taking a 13 and 15 yr old for a weekend in NYC. Staying in midtown manhattan - any good suggestions for resturants

We need some more info on what the kids like to eat and your budget.

Chinese, bar-b-que, Japanese, pizza, pasta........??????

Where exactly are you staying. East sdie or west side?

They like american, pizza - some type of resturant that has fun entertainment like singing, dancing, sports etc. - on a budget also

Staying in mid-town manhattan

ESPNZone or WWF in Times Square?

Maybe Virgil's BBQ (also in TS)? - not much there for entertainment but good food at a decent price (for the area)

Jeckel-n-Hyde in Midtown is good for a laugh. Its like a haunted house restauant. (and it takes up a couple of floors) Its near central park south

I think Jeckyl and Hyde's is better for younger kids. Teenagers might think it's kind of corny. You can also run up quite a bill there which is the case with most theme restaurants. Haven't been to the WWF, but heard that the food was pretty good from somebody who was dragged there.
ESPN Zone might be what you're looking for, again you can run up quite a bill. A good choice for food would be the "Chevy's" on 42nd St which is a chain serving Mexican food. The food is shockingly good there. I avoid chains, especially in Manhattan, but this place is actually very good food at fairly reasonable prices. I don't think they have any entertainment, but it's a pretty cool looking place and it's near arcades and movies etc. So, it's pretty hopping.

Please, please give them a taste of Manhattan and take them to places they can't get at home (unless they're really picky, Chevy's ain't that exciting). There are scores of cheap ethnic places downtown. Let them explore and stretch themselves a bit. Try:

Bar Pitti for pasta and Italian sandwiches
Ino for Italian sandwiches, bruschettas
Ping's Seafood for great Chinese (not only seafood)
Cafe con Leche for Cuban

Go to Citysearch.com and search in the neighborhoods you'll be in. The people-watching alone at non-touristy, non-chain spots is the entertainment!

Have fun.

Forget about entertainment while dining. There isn't much out there and they will be plenty entertained the rest of the day. Ruby Foo, America, John's Pizza on Bleeker (Very NY), Serendipity, any place at the South St. Seaport, Little Italy, or Chinatown, EJ's Luncheonettes, Bubby's, and Caliente Cab Company.

For the 100th time this month (sorry, but your exact question HAS been asked that often) I'm going to recommend John's Pizza on W44th Street near 8th Avenue. It's a huge restaurant - in a former church - right in the heart of the theater district. The pizza is thin crust/brick oven style. It's not your typical pizza takeout joint (it's sit-down, whole pies only). It's great for teens.

Serendipity for lunch or dinner is a must. The huge ice cream sundaes and frozen hot chocolate will be a hit with your teens.

Carnegie Deli. The best Pastrami and Cheesecake. Huge portions too.

I would say a MUST DO is America on 18th St between 5th and Broadway. The restaurant is large and nicely decorated, been around for quite a while and is more of a New York place than a tourist restaurant. The portions are HUGE so come hungry and the menu is extensive. CAll and find out when the magician will be there, he does slight of hand, and is so good that you will think it is magic. He is usually there for brunch, but sometimes in the evenings too during the holiday.

IF you are comming close to the holidays there is a holiday fair on Union Square. Lots of interesting kinds of gifts there, fun to walk around.

From there you can take the subway back to midtown or take the bus up Park Ave and see a bit more of the city.

If you are going to be in the Wall St area, have lunch (dim sum) in Chinatown or dinner at Peking Duck House, if the kids have never had Peking Duck it is the best in the city and great service and nice atmosphere. Was there last weekend.

Have fun on your trip to the city.

suzanne sounds like a travellers worst nightmare......

For the 100th time this month......blah blah blah

I'm going to recommend.......blah blah blah


She comes across like that middle age chick in the elevator or subway or on the plane who had to talk loud enough when she'e bragging about something so everyone aroung her can hear her

basically like a big no it all!!!

like she is the big travel guru.....


she's is basically annoyed that charlotte DARE post the same question again on her travel board

hey suzie-Q if it annoys you so much don't answer!!!!!

sincerly,
loving life!

I agree with J, explore the varied and generally moderately priced food found in lower manhattan, particularly the e. and w. village. just walking around washington sq park and st. marks place is great for teens and adults as well. the village is a combination of a college town and a small town in one. a great place to wander and explore. as far as america, i've been there dozens of times with my kids, but when there were toddlers and elementary school age. weekends for lunch and brunch it's mobbed with young families, kids running around, magicians and balloon animal makers. not that pleasant a place for teens. my kids (now 11 & 13), wouldn't step foot in there. Little Italy and china town are also a lot of fun.