We all have our favorite places we haunt, but since you are going to be all over the city I would strongly suggest getting a Zagat guide, so no matter where you are, you can find a good to excellent restaurant.

I would recommend Fraunces Tavern as a good restaurant, and it has LOTS of intersting history, George Washington said good bye to his troops there and took the oath of office for President a few block away on Wall St. That might be interesting to the kids and it has good food.

Grey's at 72nd and Brodway has the BEST hot dogs and it is very cheap.

Lots of fun places in the village. A special treat for the kids would be Pom Fritte on on 2nd Ave around 8th St, they have THE BEST FRIES ANYWHERE and you get to choose some interesting sauces to have with them.

Ellen's STardust on Broadway and 47th? is a fun evening and ok food, and all the servers are aspiring singers so it would be fun for the kids. Great chocolate shakes there.

In Chinatown, Mott St has several good restaurants, our favorite for Dim Sum is Mandarin Court. Another nice place that won't break the bank for dinner is the Peking Duck House and order the Pekind Duck it is amazing. If the kids like chicken they will love the duck.

The Museum of Natural History has a restaurant right there, and it's kind of McD's so you get the idea, you can tour the museum have lunch when the kids get tired and then head out to the Park, and find the carousel. You also might rent a boat to row around on the little lake there, and bring bread to feed the birds.

The Central Park Zoo also has a nice cafe and the food is also pretty good kids fare and reasonable. The kids will also enjoy the exhibits of animals there.

If you venture out of Manhattan, you might think about Fire Island and the Sunken Forest for a day at the beach. Long Island Railroad has a "special fare" which includes train/taxi/ferry rt very reasonably and the walk through the Sunken Forest is fun as is the Ranger Station there. Sunken Forest is a family area, and there's a shower building, and a cute cafe close to the ferry landing.

Hope this helps some, and hope you and the kids enjoy your trip to the city.

the heartland brewery chain is very good.