Neo, the $20 was before tax & tip, as I mentioned it above, but thank you.

SusieQQ & Mclaurie, does Island offer outdoor seating?

No outdoor seating at Island to my recollection, but their front french doors open onto the street.

If you really want to sit outside, you might do better closer to 60th st. or else you'd have to head further east. Lots of places along 3rd ave. and east of there have sidewalk tables. Luke's at 79th & 3rd is a pub type place with salads etc. and sidewalk tables.

Brio is an Italian/pizza place near Bloomingdales with sidewalk tables.

Cafe Nosidam at Madison and 66th has outdoor dinning, but it's been a long time since I've been there, so don't remember the menu. I think it is Italian, and I know I enjoyed it.

This is uws, but it has a prixe fixe lunch for 8.95 (includes a salad), and was recommended by mclaurie. I think there is outdoor seating as well.

Arte Cafe
http://artecafenyc.com/

Thanks for the recent suggestions, very helpful, I now have a good list of possibilities.

Amelie, I love Cafe Arte! One of my favorite West Side spots. We've been going there for a few years and I have recommended it here several times. It has a nice unpretentious neighborhood feel.

Sorry, meant thanks for the recent suggestions they now have a nice list of possiblities. It was refreshing to see some civil repsonses to the OP

Where is that edit button? I wish there was the opportuity to edit grammer/spelling!

Cafe Nosidam (Madison spelled backwards) is GONE, replaced by I can't remember what, but very pricey. Italian as I recall. Ferrier on 65 st off Madison used to be one of my favorites, but that's long gone and now replaced by a new spot but also pricey.

La Goulue is the quintessential MAdison Ave. bistro with outdoor sidewalk tables, but pricey.

$20 prix fixe at Nino's Tuscany, 3 courses, W. 58th between 6/7. Including sparkling or still water - free!

Nino's is on the Upper West Side and its $20 lunch does not include alcohol.

Many of the UES diners serve wine. One might be able to have a salad and glass within the stated budgetary constraints. Googie's, for example, has outdoor seating and is very popular, and its "mixed greens" salad is only $8.50!

Gekko
Grantop said that they will head back down to 60th St. That's why I suggested Nino's. A glass of wine is about $8 and it's a terrific, leisurely 3 course lunch, not a panini in a crappy deli.

Nicole's at 10 E 60th.
FD - DIL Annie Wayte is the exec chef.
Her 202 was named best brunch in NY by NY Magazine recently.
Her new book is great.
M

Perhaps I misread the title question of the thread?? Let's see ...
"NYC Lunch Suggestion for Upper East Side?"

Nope, it says "Upper East Side."

Sorry. Couldn't resist. Too easy.

Other UES possibilities include the two Cinema Cafe locations and the Panorama Cafe.

Yes, but if you actually READ the post you'll find that after the museum at 5th and 103rd, they plan to head south to 60th and even suggest they could eat there or further south. While the title may say Upper East Side, anyone reading the specifics would be a lot more "off base" to suggest a place way over on 1st or 2nd Avenue, than one that is on 58 just over a block from 5th.

What Nino's is on the Upper West Side? Googling and Zagat's brings up three Nino's but in addition to the one mentioned on 58th, the other two I see are on 1st and 2nd, both in the 70's -- that sounds like Upper East Side to me.
Surely you don't consider 58th the Upper West Side?

I'm pretty sure that if you don't go crazy with the multi-meat combo meals and only stick with the salads or burgers, you'll get by with $20 at Dallas BBQ (3rd and 72nd).

I bet you can even squeeze in 2 glasses of wine.

Oh, and by the way, since you are willing to go further south of 60th, then there's Angelos Pizzeria Ristrorante on 2nd and 54th.

If you and your friends are willing to share slices of pizza, I'm sure with a carafe or 3 of their house red or white you'll still be under $20 each when the damage is tallied.

I can't help but ask, what is with the contentious nature of this thread? Just asking...

Hi Carol, yes it quickly went that way, didn't it? It's ok, I received some good suggestions from a few people and I have more than enough to go on. The rest can continue telling me I'm stupid for thinking you can have a glass of wine and a salad for $20 (that’s before tip to those who assume), and then when they are done with that they can pick apart the geography of the East side. Very serious issues to be sure! Basically it boils down to an inflated sense of self-importance combined with the fact that a few on this board have a chronic case of diarrhea of the mouth and constipation of ideas. I don’t mind though, I’m excited about the exhibit and thanks to the rational people here who made some reasonable suggestions, we will really enjoy the afternoon, I’m sure.

I want to thank you for alerting me to the exhibit, grantop. When are you going? One place that hasn't been mentioned is Cafe Sabarsky at the Neue Museum at 86th & 5th. Again, not outdoors, but very classy indoors. I think D. Draper would approve.

mikemo, what's FD? (first daughter?) I know DIL is daughter-in-law.

Someone posted earlier that Sarabet is near 95th Street.

Unless they established a branch there, the closest one that I know of is at Madison and 74th.

Perhaps the original poster can tell us where he/she has had "many lunches in NYC" for under $20 including a glass of wine? That might help for comparison purposes.

And, alas, I fear that the Neue Galerie's extraordinary Cafe Sabarsky won't quite fit the stated budget.