NewInUK

I'm in NYC for a conference May 2-3 and will be staying at the Marriott on Broadway. I want to avoid the tourist trap places and experience some truly great food. I'll also be 5+ months pregnant so won't likely want to walk too far on the first night (hoping to book Babbo for the Friday). Any suggestions? Open to all cuisines apart from sushi.

nytraveler

Not sure how far is too far (here we walk a lot).

Le Bernardine - 155 w 55th st is the best fish in the city - with prices to match.

NewInUK

Thanks nytraveler! I'm thinking at the end of a long day no more than 20 minutes? Of course happy to take a reasonable cab ride too, just curious about our semi-immediate surroundings...

mes2525

I work across the street. My colleagues like CaVa and Shake Shake in the Millineum Hotel on 44 and 8th, Orso on 46th Street, DB Bistro on 44th (between 5-6Aves) and Resette.

Dukey1

NewinUK, are you aware that the Marriott you speak of faces Times Square? Admittedly some would say that "Times Square" and "foodie" are oxymoronic but there will certainly be plenty to eat. Be adventurous!

ekscrunchy

Le Bernadin is an excellent restaurant but a large part of the menu is devoted to raw and lightly cooked fish seafood. You can certainly find cooked things to eat, however, and I would recommend highly; you must book several weeks in advance for prime times. The atmosphere is subdued and a bit corporate.

Someone who self-describes at a "foodie" should really get out of the immediate area. If you give a price range, I will try to offer suggestions. I like the Italian seafood place, Marea, just a few blocks north; the chef is in the league of Mario Batali, and their pasta dishes are probably better than most at Babbo on a given night.

http://www.marea-nyc.com/

A few blocks west, you have this bistro, opened by former chef of Le Grenouille:

http://la-silhouettenyc.com/

Jean Georges is a quick cab or train ride north and is one of our best restaurants;; elegant but not at all stuffy. Men need jackets, although they relax this policy at times for no apparent reason!

http://www.jean-georgesrestaurant.com/






I could go on and on but would like more input to zero in on appropriate responses.

nytraveler

Well - Le Barnardin is about a 10 minute walk away - perhaps 20 minutes if you stroll really slowly.

bspielman

I agree with eks: Marea is excellent. Michael White's cooking is, at the very least, the equal of Mario Batali's, and the atmosphere at Marea far exceeds that at Babbo, where the noise is deafening. If you are alone, you can dine at the very stylish bar. Marea is located on Central Park South, just steps east of Columbus Circle, a short cab ride from Times Square.

emd3

Another vote for getting in a cab...really can not think of anything worth it for a foodie to eat right around that Marriott and Times Square. There are some "just ok" places but nothing like the ones mentioned above.

Six months ago I was taken to a Greek seafood restaurant close to Grand Central called Ammos Estiatorio. It was very surprisingly wonderful, from service to the seafood, and everything in btwn. The grilled octopus app was phenomenal. Chef brought out several fresh fish on ice to show us so we could decide what to order for entrees. It was very fresh, well-prepared, and tasty. I have been back twice since then, unusual for me for NYC. This is not fancy French or Italian foodie food, but it is really good and solid, and I will go back yet again in May.

starrs

Probably not "foodie" enough for you but my favorite in the area is the West Bank Cafe. Very walkable from your hotel and not in the craziness of Times Square. I discovered it via a Fodorite years ago and I return on every visit to the city. I recently learned it's a favorite of my friend who grew up in the city. Anyway, take a look -
http://www.westbankcafe.com/menu.html

For virtually no walk, I like to sit in the front bar of Blue Fin and watch the parade go by while enjoying the parade of people walk by.
http://www.bluefinnyc.com/

Maybe not "truly great food" but two possible options to consider.

mclaurie

Danji (Korean), Hakkasan (Chinese), the Modern at MOMA and Gordon Ramsey at the London hotel (the man is no longer involved) are all within a 10-12 min. walk. Map http://goo.gl/maps/iy6Jf

Don Antonio is a pizza place that got a lot of foodie buzz when it opened. http://slice.seriouseats.com/archive...slideshow.html
map http://goo.gl/maps/ngi6h

ekscrunchy

The Dining Room at The Modern is an excellent idea. Request a table for two along the long window.

I would opt for that, if the budget allows, rather than the Bar Room at The Modern, which can get hectic and noisy and is far less "special" than the Dining Room. On a relatively limited budget, for midtown NYC, the Bar Room would be all right, but again, tends to be bustling, attracting many post-work diners looking for a light meal and drinks. Dining Room at same restaurant is far superior for a leisurely dinner.

http://www.themodernnyc.com/#/restaurant/diningroom


Would not recommend Hakkasan, which is rather overpriced and overblown.

Don Antonio is perhaps not the best option for a special dinner with "great food." Although they do serve good pizza!!



Also will recommend one of my local (I live not far away) standbys: Ma Peche, in the Chambers Hotel. Casual, interesting food....in the David Chang empire. But again, this is a fairly noisy spot not conducive to a relaxed and slow-paced meal.
http://momofuku.com/new-york/ma-peche/