How old is the granddaughter? If she's within the right age range, she'd love going to the American Girl store and you could eat there too. Of course, neither option will be inexpensive - but it may be the highlight of her trip. I was with a friend and his daughter a couple of years ago and she was thrilled!

http://www.americangirl.com/stores/location_ny.php

The afternoon tea would make for a wonderful memory.

Starrs: Sad to say I cannot help you, although I promise to walk along that block sometime soon and check it out. Although I live in midtown (at the east edge of the area), I do not often eat in midtown center, except for very occasional forays to places that would not be of interest to the OP.

The other place for fairly cheap steak is Le Relais de Venise on Lexington/52nd Street. Again, I have not been there. It is a mini-chain that originated in Paris.

http://www.relaisdevenise.com/newyork/

One night last year I had to stay in a nearby hotel when I had my floors refinished and we had dinner here; it was not bad and the eggplant dish was fantastic:

http://newyork.seriouseats.com/2009/...w-opening.html

ek, that would be great if you could. It's not a "name" place by any means. I think it's just before the parking garage. I think it's almost directly across from the side door of the Hilton. Oftentimes, I had access to the club level of the Hilton, but if I didn't my breakfast always came from there. When four of us would come into the city for a girls' weekend, we'd sightsee all day, stop by there in the afternoon to buy whatever each of us wanted for dinner and have a picnic in the room as we rested before a show. Their egg salad sandwich is the best I've ever had. Again, it's just one of the many markets/delis in the city with only a few chairs to eat, but might be a good stop for the OP and his family on the way out on their adventures in the mornings. Good food and not expensive.

FOUND IT! The W. 53rd Gourmet Deli

http://www.yelp.com/biz/53rd-gourmet-deli-new-york

To the OP - I'm sure there are plenty of places like this in NYC, but it's about a block (a long block) from your hotel, and if you are walking in that direction would be a good place to have an inexpensive but good breakfast. Or, if you are walking home, a good place to grab snacks, sodas, beer, etc. After reading the reviews at the link, I'm not the only one that stopped there 1 to 2 times a day

Oh, good.

By the way, if the subject interests you, this book is a good, easy read that will give you a new appreciation of the people who run those "delis," not to be confused with the authentic NYC "deli," or meat palace.


http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/20/bo...yder-howe.html

starrs --my granddaughter is 11--American girl sounds fantastic( for her not me) thanks so much for all the advice. Ya are wonderful.

Oh, good! It's an amazing experience. I went with a friend and his daughter and it was the highlight of her trip. She WAS a bit overwhelmed though but absolutely loved it.

You probably already know, but be sure to go to FAO Schwartz. It's a magical place for kids. I usually enter and go straight up the escalators. You get to see the giant stuffed animals AND get on an upper level that is often not as crowded. If she likes ballet and pink tulle, the tutu department is like walking through a pink tulle wonderland. So many things to see. Smurfs dioramas. Harry Potter clothing and accessories. The piano/keyboard from Big.

I'm not sure of the schedule of the perfomances, but it's amazing! Watch!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kBlF0sIUBYs

http://www.fao.com/home/index.jsp

Catty-corner across from the store - and across the street from the Plaza hotel are the carriage rides into Central Park. A lot of people think the rides are "touristy" and not worth the money, but a carriage ride in Central Park really is a memory maker.

She probably hasn't heard of it (and okay to skip if she hasn't) but Dylan's Candy Bar is quite a sight -
http://www.dylanscandybar.com/

There's a Crumbs cupcake store around the corner from your hotel and a Magnolia's in Rock Center (mentioned before).
http://www.crumbs.com/

My two favorite museums for that age are -
http://www.amnh.org/visitors/
http://www.tenement.org/

Have a great trip! So many things to see and do!