Going to NYC for the first time next month. Need recommendations for lunch. From reading the posts, seems like Gotham and USC are most popular. Which one is better? Coming from California and love Californian type cuisine. Any other suggestions? Thanks!

One vote for Gotham. Have not been but friends rave about it! You need to go midweek for the deal I am guessing you are going for. Good Luck

IMHO, I thought Union Square was way over-rated. Sorry, I've not eaten at Gotham so I have no basis for comparison. However, I did have lunch at Il Mulino and would highly recommend it!

Union Square Cafe all the way. Gotham is overated in my opinion. Ass for other choices, Asia da Cuba is one of my favorites.

enjoy

I have had dinner at The Gotham and for one of the most expensive meals I have ever eaten I think it wasnt worth it. The pricers were outrageous and they food wasnt very good. There are so many better places in NY that arent as expensive. Check NY on Citysearch.com. You can search by cuisine, neighborhood, and name and some places have menus and video of the inside

I'd try Gramercy Tavern
42 E. 20th St.
(bet. B'way & Park Ave. S.)
New York, NY, 10003 (212) 477-0777

Very highly rated, with good reason. Possibly the best service I have ever experienced in a restaurant. And the food is amazing........

check the Zagat's review for more feedback.

The lunch midweek at Gotham is only $20 and well worth it for my money. You just can't find this quality of cooking any cheaper.

The tuna burger at USC (served only during lunch, though check to see if it's still on the menu) is outstanding. I've been to both places lots of times and they are close in overall experience. BTW, Grammercy Tavern is owned by the same owner as USC.

Thanks for all your replies. I have lunch booked at both Gotham and USC and still can't decide. What about Nobu? Does it like up to all the hype? Is it worth it to shell out $70 or so for the omakase?

Forget USC. Go with Gotham. Their $20 lunch is not only a great deal but delicious. If both places offered the $20 lunch special, I'd still choose Gotham hands down. USC is underwhelming.

Nobu is fantastic, and they offer prix fixe lunches as well. You'd enjoy it.

I'll second the Gramercy Tavern pick. It is definitely my favorite restaurant in New York. They have prix fixe lunches ($36) and dinners. The food, especially the desserts, is the best in town.

How about Union Pacific? Great food and very pretty place.

Three words--Gotham, Gotham, Gotham--can't be beat for lunch in that price range