Going into NYC for a Rachel Ray taping on East 44th near the UN. Are there any casual restaurants that you would recommend for lunch?

How about Ali Baba Terrace at second ave and 45th? I go to the location on 34th often. Of course, you must like Turkish cuisine.

Le Pain Quotidien is a small chain of Belgian cafes around the city. They have one on 3rd ave & 44-45 st. There's a big communal table at most of them for solo diners. The quiche is good and I like the tartines (open faced sandwiches), especially the ricotta with figs and honey. http://www.menupages.com/restaurants...-quotidien-25/

Matisse is a cute French bistro. http://www.matissenyc.com/

Second Ali Baba's Terrace, which has a luncheon special for, I think, $14.95. Haven't been to Matisse yet, but it looks nice.

Nino's Positano lies between them on 2nd Ave -- the pizzeria is quite good. Mee Noodle Shop on 2nd and 49th is very casual and very inexpensive. Actually, this stretch of 2nd is full of casual neighborhood places where you probably won't go far wrong.

On 46th btwn Lex and 3rd Darbar offers an Indian lunch buffet. You can get curried goat!

Yes, I like Le Pain Quotidien even better than Ali Baba Terrace. That's a great idea. There's also Cibo at 2nd Ave and 41st Street; it's Italian but more expensive than some of the other choices mentioned, so I doubt you could get lunch there for less than $30 per person.