I am planning to finally make it to New York after postponing 2 previous trips, but will be on my own for part of the time. I am staying at the Mela hotel on W 44th between Broadway and 6th. Any restaurant recommendation nearby that I will feel comfortable walking to and dining alone. I don't have a problem with that but thought there may be things recommended. thanks

It's very common for people (men and women) to eat alone in NYC. Some solo diners prefer eating at the bar where they might chat with the bartender or another solo diner. But you can also sit at a table with no problem. If you like sushi, eating at a sushi bar is also simple. Kodama is a decent (but not fancy) Japanese restaurant at 8th ave. & 44th st. They have a sushi bar and also tables. I've eaten there alone dozens of times. There are better places in the area though. Here's a list.
http://menupages.com/restaurants.asp...antIds=&sort=2

Frankly what I would do in the evenings you're alone is go to the theater. You're really close to the TKTS booth at the Marriott Marquis. (46 st & Broadway) It's so easy to go to the theater alone.

The Broadway Lounge of the Marriott on the 8th floor overlooks Times Square and has decent appetizers/bar food. Nice to sit and watch the world go by. Junior's, on 44th just west of Broadway is across from the Marriott and has sandwiches, burgers etc. They're famous for their cheesecake. Angus McIndoe, an upscale pubby place is also right nearby and would be a good spot alone. On the same block I think as your hotel is Virgil's BBQ but that's a lot of food. Cafe Un Deux Trois is also right on the same block as the hotel. It's a serviceable French brasserie.
http://www.cafeundeuxtrois.biz/generalinfo.html

Btw, you can order 2 appetizers if you don't want a full meal.

Don't know what nights you're alone, but MOMA is open late on Fri. and isn't far from your hotel. The dept. stores are all open late most nights. Lord & Taylor will be a short walk from your hotel. There are some good places to eat around Bloomingdales. Brio on Lexington Ave. & 60-61 st. has good pizza and pasta.

Some places I forgot to mention that are about 10-15 blocks north of your hotel (short walk)--Trattoria Dell 'Arte is a good, fun Italian restaurant that has an antipasto bar. Good spot for solo dining. It's at 7th ave. & 56 st.

2 blocks north on 7th & 58th st. is Le Pain Quotidien, a chain of Belgium restaurants serving good salads, soups, etc. They have a communal table where you can sit to chat with other solo diners.

La Bonne Soup on 55th st. b/w 5th & 6th is also a good option.

Thanks McLaurie...I knew I could count on you for some great advice. I will definitely be doing theatre and some of the places you mentioned. I have also bought tickets for Alvin Ailey in New Jersey as I missed their performance I had planned for New Years Eve.

It's been a bit since I've done it, but I've had a few solo meals at Tout Va Bien on 51st and 8th. The decor isn't much but the bistro fare is really good. It's a popular spot with French ex-pats.

Langan's on West 47th is a friendly Irish bar. I think you'd be fine if you wanted to grab dinner at the bar.

I'm not sure how you feel about eating at a bar -- but I feel it's one of the most "friendly" ways for a single person to eat. Joe Allen's, a real theatre hangout is a great place to do that, as is its "spring-off" clone Angus MacIndoe's.

Ryan, we just discovered Tout Va Bien this past February and I can't imagine a place that would make a single diner more welcome. I loved that place. The waitress brought us complimentary brandies telling us "it's too cold to go outside without a little extra fortification."

And I think mclaurie is right. New York is so filled with single diners, you won't be uncomfortable much of any place. I realize that isn't true everywhere.