Last minute trip-leaving tomorrow.

Any tips for restaurants near 54th and 6th_(general area)?

Prefer bistro, casual places. Any price-American, French, Italian.

Rue 57 on 6th at 57th is very good. I loved the mussels that I had there. Trattoria del'arte over on 7th around 57th is a fun Italian place with a really good antipasto bar. All I can think of right now--Have fun!

I agree with Eeva on both recos. Trattoria Dell 'Arte has great thin crust pizza and known for antipasto. Good place to eat if alone. They have an antipasto bar. It looks expensive if you order pricier entrees but can be reasonable with pizza, pasta, anitpasto.

La Bonne Soupe on 55 b/w 5th-6th is great for casual soup, salad, crepes etc. Also on the same street, the former La Cote Basque has gone casual with Brasserie LCB. Very nice French but can be pricey although they have some set price menus.

I haven't tried eating there, but McCormick & Schmick's on 52 b/w 6th-7th has a great deal for happy hour drinks. Appetizers are all $1-2. When I was there, people seemed to be making a meal from the appetizers. They also have a nice looking pre theater dinner for $29.95 if you join playbill.com for free and print out the special offer page. It's a seafood place.

Redeye Grill next to Trattoria Dell 'Arte for American/seafood. Carnegie Deli on 55 st & 7th. There's a french place called Maison (several names appear outside I think) on 53-54 & 7th. It's open 24/7.

Sea Grille in Rock Center for great fish. Rock Center Cafe - a little more casuale - a more eclectic menu.

I like Rue 57 also. And although it doesn't quite fit your requirements, one of my favorite Greek restaurants is in that neighborhood. Molyvos is excellent. We often go for pre-concert dinner there (near Carnegie Hall) and just have mezze, which is sort of the Greek version of tapas, or antipasto. You know, small plates...its very good.

Redeye Grill (seafood), 56th & 7th
Remi (Italian), 53rd between 6th & 7th

Beacon - 25 W. 56th delicious, wood fired American food. It's fun to eat at the bar.
Burger Joint in the Parker Meridian Hotel 56th bet. 6th and 7th Ave
Thalia - 50th St. and 8th Avenue - really good New American in the midtown/theatre district.

topping..
by the way, can any one tell me if 'topping' is the only way to save a thread to my name?

the toppping will just pull it "up" from where it is in the long list. all your threads are visible if you double click on your name.

To "save a thread to my name" if I understand you correctly, you can post a reply of anything on the thread, whether "topping" or something else. Then any time you click on your screen name, that thread will come up...eventually

thanks, I thought as much. I just wondered if there was another way so I didn't 'top' it unless I had some input or something 'interesting' to say.

We also like Rue 57 for weekday breakfast or weekend brunch.