By "vulgar", I would assume aduchamp meant "awful", and he/she would be right!

I don;t think the food is vulgar - but the portions could certainly be called so.

The OP hasn't told us a lot about the niece. Some 13 year olds are still childish - IMHO most are young women more interested in boys, clothes and the latest trends that space themes.

Sorry 321 for the over reaction.

In addition to the restaurants I listed above, I saw Little Pie Company on aduchamp's list and wanted to mention that the original shop is on 43rd, just west of Ninth Ave. You can get great mini pies of their popular flavors.

Another favorite place to pick up dessert in midtown is Amy's Bread, on Ninth & 46th/47th.

Thanks, again! My preference is to stay in the general area since we're taking the ferry into the city. The automat type place sounded interesting....She's a theater fanatic, if that's of any help!

New idea. Has she ever been to Joe Allen, THE theatre person hang out on 46th just west of 8th? Sunday is a great day, because more celebs seem to go after the show -- because they have the next day off. I'm not guaranteeing she'll see any Broadway stars, but I almost always have. Besides the food is reasonable and good. The walls are covered with theatre posters -- if they seem a bit strange or foreign, that's because the only requirement for a poster on the wall is that the production had to be a FLOP!
Here's a website and menu. Fun, casual place with friendly waiters.

http://www.joeallenrestaurant.com

NeoPatrick --- you are a star! It looks like Joe Allen's would be perfect....
Thanks so much...

OH, I don't think Sunday is their busiest night, but the deal is you normally need to call for reservations exactly one week before you go -- no earlier (and usually no later for after theatre dining at night). Call today and make sure you get still make a reservation for this Sunday. Don't worry about time -- tell them you're seeing Mary Poppins and they'll know when to expect you -- that's how it works.

I would put Ellen's on your list if not this time, then another visit if she's a theater fanatic. All the waiters and waitresses are aspiring Broadway performers, and they sing. My DD is also a theater fanatic and always enjoys going there.

I agree that Ellen's is fun, but is all the food as bad as breakfast there? When our whole wheat toast came out burned black we asked for some that wasn't, so after waiting and waiting (and they weren't at all busy, except for singing) they brought us out four slices of seemingly untoasted plain white bread.