It's a good idea - but I would classify many more of them as good rather than superb (for me, it takes a lot to be superb). And they are generally very good for the usually fairly modest price.

Frankly there are more restauarnts on this stretch of 9th Ave than there are superb restaurants in NYC (which I would guess at 25 to 30 total).

Thanks, nytraveler, makes it worth to have a go at it...

Yeah, I'd agree with that. It may be hit or miss, but he's probably right.

I'd just go to this one directly and save the stimulation overload and the back-and-forth with your companions about WHICH one to stop at (and believe me, those back-and-forth discussions are NO fun) -
http://www.westbankcafe.com/location.html

some great places on that strip are Bali Nusa Indah, Wondee Siam. Kyotofu is excellent (dining room in back - not the takeout place it would appear). There's a Mexican place Im blanking on. Mi Something

suitcaseready.com

I love 9th Avenue from 42nd to about 52nd or so. But I too would say there are many "good" and "good value" places, rather than what you might call "superb dining". My favorite Thai place is Room Service.

And while I agree with Starrs as to the quality of West Bank, it might be noted that it's about double or more the cost of many of the various "ethnic" places being suggested otherwise, so it depends on what you want to pay. For example, I normally spend less than half the cost of West Bank for a good lunch at Ollie's right next door. No $6.95 two course lunch specials, for example, at West Bank, as there are at many of the other places. (But I did join friends there for lunch just last week, by the way -- $25 per person with no liquor).

Yes, I agree with NeoPatrick. If your goal is "inexpensive", West Bank may not be the best bet for lunch. Their prix fixe dinner menu is a good value IMO, especially for that area. It's also a good place to go for coffee and dessert. I've described it before as "away from the chaos" of Times Square and love the atmosphere because of it.

I wish I could find a replacement for Sam's.

The only thing I'd say about this strategy is that it will certainly work better for casual, cheaper restaurants. Some of the best restaurants along 9th Avenue accept reservations and really require them for dinner on busy nights. So if you were looking to eat at Marseille, for example, you might be able to do this on a Tuesday but probably not on a Friday or Saturday.

And I'm not sure I don't like the blocks above 49th Street better than the blocks above 42nd (in total).

Basically, 9th Avenue is a good destination for restaurants near the Theater District but be sure to look on the side streets. Toloache, for instance, doesn't look like much from the outside but is really great, though it's on 50th St., east of 8th Ave., not 9th. Still, there are a few good choices on the side streets just off 9th as well.

Ok, thank you guys for all the info. If good value is to be found there, I will give it a go!
We are staying somewhere on Broadway and 50th, so it is not too far to have an evening stroll in the neighborhood during our 8 days stay. And it will be more fun than all the touristy restaurants around Broadway, methinks.

Thanks, back to packing now...

"...have an evening stroll in the neighborhood during our 8 days stay. And it will be more fun than all the touristy restaurants around Broadway, methinks."

Ummm, no. I don't think there's a "neighborhood" as you are imagining and you ARE in the midst of the "touristy restaurants around Broadway". That's why there are so many options to choose from.