New York City Restaurants
 

Going to see a broadway show and would like any suggestions where to have lunch before. Nothing fancy but something with a fun and/or unique atmosphere that teens would appreciate. Price is not a problem!!!

If you don't have one in your hometown, the ESPN Zone right on Broadway & 42nd Street might be fun.

Less touristy, the Brooklyn Diner right on the southwest corner of 57th & Seventh Avenue (it is actually next door to Pick-A-Bagel which is on the corner) is very good.

Older teens or younger teens? A younger teen might like The Jekyll and Hyde club on 6th Avenue. The food is your basic themed chain burger and fries but you wouldn't take someone for the food but the Haunted House atmosphere.

Carmine's might work for older teens as its a big, bustling family style Italian.

Others in that area that appeal because of food with a decent atmosphere are John's Pizza and Virgil's BBQ.

While I can't vouch for the food, I know a few of the hotels in Times Square have restaurants with a view. Certainly a place high above Times Square would qualify as unique.

You might also consider the Sea Grill at Rockefeller Center as it overlooks the skating.

Plenty of places to choose that may depend on curtain time and where the theater is.

Ryan, not Jekyll & Hyde! No!

Nastiest restaurant I've ever been inside. Stopped there to get a coke because my stepdaughter wanted to see the inside and the place was so nasty I would touch my coke.

I agree about Jekyll & Hyde. Maybe if they are preteens -- 4 or 5 then they will be amused.

John's Pizza, Vigil's, Ruby Foos, ESPN, Brooklyn Diner, all are good choices.

Ok, I take back my Jekyll and Hyde recommendation and will store it in the memory banks next Smith and Wollensky's Vegas location. I was there once with my then 12 year old nephew, he seemed to enjoy the atmosphere. I had a burger which was fine for what it was. But, I realize that anyone above a 13 year old boy could view it as asinine.

Boys or girls? Older teenage girls seem to love Ruby Foo's (though I am not 100% sure they are open for lunch, you'd have to call them) and the food is perfectly good, if not great.

We will be with girls ages 17&18

The theater district spans an area of more than 10 blocks so it does make a difference of which show if you want to be very close. The only things that would fall into the fun or unique atmosphere arena are theme restaurants like some already mentioned (Brooklyn Diner, ESPN). I'll add Ellen's Stardust to the mix where the waiters/waitresses sing. However, depending on where you come from and how sophisticated your teens are, they might think these theme places very hokey. So then it's about the food (some great ethnic food in the area) or as someone else mentioned, possibly a view (but the view places will be pricey). When are you coming? (restaurant week is coming up with great discounts. READ here for end of Jan/beg Feb

http://www.nycvisit.com/content/inde...TOKEN=12383843

Joe's Pizzeria on west 44 st has good pizza and other Italian fare and is in a converted church. Ruby Foos is big fun and combo Chinese/Japanese. Virgil's has great BBQ. Hell's Kitchen funky Mexican. Joe Allen's known celebrity hang out (but not usually at lunch).

Should read JOHN'S pizzeria already mentioned by several other posters.

I now notice you said price not a problem. What about the bar room at the 21 Club. Classic NY. You can even get a burger there.

Then I'd got to Ruby Foo's or Tao (which was on Sex & the City, if that is a draw). Neither is in the theatre district, but they aren't far. If you are willing to travel out of midtown, Pastis or Balthazar. All very fun, glamorous, and "New York".

I love '21 Club' and can say that the burgers there are worth every penny. I think they are $32 maybe? Best burger I've ever had. The fries are the lightest, fluffiest, crispy fries I've ever eaten the homade sauce/catsup is to die for!

While I love the 21 Club (and it's my father's favorite burger. He "just can't understand why I don't go there more often." Sigh. Maybe one day I'll be in an income bracket where $32 for a burger doesn't seem like a splurge...) I am not sure it qualifies as "fun" or "nothing fancy." I guess it depends on what you are looking for - classic New York, glam New York, casual New York, etc. My 17 year old sister and her friends seem to most enjoy glam New York (provided it is not TOO overwhelming), hence my earlier suggestions.

Just reading the 21 Club website and the burger is $29 but the fries are $9.50.

They have a prix fix lunch for $33 or an early dinner for $38.

www.21club.com