We are going to be in NYC for a day trip later this month. We’ll be seeing a matinee show, browsing in the shops, seeing the sites, having dinner, etc. Whenever we go on day trips to the city, we have a hard time with lunch. What is a good place for lunch, not too pricey, and fairly casual and friendly within walking distance from the theatre district? There will be 6 of us, mostly moms and 20 something daughters, so we need a place which is nice and comfortable, but not too trendy and chic. I’ve been to NYC many times and I realize that everything is expensive, but we are looking for a nice sit down place which will not break the bank. Food should be basic enough (i.e. not sushi or froe gras) to please the small town moms, but we still need to please the big city daughters. Any advice would be great. Thanks!

Carmine's 200 W. 44th . . . great location, good food, order (3) entree's for the six of you and share. You won't go away hungry or broke. Can also call for reservations (not accepted for parties less then 6).

If you don't mind really basic atmosphere there's a small Italian place on either West 37th or West 38th Street between 7th and 8th Ave. It's called Cafe Veronica and has a serving line where you order what you want and then choose your own table. It's really more like cafeteria atmosphere than a real sit-down place but the food is said to be really good and very inexpensive. It's well known among people who work in offices in the area but doesn't advertise and is open only for lunch. Another option is to just walk over to 9th Ave in the 40's - lots of good and inexpensive choices available.

Jen,
Go to Delta Grill at 48th and 9th. The food is southern/Cajun and delicious. It's definitely not pricey nor chic (they tried to make it look like a Louisiana shack with hot-pepper-shaped christmas lights draped around). It's a restaurant where many NYers go themselves, and where many bring friends. I celebrated New Year's there once, and once sent my parents there and they loved it. I go back often for the crab cakes, fried chicken, and coconut shrimp - yum!

Another option is John's Pizzeria on W 43rd. It's a chic-looking sit-down pizza place (very modern, in a former church!) The pizza is thin-crust coal-oven style. Very yummy! I bring out-of-towners here often, too. The last friend I sent to this restaurant wound up going two days in a row!

Jen - As Suzanne mentioned, John's Pizzeria is good, and I wanted you to know that they serve more than pizza - they also have very good pasta dishes (reasonable - ~ $8 entree), and you can order a glass of wine if you wish. And, now that I think of it, the desserts aren't too hard to take either! Nice casual atmosphere.

Try Joe Allen's on West 46th or Sam's on West 45th.

Suzanne: I've been to New York fice times now and everytime I go I look for "John's Pizza" because I've heard it's so good. It's on W 43rd and ?? Also, if you know....If we walk over the brooklyn bridge, how would we find Grimadi's?? I've heard that place is great too. We tried Lombardi's and didn't like it. They had huge meatballs on the pizza that rolled off when you picked up the pizza!!

John's is on 43rd St. on the block west of Broadway, and is surrounded by theaters.

Grimaldi's is my personal favorite...and it's only 4-5 blocks from where I live! Walking across the bridge, take the first exit - a stairway on the left side of the walkway. At the bottom of the stairs take a left and then another quick left onto Prospect. Take this all the way down the hill...you'll be crossing some highway ramps and going under a couple overpasses. Prospect becomes Old Fulton Street. Grimaldi's will be on the right, across the street from Eagle Warehouse. Overall, it's about a 2-3 block walk from the BB walkway.

Enjoy!

All good recommendations, but we like Becco.

To the top!!!!

John's address is 260 W. 44th St. ('tween Bdway & 8 Ave)

Becco is great for pasta all you can eat 355 W. 46th St. ('tween 8 & 9 Ave)

For delicious Thai...Pongsri Thai 244 W. 48th St.

Ruby Foos 49th & Bdway