Advice on NYC restaurants
 

I am coming to NYC just before Thanksgiving and am looking for places to eat out. I am not worried about them being the best restaurants, I am more concerned with the food being good. Any suggestions. I have also shortlisted the following places if anyone can tell me what they are like.<BR>Osso Bucco<BR>Sarabeths<BR>Jacques Brasserie<BR>Deux Amies<BR>Virgils<BR>Also can anyone tell me if the stores Christmas window displays will be on at that time.

I've eaten once at Osso Buco on University Place and the food was mediocre.<BR><BR>Virgil's is a very popular rib place on West 44th Street. Reserve ahead because it's always packed.<BR><BR>Sarabeths is very popular and precious. I've never been to Deux Amis and haven't heard of Jacques Brasserie.<BR><BR>Go to http://newyork.citysearch.com/section/restaurants for lots of info on restaurants. Also do a search on Chowhound.com and you'll get lots of good info.<BR><BR>Many Christmas window displays will be on - I'm not sure if Macy's or Lord & Taylor has them before Thanksgiving but you'll see many beautiful displays.<BR><BR>Have fun.

Those are all good restaurants. Check out the Time Out New York dining guide for the best low down on restaurants. My suggestions would be more restaurants where locals actually go..try 71 Clinton Fresh Food, Tabla, AKA Cafe, Hells Kitchen, and a host of others. BUt i think if you can get in..71 Clinton is one of the hottest restaurants around.

Go to Zagat.com. Print out the restaurants that sound likely and bring with you (better, yet, just go to a bookstore and buy the guide - it's small and you can carry it around with you). Have fun!

Ive also heard Tabla was really good

Zagats is good for phone numbers and addresses..for reviews I find it pretty useless. For top restaurants, Gotham, Gramery Tavern, Rosa Mexicana, Peter Lugers etc. Some of my favorite more local places are Max (Italian place in the East village on Ave B) Raouls (French Bistro onPrince) Nyonya (Malaysian food in chinatown) Pho Bang (Vietnamese on Mott St ) and for Korean you can't go wrong with any of the restaurants on 35th St east of Broadway in Korea Town.

OR<BR><BR>You could take a quick cab to Smith Street in Brooklyn and choose from at least twenty good restaurants on only ten blocks. After dinner you can stroll past our lovely brownstones.

FYI: As of a few days ago, you can no longer get zagat reviews online without paying a subscriber fee. I think it's something like $15/year. You can still get addresses & phone numbers. <BR><BR>I'm surprised they waited so long. I guess it was too good to be true.

Osso Bucco -- never eaten there, but the menu and look of the place doesn't impress.<BR><BR>Sarabeths -- very good. very popular, especially for brunch.<BR><BR>Jacques Brasserie -- used to be one of our favorites. I think it was better before it expanded. The food/service is still pretty good, though.<BR><BR>Deux Amies -- never been.<BR><BR>Virgils -- passable BBQ in a city where it's pretty tough to get great BBQ. Very popular. I'd make a reservation.<BR><BR>To answer your other question, I doubt the Christmas windows will be up pre-T-giving.<BR>

You left off my favorite, Il Mulino

Osso Bucco is not one of the really good restaurants, it's a decent neighborhood place. If you must go there they have good eggplant parm. There are many better Italian in the Village.

Virgils is the best BBQ in NYC in my opinion-- but if you are coming from the south you may be quite unhappy with the quality. ( so I have heard....) But, being from the North I think that it is great. But be prepared to wait-- it is always packed! (try to go after 8PM). Osso Bucco is a NYC chain place-- there are several in the city, some are better than others.

Some of my favorites:<BR><BR>Mary's Fish Camp and/or Pearl Street Oyster Bar (West Village): neither takes reservations, but both are excellent. Try them for lunch, as they seem to be less crowded.<BR><BR>Tartine in the West Village is a sweet little french bistro, byob, and a great value for the $. Walk over to Magnolia Bakery afterwards and treat yourself to the BEST cupcakes in Manhattan. Their ice cream is also superb!<BR><BR>Red Cat in Chelsea has great food and has a great vibe.<BR><BR>Lupa on Thompson in the Village is also delicious. Simple pasta dishes, some meat and fish and a fantastic antipasto selection.<BR><BR>My favorite burger in the city is Corner Bistro, also in the village.<BR><BR>71 Clinton, AKA Cafe and 1492 Food, all on the Lower East Side on Clinton St, are great after shopping in Soho and in the boutiques in "Nolita" and the Loewr East Side.<BR><BR>Osso Bucco is very mediocre and Sara Beths is nice, but just ok. <BR><BR>Have a great time!