We will be in NYC for two nights and staying at the Rhiga Royale. 54th and 6th.
Can anyone recomend a casual restaurant with great food and nice, fun trendy atmosphere. It doesnt have to be in our hotel area. A lot of the restaurants I have tried are already booked. We are going the week after Christmas.
Has anyone tried Michael's? They have lots of room???

What's your budget, and do you have any cuisine preferences or vetoes?

About a block away from you on 55th is Osteria del Circo -- a really great casual, trendy version of the famout Le Cirque.

Redeye Grill at 56th and 7th is fun and lively with fantastic fish dishes, sushi, and much more. Jazz some nights. Big place.

We are looking for dinner that costs between 50-100.00 per person. We like very good food but not in a pretensious atmosphere.
Thaks Patrick for the hint on Osteria del Circo. I had heard of that and have now made reservations for dinner before the theatre on night. Now just need to choose a place for our second night. Where we can linger a bit.

JUdson Grill may be what you're looking for also. 52nd between 6 and 7.

Michael's is a great restaurant. It's California Cuisine and I think it does most of it's business at breakfast and lunch (and it's not cheap) which may be why there's room . It's a real media mogul hangout. I believe Judson Grill is closed Patrick.

There are a lot of good restaurants around there. How about Cite or Cite Grill (citerestaurant.com). Cite has a "bottomless" wine glass dinner. In addition to Redeye Grill (seafood) there's Trattoria Dell'Arte next door (Italian). China Grill is another option on 53 & 6th.

Patrick, sadly the JUdson Grill closed last year.

I just shed a tear. Loved that place.

What about Molyvos? On the East side of Seventh Avenue between 56th & 57th. I've always had great meals there however it has been a while since I've eaten there.

About 10 blocks away on 64th between CPW and Columbus is a good restaurant/bar called O'Neals. Reasonable prices, good bar scene, good food, and a friendly staff.

Good grief Ryan. You usually give such great advice. That's a trek for no good reason. O'Neal's is "ok" if in the neib., but to go that far? I don't think so.

Check out Asia De Cuba-Asian Fusion-Fun,Lever House-trendy,Landmarc-casual trendy,Novita,Ital,First-casual,Bolo,Django,Vento,Ono.These restaurants are in different areas but everything is easy
to get to in NYC
Check out Zagat.com
Gayot.com
opentable.com.They have some great restaurants listed where you can get last minute reservations.
PS.If you like Jazz,they just opened a
Jazz club in the Time Warner center called Dizzies.They serve lite food,great music and a beautiful view of NYC.We did not need a reservation and they are open late if you wanted to go after dinner.The other restaurants in the Time Warner building are good but very expensive.

Thanks everyone, for all your suggestions. Will definately follow up. Looking forward to next week!

Buy a Zagat's New York guide (it's about 10 dollars). I also like the Time Out: Food and Restaurant guide. They should be available at any corner newsstand.

Tao - Incredable Thai food!!! 42 East 58th St 212-888-2288 (just east of 5th Ave) well worth the experiance, it's best with a larger group of people that way you can order lots of dishes and get to sample everything.