Hi There
With two weeks to go before departing with 4 girlfriends for a NY weekend break I am now down to the restaurant selection as I should probably try and reserve somewhere (right?). Was thinking of booking a table somewhere in our hotel district in the Upper West Side (doesnt have to be super close just thought there might be some hidden gems outside the hustle and bustle?). Does anyone have any suggestions for good food (moderate price) which would be good food/atmosphere for a 30th bday dinner? We like all food/wine so thats not an issue (Italian is a fave but not necessary). I have been reading through messages here and there is so many restaurants to choose from thought I might try and narrow it down by area? Any help is much appreciated - many thanks. PS Read lots about Carmines? and Becco?...which are two I am currently considering.

The atmosphere at Carmine's is extremely boisterous - which can be fun under some circumstances. The portions are enormous, the food acceptable - but no more - and the prices fairly modest. (You may want to try the Carmines; on Broadywa & 90th - I think.)

There are a ton of other modest, pleasant restaurants in that neighborhood - depending on how festive you want the astmosphere to be. For Italian we like Gennaro - but they don;t take resies - so it's really only good if you want to eat very early - 6 or 6:30.

One of the chief benefits is being able to stroll back to the hotel after dinner - perhaps stopping at one of the local watering holes for a drink on the way - vs having to subway or cab from another area of the city.

You may want to look at menupages.com for other choices.

(FYI the B&N on Broadway/83rd is open to at least midnight every day - another good place to wander into in the evening if you're not doing a show.)

Here are a few moderately priced places on the Upper West Side-

Mediterranean French: Nice Matin (79th & Amsterdam)

Italian: 'Cesca (75th & Amsterdam - can be hard to get reservations)

Turkish: Pasha (71st near Columbus) or
Turkuaz (Broadway & 100th St)

Becco is mid-town, in the theatre district - best to go there 8pm or later (after the theatre-goers have left) if you want a leisurely, less-hectic meal.

Carmine's is always loud and hectic - no way to avoid the crowds there.

Take a look at menupages.com for specific prices and menus on these.

If Becco and Carmine's are what you consider moderately priced, than I would not put 'Cesca in that category. It's excellent, but not moderately priced.
Exactly what price range are you looking at?

Since it is my treat for dinner I am not looking to go to the high end of the price scale, but not going cheap and cheerful either. I am really just trying to find a local good spot which will be nice for 4 girlfriends to catch up, enjoy good food in a nice atmosphere. So far the suggestions sound great...I am not too fussed if I get suggestions that are high priced as I can still review them and then make the decision whether I can stretch my budget. I am not sure what the prices are like in NY...so anywhere in the middle of the scale would be ideal.

Since it is my treat for dinner I am not looking to go to the high end of the price scale, but not going cheap and cheerful either. I am really just trying to find a local good spot which will be nice for 4 girlfriends to catch up, enjoy good food in a nice atmosphere. So far the suggestions sound great...I am not too fussed if I get suggestions that are high priced as I can still review them and then make the decision whether I can stretch my budget. I am not sure what the prices are like in NY...so anywhere in the middle of the scale would be ideal.

Thanks for the above suggestions am looking into them...

Your response about price range isn't much help. Since we don't know where you are from, we don't know how much higher New York prices are compared to where you live. So, again, the question is: What is your price range? (I really am trying to be helpful....honest!)

I would recommend Gennaro on Amsterdam b/n 92nd and 93rd. We used to go there all the time when my husband (then boyfriend) lived on the UWS. It is reasonably priced, really good italian. They don't take reservations so I would get there early or be prepared to wait b/c it is always packed.

I am thinking around $30ish? How far can that go in NY?

Will check out Gennaro - thanks for the tip

If the $30 includes drinks, tax and tip, you will be somewhat restricted in your choices. So, the obvious followup question: Does the $30 includes drinks, tax and tip?

No $30 does not have to include drinks and tips it can be on top.

Cheers

Note that Gennaro does not accept credit cards. The food there is really excellent but I always feel crowded and rushed, especially if you are seated near the door where people will be hovering right over you.

Becco has a fixed-price pasta dinner for $21.95.

'Cesca is the most expensive one I suggested, but if you have pasta there, you should be OK with the $30 target price.

If that translates into $50-60 per person, then you've got lots of good choices on the Upper West Side, including these four:
*Cafe Luxemburg on West 70th
*'Cesca on West 75th
*Josephina's on Broadway between 63rd and 64th
*Ocean Grill on Columbus Ave. between 78th and 79th

How about Ruby Foo's on the Upper West Side, Broadway and 70th-something (78?)? It's got a really varied menu--order entrees or several hors d'oeuvres, etc.

(One night we had *awesome* martinis--don't know if this is the norm or we were just in the mood)

We've enjoyed it there, as well as the one in the theater district.

We had a wonderful meal at Arte Cafe on 106 betwn Columbus & Amsterdam. Call and make sure they are still open as we went over a year ago. 212-501-0841 Excellent Italian, reasonable priced (if I remember correctly many entrees were under $20). Nice relaxed atmosphere and we were not hurried through dinner.

Hi kiwiguy. Here's my 2 "pennith." Carmine's is one of those places you either love or hate. I really hate it and couldn't think of a place I'd less like to celebrate anything, let alone a special birthday. It's about big portions in a raucous atmosphere that attracts lots of large parties and families with kids. Waits can be interminable. You will not be able to hear yourselves think. You might want to try it on another night since it can be good value (you must share), but please don't go there for the big celebration night.

Margie's suggestion is good. The full address is 106 west 73.

Here's a list (not complete) of Italian restaurants on the UWS from NY Magazine

http://newyorkmetro.com/search/resta...=11&Go%21_.y=8

They have a search engine on the left that you can use for things like singles scene, celeb spotting etc.

Another search engine that you can use by area/cuise (ie west 70s, west 80s) that has fairly complete listings is menupages.com

One moderately priced Italian in the neighborhood that has been a Fodors favorite is Pomodoro Rosso at Columbus betw 70-71. It's good food moderately priced. Isabella's at Columbus and 79th (quite close to the Museum of Natural History) is a good, local, Mediterranean/American with nice atmosphere but can also get noisy. Kitchen 82 on Columbus (& 82) is supposed to be very good food, very good value and "hip."

Keep in mind Lincoln Center is on Broadway in the 60s, so restaurants in the west 60s to low 70s get busy at pre (6-8 pm)and post (10 pm) theater times.

I personally think for "the" birthday dinner, you should go out of the neighborhood to someplace more special. Have a look in the NY Magazine listings. The village (east, west or central) Chelsea, Soho, Tribeca, the lower east side, all good ideas.

My very favorite UPW (well really, West Side) NY restaurant is Vince and Eddies. I'm not a NYr, but it was recommended by a friend who lives on the UPW and now we go there on every visit. It is a wonderful, cozy little brownstone basement place with "to-die-for" lamb with cherry sauce and the best Cosmos in NY (IMHO). We love the intimate, local atmosphere.

Vince & Eddie's, 70 W 68th St. (Columbus Ave & Central Park West) 721-0068

Many thanks for all the suggestions this is great. Am in the process of following up with them all...thanks for all your help!!!
Cheers

mclaurie - oops - thanks for filling in the rest of that address