Fun NYC eats
 

Hi all, <BR>We'll be in NYC the week after Thanksgiving and would like to hear about any really fun or unique restaurants/nightspots/pubs where we can get in without ties, heels or reservations made last spring. Ethnic is good, prefer zany over Zagat.

For great advice/opinions on the ethnic food scene, check out chowhound.com. You might also see what Time Out N.Y. & the Village Voice's websites have to offer. <BR>I hesitate to give you specific picks. Who's "we"? What's "fun" for you? (I mean, Hard Rock is eternally popular, people used to flock to Planet Hollywood, I guess that's someone's, lots of people's, definition of fun. What's yours? How does slurping the soup out of a Shanghai dumpling in Chinatown or Queens tickle your fancy? (Now, that's what I call fun!) Or do you want ethnic but fancy? Post again, & I'll put on my thinking cap.

When we were there in October, we tried Xunta, a Spanish tapas bar in the East Village. A good portion of the patrons were there to socialize and drink sangria, but we got a table, actually a barrel, after we waited for about 20-30 minutes (on a Friday night,after the theater). The tapas were probably the best I've had outside Spain, definitely casual, no reservations needed. For a review, go to www.nytoday.com and search under Spanish restaurants if you're interested.

Try Mary's in a century old townhouse in the west village - bar is crowded and smoky - dining room upstairs is shabby chic - food is good. Check out the Angie Dickinson room too.

try Asti's in the Village, great italian and the waiters all sing opera. very fun.

John, <BR> <BR>There are so many great places in Manhattan...and I think you're correct, i.e., not wanting to dress up or make reservations months in advance. There are some great places in SoHo...but recently found a site that meets your criteria. I am uncertain of address, but do a search for foodline.com and see if you can access. It lists not only restaurants, but also suggests 'what to wear', lists the nightspots and even gives one directions! <BR>Hope this helps.