I will be in New York in August and would appreciate dinner recommendations. I am sure it will be quite hot so it would be nice to eat in a restaurant that has outdoor seating. Will be staying at the Algonquin and something in that neighborhood would be preferable. Prefer French but am open to all other types of food.. Unstuffy place where one does not have to "dress up". I realize that NY is very expensive. Any comment on Cafe Boulud? I don't know NY therefore have little idea of distances.

A word of advice: Since it probably willb be hot in NY in August, you shouldn't be looking for a place with outdoor seating! It'll be too hot for dining al fresco. Better you since indoors with AC!
As for restaurant recommendations, since there are literally thousands to choose from, how about an idea on how much you want to spend in total (i.e., including tax, tip and gratuity).

FYI- there's a website called menupages.com which has reviews of NY restaurants as well as showing their menus so you can see what prices are. You can search by neighborhood in NYC, or by type of cuisine.

Buy a Zagat's, visit Citysearch & Digital City, and you'll have a better idea what interests you.

www.digitalcity.com
www.citysearch.com

Agree that for most nights in August outdoor eating is not a great idea - you are likely to melt. Also - be aware that any sidewlak cafe is subject to tons of exhaust and street noise.

If you want a place that has backyard seating - vs sidewalk cafe - that is much more rare - but I think would still be unpleasantly hot.

Also - although there are some outdoor places in midtown - they are much more common on the upper east and west sides - as well as downtown - where there is less foot traffic and sidewalks may be wider.

If you want backyard seating you might try consulting chowhound.com.

Thanks to all for your suggestions. I especially liked chowhound.I didn't think it would still be that hot in the evening! Glad I'm forewarned. I think you have solved my restaurant problem .

Even if it's pretty hot, dinner outside at Bryant Park Grill, not far from the Algonquin, behind the Public Library makes a wonderful evening.

Well, in case it is nice enough for outdoor seating, I would suggest Gavroche. It isn't in the neighborhood of the Algonquin (it's on 14th near 7th Ave), but it is a charming French bistro with a lovely garden in the rear.

Another French fave of mine is Les Halles. It is on Park around 28th. It is a French steakhouse -- great au poivre, mussels and frites, etc.

Neither are stuffy at all.

Gascogne (in Chelsea) and Le Jardin Bistro are 2 other French places with charming interior gardens but I agree it may be too hot.

Cafe Boulud is wonderful food but it can be a bit stuffy and you will have to dress up. DB Bistro Moderne is right next door to your hotel and is owned/run by Daniel Boulud of Cafe Boulud. They are famous for their fois gras burger. It would be less formal than Cafe Boulud.

Chez Josephine on 42 b/w 9th & 10th aves is a less formal fun French with live music. Jubilee on west 51 st. is a good option if you like mussels (moules frites). Cafe Un Deux Trois is just down the st. a block from your hotel. It's french and informal but the food's just "ok."

I thought I had my dining plans settled and then you, Patrick, my travel guru whose advice I would follow without giving it a second thought come up with new ideas. Followed by lisettemac and mclaurie who of course had no idea that moules frites are my all time favorites! So many choices, so little time. Thank you again.

I agree about Bryant Park Grill as a good choice for outdoor dining....except for the usual caveat of not doing it if the weather is hot and humid. Bryant Park Grill is also a good choice for an indoor Sunday brunch any time of the year.
And, of course, as usual, I also endorse Chez Josephine.

Some places in Little Italy have outdoor seting. I took my Mom there and we ate outside in a courtyard in one of the restaurants but I forget the name of it. Do a computer search for Little Italy and you'll get some good ideas.

Check out Django,Barolo,Provence,all are casual upscale with good food and atmosphere.
Cindy

Jubilee on W 51st has closed and is now reopend as Sortie. I understand at least one of the owners is still the same and they still feature mussels.

Another very nice French restaurant is Rene Pujol at 321 W 51st. A prix fixe dinner runs about $45.

try the garden at luxia on 48th near 8th.

Thank you for all the ideas. In light of your comments re the heat even at night we might change plans and go to an indoor restaurant. I'll see what the temperature is when I get to NY . You have given me great alternatives for which I am truly grateful. There is nothing like a first hand recommendation. Caroler,do you know if Sortie are as good as Jubilee was reputed to be?

FYI, Jubilee still has it's original location on east 54 st b/w 1st & 2nd. Markt in the meatpacking district is a Belgian good for mussels.

I haven't tried Sortie yet as it opened just last week. Can anyone else comment?

The Algonquin is our favorite hotel in NYC! Note that "Gaby" at the Sofitel next door is a terrific destination for cocktails, breakfast, lunch, late dinner. We love it there.

Here's a huge recommendation for Chez Josephine. We go there once or more on each visit to NYC. I recently received a card that they've added sidewalk seating. Definitely "unstuffy" and come as you are...if you like. It's especially nice later (after the pre-theater crowd and after the theater).

Another favorite of ours is Bistro Les Amis in SoHo http://www.bistrolesamis.com/ worth the trip for brunch, lunch or dinner. Great neighborhood for exploring in all directions.

One of the best outdoor terraces in the city is Maison, on the northwest corner of 57th/7th. Food (good) is moderately/low priced, though service can be slow - but it's a fabulous place for a leisurely repast (or just refreshments, good for breakfast, too) and watching the passing parade. We enjoy starting the day here and/or winding up the evening here, then strolling "home".

Another fabulous outdoor terrace spot is Cafe St. Bart's (50th/Park) for lunch.

Le Madeleine (43rd between 9th/10th) has a lovely indoor garden terrace...

We love brunch (weekends) or breakfast (weekdays) on the sidewalk at Rue 57 (SE corner of 6th/57th). (Don't recommend for lunch or dinner, menu not all that appealing, very, VERY, loud music.) Here, the a/c is blasting just inside next to the outdoor tables...

Many, many NYC restaurant menus are listed (as orangetravelcat noted) at http://www.menupages.com/ where you can search for French, by neighborhood...so you can check offerings and prices.

It will not necessarily be too hot and humid to enjoy dining outdoors...even on the hottest of days, once the sun goes down, it is usually quite pleasant, especially if you are dressed for the weather...indoors, many places are so overcooled you'll be shivering.

Wonderful French (quintessential and authentic French sort of place), moderate prices, fabulous food, at Pierre au Tunnel on 47th between Broadway and 8th. We love this place for lunch (but not after a big breakfast) on theater evenings as we won't be hungry again until very late. Best is to book a bit later lunch (after the workday crowd) when you have the place all to yourselves...

Highly recommend the Circle Line Harbor Lights cruise! You can walk to Chez Josephine afterward for a wonderful dinner (with fabulous live music), then walk on "home" to the Algonquin.

Would Chez Josephine be appropriate for a teenage boy (13)? We plan to do the Harbor Lights cruise and it would be great to have a place close by for dinner after the cruise. We're staying at the Ritz Carlton Battery Park. Is that within walking distance, or would we need to bus or cab it?