luvthebeach

DH husband and I are looking for a trendy hip restaurant for THIS WEEKEND in the times square area! Looking for Italian or steak!

Thanks-

HowardR

If the restaurant is trendy, you're already too late to get reservations for this weekend!

luvthebeach

Ok then, where can we go that we would be able to get into?

This is a last minute trip!

HowardR

It's a tough question to answer at this late date. (And I really wasn't being sarcastic in my first response.) To get into a "good" and "popular" restaurant in New York on a weekend just about demands making reservations at least two weeks in advance.
Having said all that, how about passing along some of criteria for what you are looking for, i.e., price range, type of atmosphere/ambience, the time you'd want to go, etc.?

luvthebeach

We are looking for steak or Italian. Any restaurant will do as long as it does not have children running around (something a bit trendy or romantic will do). Price does not matter

Do you know what the name of the NY reservation website is?

Thanks-

MikeT

opentables.

How about seafood. Blue Fin at the W Times Square is very trendy and great food.

MikeT

You might also check places in Hells Kitchen instead of Times Square. A few blocks away, but miles away when it comes to trendy and interesting.

KikiLee

it's actually www.opentable.com (singular). I agree with Mike that Times Square is neither romantic nor trendy. Are you willing to go to other neighborhoods? If so,

Steak: Strip House (the most romantic), Sparks (best steak in Manhattan, IMHO) or the new V Steakhouse in the Mall (though revies have been VERY mixed, I'd stick with one of the other two).

Italian: Vento (new in Meatpacking District), Barbuto (ditto), Lupa (you'll have to wait at the bar, but they reserve tables for walk-ins), Pace (new in Tribeca).

Manhattan is a little island, I highly recommend taking a quick cab ride to get out of TS - the only places I can think of in TS that could be considered trendy are Blue Fin and Ruby Foo's.

GoTravel

What about the bar area of Gramercy Tavern? You don't need a reservation. Not in Times Square but Lower Midtown/Gramercy Park area.

Also, there is always Nobu Next Door but it is neither steak nor Italian.

Patrick

I'll agree that trendy and hip don't normally go along with Times Square. Restuarants at the trendier hotels such as the W or the Muse might be good options and possibly still available for this weekend if you're open to seating times.
Judging by the crowd and loving the food and atmosphere, Marseille at 44th and 9th is a thought. More Mediterannean that just Italian, and a really neat "tapas" starter all arranged on a long dish.

HowardR

A couple Italian suggestions:
Cellini (65 East 54th, between Madison & Park; 212-751-1555)
Remi (145 West 53rd, between 6th & 7th; 212-581-4242)

stormygirl

I was also going to recommend Blue Fin, very cool- great location- windows looking out to TS, loved it!

mclaurie

The trendiest Italians I know in the theater district are Esca and Orso. If you're planning to eat before or after theater, Howard is right, unlikely to get a reservation. However, if you're not going to the theater, you might be able to squeeze in to one of these places between 8-10. But as others say, trendy and hip is not in the theater district (although Blue Fin is the exception to the rule).

DBbistro Moderne is Daniel Boulud's less expensive alternative to Daniel and is famous for their fois gras burger. They also have a good pre theater.

Just outside the area...Town in the Chambers hotel (56th betw 5th-6th) is chic.

Otherwise, go downtown.

jh0507

You can't put "trendy" and "times square " in the same sentence. I agree Ruby Foos etc are hip, but hip in a touristy mass consuming way.

Try newyork.citysearch.com

Don't eat in times square

luvthebeach

Thank you for all your help! My husband and I have a 4pm show so we will eat after the show. So I am guessing from the response that Time's Square is out-so how about Little Italy?

I am from Philadelphia a hop skip and a jump from NYC-it's a shame that I need all of your help! I have been to NYC 3 times in my life!

Thanks again!

Leona

Neither trendy nor hip, but Shula in the Westin Times Square serves good steaks & sides. They have a VERY nice bar where you can get some good sushi as well.

KikiLee

I hate to be so negative, but I think Little Italy is if possible even worse - lots of tourist traps with mediocre food, and there will be TONS of children running around. You have received lots of good suggestions on this thread though, I really suggest heading somewhere downtown. And a 4:00 show means you can have dinner at 7, early by NY standards, so you may have a shot at reservations.

mclaurie

A 4 pm show??? What? Where? What day of the week? Even if you find trendy, it ain't trendy at 6 pm. Full disclosure needed here. How old are you? What are you looking for when you say trendy/hip? Good people watching? Outstanding food? A bar scene?

KikiLee

OK, so I am feeling a little guilty about the negative tone of my previous post - you don't live here, you can't be expected to know what neighborhoods we locals avoid like the plague. So, in penance, here's one plan for a "trendy" night:

4:00 - show
then... reservations at Vento, Barbuto, 5 Ninth, or Extra Virgin (depending on where you can get a table)

then... Drinks on the roof of the Gansevoort hotel to see the view

and/or... a mojito at Son Cubano to listen to the live music

and/or... drinks at Level V.

And I agree, trendy doesn't really start until the sun goes down...