My husband and I need to find a low-key restaurant not too far away from the Lucerne Hotel for the first night of our visit (Wed Oct 12). We are all set up for the other nights: Thursday: The Tasting Room after Spamalot, Friday: Fedelia, and Saturday: Picholine. We'd like a neighborhood place--less expensive than the others would be good

Ooops, I didn't finish... We like fish, French and Italian.

Thanks!

If I'm thinking of the right place - Lucerne on 79th & Amsterdam?? -
Nice Matin (French/Mediterranean) is right there next to the Lucerne - might be in the same building but the entrance is outside the hotel. You can check the menu at menupages.com

spring212 is right. Nice Matin, a very good French rest. is right off the lobby of the hotel. Isabella's on Columbus & 77th would be another good option a bit less money.

Do you mean Felidia or Scalini Fedeli?

We had had several good meals at Arte Cafe 106 West 73rd btwn Columbus & Amsterdam. Good Italian food, reasonably priced. Check it out on menupages.com
http://www.menupages.com/restaurantd...staurantid=884

(Hope the link wasn't too long!)

I forgot - I don't know how long they keep it open, but there is garden seating available

There is an Italian restaurant across the street from the hotel. There are twelve restaurants on Amsterdam Ave. between 80th and 81st Streets.

I really appreciate the suggestions. We are thinking of Nice Matin for lunch one day and want to get out into the neighborhood for the first dinner--to get that "wow, we're in New York" feeling. The Arte Cafe seems like a good choice. Any thoughts on the Boite en Bois? I read about it in Fodor's a few months ago. (And, yes, it's Felidia, not my mangled spelling of it.)

Isabella's and Jacque Imo's, both close by, are excellent.

Rec. Jacques Imo's also!

We loved the Tasting Room when we were there in May.

Ouest and Cesca. Both exceptional. For a great NY deli experience and something totally different - Arties Restaurant on B'dway between, I think 80-81st.

I second the suggestion for Ouest www.ouestny,com on Broadway (btwn 83 & 84th st)
The bar area (whilst small)has a real neighbourhood feel, they serve a good martini & the food was great (ask for one of the red booths if possible)
We are returning to NYC in late oct & hope to dine there again on our first night