Kazza3013

I'd love some recommendations for my husband and I to have dinner on our last night in NYC. Somewhere that won't break the bank, we will be staying at the Beacon Hotel, but we don't mind taking the subway to get there. Somewhere memorable with good service and great food. We love wine and fresh, healthy food. We will have already eaten at ABC Kitchen and Public and will be trying to get a table at Dirt Candy.
I'd really appreciate any ideas. It's a Thursday night in mid April.

northie

For beautiful Mexican I recommend Toloache - one at W 50st but other locations around, Tao at E 58 th is also a favourite

ekscrunchy

Do you have reservations at ABC? They should be booked a month or so in advance and Dirt Candy is very hot right now so book as soon as they allow.

Gato has very interesting food and it has become one of my regular places; fair prices and interesting wines. Just off Houston Street on Lafayette Street, steps from a subway station. Excellent service, too. The chef is quite well known, and well regarded, here in the US. Everyone I've taken there has been pleased. Given your interest in ABC and Dirt Candy, I would say that Gato would be a good fit.

If you do decide to go, I will give you a few ideas on items that I enjoy; I believe I've mentioned this restaurant a few times on this forum so you can find more info with a search.
I've tried most dishes on the menu by now and had many "wows!"

http://gatonyc.com/menu




I won't give my opinion on Tao, mentioned above.

BigRuss

I wouldn't get Mexican in NYC. Cajun either.

That said, how big is your bank? Can't tell what won't "break" it unless there's an upper limit to the force you'd be willing to apply (read: what's your budget?).

"Somewhere memorable with great food" means nothing - craptastic restaurants are often far more memorable and no one ever wants bad food. What do you like - cuisine, atmosphere, price point, etc.?

Wondering if GATO is an acronym or just Spanish for cat . . .

mclaurie

Dovetail is near your hotel and very good. http://dovetailnyc.com/menus/

ekscrunchy

Dovetail is very good and very pricey.

Gato is named for the cat that hung around before they opened, or so I was told.

Look, too, at ABC Cocina, which adds Latin flavors to the market-based dishes. I like it very much.

Kazza3013

Thanks for all your input. I have to wait til I can book ABC Kitchen...28 days prior, but will definitely do so then. yes, Dirt Candy seems impossible, but I'm trying to call them.
I have been following this forum for a few months and had written down Tolouche and GATO as possibilities. I love the look of the room at GATO. Ekscrunchy, I'd love to hear your fav dishes.

ekscrunchy

I'll put those dishes down later; meanwhile, this is an article about Dirt Candy from the local newspaper, yesterday's edition:

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/04/di...room.html?_r=0

ekscrunchy

Kazza: As promised, here are the dishes that I consider to be wonderful from the current menu at GATO; be aware that the menu might change slightly between now and the time of your visit:


WHITE CHICORY SALAD. The best salad I've had in NYC in a long time; I always order this.

ROASTED OCTOPUS. The best octopus dish in NYC with exception, perhaps, of a pasta with octopus at Marea (you could also consider that for a dinner). Fantastic flavors.

SCRAMBLED EGGS. Do not ask. Just order this.

CRAB RISOTTO. Excellent, as are all pasta and rice dishes. SAFFRON LINGUINE is marvelous.

OVEN ROASTED SHRIMP is very good but might be ASian shrimp.

Skip the pizza dishes, nothing special, although tasty.

Concentrate on smaller plates with a few exceptions: DUCK CONFIT. Best version I have had anywhere and that includes many in France. Hope they keep it on menu long enough for you to try. Partner loved the PORK CHOP but I did not sample.

For dessert, look no further than the CHOCOLATE CREMA CATALANA.

Those are just a few of my "regular" dishes....it is really a great place for food, with excellent service. Can get noisy after 7pm.

Kazza3013

Ekscrunchy, you are amazing, thanks so much for that link and all your recommendations.
I'll be sure to write a trip report on my return.

HappyTrvlr

Eckscrunchy- excited to learn about the roasted octopus. One reason I love to go tt Mediterranean countries is that I can order octopus. I have put Gato on my list! HT

IMDonehere

Here is another restaurant that makes great grilled octopus. BUT it is out of your neighborhood.

http://www.yelp.com/biz/taverna-kycl...llage-new-york

Kazza3013

ekscrunchy, thank you so much for your recommendation of GATO, my hubby and I went last night and loved it. WE ordered ALL the smaller dishes that you suggested and especially loved the scrambled eggs, octopus and risotto. The service was great and it really is a busy place with a lively atmosphere. A great final night celebration.

ekscrunchy

I am so glad you liked Gato. I've had quite a few meals there since they opened and have always been very pleased. I will be returning to NYC this month after a winter away and already have a table booked there for next month! Looking forward to sampling new dishes.