We want to go for dinner on a Sunday to a fun place that has sushi and other types of food as well. Because of an iodine allergy I can't eat sushi (soooo sad), but my friends can. Sushi Samba 7 sounded like a good compromise. It's not super high up on Tripadvisors restaurant list, but that's not the end of the world either. Any opinions and/or suggestions on this restaurant or another place to go? PS. We know that SS7 has a brunch, but we have a busy day planned already. Thanks!

You might think about IchiUmi on E32nd St. It is one of the better sushi restaurants in town and actually has a HUGE seafood "bar" the entire length of the restauraht, actually a city block long.

There's sushi, rolls, sashimi, all kinds of salads, the second half of the bar is cooked seafoods and beef, chicken, just about anything you might want. It's also all you can eat for around $20 for lunch, plus drinks and tip.

IchiUmi is on E32nd between 5th and Madison.

I have eaten a few times at a Sushi Samba with a lower number on Park South. It is one of those places whose promise is greater than the reality.

Thanks! I kind of thought that same thing from the reviews. To be honest, the cocktails and 'fun' atmosphere are what drew me in. I will check out the other place. How about favorites for a quick and not too costly bite before a Broadway show?

Menupages.com is a better resource for user reviews of restaurants, and it also has the menus. You may want to look around there for some ideas.

I haven't eaten at SushiSamba but the reviews aren't good and it's on the pricey side.

Thanks! I checked out Ichi Umi and....hmm..I don't know about that either. I'll check out menupages.

Also check Zagat's and Urbanspoon for reviews of many NYC restaurants.

Okay, Thanks! I am also looking for a before Broadway play dinner place that isn't Italian, Mexican or Japanese food. Something light and easy to eat before sitting down for hours.

Sushi Samba use to be popular years ago with the 20 something crowd. It has a fun atmosphere but the food is just ok. I do like their cocktails, especially the soshu cocktails.

TAO is still decent and has the atmosphere you are looking for.

Ichi Umi was closed two weekends ago when I was last in that area. Almost any Japanese restaurant in NYC would do for you. I really like Japonica on University Place (near Union Square). Sushi Samba is very overpriced. In that price range you could also go to Zengo, which is an Asian-Mexican restaurant that is just as fun. It has great drinks.

Ewww...Zengo sounds good. I'll check it out. I think I am 'over' Sushi Samba. I am not 20 something and only like overpriced food if it's great. Thanks for all the info everybody. Now how about our casual light dinner before our two Broadway plays? Where should we go?

Zengo looks great!

I haven't been to Zengo in NYC (I live here) but I have been to the one in Denver and it's fabulous. Try it out and report back if you eat there please.

The food is awful at Tao and it hasn't been a hip spot in years.

And the winner is...ZENGO! Good reviews and a perfect combo of Asian and Latin. Wish I could eat fish and sushi, but an iodine allergy keeps me from that. Huge loss. Anyway...has anybody been to their happy hour? At first I was thinking of dinner at 7:30, but then I saw that happy hour was 5-7. Hmmm...maybe get a 7pm rez and have a couple drinks at 6:30? I tried to look up what drinks were offered and at what price at HH, and I guess I could call them....but a Fodors review might be more interesting. Also, it should be a hot day...would later be better? Just interested in opinions. Thank you!!!!

I've eaten at Zengo and really like the food and drinks. Most drinks are around $10 to $12, but that's typical for this kind of restaurant. But they are good drinks (all the juices and even the sour mix are house-made), so I think the happy hour is a good idea. The restaurant does get busy, but I'm not sure about Sundays. I think you'll like it, but I'm curious to get some input from other diners. I really like the small-plate idea. I went with my partner and shared 3 small plates and just one main course, which was perfect. We also got dessert and drinks. The bill was not cheap at all, but I felt we got our money's worth.

I also love the drinks at Tabla, which has a similar menu set-up (some cheaper small plates and more expensive entrees in the mid- to high 20s). Most drinks there are also $10 to $12.

Doug, what small plates did you share? It really is tough not eating seafood or sushi...The rest of my group can eat it though....So, maybe we'll share plates with all options. We all love chipotle. Birthday girl says she'd eat chipotle on her cereal if she could!

Also Doug, What do you think about a 7pm rez and hit the HH at around 6:30? Does that give us enough time to enjoy a couple HH drinks? It is on a Sunday after all...it shouldn't be that crowded...or?

I don't think a 7pm reservation is going to be enough time to eat and get to the theatre, the traffic just before all the shows start gets CRAZY, even foot traffic is crowded. I'd make the res for 6 and that way you have plenty of time to enjoy dinner and get to the theatre with enough time to relax before the show starts.

This isn't a pre-theater dinner. Still need suggested places for that though! Thanks!