I need to make a dinner reservation in the Mid-Town East(40s) area. Not a high end place, rather a good neighborhood spot. Any suggestions? Haven’t stayed in this area in years so need some help. Thanks.

1. Can the restaurant feature Asian food?

2. Could the boundaries be stretched, for example, to the low 50s on or near Second Avenue, or 30s near or on Lexington?

3. On what avenue is the home base?

Can it be stretched to the west?
Because my favorite place like that is at 407 W. 42nd Street, NYC 10036.
West Bank Cafe.

A place on the east side that I've not eaten at yet but plan to is at 132 E 39th St, New York, NY 10016.
Sam's place is a family owned neighborhood Italian place.
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaura..._New_York.html

Family gathering, flying in that day. Eks, yes to Asian and stretching boundaries to north in 50s.. Hotels are in 40s on 6th and 1st Aves. Worked in this area for 25 yrs but things change so fast. Have been staying in West Chelsea on recent trips so need help back up in this area. No to 30s.
Starrs, no to going to West side.
Thanks to you both!

I have a few ideas, but do know that I am not the expert in this area even though I live in the Far East 50s. We very rarely eat around here, but these are some good long-time popular places:

CRAVE FISHBAR. They have a very popular oyster happy hour and if you like fish it is a good one to keep in mind; ask for a booth.
Crave Fishbar

JUBILEE. . Consistently popular. What passes for a "reasonable" local place in this area.
http://jubilee.nyc

DEUX AMIS. Another consistenly popular old-timer.
https://deuxamisnyc.com/?utm_source=tripadvisor&utm_medium=referral

For Chinese, Shanghai style, there are some good ones along Lexington in the 30s, but I am not familiar enough to recommend. This one got a good write up in the New Yorker and I am meaning to try it. It's more attractive than the usual, one of the "newer style" Asian places opening up all around here.

LITTLE ALLEY

https://www.littlealley.nyc/menus

https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2...gs-of-shanghai

Thanks so much Eks. I had forgotten about Deux Amis. You have given me so many good and varied options which I greatly appreciate! . Thanks.
And Starrs, Sam’s Place looks interesting too.

Re Sam's Place - I've not been there (yet) but found it when I was trying to find where the Sam's that used to be in the theater district had relocated - if anywhere. It was my favorite place to hang out when just tired of walking around and my favorite pre-theater place. The food was VERY good. Service was outstanding. Great bartenders. Anyway, it's not the same Sam's but I've been following the place in the East 40s for a few years now. Good reviews -
https://www.samsplaceitalian.com/#!about

The only other place I could recommend in the general area would be the Oyster Bar at Grand Central -
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaura..._New_York.html
Laurieco and I met up there a few years ago. An amazing space but may be pricier than you want.

Sam's Place really does sound that the neighborhood feel you are looking for.

Another vote for Crave Fishbar. However, if you go early evening during the week it can be very crowded with people getting off work and having a few drinks. Definitely reserve ahead.

Ali Baba Terrace has good Turkish kebabs, koftes, etc. Ali Baba Terrace - Turkish Restaurant - 2nd, Midtown East NYC - Ali Baba Restaurant

Quite a bit more expensive but I think very good is Pampano, on 49th and Third. https://www.richardsandoval.com/pampano/ Modern Mexican cooking with an emphasis on seafood.

Did you all know that long-running La Mangeorie has closed? Second Avenue near 54th Street....I might have spelled it wrong and had not been there in a long time but it brought back memories of when my mom would visit and she loved the flowers and the very Provençal atmosphere...

Another one goes down due to NYC rent.

Once again, I wrote a long, long post only to have it disappear....I'm done....just wasted a half an hour.

Starrs, we think of the Grand Central Oyster Bar as a place for lunch and did consider it but are interested in some place new. My father used to love going there, lots of memories. Love the GC Terminal itself.
Thanks to Ekscrunchy, Starrs and Fra Diavolo for these added restaurants. We will have more nights to fill so am glad to have so many choices. Thank you all.
Eks, we have watched our favorites in Chelsea close, their old three story buildings torn down for more new multi million dollar condo buildings, killing the neighborhood's real heart.

Sorry your post disappeared, Ekscrunchy.. You really have helped me out with this trip. Thanks again.

Hi eks --

Sorry you lost you post. I'd heard La Mangeoire was closing. We went several times while Christian Delouvrier was cooking (killer cassoulet). We've since moved a bit more uptown so are a little out of the neighborhood.

Your comment about your mother -- my wife and I walked by the old Cafe des Artistes on the West side near Lincoln Center. My parents used to go there before the opera, and sometimes took me and my then girlfriend (now wife). Nice memories of a one-of-a-kind room. Now it's just another high-priced Italian, like we need more of those.

Don't know if this is too expensive but I had a nice meal at Robert: Robert

It has the double honor of its location in the Museum of Arts and Design building and a great view of Columbus Circle: https://madmuseum.org/

One of my very favorite neighborhood restaurants is Bistango on 29th and Third ave. It’s Italian. I know that pushes your location boundaries. There’s another in the Kimberley Suites hotel on 50th but it’s more expensive.

Today we had one of the best Chinese meals we ever had at Joe's Shanghai near MoMA. Now we eaten at Joe's in Manhattan's Chinatown and Flushing, but this location was on a different level in terms of quality, price, and service. They are known for their soup dumplings and they never disappoint, but my favorite dish of their is their rice cakes. They were incredibly tasty and perfectly prepared. We also had Eggplant in garlic sauce, and shredded pork. They each had a rich and silky sauce.

It is about 50% more than the the downtown version but worth it.

https://www.joeshanghairestaurants.c...menu4-2017.pdf

I've never been to that branch and its an easy walk so will ltry it soon..thanks!

For soup dumplings, I like Kung Fu in Flushing (just off the LIE) and they ahve a branch in Hell's Kitchen...my favorite Shaghai dish isi kaufu and there's is excellent.

Eks, we were surprised how good it is.

Do you have some recommendations for Hong Kong, we will be there a few days?

One I liked a lot, we ate there twice but not for dim sum, for dinner, was Fu Sing. Not the one in Causeway Bay but the one in Wan Chai. They had the most delicious pork dishes including cubes of Yunnan pork and many other delights. But that was maybe 7 years ago, so who knows. Not fancy.

If there is an HK branch of DTF, I'd seek that out, too.

Thank you Eks.