall. It serves Portuguese tapas and has a great list of wines by the glass.

TarheelsInNj

One of my favorite tapas places is Divine Bar, on 54th between Broadway and 8th:
http://divinebar.citysearch.com/

They have great tapas and small plate choices (try the baked brie!). They also have a great wine selection, and you can buy flights of wine- 2 oz. tastes of several wines by "theme" (i.e. Riesling, California Reds)

GoTravel

You can walk right across Seventh Avenue and eat at Brooklyn Diner. It is much nicer than that sounds and the food is really good. It is on the same side of the street that Carnegie is on.

rogfam

Use this website, it lists all NYC restaurants menus:

www.menupages.com

and leave room for desert!

Brahmama

coolbluewater,
thanks for reminding me of Le Pain Quotidien- I had thought it closed earlier, but checked it and it's open until 8:40 - that would work.

neopatrick,
the Brassiere sounds wonderful and you're right about the tapas. They add up.

doug,
thanks for the name - I do like Portugeese wine! I can't remember the name - but it's a pale greenish color Vherdo? no, that's not it.....

and Tarheels!
Yes! I have your rec down for Divine Bar from an earlier post and I actually emailed there - and some lovely lady emailed BACK and gave me lots of info. I was thinking it was too far away. I really do have a map of NYC - but my mind won't connect until I actually get there and start looking around.

Go Travel,
Everyone loves a diner. It's probably open 24/7 so we could have a snack after the concert.

Thanks everyone. Great ideas!

doug_stallings

The Portuguese wine is vinho verde. I'm not sure if they have it, but they might since it's summer. You can always stop in for a glass of wine and tapas at the bar ...you don't have to eat a meal at the restaurant. I do like their bacalau.

Brahmama

Ah Doug, I had that in Cintra - tiny little place - fantastic food. No one but me would order it - the "salt cod" scared them off. I usually try any local specialty and was so glad that I did.

Yes, that's the wine. It was just served as table wine in a fantastic pitcher. We all liked it quite well!

GoTravel

Brahmama, it is more upscale than a typical greasy spoon diner. I don't think it is open 24 hours.

GoTravel

Just checked and it is not open 24 hours. Here is the website and they've also just opened one in Times Square.

GoTravel

Let me try this again.

http://www.brooklyndiner.com/home.html

Brahmama

Gotrav,
Another winner. They are open til midnight except Fri & Sat when they are open til one which would work. I like their after 10 selections.
Thanks esp for the website.

I have SO many places where we want to eat. You'll have to read my Trip Report to see where we finally will eat!

sobster

Red Eye Grill-across the avenue
Molyvos down the street