Casual restaurant upper west side NYC?
 

Hi,
Looking for a casual restaurant to take 3 young people- college age- for dinner. Thinking of Columbus Ave/Amsterdam area.
We're staying in Times Square but want to get away from the crowds. Also, are the shops open late there? Lived here years ago and remember lots of casual strolling at night there.

Thanks!
Terry

www.myADDstore.com

Kefi W. 79th St - casual, slightly upscale, very tasty Greek food - gets crowded after 7:00, cash only.
Josie's - W. 72nd St - healthy veggie 'California' food Amsterdam and 74th St.
Jacques-Imo's - pretty OK creole/cajun Columbus and 77th St.
Pasha - good Turkish Columbus and 71st St.

Check out menus and prices at www.menupages.com

Some shops are open late, some not - depending on days. Both avenues - and Broadway - have tons of restaurants with outdoor cafes - and lots of people strolling until midnight at least.

You could try Isabella's for Italian near the Museum of Natrual History or Cafe con Leche for Dominican or Ollie's for Chinese. Just check menupages.com for all the details and a ton of choices.

Thanks for the helpful ideas- will check them out with the gang here.

Terry
www.myADDstore.com

We had a nice dinner at Roberto Passon . . Italian in Hells Kitchen . .50th and 9th . easy walk from Times Square. Low key and quite.

http://www.opentable.com/rest_profile.aspx?rid=4791

Here is one of our favorite's on the UWS, casual, and you can eat outside (if it ever cools off . . .!)

Arte Cafe, 106 W. 73rd
http://artecafenyc.com/html/flash.html

Well, you got your Carne at Bdwy and 105 and just up Brdwy you've got Henry's and farther down Bdw. you've got the excellent and different Turkuaz

Ouest is a very nice spot.

Go to Cafe Lalo for desserts and coffee afterwards. http://www.cafelalo.com/ It's at 83rd/Amsterdam. It have been featured in the movie "You've Got Mail", and has a real European cafe vibe inside. A large cake selection and good specialty coffees.

Last time we were in NYC we ate at "A", an Organic French Carribean restaurant on Columbus Ave (upper west side between 106 and 107th st). It's listed with very high ratings in menupages.com under French and under Carribean (both headings). The food was wonderful.

I used to live on 82nd b/t Columbus and CPW, so this is my old turf.

Fred's at 84th and Amsterdam is terrific. It's looks like an old pub downstairs, but the walls are covered with "autographed" pictures of local dogs and puppies. Really good comfort food (burgers, mac and cheese, meatloaf, etc.). They also have outdoor seating.

I'm not sure when you are going to visit, but the Boat Basin is one of the hidden charms of the UWS. It's an outdoor grill/bar located on the Hudson under the West Side Hwy near 79th Street. It's a FANTASTIC place to get a burger, watch the boats and the sunset.

For cheap Thai, Land at 81st & Amsterdam is terrific. It's pretty sophisticated, and totally reasonably priced.

For great Italian, Celeste at 85th & Amsterdam consistently gets great reviews. It's usually mobbed (good sign). It's also cash only, so come prepared. The food is awesome, especially the linguini w/ white clams.

Cafe Lalo for dessert is a great idea - definitely a local landmark.

Nice Matin is a great French restaurant on 79th and Amsterdam w/ lots of outdoor seating.

I'll third the recommendation of www.menupages.com. It's really a great resource for this neighborhood.