A quick dinner by Top of the Rock
 

We are flying in late afternoon to LaGuardia and staying at Staybridge by Times Square. I would like to go to Top of the Rock for sunset, which will be a tight to include dinner somewhere. Are there places to grab a quick bite for dinner nearby?

There are numerous restaurants in the area. How quick and what type of bite are you interested in?

Not sure this is what you're looking for - are you looking for a quick bite BEFORE heading up to catch sunset?
If so, perhaps the Dean & Deluca Café at Rockefeller Plaza would be nice? But looks as though they close early:
Monday-Friday 7am-7pm • Saturday & Sunday 8am-6pm

Do you want dinner BEFORE ToTR - will be quite early - or afterward.
What is you budget?
What types of foods do you like/dislike?

I've been waiting for the OP to return, but since she hasn't, I've been wondering the same thing. I'll be visiting w my mom and her friend in mid-August. We arrive at Penn Station 6:30-ish, check into our hotel in the Times Square area. I'd like to do TOTR at sunset that night, but we'd need to eat first, since Mom has medicines she has to take within a defined time, and with food. Mom and her friend are not foodies and since this meal will likely have to be quick, I'd rather it be on the cheap side.

Also, Mom would like to see the 21 Club (apparently it has appeared in a lot of the novels she's read through the years). I was wondering about grabbing a quick meal before TOTR, then heading to 21 for a drink after. Is that possible? I know there's a bar room there -- is there a bar? One where two old ladies and one almost old lady can show up at 10PM on a Friday, have a drink and people watch for half an hour or so?

Trattoria Trecolori is in Times Sqaure, and we've had decent (if not memorable) Italian food there several times.

Thanks, Mare. I'll check it out.

Sunset in August is 8 pm or even earlier - so getting to the hotel (7 pm?) , checking in and dropping stuff (7:15?) having something to eat will be very difficult (as in 30 minutes). If your mom has to eat at specific times I might change when you do ToTR. You won;t be able to eat at TT - or any restaurant - in 30 minutes.

You might try the Cafe Edison which is a sort of upscale coffee shop - and has a huge menu - so you can probably get out very quickly if you order something very casuale - omelet or burger or something.

I was surpised to learn that the sun sets nearly a full hour earlier in New York than it does in Indiana at that time of year. I've posted a separate thread w/ our proposed itenerary on it where I'm thinking maybe we should have a sandwich on the train before we arrive?

Too bad though, TT sounded pretty good and I don't know when else we can fit it into our tight schedule.

Does Cafe Edison serve breakfast?

Yes, it serves breakfast - but closes early in the evening - only stays open until about 9 pm. Do realize that it is basic but the food is decent.

The 21 Club is quite an upscale place. Make sure to dress accordingly. It's one of the few places in NYC that still requires men to wear jackets after 5. I think it's a mistake to try to squeeze dinner in before sunset at TOTR. Save TOTR for the following day. YOu'll be rushing around like chickens without heads rather than enjoying the visit. Don't make this a ticking things off a list kind of visit so you're not enjoying the moment. The View restaurant inside your hotel (you're now at the Marriott Marquis, yes?) is not known for great food but it's the only place in the NYC that revolves. Settle into your room, freshen up and enjoy the sunset relaxing in your hotel and watch the changing view.

Thanks for the responses. I will check into Cafe Edison. To answer questions from posts, I was hoping to grab a quick bite before TOTR. I should mention I will be traveling with teens, so a quick bite could be burgers, pizzas, etc..

I do not know of specific examples around Rock Center, but every neighborhood has "delis' that offer breakfast specials, where you can save a lot of money. They are often on the side streets and will have muffins, bagels, buffets, and made to order eggs.

Faye, I haven't eaten there but there's a Shake Shack in Times Square, maybe a 10 minute walk from TOTR.

If you want to eat near your hotel instead of near TOTR, there is a Greek restaurant near the Staybridge. It's called Dafni's and it's quite good. If you wanted to be really quick, you could order takeout for your group and eat it at your hotel. Portions are large.

Here's a list of the restaurants AT Rock Center -
http://www.rockefellercenter.com/shop-and-eat/

When you are looking at the Prometheus sculpture, look for the elevator. Take it down to the food court area and entrance to shops under street level.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/wallyg/454804657/

It's a great place to stop when folks are hot (or cold in winter) or tired. Go down to air-conditioned comfort, sit for a few minutes and maybe have a coffee at Starbucks or ice cream at Ben and Jerry's.

If you want a nice meal, try the Sea Grill -
http://www.patinagroup.com/restauran...taurants_id=31

Which restaurants on your lists Starrs, did you like?

Adu, I've avoided arguments with you on this topic before and I'm avoiding it again.

I hope you have a good day.

Just note that many of the restaurants (Hale and Hearty, etc) in the food court close by 6 or so.

Just asking what restaurants you like.

edeevee says -
"Mom and her friend are not foodies and since this meal will likely have to be quick, I'd rather it be on the cheap side."

Faye, the OP, says -
"I was hoping to grab a quick bite before TOTR. I should mention I will be traveling with teens, so a quick bite could be burgers, pizzas, etc.."

That list includes several options that may work for both travelers' groups.

They may find it helpful to know there there are options right at Rockefeller Center.