Dinner/drinks with French cousins....something oolala
 

Hi all

Saw the article on the roof bars in NYC and would love to take my cousin (48) and her daughter (26) to Press, in the Ink48 hotel. Is it a madhouse? We will be in the city on a Mon and Tues night. I've read about 230 Fifth last year and always wanted to go. Are there long lines and a wait?

I would also like to take them to a restaurant serving American food (not burgers, chicken) but more Bobby Flay preferrably downtown (soho, village) so we can do some shopping beforehand and then have dinner. Don't want to spend over $30 for entree.

Thanks!

If you like Bobby Flay, why don't you go to Bar Americain. It's not downtown, but it's easy to get to or from downtown for drinks before or after. There's a rooftop bar at the Dream Hotel (55th/Broadway) that's within walking distance of Bar Americain if you choose to go that route.

I suspect that Monday is the quietest night of the week for rooftop bars, Tuesday second-quietest. Thursday is busiest. But you may have to wait regardless, especially right after work, when these places get busy. I walk past Rare View on Lexington often, and there's usually a line, but I don't frequent these bars, so I can't say how long the lines are.

Bar Americain in ok, not something all that interesting I don't think.

A good friend lives in London. She craves Mexican food whenever she comes back to New York because she can't get decent Mexican food in Europe.

I think Crema on West 17th or Zarela's on 2nd Avenue are both good. (Though the latter might be getting a bit tired.)

Obviously, there are numerous other Mexican places in New York that run the gamut from nice to not that nice but with great food.

If going the Bobby Flay route than perhaps Mesa Grill offers something a bit different. To be honest, it's been a long time since I've been there so can't vouch for how well it has held up.

Lots of other people will have read that article too so how crowded depends on how soon this is happening. Press is midtown so if you want to shop downtown and be nearby, it's not in the right area. There are some other rooftop bars listed here http://nymag.com/nightlife/barbuzz/11025/ including the one at the W Downtown which is not yet opened and the one at Trump Soho hotel which is new.

The Woolworth Tower Kitchen might be a fun place for dinner.
http://www.thewoolworthtowerkitchen.com/index.html

Do you know about menupages.com for restaurants?

The one spot that was left out of the article is the roof top bar and snack bar at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. A spectacular view of Central Park and the NY skyline - plus the Bambu art installation.

Thanks all. Mclaurie, thaks for the additional rooftop bars link. I definitely want to do that and we will probably go early and then head to dinner.

I did want to go to the Met to see the Bambu exhibit but I hate to spend $60 for an hour visit. I could certainly spend the whole day there but we only have 3 days in the city.

I've been to Bar Americain and liked it very much. Something like that or Gotham Grill or Blue Hill (very expensive I heard)

How about HOME?

thanks again!

It's interesting you say that. Gotham is much more expensive than Bar Americain, and Blue Hill is about the same. But here's the problem with Blue Hill. I LOVED the food when I ate there, but I just don't think you get enough for the money. I consistently mock people who say they leave fancy restaurants hungry. That has never happened to me. Yes, sometimes portions in fancy restaurants are small, but they pack in both flavor and calories. You'll easily get 1,200 to 1,500 calories from a single meal in a fancy NYC restaurant.

But the portions at Blue Hill are so tiny that it's almost unbelievable. You get perhaps 3 oz. of pretty much unadorned meat for over $30. The signature appetizer is a single mildly cooked egg with some additions for $15. Seriously? An egg? There is no egg in the world, no matter how well cooked that is worth that much. And the wine prices are just amazingly high. I can't recall anything on the wine list under $50 (the wine list isn't posted on the restaurant's web site, so I could be mis-remembering, though).

OK ... sorry for the rant. It's a great restaurant and has an excellent sustainable food philosophy. It's just overpriced, something I would not say about Eleven Madison Park or Le Bernardin.

Have you considered Maialino at the Gramery Park Hotel? It's Italian and not cheap, but it's no more than Gotham, and the hotel has its own popular rooftop bar. And it's kind of downtown.

There has to be an American restaurant in Soho or the village that serves good food and is not over-priced. I heard good things about Blue hill but like you Doug, I'm not going to spend $15 on an egg. I felt the same way about Danube - beautiful restaurant - little food.

If my cousins weren't French I would take them to Balthzar (sp?).. I enjoyed that.

There are loads of good American restaurants downtown. The Little Owl, for example, though it's tiny and hard to get a table.

But why not Balthazar? It's still a great place and has a nice vibe and good food. Or you could try Freeman Alley, which is nearby; I've heard good things about that from friends who eat lunch there often, though I don't know about dinner.

What about Pearl Oyster Bar? Great New England seafood in the West Village and less than $30 entrees. What could be better than lobster rolls and blueberry pie? My only caveat would be that table seating for 4 or more is limited, and you'll need to either get there early or late, or plan on waiting. But Mon (if they're open) or Tues might not be bad.

Are you talking about the recent NY Times roof bar article? I thought that was a good one for pointing out how awful most roofbars are. But I know there were a couple he liked--I'm guessing the ones you picked were those. I agree that the roof at the Met is spectacular though the cocktails are very ordinary.

Actually I'm leaning towards North Square. It was mentioned on another link... unless of course you have eaten there and it was horrible

yes, that is the article I'm talking about. I think my cousins would love that.... and we are staying for one drink

thanks everyone

The Met museum is pay what you wish entry so there's no need to pay the $20/person. Just hand them whatever you want to pay and say "3 please". They won't bat an eye. I like North Square for their jazz brunch but it's a pretty casual atmosphere for a special dinner. The Met is closed on Mondays unless it's a holiday weekend. One way to find restaurants near any bar you pick is to map the bar on maps.google.com and then use the search nearby function for restaurants. Slate might be fun. http://www.menupages.com/restaurants/slate-plus/

you might try chowhound.com for restaurants--theyre full of foodies

My French goddaughter took me to Balthazar and we loved it. http://www.balthazarny.com/

I was afraid to say that myself, but since Doug did also, I'll agree.

A food writer friend whose taste I trust just took her elderly aunt to Mesa Grill (the aunt's choice) for dinner. My friend was not enthusiastic to go, but called me after raving - food was really good, apps were better than entrees, but entrees were still tasty. I'm stunned - I live 2 blocks from Mesa Grill and haven't been there in years. It's not that cheap tho . . .

Little Owl, Pearl Oyster Bar, Mary's Fish Camp, Perilla, D'ell Anima, Snack Taverna, Blue Ribbon Bakery or Blue Ribbon, Five Points, Savoy, Aldea or Apiary might work for you - check out reviews and menus at:
http://nymag.com/restaurants/?f=food

I also thought of Balthazar. I think it would be fun to see what Frenchmen think of this American version of their restaurants.

YOu should come to the Meat Packing district - arrive a bit early and take a walk along the high line for a wonderful view of the Hudson River. Then you can eat in any number of great places, 2 of our favorites are Pastis and Standard Grill (then go to the roof of the standard for an unbelievable view and bathrooms with floor to ceiling windows - probably the best NYC bathrooms around - the Boom Boom room up there has been getting alot of press but you should be OK with not so long a wait on a monday or tuesday). Can also check out The Chelsea Market which has amazing food and wares and some really cute places to eat/snack. If you want a great american burger check on BIlls Burgers on 13th and Hudson or the Corner Bistro

sbhask = great suggestions but saw your info too late!

We ended up going to Top of the Strand early to beat the rush (just in case) and had a good time. very comfortable although I think getting rid of some of the planters and adding more seating is a good idea. Had one drink and headed back to times square. Not what I wanted to do but my sister was with me and she didn't want to go downtown/uptown. Don't get me started....

we ended up having a great dinner at Blue Fin on the corner of W 47th st and I believe Broadway. the food was good, I didn't see any tourists (a few maybe) and there was a jazz duo playing. I was pleasantly surprised and my cousins loved the food.

thanks for all the great suggestions...hopefully my husband and I will try all of them.