travelisfun

We're going to have four nights in NYC and I'm looking for the four best restaurants for us to have dinner at each night. We're looking for things that aren't too out of the way (probably staying near Times Square), are fun, good food, and give us a good "NYC experience." No preference on cuisine or price--just not ALL really expensive. Two of them will likely be before or after a Broadway show (we're already leaning toward Joe Allen's). Celebrity sightings wouldn't be a bad thing, either! Thanks for the help!

wantsomesun

The Union Square Cafe
Blue Water Grill
Cafe 1,2,3
Anyplace on Restaurant Row

Patrick

If I were doing four dinners only, my choices would be Gramercy Tavern (simply spectacular food), Le Bernadin (greatest seafood you may ever have), Osteria del Circo (lively, trendy, more casual, medium priced, and great eating), and Joe Allens (just for fun, the celebrity sightings, and to relax the budget from the first two).
You can walk to all except Gramercy, fairly short taxi or subway.

MFNYC

Union Sq Cafe, Blue Water Grill and Grammercy Tavern are all very good but not in Times Sq area. They are all easy enough to get to but may be inconvenient for before or after a show. Many of the Times Sq restaurants are touristy but there are some good ones around there too. I like Brasserie 8 1/2, Cite and Judson Grill. None of these are cheap but they may have pre-theater specials. The Carnegie Deli would be a NY experience and not as expensive. Look at chowhound.com for info on NYC restaurants.

MFNYC

Let me add, many of the places mentioned are very popular. Make reservation in advance.

suzanne

Gramercy Tavern is the best...it's only 1.5 miles from Times Square, not too far out of the way. Definitely worth the (expensive) price!!

Aquavit is also sensational - it's a Scandinavian restaurant (i.e., lots of seafood) that serves you many small portions ("tastings"). It's in the old Rockefeller mansion on 54th (?) between 5th and 6th Aves. Yes...it's also very expensive.

Some less expensive restaurants with very good food in the Times Sq area are: Becco (though I've never been there myself), Delta Grill (yummy Cajun/Southern) and Island Burger (a real hole in the wall with 50 types of burgers). Becco is on Restaurant Row (46th? between 8th and 9th) and DG and IB are on 9th Ave in the high 40s/low 50s. There are a TON of restaurants in this area, and the ones on 9th aren't typically crammed with tourists...as restaurants near Times Square tend to be (even the really BAD ones).

No_name

Grammercy Tavern, Blue Water Grill

Loki

Grammercy Tavern, Nobu, Daniel, Blue Water Grill

hleesa

I agree with Blue Water Grille in Union Square. Also try Asia de Cuba (you need reservations far in advance to go there).

Cher

All of the above are great suggestions ... I also like Gotham Bar and Grill and Red Eye Grill.

andy

My absolute favorite is Le Bernardin-
Everytime we go to NYC , we eat there-
Best FRENCH seafood you will see anywhere-
The Chef was on David Letterman tonite-

You need to make reservations before you get to NYC- 1 month in advance- it is FABULOUS!!!!! and expensive....

len

I think an $8 dollar cab ride directly over the bridge into Brooklyn for a Peter Lugers steak would be so memorable. Bobby Flay has a place on 5th ave. and twenty something street that I though was delicious.