Hi there,
I've been browsing the site and have found some great information. We will be staying at the Hilton New York the week before Christmas. We are bringing out boys that are 7 and 9. There are so many restaurants to choose from. Looking for kid friendly places that still provide a little atmosphere. May consider eating better places for lunch then doing pizza for dinner. Big issue is that we don't want to get all dressed up. Want someplace with good food and casual atmophere. Price is not as big a deal. Also interested in seeing some 'Seinfeld' spots like the diner and soup kitchen. Thanks.

There are few restaurants for which you need to get all dressed up - and they're generally very expensive.

As long as you're decently dressed you shouldn't have any problems in places the kids would be comfortable.

What cuisines are you interested in - and what is your price range (entree only or meal with drink, tax and tips).

One place the kids might like is Ellen's Stardust Dinner (basic american and the food is OK but not great) but kids always seem to like the singing wait staff.

I took my kids (8 & 10 at the time) to the Pokemon Center located at the Rockefeller Plaza and spent some time there. They have computer games that the kids can play for free, as well as a gift shop. Then took them downstairs (same level as the skating rink) to the food court and watched the ice skaters as we ate. It is very casual and there is a wide variety of food places to choose from--everything from sushi to Starbucks. Kids will have a bit more freedom there than sitting at a restaurant. Try to grab a window table looking out at the skating rink.

I hadn't heard about the Pokemon place. That is a great tip. I'm sure my younger one will love it.

As far a cuisine we like, my older son loves Lasagna so we were thinking of ging to Little Italy one day. We also like Chinese, Mexican and American.

The "Pokeman place" is now a Nintendo store, incorporating Pokeman items along with other Nintendo products. It's in Rockefeller Center at West 48th Street.
At 7 and 9, they are at a perfect age for a visit of several hours at the American Museum of Natural History, including the planetarium.

Angelo's pizza is very good and has 2 locations near your hotel. One is at 57th b/w 6th & 7th and the other is in the Ed Sullivan theater (where Letterman is done) on Broadway b/w 53-54 st.

Tang Pavillion is a Chinese on 55th b/w 5th & 6th that's good (nothing fancy inside).

The Beacon is a nice hotel that's kid friendly on 56th b/w 5ht & 6th. It's pricey but they have a great prix fixe lunch.

La Bonne Soup is a good place to know on 55th b/w 5th & 6th (same block as Tang Pavillion). They are reasonably priced and serve burgers, quiche, soup, salad, crepes etc. They're good for lunch and dinner but get very crowded and there's often a line to get in.

Heartland Brewery is almost across from your hotel on 6th & 51 st and is a convenient, casual place.

Benihana might be fun for the boys. This is the place where they cook at your table which a huge hibachi. It's mostly steak and shrimp. There's one on 56 b/w 5th & 6th.

As for the Seinfeld stuff, the Soup K International is currently closed (55th b/w Broadway & 8th). The diner is Tom's diner at Broadway & 112 st. on the upper westside near Columbia University.

http://www.wcities.com/en/record/107...33/record.html

If you're big Seinfeld fans, the "real" Kramer gives tours

http://www.kennykramer.com/

Sorry, the Beacon is a nice restaurant quot;>

In general we don't care for long guided tours but the Seinfeld one does sound interesting. Thanks for the link. I'm so glad I have a couple of restaurant names to bring with me.

Any recommendations for a breakfast/brunch spot?

My son liked Mars 2112. The food is nothing great, just basic Friday's stuff, but before you sit down, you enter a room and sit down where you simulate taking off for Mars. Once you "arrive", the lighting is red and there is an alien walking around.

For brunch, there's Norma's in the Parker Meridian on West 57th street--they will treat & respect your kids as individuals. Also, don't miss Dylan's Candy Bar store on 60th & 3rd. It has the cutest, fun candy decor interior and just about every kind of candy in existence.

These are all great suggestions! Thanks so much. Basically, I want them to have a little fun and eat at places that are different from NC.

You should know about menupages.com where you can search for restaurants by area and food type. To find regular breakfast places near you go to west 50s where the hotel is and then pick coffee shops & diners. You'll also get reviews.

There are a few places that do gospel brunches (gospel singing and food). BB Kings and Iridium are 2 not far from your hotel.

We went with my kids when my son was 6. I wrote a long trip report. Click my name and see if you can find it. It would have been in April of 05. He loved Dylan's for candy, and the Toys R Us in Times Square. I put a bunch of restaurant tips in there too. Have fun!

SEINFELD SPOTS? NOT IN NY MAYBE IN KENTUCKY. HAHAHAHA

Thanks sfamylou. I'll definitely read it!

don't get the joke wiseman..... and I lived in Louisville Ky.

sfamylou, it sound like you had a positive experience with the babysitting. I was hoping to find a hotel with an on site kids program but unfortunately that doesn't exist. How did you find your sitter and were you worried at all about leaving your children with them? Thanks!

If you want a sit-down breakfast, there is a diner-type place in the bottom of the Credit Lyonnaise building right next door to the Hilton. Can't remember the name of it -- Tom's? For something quicker like bagels, muffins, breakfast sandwiches, there are literally dozens of places around the Hilton for that -- I like the Muffin Cafe on 51st b/t 6th and 5th Aves or Pick-a-Bagel at 57th and 7th.