Centralparkgirl

I'm going to be spending quite a bit of time around 16th and 1st while dh is in the hospital. Are there any good, clean coffee shops/diners where I can get salads, etc. I'm looking for something not more than 5 minutes or so away. Between 16th and 14th looks pretty scuzzy and north seems to be Stuy-town buildings. Thanks for any suggestions - really appreciate it! (I would prefer not walking over to Whole Foods.)

mp

Yes, right around Beth Israel is a bit of a wasteland.

There is a Petite Abeille on First Ave and 20th Street right on the corner on the east side of the avenue there: large, comfortable and quiet in the mornings during the week - very good croissants and eggs and good coffee. Big weekend brunch crowd.

For a more diner/coffee shop place, there is the neighborhood place, Coopertown Diner on 19th St and 3rd Avenue.

There is a joe Jr's on 3rd Ave and 15th St. - the vanishing breed of old time NYC diners.

VERY good coffee can be had at 71 Irving - which is at (you guessed it) 71 Irving Place bet. 17th and 18th.

I'm sure there is something on 2nd Ave and - oh yes, there's a good pizza place, Posto on 2nd Ave and 18th St.

best wishes for you & your husband.

Aduchamp1

First I hope all works out for husband.

Sinc I live in the area maybe I can help. Unfortuantely most of the places on Park South stink.

Chat n Chew
10 East 18th is acceptable

Big Daddy's
Park South and 19th is acceptable

City Bakery is excellent

Coffee Shop borders on disguating

Cafe De Ville on 13th and 3rd is a good place to park yourself for a while.

There is an inexpensive but satisfying Thai place on first and 15 where lunch is a good value.

Smith on Third and about 11th has servicable brgers and omelets.

doug_stallings

Joe Jr.: Really excellent hamburgers but not so much on the clean side. And for salads? Well, not so much.

If you want something different, I can highly recommend Elvie's, a Filipino restaurant on 1st Ave just south of 13th (east side of the street). But again, Filipino cuisine isn't salad-oriented.

The diner choices are much better if you go further north, and there's a really good diner between NYU Hospital and Bellevue (around 29th). But I can't think of the name. I'll try to find out. But that's more like a 10- to 15-minute walk.

Centralparkgirl

Thank you all for the suggestions. I'm noting them. I was also just looking for a place to pick up a good salad and bring it back to the hospital. And thanks for the good wishes!

mp

The grab and go salads and sandwiches from that place, 71 Irving are pretty good - check out their website.
http://www.irvingfarm.com/index.cfm?...rvingplace.cfm

There is also a good light Asian place for takeout called Chinos on 3rd and 16th - small plates, Asian tapas.

There is an Ess-a-Bagel at 1st and 21St.

Centralparkgirl

Doug - Is it East Bay Diner on the west side of 1st? I passed it while taking a cab home tonight. It is a bit far from where I am - a good location if you're visiting someone at NYU.

doug_stallings

Yes, that's it. East Bay Diner. It actually has good food, but you're right that it's not a 5-minute trip ... more like 10 or 12 blocks.

Starbucks has pretty good pesto chicken sandwiches, and also some good salads. And they are everywhere.

I wish I could be more help. I eat down in that vicinity a lot but not at salad places.

trsny

There's also Gramercy Cafe on 17th & 3rd. They have an extensive menu. I live in the area and there are a lot of options in this part of 3rd Avenue.

There is also the Lyric Diner on 22nd & 3rd, but that might be too far up and over for you.