Last Minute NYC dinner plans!
 

Hi and heading into NYC tomorrow with 5 people for holiday visit to see the tree, etc. but having a VERY hard time finding a decent place to eat, reservations impossible to find this last minute!
Any recommendations of moderate priced restaurants? Tried Mesa Grill, DB Bistro Moderne, and Rosa Mexicana (booked!), forget Union Squ Cafe, (really booked!) Hate to end up having dinner at a Cosi's!
Thanks!

If your idea of reasonably priced is DB Bistro Moderne and/or Mesa Grill, then you might try these, even though you don;t specify a neighborhood or cuisine - I guess that means your are flexible:

Right now on opentable there are tables from 6:00 to 7:00 or 8pm for 6 people at:
Craft Bar, dell'anima, Bella Vitae, Rosa Mexicano Union Sq. & Lincoln Center, Savoy, Thalia, Roberto Passon, peasant, Picholine, marseille, Little Giant, Landmarc at Time Warner, and Centro Vinoteca. In fact - there are around 400 on the list.

check it out - slug in your time and number of people and neighborhood, and go from there. . .

Thanks so much for your reply, checking these restaurants out on ZAGAT and then see if I can get reservation through OPEN TABLE. Trying to stay away from "italian" food but any other cuisine is fine except for Sushi. Wondering how Shun Lee Palace is, looks like pricey Chinese food, but is it worth it?

IMHO Shun Lee Palace not worth it. Past its era.

We love Sambuca which is on 72nd off of Central Park and is Italian but served family sytle. Also in that area is Arte' Cafe at 73rd and Columbus. Both very reasonably priced.
Wendy

I have a very different opinion than Elainee about Shun Lee - it is classic chinese, with very good service. More expensive than Chinatown, but a very different experience, too. Lighter, more refined sauces and presentations. We had a large family luncheon at SLW last year and it was fantastic - really really good.

I think the food at Shun Lee is excellent!

And, here's another solid endorsement of Shun Lee Palace. Not only excellent food, but wonderful service!

One of my favorite restaurants in the city is a Mexican restaurant in the theatre district called Arriba Arriba. It's on the corner of 51st and 9th. It's a great atmosphere with great food at very reasonable prices. Not sure how crowded they'd be on a Sunday night, but I've always walked in and they've had seats.

i agree with elainee.
i used to love shun lee palace but the past few times i found the food was mediocre and the service pretentious.

The OP was goping into NYC yesterday, so probably doesn't need any additional recommendations.

Thanks for all your replys, we ended up having late lunch at DB Bistro Moderne, very good food, but very pricey ($115 for 2 with appetizers and dessert!) and portions kinda on the small side.
But we really enjoyed our meal.

Didn't anyone get the famous burger -- with fois gras and short ribs in it? Spectacular.

NeoPatrick-Was VERY tempted to order that famous burger, saw it go by at another table with a huge side of "frites"! Will have to give that try next visit...

GailLK; do try the hamburger next time...it is divine and worth the $32.