Our family will be in NYC over Thanksgiving. My sons have not been before.

We arrive at JFK at 4:30 p.m. our first night (the Saturday before Thanksgiving), so we'll have time to go out to dinner. I'm wondering what neighborhood might be the most fun for my sons' first night there.

Besides the lights and gaudy glare of Times Square (which I'm sure they would like to see), is there an area where college kids hang out that they might enjoy more, and can you recommend a restaurant? I'd like one that takes reservations so that we don't have to worry about that our first night.

The restaurant can be a little pricey--just not the priciest and not too dressy. I was wondering if Union Square would be a good area or if around Washington Square would be better.

Could you narrow it down to cuisine preferences? Too many restaurants to choose from!

They might like Greenwich Village, what with NYU and whatnot being in the area. Union Square and Washington Square are close enough to each other that you could hang around that general area one day.

Kate101 - I happen to be running off to a class myself(!), but wanted to get you started by saying both Union Square and the Village (i.e., around Wash. Square) are great for college-aged kids. Also look into the Lower East Side (LES).

Hopefully others will pipe in with suggestions - and I'll check back later to add my 2 cents. Happy hunting!

They like most types of food, except I don't think they've developed a taste for sushi yet.

If I had to narrow it down--they would probably prefer Italian, French bistro, or steaks and burgers--not necessarily in that order.

LOTS of great burger places in NYC! Corner Bistro is a favorite in the West Village, to name one, though it's not a reservations type of place. (Lots of great Italian and French bistro, too LOL.)

Try looking at reviews in New York Magazine to get an idea of areas and restaurants (www.nymetro.com). And our local lifesaver is menupages.com, with onscreen menus, user reviews, and links to restaurant websites...

You might want to check out the Meatpacking District also (all the way west around 14th Street). Son Cubano is fun; for a tasty shock to the system, try Fatty Crab!

Okay, now that I've given you some more offbeat suggestions, hopefully others will chime in with more recommendations.

Ollie's (Chinese) and Carmine's (Italian) have several locations and are good food, good value for the money and good for that audience.

Union Square is actually a good area for your first dinner. You could do something casual at Heartland Brewery or Republic (next door to each other on University Place but no reservations at either) or something more upscale at Blue Water Grill, or expensive but casual at Coffee Shop. You definitely need to make a reservation to eat at Blue Water Grill. It's almost all seafood, though, with most entrees in the upper 20s. But it's a fun lively place, and the food is good.

There's a Patsy's pizza on University between 10th and 11th, and below that a lot of casual NYU-oriented places. I also like Osso Buco, a family-style Italian restaurant that is every bit as good as Carmine's. You can make a reservation there.

There always a wait at Corner Bistro.

Try Lombardi's on Spring Street for pizza by the pie. IMHO the best in NYC. Across the street is Rice to Riches overpriced but exceptional rice puddings. That is all they offer in many varieties. And the owner was indicted on money laundering charges to add some additional flavor.

Try Xunta (pronounced Shon-ta) for tapas. It is filled with twenty somethings but the tapas are excellent and the atmosphere is very close to a Spanish tasca.

For dessert Veniero's is a must reasonably priced well prepared Italian pastries. IMHO the best inexpensive tiramisu.

This thread should be of help too:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...1&tid=35073477

Thanks for all the replies.

I LOVE fodors.com--never go on a trip without spending time here first.

Aduchamp, what about some of the other places you have recommended before in the Village? You have a great list!