kmbp

My husband and I are thinking about a day in New York next week to see two Installations by Xu Bing,

"The Living Word" will be at the Morgan Library until October 2 and "Where Does the Dust Itself Collect?" is at the Spinning Wheel Building at 5 West 22nd Street until October 9.

http://www.themorgan.org/exhibitions...tion.asp?id=54

http://www.lmcc.net/uploads/press/LM...ease_FINAL.pdf

I"m looking for suggestions for a late lunch. Following mentions here (from Adu, perhaps?) we've enjoyed the excellent value of the prix fixe lunches at Nougatine and Tocqueville. (And we've also been to 11 Madison Park.) Great food and service and excellent experiences. While we'd be happy to return to Tocqueville since we'll be nearby, I was wondering if you have any other suggestions for a 'destination' lunch that will give us the experience of a terrific restaurant at a reasonable price point (prix fixe meal $25-$40)? French, Italian, Spanish, American...

My plan for the day: M4 bus from Penn Station to the Morgan Library, walk to 22nd Street to the Spinning Wheel Building, lunch, then back to Penn Station for the train home.

Thanks for your help!

Aduchamp1

Tocqueville is always excellent. Gotham sill has the touch. Cookshop is good and much cheaper.

And we had a good meal during Restaurant Week at Craft Bar at 900 Broadway near 19th Street. It seems they offered a similar menu during that time as they usually do.

Enjoy Xu Bing

kmbp

Thanks! You've given me a few to research. And I just remembered that del Posto has a $29 three-course lunch. Have you tried it?

Did you see the installation at the Morgan?

Aduchamp1

We went to Del Posto for a celebratory diner and it was just OK considering the money. A year later Batali admitted that there was a down period at Del Posto, which included when we ate there. I have not received a refund in the mail.

We have eaten at many of Batali restaurants and always leave unimpressed. One day I was in Eataly and there was Batali in the middle of the floor. He was extremely gracious to all, although I did not engage him. A women passed by and yelled, "Hey Mario, you got angel hair in this place?" He chuckled and pointed.

We have not seen the Xu Bing installations.

kmbp

Thanks for your insights regarding Del Posto and other Batali restaurants. Think we'll give them a pass. For the time being, it's between Gotham and Tocqueville--a struggle between trying someplace new to us and returning to a place whose excellence we have experienced. Can't go wrong, I guess!

I saw bits of "The Living Word" as it was being dismantled after its exhibit in 2001 at Smithsonian's Sackler Gallery in Washington. The soaring transformation of the Chinese calligraphy--from modern character to ancient pictograph-- is amazing. I understand that the Morgan exhibit is his third interpretation of the concept--it should be magnificent in the Renzo Piano space.

Aduchamp1

The arts needs more appreciative, active, and learned people as yourself.

kmbp

I'm really looking forward to this; my husband's coming for the lunch.

bigbomoho

i love going to Morrells wine bar and cafe--its right across the street fromRockelfeller center,and if the weathers nice,outside tables--very creative menu,great wines by the glass.I got the rec from fodorite 2 years ago and been back twice--in fact we'll be there in 2 weeks

kmbp

Thanks, bigbomoho. For as many times as I've been in that area, I've never noticed/considered Morrell Wine Bar. Is it in the block with Bouchon Bakery (formerly Dean and DeLuca, I believe)? Looks like a place to keep in mind, maybe before a matinee.