Hi there,

I'm organizing a small birthday dinner for my roommate next Friday night. Something with great food, preferably east side, and not a crazy atmosphere (should be able to hear each other), but nothing real low key either.

Looking for italian, mexican, american... no Chinese or Indian. Looking at maybe $30 a person before drinks. I also realize most places will be full of rsvp's, so some place that may not have a crazy wait would be great.

Any suggestions are much appreciated!

Try Mexican Radio in Soho- I just tried it this past weekend and it was delicious!

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Mexican Radio
19 Cleveland Pl, New York, NY 10012

I don't drink coffee so I can't attest to how good it is here, but I love Cafe Angelique on Bleecker. Grey Dog Coffee on Carmine was always popular too.

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Grey Dog Coffee
33 Carmine St, New York, NY 10014

Cafe Angelique
68 Bleecker St, New York, NY 10012

I second Otto, was there this past weekend and thought it would be great for a group. It definitely does get pretty loud later on in the evening, but the pizza is soo worth it!

I absolutely second Two Little Red Hens- they have a great carrot cake cupcake!

THANKS SOOOO MUCH to all of you for your great input. I move this Friday and am printing this out for my roommate and I - MUCH appreciated!!

Hi there,
If all goes well today, I'll be signing a lease for a place on 69th & 1st...exactly 20 blocks south of where I currently live. I'm pretty familiar with the UES, but not so much the 60's & 50's. It seems to be an area with more businesses than restaurants...different from the upper 80's. Any recommendations? I was looking for a bagel place close to 69th and didn't see anything within 3 blocks, but I figure something has to be close with the hospitals being right there.

Any ideas for ANY food stops/restaurants are appreciated!

Thanks,
Laura

I'm having dinner with 2 friends before my birthday next week and am looking for suggestions on where to go. Would like to stay under $20 per entree and am looking for good food, cute atmosphere, and just an overall nice experience. Would prefer EV, LES, WV areas, but open to suggestions. I am currently thinking of Cafe Katja...what do you think?

Thanks!
Laura

I went less than 2 weeks ago (2nd time) and I think its just as great as it was the first time.

I agree as well, the sandwich would have been great if there was some kind of moisture too it...a light sauce, cheese, something! The pork is very good, don't get me wrong, but Id rather have it outside the sandwich with sides...the bread AND pork were just too dry together.

I'm visiting friends next week and we are going out to dinner for my birthday. I'd like to go somewhere fun and kind of "Savannah-ish", but nothing too pricey because the friends I'm visiting are on a budget. $20 or less entrees would be great.

Afterwards I'd like to watch the NBA finals...any good sports bars?

Thank you!
Laura

I have friends in town who at the last minute invited 4 other local friends for dinner in the WVillage. We were going to try to walk in somewhere before these people were added, but now with 7 I'm thinking its not going to be easy.

Our sights are set for Mexican, ideally Cabrito on Carmine, but knowing that likely won't happen, are there any restaurants in the WVillage (any type of good food with a fun atmosphere) that could take 7 people without a res? Suggestions?

Thanks!!

Hi there,
Does anyone have any rec's for really good mexican on the UES? I don't mean Southwestern like "Mustang's" or slightly Mexican like "Samalita's"....

I've tried Cilantro, Taco Taco, Blockheads, Sabor A Mexico, Arriba Arriba...

I've heard not great things about Maz Mezcal, so I haven't tried it yet...and according to Menupages, the mexican food on the UES is best found at "Burger One"??

Any help is appreciated!

Thanks very much to both of you. I had heard of Little Poland, but no remarkable reviews, maybe I'll try Stage.

hc, that sounds great too, I LOVE pierogies and have just been settling with the frozen grocery store versions I make at home.

thanks!

I've been looking for a great Polish restaurant in the city. I use to go to one in Florida that was amazing, but I haven't found anything here yet. I've been to Ukranian places, German, places, but does anyone know of a good restaurant that is specifically Polish?

thanks!
Laura

Yep, it's been there about a month now maybe. It use to be "Brio", a wine bar.

Has anyone been? It's on 89th and 2nd. I've walked by it a few times, seems fairly busy...

Looking for an after work place with good food, drinks, and a lively atmosphere. Something like El Rio Grande would be great, but just afraid it will be way too packed.

Where have you celebrated Cinco de Mayo in the past?

thanks!
Laura

Next weekend my family will be here to do the Revlon 5k in Central Park. Afterwards we are always hunting around the UES for lunch/brunch options, but we end up settling on anything because we are starving. What's a good place that will take us in our runner's clothes, but is not just a diner or pub or has a bad wait? We've done Cafe D' Alsace, Cilantro, Tenzan, etc- looking for something with good quality food, not just burgers & salads.

Thanks!

Nope, I will have more than one lunch with them, I just know Saturdays & Sundays are a whole new ballgame... Good to know about Co!

I think Tao is a great idea, and Ive never been...

awesome, exactly what I was looking for- thank you!

I have family visiting next weekend so I have the odd benefit of being able to eat lunch on a weekday in the city (I work in CT). What is a good place to try, really anywhere in Manhattan, that might otherwise be a long wait on the weekends?

Looking for something in the $25 each (or less) range, before alcohol.

THANKS!!

Thanks to you both. Ive heard of Set Portes and think that might be a good fit.

I will be in Barcelona with family and am looking for a great restaurant with a fun atmosphere for New Year's Eve dinner, which is also my Mom's birthday. Some place in a good location that does NYE festivities at midnight (and preferably with dancing, though not a dealbreaker) would be PERFECT. Willing to shell out some extra $$ for this dinner, though not get too crazy.

Any info is appreciated, thanks!

I completely agree, those cookies melt in your mouth!

I am interested in trying Cipolla Rossa that just opened last month, but was wondering if there was anything else in the area that is relatively new and worth trying.

I like Cafe El Portal in Soho on Elizabeth- homey mexican for a decent price...though the guacamole serving could be a little bigger, we went through like 3 of them!

thanks very much for peep and inoteca, will look into both!

I meant they are in their 20's...