We're going to NYC on this Sat, Feb 10th for 4 nights for Toy Fair. We're staying at Marriott Marquis Times Square. Do you have any restaurant recommendations, including ones that are close to our hotel? Both casual and dressier? What is the dress code at them? I just don't care for Mexican, Spanish or Thai. Thanks for any help.

Trattoria d'ell Arte
Becco
Redeye Grill
Shelley's New York

All up Seventh Avenue around West 57th except for the last one which is on West 57th.

Honestly, the best place for NYC restaurants is menupages.com. You can search by area and food type.

If you want something different, try Churrascaria Plataforma (a Brazilian bbq place of West 49th), Balthazar a French bistro in Soho, or for a casual lunch The Oyster Bar in Grand Central.

Junior's is right behind you. It is VERY casual - dineresque but the best cheescake in the world!

BlueFin in Times Square for a nice dinner.

Vice Versa is within easy walking distance of the Mariott Marquis, and it's my favorite theater-district restaurant. They have a very reasonably priced $35 prix-fixe, or you can do 2 courses for about the same price off the regular a la carte menu.

The one place I always make sure I visit is Chin Chin. It is a Chinese restaurant and one of the very best in NYC, in my opinion. Their dumplings are especially noteworthy. It is not in Times Square but you can get there without too much trouble.

thank you! I'm printing this out.

I recommend ViceVersa at 51st/8th Ave. Very nice northern Italian cuisine. I always take my mother here because she is a no-nosense Anglican who doesn't like gimmicks. Smart casual to dressy.

My mother HATES Balthazar. HATES IT!

Thin

Hi, Hope you don't mind me hijacking your post. Could someone comment on 2 restaurants for me? Roberto Passon and La Lanterna Caffe. I will be there March 16-20 and look forward to nice but not too expensive Italian food. Thanks.

Georgie; NeoPatrick & Escargot give high marks to Roberto Passon, seems like a sure bet for theater district dining. I haven't been to La Lanterna in a few years, but they used to do a nice lunch, wonderful homemade desserts, and GOOD coffee. Maybe someone can give an updated view?

Its a bit far from Times Square but easily accessible by taxi or the subway. I went to Chanterelle recently after watching this video about it. We had an AMAZING meal - its french, american, asian fusion!

You won't regret it if you go.

Video here: http://www.travelistic.com/video/show/1607

I visited and joined www.menupages.com
Among the few great places I have been and the very many recommended by all of you, I found a few very negative aberrant comments.
My gut tells me they are from competitors: any comments?
Hope the weather is warmer for our visit next weekend.
M

Chanterelle is one of the greatest restaurants in North America. I have been eating here for over 15 years. Chanterelle is all the way down on Hudson/Harrison Sts., however. ufgater wants a restaurant near TS.

Most of the restaurants around Times Square, including some suggested, are mediocre at best .. New Yorkers avoid them, perhaps the source of the negative reviews.

When you leave Toy Fair, go elsewhere for dinner ... no need to return to Times Square.

Le Bernadin is near TS. Are you saying it is mediocre?

When you leave the convention center, it is a short cab ride to the Chelsea neighborhood, where you'll many great dining options. A few I enjoy include:

Bette, owned by Amy Sacco

Cookshop, new, creative, amazing

'wichcraft, amazing designer sandwiches

Buddakan, a mega-restaurant with an incredible interior

Del Posto, Mario Batali's new mega-restaurant

Suenos, updated Mexican

I'll surely go to Cookshop one night myself after Toy Fair.

Le Bernardin is excellent, of course (and not considered a "Times Square restaurant since it's on 51st St nr. 6th Ave).

Like I said "most...."

I would also add The Red Cat to that list. It's right across the street from Cookshop, and it's one of my favorites.

Try Cara Mia at 654 9th Ave., between 45th and 46th. Excellent Italian, small close set tables and reasonable for NYC. Here's the link on menupages:
http://www.menupages.com/restaurantd...0&cuisineid=35