Do you have favorites in the area? This is one of 2 spots (Hotel Elysée) where we might be staying, depending on which way the coin lands. What we don't like: Japanese food. Pretty much everything else, especially Indian, French, Thai, Mediterranean, hamburgers, and a whole lot more. Pizza is a must-have, since we missed that on our first visit.

Not my favorite neighborhood, but we like Amma for northern Indian food.

You might well like Jubilee, on First Avenue between 52nd and 53rd; a long-running neighborhood place. They are lauded for their mussels but the menu offers a variety of French standards.



http://www.jubileeny.net/

Another decades-old restaurant popular with neighborhood residents is Le Mangeorie, on Second Avenue near 53rd Street. Dishes from the SW and Provence along with standards; very pretty place with lots of flowers; they offer a few special menus for lunch and dinner

http://lamangeoire.com/menu.html


You are not in a prime pizza area but take a look at Pizzarte:


http://www.pizzarteny.com/

La Mangeoire is quite good. The chef, Christian Delouvrier, was once the toast of the town in a French-Vietnames fusion restaurant called Lespinasse -- four-star Times review. Now he concentrates on classic French country dishes. I doubt if you'll be disappointed.

Personally, I think NY's best pizza is downtown. Try Joe's on Bleeker, Motorino or Lombardi's.

Northern Indian food is our favorite of the many cuisines; so that goes on the list. Certainly Jubilee, as my DH simply adores mussels. We'll go anywhere for good pizza, preferably Neapolitan style.

The Amma menu makes my mouth water--yum!

Sorry, meant "John's" of Bleeker St.

Shun Lee Palace is very nice upscale Chinese in the area - on 55th between Lex and Third.

For a good burger go to the Burger Joint in the lobby of Le Meridien hotel. No kidding.

Another strong vote for Shun Lee Palace.

Shun Lee Palace has very good, mostly Cantonese food..at a pretty high price.

See my comments on La Vie en Szechuan on your Murray Hill dining thread.




Sad to say but there may be a new chef at Le Mangeorie has a new chef; I have not been recently.

http://observer.com/2014/10/bistro-b...-la-mangeoire/



http://ny.eater.com/2014/12/22/74339...-set-to-retire

Without a doubt, my favorite option in that area is The Smith.

http://www.thesmithnyc.com/

"Sad to say but there may be a new chef at Le Mangeorie has a new chef; I have not been recently."

Too bad. I'll miss his cooking. That cassoulet . . .

Check out Angelo's for a good thin crust pizza on 55th and 2nd, it also has a nice outdoor seating area if the weather is nice.

http://www.angelospizzany.com/index.htm

Dos Caminos is good for Mexican on 50th and 3rd Avenue. Also has a large outdoor seating area. Get's pretty busy on weekends.

http://www.doscaminos.com/venues/dos...s-third-avenue


Pig and Whistle on 3rd Ave and 55th Street is good for Irish Pub food, better than most of the genre.

http://www.pignwhistleon3.com/


Indigo is good for Indian, usually not crowded and inexpensive but rather good. It's on East 50th between 1st and 2nd.

http://www.indigorestaurantnyc.com/

Please keep these recommendations coming--already good options. Does anyone know of a restaurant featuring Kashmiri food? We once had a dish at Gaylords of Mayfair that we've never forgotten but haven't found here: lamb pasanda.

We recently ate here - excellent. Not too far from Midtown East; W 56th between 6th and 7th, closer to 6th. Pricey, but her flavors are incredible.

http://www.loiestiatorio.com/

Red mullet: oh boy! Haven't had that in years. Thanks for the recommendation.

Bangladeshi food dominates the subcontinent food in Manhattan. I suggest you google "Kashmari restaurants Queens", where you might find something of your liking. There are incredibly large Indian and Pakistani populations in that borough.

Please give Dos Caminos a wide berth if you want good Mexican food. Loud, nacho-and-margarita territory in one of a local mini chain. I live nearby and have been exactly once, as suggested by an out-of-town relative for an after-work drink and snack. Would not bother with iti again when there are now, finally, some pretty good Mexican places in NYC, although not in this area. Much better to choose another cuisine.

Loi is owned by a famous Greek tv chef; I have not been but would expect high prices. My sister loves Molyvos for pre-theatre, in the same area.

If you are looking for Greek in the EAst 50s, you might try Ethos on First Avenue and 51st STreet. You must reserve. They have outdoor seating as well as a dining room. Bustling and often loud. They may have opened their new place diagonally across the street by now; I've been away since December. This is not stellar Greek food, which I have not found in Manhattan, but might do if you want to eat Greek fare.

There are two good Greek places both downtown

Pylos which does not serve standard Greek fare

Taverna Kyclades which only had one restaurant in Queens for many years and now opened one in the East Village. Well-prepared fish, large portions for Manhattan, excellent, excellent grilled octopus.