dawn

We're staying near Columbus Circle in June with our 3 kids - 14, 16, 20 - looking for a good place for dinner on our first night (Monday) after a long drive in.

m

If you're willing to splurge a bit - approx. $30-60 per person (including wine & tax & tips - the food at Gabriel's - 11W. 60th St. Between Broadway & Columbus. Lusty, delicious Tuscan food. If that's out of your range. A bit more budget conscious would be Puttenesca @ 859 9th Ave @ 56th St. - very reliable and reasonable Italian. Lower budget - John's Pizza @ 65th St. bet Columbus & CPW. There are tons more choices, just be aware that this is still part of the theatre district and the restaurants are packed from 6-8pm. Try reserving. And search on citysearch or zagats. have fun.

sonny

What about Pomodoro Rosso? Anyone been there?

steve

Well, if you really want terrific, there is Jean Gorges in the Trump Hotel... but i think it runs about $85 a person for dinner before tax/tip. I'd imagine you probably weren't looking for something that terrific.
Shun Lee is an upscale Chinese place at around 66th - you can check Zagats - but that is also a little expensive - as I remember about $25 for entrees. John's Pizza is good (coal-oven pizza)- it's one of the best pizza places outside of downtown or brooklyn. It's a little far from Col. Circle, but I like River at Amersterdam and 75th (despite its low Zagat rating) - it is Thai/Vietnamese and will run 25-30/person for dinner. There are a bunch of places on Colombus Avenue in the 60's - 70's.

I've never been to Pomodoro Rosso, sorry.

Any particular budget or type of food you want?

lisa

Rosa Mexicano for upscale Mexican food. Excellent margaritas and they make the guacamole right at your table. Just off Columbus Circle.

dawn

Sorry - I guess I should have been clearer on my request. By terrific I meant interesting, really good food, and $30 per person or less. As we're from Canada, that's about $50 Canadian each for the five of us. I also didn't want to get too dressed up as it would be the evening we arrive after a long (9 hr.) drive. Thanks for any suggestions.

Ellen

It is going to be hard to find quality food for under $30 per person in that neighborhood. Not impossible, but you are limited. If you can stray from the area a bit, I recommend Good Enough to Eat at 483 Amsterdam between 83rd & 84th. Totally Americana cooking in big portions (enough to share on many of the dishes which helps to keep the tab down). Also, comfort food is good after a long haul in the car. Another good one is Sambuca at 20 W. 72nd St between Columbus and Central Park West. Family style Italian, also great for sharing dishes. Both restaurants are family oriented and very casual. I am not sure exactly where you are staying, but you might be able to walk it (good to stretch the legs after the car ride) or take the subway up. Keep in mind that with 5 of you, you will need 2 cabs to get anywhere.

Jess

Cafe con Leche(Amtserdam & 80th) for Dominican on the super cheap & very relaxed.
La Fenice(Bway & 68th) for fun tasty pasta--loud and busy.
Sapphire Indian(Bway & 60th) A little pricier($37 per person) but VERY tasty and right in the area.
Niko's(bway & 76th) Tasty traditonal Greek food in a kitschy atmosphere(plastic grapes). Everything is great, but they tend to be out of the baked pastas quite often.
Personally, I think Eat is pretty pricy for what you get, though it is cute. There are tons of reatuarants along Columbus, Bway and Amsterdam. Some are very average or just disappointing. I would do a search on www.zagats.com to see if there is anything that sounds great to you. Just avoid the Italian Baci like the plague--everyone I know hates it.

Glen

Pomodoro Rosso is one of the best, most friedly Northern Italian restaurants I've ever found! Highly recommend!!!!

Ellen

I could recommend tons of things, especially Central Park. Your teens will love the action there on the great lawn and where the roller bladers are. Rent bikes or bring their blades. I think it would help us if you gave us an idea of how long you will be here and what your kids interests are.

Ellen

Sorry, wrong thread. I think I got your two posts confused.

Dawn

Fellow Dawn,
$30 per person or less? in Columbus Cirle area? For dinner? My suggestion is to stop for dinner on the way down from Canada. Not trying to be snotty - just trying to give you advice that for dinner, that will be hard to find. especially in that area pre-theatre.

To cut down on costs, try going to Shun Lee palace west for dim sum at lunch. Not sure if they are open though on weekdays.

Since you have kids, you may want to walk over to the area where the Hard Rock, the Harley Davidson area is. (7th and 55th). You should find a place over in that area for dinner.

John

Hi Dawn:

"Oh Canada my home and"....oops, sorry I feel very Canadian after skiing Banff!! Head over to Ninth avenue for some good priced resturants! One of my favorite bargains is "Ralphs" on 56th and ninth. "Red sauce Italian". Stick with the spagetti (putenesca is great!) and the house wine and you will get out for under $30/ Person..including Italian Cheese Cake!
JOHN

hamlet

I think about $30pp is feasible, as long as you're not looking at "fine dining," but good food, and not planning on a 3 course meal for all with lots of alcohol. Headed in the opposite direction most people here have chosen... On West 56th between 8th & 9th is Bricco, a cozy, pretty & kid-friendly Italian restaurant with a variety of entrees and brick oven pizzas. There's also lots more to choose from in the West 50s on 8th and 9th Aves. Be sure to post back in June and let us know what you found!