poorgradstudent

Looking for advice on some great eats. My husband and I plan on just walking around Tuesday afternoon and checking out the storefront window holiday displays mixed with a little last minute shopping, maybe occasionally stopping to grab a bite to eat or something warm to drink before moving on.
I'm looking for suggestions of little cafes, bakeries, deli/sandwich shop type haunts that we might pass that might have something too good to pass up. No Starbucks(es?) please. We'll probably be wandering around midtown east mostly, I'm guessing, but there's the possibility we'll roam up along the east side of the park. Any suggestions?

BTW, we're staying at the LPM and will certainly hit the Burger Joint there - but also any neat holes in the wall nearby we'd love to hear about.

nytraveler

knoshing is spelled with a "k".

obxgirl

I guess nytraveller has nothing of value to add other than picky spelling issues. For the record nyt, it can be spelled without the "k" too.

Too bad. Hope you get some more helpful replies. I'll be there in January with my daughter and would love to hear about the sorts of places you've asked about.

Patrick

Thanks, obxgirl. I thought I'd usually seen it spelled nosh!

I'm not sure that I have any great suggestions, but if you're near Bloomingdale's, Serendipity has really great chili in addition to their famous desserts and frozen hot chocolate.

ParrotMom

Try going to www.chowhound.com the Manhattan board

Gekko

To most New Yorkers, including me, there isn't really much of an answer to your request other than, if you're walking around midtown Manhattan, you'll be surrounded by zillions of great eating options at every turn.

Without more specific location info, it's tough to pinpoint for you a great option or two, because there are so many.

An exception is 5th Avenue along Central Park (north of 59th Street). Along there, you won't find any food at all. On your left will be the Park; on your right you'll find residential buildings.

And there's certainly nothing wrong with Starbucks -- New Yorkers flock to them like the salmon to Capistrano.

Enjoy NYC!

Scarlett

On the Westside, on Columbus is a Maylasian place called Penang. Excellent food, sweet rice, all the hot tea you want and very good chicken sate.
They are not expensive and I love eating at the window, watching the people going by while eating, and the spicey food will keep you warm for the rest of the afternoon~
I second Serendipity ... of course
They make lovely Hot Chocolate, many an afternoon, the Yankee and I have had afternoon tea there, I with my pot of Earl Grey and a dish of toasted Irish Soda bread..he with coffee and a dessert.
They make a chicken sandwich on Irish soda bread that is wonderful, nothing like any chicken sandwich you have had before.
If I ate meat, I would eat their chili too!
I always thought it was spelled NOSH.

Scarlett

Looking twice at the title, it could also be Gnashing throught New York City which is what most visitors and drivers are doing these days
Lotsa crowds!!

luv2fly

Excuse my ignorance, you mentioned your are staying at the LPM. What is the LPM?

Scarlett

I am guessing Le Parker Meridien?

lisettemac

Here's an idea: if you are in midtown, you might consider eating at the Tea Room at Takashimaya department store. It's a Japanese department store on Fifth Avenue and 53rd street (or so). Downstairs, they have a lovely tea room with dozens of types of tea, sandwiches, salads and a daily bento box. It's truly a relaxing experience as the atmosphere and service are very calming.

Another suggestion would be to eat in the food court at Grand Central. It's not your mall food court with fast-food chains, they have local restaurants like Two Boots Pizza (which has a full dining room and offers wine/beer), Zocalo (mexican), Junior's (diner with the BEST cheesecake), Indian food, sushi, kosher food, etc, etc, etc.

lisettemac

Oh and while we're correcting, it's "like the swallows to Capistrano" Gekko, not salmons!

HowardR

Here's another New Yorker who has no idea what LPM stands for! (Most of us New Yorkers really don't talk--or write--in initials. LES, UWS, etc.?...Forget it. We say, "Lower East Side" or "Upper West Side." OK, I feel better now that I got that off my chest!)

Patrick

Surely when Gekko said New Yorkers flock to Starbuck's like salmon to Capistrano, what he/she meant was that no New Yorkers go there. Right? Since there are no salmon going to Capistrano. I assumed he was suggesting that only tourists go to Starbucks, that New Yorkers don't. Could he be serious? New Yorkers DO flock to Starbucks. Guess the simile was wasted on me in either case.

obxgirl

I interpreted it the same way you did Patrick.

lisettemac, thanks for mentioning Takashimaya. I have only been once to the store but didn's visit tea room. I loved that place.

Gekko

You good folks are showing your age. "Salmon to Capistrano" is an oft-quoted line from the Jim Carrey classic "Dumb & Dumber." It's a movie -- a "talkie" if that helps. Ha Ha!

And I'm a New Yorker and go to Starbucks just about every day for the coffee (not the mediocre stale "food" or the mochofrappacinowhipped joke of the day).

LPM should be obvious to every New Yorke given the burger joint reference -- Le Parker Meridien hotel. LPM also offers one of the best breakfasts in town at Norma's -- but it's very expensive.

Now if I could only find a place where the beer flows likes wine . . . .

Tandoori_Girl

I second Grand Central Station -- but in addition to going to the food court downstairs you should try the food market located in Grand Central that exits on Lexington. I hope I have that right. The entrace is on the ground level inside Grand Central, just opposite the escalator that goes to/from the food court on the east side. This is mostly for people to take food home but it is an interesting food experience, and you can get a bite of cheese, a sample of this or that, bakery goods, etc.

Patrick

OK, Gekko, I agree I must be showing my age. But if showing my age means I'm unable to quote lines from Dumb and Dumber, then I'll wear my age proudly!! LOL.

Shebs

I like La Bonne Soupe. It's a French Bistro (Omelettes, Fondue, Salads, Soups... esp the onion soup, etc). Located at 48 West 55th Street (between 5th & 6th Ave). Across the street is also a delicious Japanese noodle soup place called Menchenko Tei. Both are good places for a quick bite.

fab

If you really are a "poor grad student", do not go to Takashimaya - very pricey. La Bonne Soupe is an excellent recommendation (their onion soup is to die for). I am not a big fan of Serendipity, I find it expensive and touristy. I suggest Brasserie 8 1/2 for a drink (9 W 57th St and 5th Ave.). For good Italian food and cool ambiance Serafina is a good option. They have several locations, among them 61st St. (bet. Madison & Park Aves.) and 58th St. (bet. Madison & Park Aves.)- don't worry, this is not a chain type of place, it's got personality.