Restaurants - Murray Hill area - New York
 

Any suggestions on good/cheap eats in the Murray Hill area - for breakfast/lunch/dinner? Am interested in Italian, Thai, Indian, American. Don't want to spend a fortune. Was looking at up to $60.00 for two people (I don't know if this sounds too low but with the exchange rate, it makes for an expensive meal from our end)

Thanks, Mac

One of the best burgers in NYC is on Third Ave b/w 34th and 35th St at the Jackson Hole Wyoming.

Haven't been in awhile, but when i worked in the area i used to enjoy the $5-6 lunch specials at Spade's chinese restaurant, on the SouthEast corner of Third Ave and <about> 37th St (look for the green awning) Although if you're visiting from out of town, i suggest going to Chinatown for lunch/dinner (we like the 'dirty dive' Wonton Garden for great noodle and dumpling plates (stick with the noodle and/or wonton plates or noodle/wonton soups)

Skip lunch so you can afford
Marchis, 251 E 31 St(btwn 2nd & 3rd) 212-679-2494 been around a long time.

2 old townhouses - $37.90 p.p. for a 5-course dinner.. no menu; they just keep bring Italian courses so plan on spending a few hrs.

If you like Mexican: El Rio Grande
lunch & dinner both reasonably priced from $10-$20 p.p. entrees- 160 East 38 St.(@ 3rd)
212-867-0922..outside terrace too.

Hope this helps.

There are many restaurants along Third Avenue between 27th and 40th Sts, many of them reasonably priced and a variety of cuisines. If you menu shop, you can discover a number of choices well within your budget, especially if you look south of 34th St. Also, Lexington Ave between 27th and 30th Sts features many Indian restaurants as well as spice stores.

Domenico's at 40th and Lex (That's close to Murray Hil, right?) is very reasonable and very good.

Could have the best veal chop in the city.

Lemongrass Grill East
138 E 34th St, New York, NY 10016
Phone: (212) 213-3317

If you like thai, this place is great. Very low key, but great food.

Mac, one of the ways to eat good and relatively cheap is to go to places that have prixe fix lunches and/or dinners. Artisanal is a "hot" (popular & well regarded) place on 32nd st just off Madison famous for their cheese selection. They have a 3 course prix fixe lunch (can't remember the price but it's within your range). The Zagat guide also lists they have a pre-theater (meaning early) dinner for $20.03.

The Madison Bistro (37th & Mad) also has a good prix fixe lunch for $21.25 or a dinner for $31.50.

Thai & Indian (any ethnic really) are usually good value. In your neighborhood, Pongal on Lexington & 27th is vegetarian Indian. Utsav on 46th betw 6th & 7th aves is very good.(A lot of Indian rest. have great value on buffet lunches. Jewel Of India on 44th betw 5th & 6th has one.)

For Thai try Pongsri Thai at 2nd & 18th or Jai Ya Thai at 3rd & 28th.

There are lots of Italian places in the area but many are overpriced. I like Salute on Madison & 39th. You can do thin crust individual pizzas or pasta within your price range. It gets a business crowd at lunch & at the bar after work. Try dinner when it's quieter.

AQ Cafe in Scandinavia House at Park & 38th is owned by Aquavit-a fabulous Scandinavian rest. This cafe is self-serve but is a good place for a quick bite.

Go to the "Curry Hill" area for cheap Indian food- It's the part of Lexington Avenue in the upper 20s. You can get a buffet lunch for about $8 per person.

In the "Curry Hill" district -- my favorit is Curry Leaf, which is owned by the owners of Kalustyan, the great importer of spices etc for South Asian & Middle Eastern cooking (shop worth a visit if you're there).

Second for the cafe in Scandinavia House for lunch, it's a great bargain.

And don't forget the food court in Grand Central, many excellent NYC retaurants have outposts there for a good paper plate lunch (don't know how late open) at a great price. You can sit down too. For example, Spice Cafe is owned by Dawat, a major Indian restaurant.

Thank you all for your replies. I'm very grateful. Have added your suggestions to my list. I'll let you know how it turns out when I get back.

Cheers

Mac

Mac

Basic Itallian and great Pizza can be found at Bella Napoli on 32nd and Madison. Also great Italian Heros (or Italian Subs or whatever you call good food stuffed into bread!)
John