Restaurant Rec for a Birthday Dinner in NYC?
 

Hello. My friend and I will be in New York City for my yearly birthday celebration the weekend of May 20th. We've done this trip a few times now and I usually do a good job at scouting out restaurants ahead of time but I am having a difficult time choosing a place for our Saturday night dinner.

About us: We're both in our late 20's and moderately adventerous eaters. We do not want to eat in any chain restaurants. We really don't have a set budget in mind for dinner but would hopefully like to keep it at $75ish per person. Obviously, less is always better. We are wine drinkers so that's also something to keep in mind when suggesting.

We are staying on West 40th St. and would like a restaurant within walking distance, but we could probably be talked into taking a taxi if necessary. We already have reservations at both French and Spanish restaurants so if we could avoid a cusine repeat that would be great.

Right now I have three restaurants on my short list - Smyrna, Rachel's and the Bryant Park Grill. Does anyone have an opinion on these?

Thank you for your help. I'm really looking forward to another visit to this great city.

I STRONGLY suggest you get out of midtown. Not just out of walking distance of the hotel, but out of midtown. There's much more interesting dining elsewhere with a younger crowd. The only reason to stay nearby is if you're going to the theater.

In Vino in the east village
http://www.invino-ny.com/static/menu_dinner
If you like Asian food, Buddakan would be fun for your birthday dinner in the meatpacking district.

You should also look on winedanddined.com for specials closer to your trip and the local section of travelzoo.com

As for the places you list, Rachel's is fine but imo boring and certainly not suited for a b'day celebration. Bryant Park Grill is a pretty setting esp. if it's warm enough to sit outside but I think it's nicer for lunch or brunch. Either of these places would be fine for your parents too. I think you need to get downtown to a younger area. As for Smyrna, I haven't tried it and if you are going to the theater, I think it sounds good from reviews on menupages.com

Thank you for your responce, Mclaurie. I will pass your suggestions along to my friend and see what she thinks. I will definitely check out your suggested websites.

For my birthday dinner last year we ate at Basilica on 9th Ave and had their pre-theater special and it was one of the best meals and experiences I've ever had. I'm hoping to find something just as great this year!

In the Meatpacking District, Spice Market,an upscale take on Asian street food,is a favorite of ours.

If you want to leave Times Square a whole world opens up fro you.

I really like Basilica and regularly recommend it for those going to the theater. But since you're not wedded to the theater district, you should go to another neighborhood where it's younger. HK is one restaurant in Hell's Kitchen (the HK in the name) that's pretty young in feel. They have restaurant.com coupons and you can get a discount on the coupon through today I think using the code TASTY.

Check menus and reviews on menupages.com

Thank you for your continued replies. I will look into your additional suggestions.

We are open to leaving the Times Square area, just a little worried about finding our way back to the hotel after a few glasses of birthday wine. I've taken the subway plenty of times but I'm always overwhelmed by it. Is taking the subway home around midnight advised?

MFNYC - I'm on menupages quite frequently. It's a very helpful resource!

I think the subway is fine up until midnight, especially on the weekends. As long as you're not taking it to or from deserted areas, and aren't traveling alone, it's perfectly safe. I would be concerned if it were the wee hours of the morning though.

You need have no worries about subways in Manhattan, even late at night. You might want to have a look at The Red Cat, on Tenth between 23rd and 24th. It's two safe blocks' walk west of the C and E trains, which run under Eighth Avenue. 42nd Street is only two stops away on those lines.

While you're down that way, you could take a walk on the High Line, which currently ends at 20th Street, just west of Tenth; it is being expanded northward: www.thehighline.org/ Try it before dinner. It's really wonderful in the waning evening light, when all of Manhattan is sunlit from the west and the Hudson River views are most attractive.

Thank you for the subway tips and the suggestions. We are definitely making the High Line one of our must-see's on this trip. It's a great idea to combine an early evening walk with dinner.

Thank you again. You've been most helpful.

I have had a few very good meals in a restaurant on West 56th Street that you would probably love. You can get out of there for under $75 each. Food is interesting and very well done; atmosphere is very cool with seating at the food bar, at private tables, or at long banquet tables. I think it would be perfect for you and you can walk from your hotel. Although it is in midtown, the vibe is very "downtown."

NOTE: The only way to reserve is online via the Momofuko website; no phone calls and no OpenTable.

http://www.momofuku.com/restaurants/ma-peche/

You're welcome, JLeigh. The Red Cat is on OpenTable and I definitely recommend making a reservation there. While they can accommodate walk-ins, weekends can be tough. You could call them four weeks ahead (the usual time when reservation books open) and let them know you'll be celebrating. (212) 242-1122

We've never been disappointed at The Red Cat, and, in fact, my wife and I had our most recent anniversary dinner there.

Should you want to walk The High Line after dinner instead of before, be mindful that it closes at 10 p.m.

I would not be so cavalier about taking subways after midnight. Whether or not it's safe depends on which train you're on and where you're going. But, in any case, it'll be nicer to just take a taxi. It's your birthday! Treat yourself!

With the preferences that you've expressed, and your budget, I would very strongly recommend Degustation (acknowledging the fact that the food there is sort of Spanish-influenced). It's a small place, and it's popular, so get on top of making reservations early. http://www.degustationnyc.com/ You may not get out under $75 pp including wine, but that's a pretty tough goal anywhere in New York, if you want to eat decent food and drink some wine. You can order a la carte, or they also offer a ten-course tasting menu for $75, which is a phenomenal deal, especially for food of their quality. Or you can do five courses for $50. Their wine list is composed mostly of interesting and low-priced Spanish wines, and they'll pour multiple interesting and low-priced glasses to go with the various courses, if you're so inclined.

I don't know most of the other restaurants mentioned here, except Má Pêche. That's the only one of the Momofuku restaurants I've been to. I've been meaning to try the others, but the reservation system is so incredibly user-unfriendly, and the pretentiousness of the chef so unbearable, that I just haven't gotten around to it. Má Pêche was good, but I'd prefer Degustation.

Keen's is a great historic restaurant on 36th you would really like. Good luck.

Keen's Steakhouse @ 72 West 36th Street, New York, NY 212 - 947 - 3636.
http://www.keens.com/

I suggest Alta (Not Alto) on W. 10th. (I too think you need to get out of Midtown!)

Daughter and I loved this place. Festive atmosphere. Tapas. Great Wine and service.

http://www.altarestaurant.com/

I have been to most of the Momfuku and I do not understand their attractions. In fact I've been to them when David Chang actually did the cooking.

Some places to consider-Gotham Grill, Tocqueville and for one of the best food values Nougatine for lunch.

Saving this post for our trip in May.

Close to where you are staying (I think) are two options to consider -

http://www.osteria-doge.com/
We had reservations here (based on recommendations and research on this board) but our schedule changed. I plan to go back on my next trip.

http://www.westbankcafe.com/menu.html = West Bank Cafe
We DID eat here and loved it.

Either/both of those restaurants are an easy walk away.

Another fine restaurant near Red Cat is the Cookshop with absolutely spectacular brunches.