Restaurant suggestion in or near Times Warner Center
 

We will be visiting NYC during the Thanksgiving week this year. My 75 year old mother-in-law wants to visit the new Times Warner Center while she's in the city. I've heard there are nice shops in the Center but don't know what's all there. I would be very grateful if you can suggest a nice restaurant that is in the Center or nearby for lunch? Open to Continental, Italian, or French food.

Has anyone been to the restaurant in the Manderin Oriental Hotel?

We will be going go to see The Producers later that evening so if there are restaurants near by the theater that you enjoy- please advise.

We are planning to stay mid-town at the Hotel A-5 (formerly Clarion Hotel on 5th Ave).

Please feel welcome to send email directly to my email address if you like.

Thanks for any suggestions and advice you can provide.

wow,they have great resturants in Time warner
Per Se-very expensive but amazing
Cafe Gray
Asiate
Lobby returant in mandrian hotel is very nice
V steakhouse
just a few to start.Some of these places may not be open for lunch and they are all pricey but have amazing views even if you just want to have a drink.

I was in the Mandarin Oriental before the retail stores had opened. It's quite something getting out of the elevators on the 35th floor (where the hotel starts)

cindymal has given you the major restaurant names. Per Se is the new "it" restaurant in NY with outrageously expensive prices, but every reviewer says it's worth every penny. There is a post here of a review if you do a text search. I think it was by bugswife. Maybe they have a special prix fixe lunch menu, but getting reservations may not be easy.

Asiate is in the lobby of the Mandarin Oriental. There's also a lobby bar just outside the rest. The view is great. The rest. is oriental.

I must say I haven't heard great things about the shops in the building (except the Whole Foods store which by all accounts is awesome). Most of the shops are duplicated elsewhere in NY.

Here's a website that lists a lot of the places in the building

http://newyork.citysearch.com/roundu...6___roundup__1

There are actually a number of really outstanding restaurants right around there too. Jean Georges in the Trump International hotel is just across the street. They do have a prix fixe lunch. That's where I would go if you want something special and don't do one of the places in the Time Warner building. Cafe Botanica in the Essex House hotel on Central Park South also has a prix fixe lunch.

Since these are all French or Continental, Gabriels at 11 w60th is a good Italian, also with a set price lunch.

Sorry, forgot about the dinner question. If you have a grand lunch, you might not want a big dinner, especially before the theater. There are tons of options around there. Either do something casual like John's Pizzeria right on the same block (they have more than pizza) or Sam's on 45th for a burger or basic food. Another idea would be Ruby Foo's on Broadway and share some dim sum or appetizers. Restaurant row on 46th st between 8th & 9th has one place after another, mostly very good.

Most NYers would eat after the show but you may not want to do that with your MIL. Have fun.

Per Se, to be sure.

Thanks to all who replied to my post. A special thanks to mclaurie for giving such great details/suggestions and including the TWC website address for me.