On my annual fall trip to NYC with three other ladies, I was hoping to get a table for lunch at The Little Owl. I waited too late to make the reservation and they are booked. I need suggestions for a nice lunch spot in the same area.

What about Red Cat on tenth? www.theredcat.com

Thanks. I just got some info on The Red Cat. Sounds like a good choice.

First of all, Little Owl is in the West Village, not Chelsea, as your title of this thread suggests.

Little Owl's sister restaurant, run by the same people, is called Market Table and located at 54 Carmine Street. It's awfully good.

The Spotted Pig, a "gastro pub" near Little Owl, surprised the New York restaurant establishment in 2007 when the Michelin guide awarded them one star. They don't take reservations, and the wait can be very long (over an hour in some cases). In fact, they recommend that you put your name on the list and then go and do something else for an hour before returning to the restaurant. If they pass your name by while you're gone, they put you on the top of the list.

Perry Street, one of the Jean Georges restaurants, is another excellent choice (all the way West on Perry Street). You can check the Jean Georges Web site for menus. Not too far from Little Owl, location-wise. The food and service are excellent.

Hope this helps!

For similar quality food and service, but definitely different atmospheres within a few blocks you might try:
Blue Ribbon Bakery; SnackTaverna; 10 Downing; Mary's Fish Camp; Moustache; Bar Pitti; da Silvano; the above mentioned Spotted Pig or Market Table; August; or maybe Bobo.

You can find reviews here:
http://nymag.com/restaurants/?f=food

menus on menupages.com

Thank you all for these suggestions! I guess I said "Chelsea" because we will be walking from Chelsea Market to our lunch spot.

Now I'm thinking we should choose a lunch spot closer to Chelsea Market. Any suggestions?

It takes about 12 minutes to walk from The Little Owl to Chelsea Market - and it's a pleasant walk. But if you must be close to Chelsea Market, Cafe 202 in the Market is good. Pastis is social and reliable and 2 blocks south. Vento is OK - pizzas and pasta, overpriced but not bad. Half Steak (the front room at Craft Steak) on 10th Avenue can be good if you order carefully. The Homestead across the street from the Market is good for burgers. If you go north of the market 4 blocks, there is cookshop. You can do a search on NYmag for reviews or look for location info and menus on menupages. ( I tend to ignore the reviews posted on menupages, they always seem to be written by people with axes to grind)

Once again, thank you for all the suggestions.
Another question; If the weather is good, is the High Line something we should see? We don't have a lot of time, but we could squeeze it in if it's worth it.

The High Line is right by the Chelsea Market, go out the CM 10th Avenue entrance and across the street on 16th St, there is an entrance right there. It is a pleasant 6 or 7 block walk that gives a different view of the streetscape. It does not take long to get the point of the park, in my opinion, but I am an extremely jaded and annoyed local.

Well, mp, you have certainly helped me. I appreciate all your suggestions and I know we will have a great time in your city.