NYC Upper East Side Eatin' & Drinkin'
 

I'm planning a trip with my husband and a friend into NYC, to the Guggenheim Museum for the James Turrell exhibition, so we will be on the Upper East Side. Any suggestions for someplace to go afterwards for a beer and sandwich/light dinner?

Robyn :)>-

I would get picnic food to eat while you are standing in line for no good reason whatsoever. I hope you are not trying to do this on "pay what you want" Saturday eves. I took a picture of the line that stretched around the block on Madison.

I've never seen the 2 upper gallery exhibits because the lines within were too slow and long. The basic exhibit should be renamed Zen and the Art of waiting for the light to change.

Sadly, the area's best little Italian restaurant closed recently after a fire (Tre Otto).

If you are going on a Thursday, Friday, Saturday, or Sunday, Cafe Sabarsky at the Neueu Galerie is open until 9pm. It's not cheap but it's wonderful, and that would be my first choice (corner 86th/Fifth Ave).

There's also a Panera Bread on 86th between Lex and Park, but that's a bit of a walk, though on the way to the subway. And there's Shake Shack nearby as well.

It's hard to make other recommendations immediately near the Guggenheim for a cheap dinner. It's a bit of a food wasteland. You'll find some restaurants, but most really overpriced and mediocre, but more choices on Madison than anywhere else. There are two little French bistros nearby that I really like, both on Madison between 92nd and 93rd streets, but neither is exactly cheap. Still, I favor Le Paris over its next door neighbor. You'll need a reservation on a weekend evening.

If you like Mexican, there's a decent restaurant on 97th Street between Lex and Park called El Paso Taqueria. It's very casual, but if you are into Tex-Mex, it's a good choice. Its more upscale sibling is on Lex between 103rd and 104th (east side of the street, not the take-out on the west side).

Isn't sarabeths kitchen nearby ? Like Madison and 92nd?

Yes it is, though I've never been a huge fan and am not sure of the exact address.

I ate at sarabeths on Central Park south and it was just "okay" IMO.

If you walk down Madison Ave.to 78th street there's the Viand "coffee shop". Typical menu plus booze as I remember. (Used to order in when I worked nearby... no booze of course -:)
Every one goes there.. including our Mayor who lives just up the street. It's not cheap..
and the atmosphere leaves a lot to be desired... but it's good quality.

Closer at 82nd and Madison is the Nectar "coffee shop." Get's lots of traffic from the Met
Museum. About the same menu as Viand.... but I don't remember if they have any booze.

If it were me I'd hop in a cab (or walk) over to 88th and 2nd ave. to Cafe d'Alsace... a real rest.
and not cheap.... but they have great beer.

Thanks for everyone's responses. We bought tickets online for Wednesday, Sept 18th, so we only have to queue for the "Will Call" line at the Guggenheim. But thanks for the warning to be patient.

We will be driving into the city, from PA, arriving around 11:30 and are looking at parking at 85th and 3rd Ave. In my research I found the Lexington Candy Shop at 83rd & Lexington, which I thought we could stop at for pie and coffee, or a light lunch. Any feedback about Lexington Candy Shop?

Then we'll tackle the lines and lights of the Guggenheim. Afterwards we will definitely be in need of some libations. I had heard about Café Sabarsky, and checked it out online, but unfortunately it closes at 6:00 on Wednesday, when we'll be there.

Is anyone familiar with Biddy's Pub or Rathbone's Restaurant? They are 2 of only 10 pubs in the UES I could find info about.

Robyn :)>-

Lexington Candy Shop has decent hamburgers and great milk shakes. It's a good place but can be incredibly busy, though at worst you could sit at the counter. I can't vouch for their pie, though. Shake Shack is better (except for the shakes, which I just don't like) and just as busy but offers more places to sit outside if the weather is nice. I'd choose that over Lexington Candy Shop unless you are just set on some pie.

If you are parked at 3rd, then I think Cafe d'Alsace is a very good choice for dinner (you'll need a reservation).

One of the reasons why you can't find info on pubs is because pubs generally have unmemorable food and no one writes about them. There are quite a few casual restaurants along 3rd Avenue between 96th and 86th (I'm less familiar with what's below 86th). Parlor Steakhouse is ok, as is Osso Bucco (a family-style Italian place). Barking Dog serves more diner food. Brick Lane has good Indian food. There's also a good placed called La Tarte Flambee on 2nd Ave. between 91st and 92nd Street (east side of the street).

There's a nice wine bar that serves small plates at 98th/Lexington called ABV. It might be a good choice for a light dinner. They also have some beers. Then you could take the bus or subway down to 86th Street to retrieve your car.

<i>"Shake Shack is better (except for the shakes)" </i>

Thanks for the laugh, Doug!!! And thanks for all the information on restaurants. It sounds like there will be a few options out there for us.

I'll look into Café d'Alsace, since I got two recommendations on it.

Robyn :)>-

Can't comment on the pie either at Lexington but it is a fine lunch space that has been around forever and deserves a few more years.

Do report back on your experience!

Had a great time in the city. The weather was perfect for just walking around the Upper East Side. Thanks everyone for your suggestions.

Here's a link to my trip report:

http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...-east-side.cfm

Robyn :)>-