lucienne78

Hi,

I live 20 minutes outside of NYC and I'm sick of going to the same restaurants every time we go in. Do you have any suggestions for a nice lunch? Just simple American food. Price really doesn't matter and location doesn't matter, either.

mikemo

Lucienne78,
Nicole's 10 E 60th @ C. Park.
212 223 2288.
Mention my delightful new daughter-in-law's name - Annie Wayte-Moniot and you might even get a comp glass of pinot noir.
M

lucienne78

Thanks for the tip, Mikemo.

mclaurie

Glad to know where she is mikemo

Lucienne, 20 mins in which direction? That does make a difference. And what consitutes "nice"?

There are a lot of places that offer bargain lunches. For American, Union Pacific on East 22 and Duane Park Cafe in Tribeca are just 2 that have $20.04 lunches. If you add some ethnic (Italian, French etc.) the options are endless.

lucienne78

Mclaurie- I'm in Montclair, so I'll be taking the Lincoln. I have a parking spot on 52nd and 8th, but whenever I'm in the city, I'm all over the place. Like I said before, it really doesn't matter where in the city. I'm just trying to find a new good restaurant to try that has good American food.

mclaurie

For casual, I still like Joe Allen's on rest. row and also Sam's on w45th. Both are good except on matinee days. For more upscale there's Redeye Grill on 7th & 56th, Cite and Cite Grill on 51 betw 5-6th and Judson Grill on w 52nd. I haven't tried the Beacon on w 56th, but I like their food in Sag Harbor and Zagat gives them a good review especially for the $19.95 lunch.

Where have you been going that you like so I get an idea of the type of place you're looking for?

lucienne78

Hi mclaurie -
Thalia on 8th ave. between 47 and 48th? is great. Blue smoke on 27th between park ave. south and lex is also a favorite of mine. I Trulli on 27th (right near blue smoke is great italian). Park Avalon is also good. Scopa on Madison Ave and 28th (the restaurant, not salad bar/sandwich place). Those are just a few that I always visit.

Thanks for the other restaurants. I'll check into them. There are just so many places in the city to choose from, so I get overwhelmed.

suzanne

How funny, I was just about to recommend Blue Smoke. They have their $20.12 3-course lunch going on for the rest of the summer. I had it a few weeks ago - excellent! There are plenty of other good restaurants offering their special 3-course menus for this price. www.restaurantweek.com lists the restaurants and their websites (so you can check out what type of food they serve).

On the list, I like Bolo, City Crab, Michael Jordan's, and Angelo & Maxie's for American food. Le Zinc is excellent...the food is more European/Continental. Thalassa has very good Greek food and is usually pretty expensive so the $20 lunch is a steal. Tao (pan-Asian food) was made famous by Sex in the City...food is hit or miss (sea bass is divine) and the setting is very cool.

I often use newyork.citysearch.com to look at restaurant descriptions and reviews. I find it a better tool than Zagat's, even. Check it out.

Good Luck!

mp

Mclaurie - sorry to say, but Judson grill has closed - a kinda creepy ultra-rapid transition by the owners to a Bobby Flay supervised place is ongoing . . . sad - I loved Judson Grill.

I love Beacon, too. If price doesn't matter - Michael's (24 W. 55th) or Park Avenue cafe (100 E. 63rd) or David Burke and Donatella (133 E. 61st) or Manhattan Ocean Club (58th bet 5th & 6th) Lever House or Brasserie

If price matters: hallo berlin; Pietrasanta (Italian); Rachel's American; Zuni Cafe; burgerjoint; Island Burgers . . . . there are tons . . .

missjanna

A good place I discovered is The Comfort Diner on 23r bet. 5th and 6th. Reasonably priced and just really good American fare like mom used to make.

katorric

Last September I had one of the best lunches of my life at Nougatine in the Trump hotel on Columbus circle. They also do a prix free lunch that is outstanding. The room is very nice and you do need to dress business like but it is not stuffy in the least. Enjoy

lucienne78

I've been actually wanting to try Angelo & Maxies. Thanks for reminding me.

MFNYC

Many of the top restaurants that are almost impossible to get evening reservations do have nice lunches and are much easier to get into. Some that come to mind are Babbo, Union Sq Cafe, Blue Hill and Gotham.