Thanks MikeT.
Irishtmac- I saw the RR Tasty Travels NYC show. In Chelsea, it only mentioned Chelsea Market. Near Chelsea (looks like a very long walk), in the Meat Packing District it mentioned:
- Hog Pit: BBQ and Mac & Cheese
- Pastis: a casual French Bistro (moderate prices)
http://www.pastisny.com/menus.html

Brunch at 202 in Chelsea Market was named best in NYC in NYMagazine in Spring '06.
M

Maybe the reading comprehension is a bit . . . challenged here? My Whole Foods rec (which came after mentioning SIX kid-friendly, budget friendly restaurants 'real' restaurants) said, "for "hotel picnics" - as a parent I well lknow there are times when you might not be able to manage a whole sit-down meal with 3 kids.

The Whole Foods in Chelsea does not have seating - the WFs in Union Square and Columbus Circle have seating.

Chelsea Market (at 9th Avenue and 15th Street - a bit of a walk from your hotel) has different take-out shops for soup and sandwiches, salads, pizza, baked goods, Thai, Seafood, Italian, bagels . . there are seats all along the hall and in some of the shops. There are two cafes with table service - The Green Table (organic) and Cafe 202 as mentioned above. It gets very busy and crowded with local office workers from 12:30 until 2:00. On the weekends it can be a lively place with musicians and lots of shoppers.

I think I've read/ heard that Mikemo.
Irishtmac- Looks like Chelsea Market is a good place to check out.

Thanks for the recs. I really appreciate everyone's input!!!

Irishtmac- We'll look forward to the trip report when you get back. :-)

I walked from 57th/7th to 202 in Chelsea Market on a late Saturday AM in April.
Not much of a walk when one lives at 6800 ft and climbs hills daily.
The Brunch was super, but FD: Annie Wayte is my DDIL, lol.
M (SMdA, Gto.)