La Bonne Soupe is a mediocre little place for those whose reutation far exceeds their skill level.A thousand years ago I used to work across the street and it was crowded for no apparent reason. A couple of years ago we returned and it still had not improved. It is French food what Epcot Center is to Morocco.

Ironically, it serves Sangria. Sangria is a Spanish wine that has taken respectability over the years, which started as the cheapest of cheap wine with fruit to disguise the flavor.

If you want inexpensive French bistro food try Casimir and Flea Market and for a few steps up Lucien and Cafe D'Alsace.

Sorry I hit submit too soon. It should read:

La Bonne Soupe is a mediocre little place for whose reputation far exceeds its skill level.

Well, good to have you back talking TRAVEL and NYC.
Thanks for the info.

You know I love NYC.
I used to live in Mahwah, Adu.

I am just posting here and that will be in spurts.

Being friends with the 'Molyvos family' definitely provides a great experience, no question about that!

Milos has a great reputation (I've never been); I think the original is in Montreal.

I'd recommend leaving the theater district/area of your hotel, to find better value.

Topaz for Thai food on W 56th Street

Joe Shanghai's in China town is much better than the midtown restaurant.

Oceana for fish, lunch is less expensive than dinner

For all restaurants I generally check the NYC dept of health ratings on the agency's website.

Qualifier, re. Molyvos family restaurants: We had a dismal dinner at Oceana; perhaps the worst meal of our lives at Oceania. The place was empty on a Saturday night. This is not an exaggeration: there were 3 parties at three 4 tops, including ours, in the restaurant. Their day has, perhaps, passed. The food was awful.

One excellent place for moderately priced fish is Mary's Fish camp. Problem is no reservations and crazy crowded but superior food.

Adu, we are staying at Flathotel on 52 st.

Any places non Italian places like Totto Ramen nearby?

I know we should try to spread out to other parts of the city, but we are going to 4 plays and need to do pre theater nearby.

Sorry susieb for bogarting your thread.

Sorry do not know the restaurants in midtown.
But downtown

These Italian places are not red sauce retaurants and give you a very different bit authentic taste of Italian cooking.

For Romano cooking try Cacio e Pepe, especially the signature dish of the same name.

http://nymag.com/listings/restaurant/cacio-e-pepe/

Gnocco
Once again try the signature dish of the same name

http://nymag.com/listings/restaurant...nd-tradizione/

Supper
Northern Italian
It gets a 26 at Zagat's.
____

As far as Ramen is concerned if you get can get into Ippudo, you car very lucky. Others are Minca, Setagaya, and Rai Rai Ken.

Judy when is your visit?

Ippudo is scheduled to open a branch in midtown, between 8th and 9th on West 52nd Street, this winter.


http://www.ippudony.com/

Ekscrunchy. we are in New York Dec 10-15.
I do hope Ippudo opens before we come.
It looks wonderful.

Thanks for the info Adu.

Try hangawi if you want to try korean vegetarian. although they are pricey, they are really good. worth it.

Judy: I think Ippudo will open the midtown branch after the 1st of the year. But in the meantime, if you do not want to trek to the original NYC outpost, you might like:

http://www.tottoramen.com/

Reviews:


http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1000...400305586.html


http://nymag.com/restaurants/cheapea...46/index2.html

emilypost...havent been to Oceana in some time, I guess things have changed. thanks for the heads up

It was an expensive and disappointing meal, unfortunately.

Re Cacio e Pepe: Reserve via Savored.com and snag a 30% discount on food and beverages.