JudyADenver

I go to NYC every April to meet friends. In the past, one friend who lives in the West Village, has given me his short list of restaurants and I make the final selection. However, this year he has turned the restaurant search over to me.

My other friend and I are NOT adventureous eaters (i.e. picky eaters) and shy away from many menu items--no sushi, French so-so, Asian ok, Italian "safe", (we're eating at Becco one night before theater). We LOVED Union Square Care last year and Babbo and are hoping to find a deal at two restaurants of this caliber only more price friendly.

We would love to find an upscale restaurant with a prix fixe in the $35-50 range if possible. Jean-Georges is offering a $35 prix fixe at many of his restaurants including Perry Street. Would that be a good choice? DB Bistro Moderne is next door to our Hotel Iroquois is another option (we definitely do NOT want a foie gras hamburger for $32!).

We don't care about the location. I would love to find a restaurant which is really fun (such as Spice Market) but with dependably "safe" menu items which are affordable (I offered to pick up the tab for one meal!!)

Any ideas would really help. thanks

mclaurie

There are recession specials being run all over town. Here's a list from NY Magazine. http://nymag.com/daily/food/2008/11/...on_dining.html and another
http://www.docstoc.com/docs/3988045/...on-Dining-Tips

If you do a search online for recession specials in NYC restaurants you'll find lots more lists. Some specials are only certain days of the week.

I'm confused by your food tastes. Yes to Asian yet French, where you can get plain things like steak, burger, chicken is only so so?

If Asian is ok, what about Buddakan? It's got plenty of "safe" options and is in the meatpacking district. It was the site for the rehearsal dinner in the "Sex in the City" movie.

I think you can do a lot better than Becco. ViceVersa is an Italian in the theater district with a $35 prix fixe and much better food (and you don't have to just have pasta).

Centralparkgirl

Just ate at JoJo and Nougatine. JoJo is pretty staid. Nougatine is lively and has the best tuna tartar (too exotic?), outstanding roasted chicken and delicious warm valrhona chocolate cake. Be aware that there are time/day restrictions for most of the $35 prix fixe menus. I agree with mclaurie about Becco.

NeoPatrick

I have to say too that seeing Becco in your post with all the wonderful other places and requests that seem to call for good really suprised me. Its best feature is that if you like really bland and simple pastas -- they will fill you up on it for a low price.

Sort of like someone asking about a lot of places for wonderful boutique shopping and then mentioning they were going to Target.

JudyADenver

I thought I might get a reaction from Becco. Ok--I'll give it a pass. The only reason it's on the list is because it's around the corner from Billy Elliot (plus my friend is so frugal that she choses restaurants by the price!). ViceVersa has a great menu.

Yes--tuna tartar is definitely too exotic! Plus I am allergic to chocolate.

Mclaurie--thanks for the links. I will definitely read through those possiblities. Buddakan looks great but there are no prices on the website which is quite scary. I studied the menu at Benoit (Alain Ducasse) and there isn't one item which appeals to me--I would end up with a hamburger and frites. I don't have a difficult time in France, but for some reason, I am never attracted to the French menus in the US. But I am willing to keep searching.

Cries_Van_Notebook

Vice Versa gets a thumbs up from Thingorjus. Love the casconcelli bergamasca.

I guess you can't afford Aqua Grill?

What about Le Zie?? Not expensive at all.

Thin

Aduchamp1

Yes--tuna tartar is definitely too exotic! Plus I am allergic to chocolate.

Tuna tartar(e) has nothing to do with chocolate nor with the fish's teeth. The tuna is marinated in various citric juices plus other spice but not cooked. The citric juices "cook" the tuna like in a ceviche.

Rhea58

Nothing appeals @ Benoit? Just ate there for first time (admittedly for their $24.07 Rest. Week menu) & was
pleasantly surprised @ the nice and ample-sized offerings. Billed as a bistro, the decor is also much more pleasant than such.

Kellari is next to your hotel. Have you perused their menu?

mclaurie

I don't know what's on the menus for $35 at Perry St. or DB Bistro but if you find things you like, both are good.

ekscrunchy

Little Owl is really good. (Turn your volume down before opening the link)

http://www.thelittleowlnyc.com/

annesherrod

I looked at Litle Owl link - I like what I see and I liked the music too!

I am trying to gather ideas for my trip there next week with 17 YO daughter.
Le Vie looks good as well. Of course my daughter wants to go to Serendipity - I hear it is medicore at best! I did like the movie though!

annesherrod

I googled casconcelli bergamasca because I was not sure what it was and this post came up!!!
Still not sure - is it like canneloni?

annesherrod

Ok - I found the description - sounds delicous