sikomo

Looking for a relatively cheap restaurant for Christmas Eve dinner near our hotel in Time Square? Somewhere with some holiday atmosphere but not necessarily traditional Christmas food -although that would be fine too.
Would there be any good places open for early or late dinner with entrees under $20?

GoTravel

Unless you are going after pizza, entrees under $20 will be hard to find.

What about take out from a deli?

The Brooklyn Diner is on 57th and 7th.

sikomo

Wow nowhere with entrees under $20! we don't mind walking a few blocks out of the main area..? Pizza or pasta is fine too..

rjw_lgb_ca

I don't think that you can find a good "nice" restaurant in Midtown with entrées under $20. I certainly haven't. And besides, you're talking about Xmas Eve in New York-- you should happily spend more for a nice experience. Sorry, but a holiday in a great city is no time to be pinching pennies IMHO.

mcqueeney449

I don't know if there will be holiday decorations or atmosphere, but my husband and I really enjoyed a recent dinner at Jack Rose (771 8th avenue). Entrees range from 15.95 to 25.95 with several choices under 20. Check out the menu (and lots of other menus) at:

http://www.menupages.com/index.asp

sikomo

Hi
Thanks for your suggestions. We have other celebratory "nice" dinners planned on other nights on this trip while we're there so "nice" or "fancy" is not a requirement for Christmas Eve-just basic food! For me, the magic of being in New York with the holiday decorations etc is enough even if I eat a simple Thai or Chinese dinner or in a pizza/burger/deli place on that night. So under $20 for entrees is the goal- with that in mind any suggestions within walking distance of Times Square?

bugswife1

i would check out some of the restaurants in the area that offer pre-theater price fixe menues. You may be able to get a complete dinner for $30.00 or something if you are willing to sit down to eat by 7 pm. Look into
the Algonquin Hotel on W. 44th between 5th & 6th Avenue. 212-840-6800. And I am sure they will be decked to the nines for the holidays. They have a pre-theater menu. Just be sure to ask if it is applicable on Christmas Eve.

sikomo

Thanks that sounds great!

curiousgeo

Since you seem open to various dining options that evening and if the under $20 is just for entree's, these are a few suggestions for the Times Square area.

Trattoria Trecolori on 45th and 7th, a nice italian restaurant serving decent, reasonably priced food with good service. Pig n Whistle on 47th and 7th, an Irish pub, again decent and reasonably priced pub grub. You can view their menus at Menupages to see if they appeal to you. Oh, and burgers and a brew at McHale's as well. Good luck.

Patrick

I'll second the suggestion for Jack Rose. It is one of the most reasonably priced yet seemingly "upscale" restaurants in the entire area. The food really is excellent and so is the service. The best thing of all is that the tables are large and they are more generously spaced than in any other restaurant I can think of. I have no idea about holiday decorations, but they do have a fireplace in the dining room. How many places can offer that on Christmas? Although I'd be concerned they might turn it off that night so Santa can get down the chimney.

JeanG

There are _lots_ of good restaurants with entrees less than $20 on 9th avenue between 42nd & 52nd. I don't know which will decorate for the holidays. You might want to take a walk and check them out. Some I recommend:

Island Spice, Jamaican, 44th b 9th & 10th. Good food & pretty decor. It already looks like it's decorated for the holidays with all the lights they have strung up.

Divane, Turkish, 8th & 52nd.
Good food but with a limited menu. They specialize in grilled meats & seafood.

Baluchi's, Indian, 56th b 8th & Bdway.

Zen Palate, Asian Vegetarian, 9th & 46th.

Unlce Nick's, Greek, 9th b 50 & 51st.
Also next store to the restaurant they serve Greek Tapas.

Sukhothai West, Thai, 42nd b 9th & 10th.
Very nice decor. Somewhat americanized food, i.e. not terribly spicey.

Good Chinese:
Grand Sichuan, 9th b 50 & 51st
West Side Cottage Too, 9th b 47th & 48

Unlce Vanya, Russian, 54th b 8th & 9th
Basic russian food in a homey atmosphere. It does look somewhat festive at night because they also have lights strung up.

All of those are definitely under $20. Good places that have entrees ranging from $15 to $25 would be:

Le Madeleine, French, 43rd b 9th & 10th.
Cascina, Italian, 9th b 45th & 46th.
Jack Rose, mentioned above
Hell's Kitchen, Mexican (upscale), 9th b 46th & 47th
Russian Samovar, 52nd b 8th & Bdway

JeanG

Another idea:

la Bonne Soupe
55th b 5th &6th
I haven't been here but friends have recommended it. If you want a light dinner they have a special: for $14 you get salad, bread, soup, dessert, and beverage. Their soups are supposed to be very good.
http://www.labonnesoupe.com/menu_sos.htm

Ha! I can't believe I wrote "next store" above ... I meant "next door" but with my accent that's the way I say it. Typing too fast!

MFNYC

There are a handful of brazilian places with entrees well under $20 (don't know if it's more on christmas eve). I think most are around 45th St near 6th Av.

JeanG makes many good recommendations.