Has anyone eaten at the Avenue Bistro on Columbus Ave in NYC. What did you think?

Avenue has a really wonderful brunch and a very friendly atmosphere. They are quite family friendly and make their own baby food so you will find lots of small children. The food is very good, nicely presented. I love their "Devils on Horseback", bacon-wrapped scallops.
If you want steak-frites in the area, I would head to Bicyclette, across the street.
For more innovative French food, try Les Routiers on Amsterdam & 88th.
Mirabelle on 86th & Columbus serves very traditional food in a very homey setting. The owners are always on site and will chat with you(in French) about your dinner.
A new Provencal rest. is opening later this month on Bway & 88th. It will be called Aix.
If you need any other recs for the area, ask away. I live in the neighborhood and eat out a few times a week--I've tried most every place in the 'hood.

Jess,
How wonderful to hear from some one who lives in the neighborhood. The wife and kids and I are coming to NYC on our annual Fall/Winter visit arriving on the 26th of Dec. I plan to take them on a carriage ride and to the Rock. Center Tree, and then I thought we would head back towards our lodging at 94th St. and find a nice restaurant in the area for dinner. I had in mind La Mirabelle or Avenue Bistro. The kids are used to upscale restaurants and these were recommended to me for kids who can do more than Shoney's or McDonald's. So, for a cozy Winter's night dinner with the family, which one of these would you recommend? We've been to Pomodora Rosso a few times and really enjoyed it. Thanks for the info.

Hi Jess. We are staying at the Beacon later this week. Any recommendations for restaurants or bars nearby would be appreciated.

Glen, I would probably go with Avenue over La Mirabelle, since the food is a little better. Another idea is Celeste, a brand new Italian place on 84th & Amsterdam. I was just there Friday and the food was amazing. The fried artichokes were better than the ones I had in Rome! There were lots of kids, even at 8:30. Its relaxed, but still high quality.

If you're looking to have an adults-only dinner, try Compass, 70th & B'way. It has been getting rave reviews--for good reason. Really great food, especially fish, and they send you home with scones for breakfast. Everyone I know has just loved it.

Sounds like a wonderful trip. I'm never in town for the holidays, so I always like to hear about other people's NYC festivities.

You indicate the hotel is on 94th ST. If it is the Quality Hotel on Broadway and 94th all the restaurants mentioned by Jess are within walking distance. You will also find any number of restaurants in the immediate area - Chinese, Cuban/Chinese, Italian, MExican and Peruvian to name a few. There are also three diners where you can go for breakfast. There are also the inevitable fast food places - there is a McDOnalds on the next block.