I'm looking for a lively dinner place in lower manhattan after a hockey game. Anything except Chinese because we're going to Chinatown the next day. We need a late kitchen because we won't arrive until 10:30 pm. Also, not too fancy because we won't be dressed for it. Thank you!

Can you specify more about your budget and the type of food, and desired location? There are dozens upon dozens of places that might suit you. Are you open to creative food or do you want burgers? Italian? Will you be wearing jeans and t-shirts with writing on them? Or just jeans and a nice shirt? (???)

How about a creative BURGER and I'll be wearing SHOES.

Cute jeans and a sweater. No gym shoes. No budget. Lower manhattan. Not burgers or fast food (I'm in NYC �� love all cuisines

Dukey why are you so nasty? You must have a lot of time on your hands to jot down comments that are not helpful to anyone. Why not confront me directly instead of making nasty comments on other people's threads.

Here are few places I've liked recently; good jeans and a sweater will take you anyplace downtown, and almost anyplace in the city nowadays.

LE COUCOU (this is more formal than the rest, but great food,, very cool, mustg book weeksk ahead but maybe for a late table you will have good luck)
http://nypost.com/2016/08/17/this-ny...f-the-century/

GATO http://gatonyc.com/

ESTELA http://www.estelanyc.com/#menus

CAFE ALTRO PARADISO http://www.altroparadiso.com/

Also look at:

THE DUTCH http://www.thedutchnyc.com/

LAFAYETTE http://www.lafayetteny.com/lft/wp-co...nus/dinner.pdf

WILDAIR (no reservations) http://www.wildair.nyc/

PASQUALE JONES http://www.pasqualejones.com/

SPEEDY ROMEO http://www.speedyromeo.com/#home

PAOWALLA (Indian from well-regarded, well-known chef) http://www.paowalla.com/

Since you aren't from NYC, I'd like you to clarify "lower Manhattan". For us, that means below Canal, most likely in the Financial District. It may mean something different for you.

Prune is also a good choice in addition to the ones recommended by @ekscrunchy.

In general, restaurants in the Village, SoHo, and Tribeca are open late while restaurants that are really downtown (North End Grill) will close down by 10:30 because that part of the city is so quiet at night. Most restaurants open later will seat you until 11.

I don't know if you would be interested, but Korean BBQ might be a fun idea. It's Asian but certainly not Chinese. And one of my favorites, Dons Bogam, is within easy walking distance of Madison Square Garden. It's open until midnight, as are a lot of the places on 32nd Street (which is the heart of what is known as "Korea Town")

Thank you so much ekscrunchy. I was able to grab a reservation at Gato. The menu looks delicious and the atmosphere seems perfect.

Thank you Doug!

I'm glad..hope you like it as much as I do. Try to include the egg dish and the octopus. And the frisee salad if they have that on the menu.

Here is a list I have posted before. Most are mainly East Village and unless otherwise stated it is inexpensive to moderately expensive.

Patacon Pisao-Venezulean, unbelievable chacapas
http://pataconpisaonyc.com/

Au Za'atar which very reasonably priced French-Mideastern

Indian-Haveli, Saravanaa Bhavan (on Lex and about 26 St.)

Inexpensive Italian- La Marca (3rd Ave. and 22 Street, only opened noon-10 PM, Mon-Fri) Great Value

Taiwanese Bao-The Baohaus-The guy with the TV show and book

Burgers- Brindle Room, Black Iron (also have wonderful onion rings and veggie fries), Paul’s (local divey spot), Corner Bistro (on everyone’s list, zoo on weekends),

Hip American-Brindle Room

Hip Filipino both owned by the same people Jeepney and Maharlikan (more expensive)

Medium priced Italian-Cacio e Pepe, Gnocco, Supper (cash only), Luzzos (Wood burning pizza oven), Le Zie (7th Ave and about 19th),

Eastern European- Veselka,

BBQ-Mighty Quinn

French Bistro- Lucien (more expensive), the good cheaper ones have disappeared

Greek-Pylos (little more expensive), Taverna Kyuclaides for fish (huge portions, especially for Manhattan)

Tapas- Tia Pol, Nai, La Boqueria, Café Mono (more expensive)

Dessert-Veniero's

Ice Cream-Davey’s, Sundaes and Cones on E 10, Cones on Bleecker, il Laboratorio del Gelato

Dim Sum in Chinatown-Jing Fong, Golden Unicron, Nom Wah.

Brunches-Blue Ribbon Bakery, City Bakery (18th off 5th), Clinton Street Bakery, weekend is a zoo)

Pizza whole pies-Motorino, Lombardi's, Gruppo,

Pizza by the slice-Artichoke (14th Between First and Second) Bizarre service with a line because the pizza is good and the management is goofy

Seafood-Mary’s Fish Camp (cramped, no reservations, moderate), Luke’s Lobster (just lobster rolls, limited seating) Aquagrill (very expensive)

Ice Cream-Cones on Bleecker, Il Laboratorio de Gelato, Chinatown Ice Cream Factory, Cones and Sundaes (East 10th), Grom (Italian chain), Van Leewen, Davey’s

Chinatown-Big Wong. Joe’s Ginger, NY Noodletown

Dim Sum-Jing Fung, Golden Unicorn, Nom Wah on Doyers.

Jewish Delis-2nd Ave Deli, Katz’s (These are expensive for sandwiches but worth every bite) Katz’s has become a zoo and somewhat unpleasant

Turkish-Turkish Kitchen (Very good values are the daily prix fixe lunch and Sunday buffet)

Expensive but great prix fixe lunches-Gotham, Tocqueville

Here's an update to this thread:

The restaurant LE COUCOU, recommended above, just won the James Beard award for Best New Restaurant in the US. The chef is Daniel Rose.

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/01/d...rant.html?_r=0