Midtown west, low noise level, moderate and not super trendy

Thanks, guys, I'll definitely take a look at those two.

warrior rabbit in Manhattan

Midtown west, low noise level, moderate and not super trendy

I posted before about coming to NYC and meeting new relatives (from New Jersey), and needing a place to meet where we can actually talk (http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/627917). I was all set with Cacio e Vino and a short list of backups. They said ok and were looking them over when they suddenly decided the subway was too much, or something. Not sure about that.

Anyhow, now they want to stay near (relatively) the bus lines that serve the ferry. http://www.nywaterway.com/ferry/map/Off.Peak.Bus.Map.pdf

I would still prefer Sicilian, but I don't think there's anything around there. I saw there are a couple of well-received Ethiopian places (my favorite!), but I suspect that might be a little too exotic.

I'm looking for something non-trendy, no chain, probably low moderate, and something where we can talk to each other, since this is a first meeting. I read about Kashkaval, but I think it's too noisy.

We will probably be trying for an early dinner, so that they can get home at a reasonable hour.

Wondee Siam might work. I don't think Hallo Berlin is what we're looking for. Sukhadia might be too informal/cheap. Fatty Crab looked good, but I think it's too noisy and cramped.

Are there any other suggestions?

warrior rabbit in Manhattan

Out-of-towner meeting out-of-towners for first time; looking for moderate price, not noisy, manhattan ok too

Thanks for the insight. It does help. Looks like Joe's is the better (easier) choice over Ferdinando's, at any rate. I did go out to Arthur Avenue once, and you're right, it's not the easiest place to get to using public transportation, as I recall.

warrior rabbit in Outer Boroughs

Out-of-towner meeting out-of-towners for first time; looking for moderate price, not noisy, manhattan ok too

Ah, that's an interesting option! Thanks.

warrior rabbit in Outer Boroughs

Out-of-towner meeting out-of-towners for first time; looking for moderate price, not noisy, outer boroughs ok

ukitali, thanks for your comments. Is Cacio e Vino too noisy to talk? A couple of descriptions mentioned it was noisy. But a couple of others said intimate, and I don't think you can be intimate amidst a ruckus. Also, is there anything notable in the area that we can maybe stroll to/around afterward?

warrior rabbit in Manhattan

Out-of-towner meeting out-of-towners for first time; looking for moderate price, not noisy, outer boroughs ok

chowgal, as my list includes restaurants from both areas, I crossposted. That is why I apologized for crossposting at the bottom. Thanks, though.

warrior rabbit in Manhattan

Out-of-towner meeting out-of-towners for first time; looking for moderate price, not noisy, manhattan ok too

I'm coming to NYC the first week of July and will be meeting 'new' relatives from New Jersey for dinner. (I've found some cousins through genealogy.) I'm looking for something that has character and good food but isn't a total dive, nor too upscale and trendy. Moderate in price, not exorbitant -- my budget's pretty tight, and I imagine they're not keen on spending a lot, either. Also, since the point is to meet these new relatives, an atmosphere conducive to conversation is a priority.

We will have a party that includes a late 20s, an almost-40, mid 50s, and two geezers (my parents) in their mid to late 70s. I don't know how the New Jerseyans feel about food, but given the unknowns, the less exotic would probably be better.

However, it doesn't have to be totally boring mainstream, either -- definitely no chains or blah food. We'll be staying in Manhattan, but I'm open to the outer boroughs, too, as long as we can get there relatively easy by subway and minimal walking. As this is a genealogy thing, I have been leaning toward Sicilian fare, but am not ruling out other cuisines, either.

Sorry to get all TripAdvisor on you, but I'm also looking for a restaurant where we can wander around afterward, in a neighborhood that isn't dangerous or all industrial, one with strolling and chatting possibilities. We will probably have an early-ish dinner so they can get back to New Jersey before it's super late (I don't know if they're driving).

These are the places I've come to on my own from reading reviews at the Times and Chowhound:

Cacio e Vino (is it too loud?)
Ferdinando's Focacceria
El Almacen
Vutera
Joe's of Avenue U
Caserta Vecchia (Napolitano, I know)
Piccola Venezia
Roberto's (Arthur Ave)
Caracas Arepa Bar (maybe too inexpensive)

I know Joe's and Ferdinando's are inexpensive, but they have the advantage of being Sicilian.

I also got some recommendations from nycfoodie.com (you tell him what you're looking for, he'll email you some options):

Kuma Inn
Salumeria Rosi
Bar Stuzzichini
Perbacco
Fatty Crab

I ate at Flor's Kitchen last time I was there, but I read that it closed. Too bad.

Anyhow, which of these do you think best fits my parameters? What would you choose? Or do you have other suggestions?

(I'm sorry, I cross-posted this because there's no universal NYC board unless you have a craving.)

warrior rabbit in Outer Boroughs

Out-of-towner meeting out-of-towners for first time; looking for moderate price, not noisy, outer boroughs ok

I'm coming to NYC the first week of July and will be meeting 'new' relatives from New Jersey for dinner. (I've found some cousins through genealogy.) I'm looking for something that has character and good food but isn't a total dive, nor too upscale and trendy. Moderate in price, not exorbitant -- my budget's pretty tight, and I imagine they're not keen on spending a lot, either. Also, since the point is to meet these new relatives, an atmosphere conducive to conversation is a priority.

We will have a party that includes a late 20s, an almost-40, mid 50s, and two geezers (my parents) in their mid to late 70s. I don't know how the New Jerseyans feel about food, but given the unknowns, the less exotic would probably be better. However, it doesn't have to be totally boring mainstream, either -- definitely no chains or blah food. I'm open to the outer boroughs, too, as long as we can get there by subway and minimal walking. As this is a genealogy thing, I have been leaning toward Sicilian fare, but am not ruling out other cuisines, either.

Sorry to get all TripAdvisor on you, but I'm also looking for a restaurant where we can wander around afterward, in a neighborhood that isn't dangerous or all industrial, one with strolling and chatting possibilities. We will probably have an early-ish dinner so they can get back to New Jersey before super late.

These are the places I've come to on my own from reading reviews at the Times and Chowhound:

Cacio e Vino (is it too loud?)
Ferdinando's Focacceria
El Almacen
Vutera
Joe's of Avenue U
Caserta Vecchia (Napolitano, I know)
Piccola Venezia
Roberto's (Arthur Ave)
Caracas Arepa Bar (maybe too inexpensive)

I know Joe's and Ferdinando's are inexpensive, but they have the advantage of being Sicilian.

I also got some recommendations from nycfoodie.com (you tell him what you're looking for, he'll email you some options):

Kuma Inn
Salumeria Rosi
Bar Stuzzichini
Perbacco
Fatty Crab

I ate at Flor's Kitchen last time I was there, but I read that it closed. Too bad.

Anyhow, which of these do you think best fits my parameters? Or do you have other suggestions? (I'm sorry, I crossposted this because there's no universal NYC board unless you have a craving.)

warrior rabbit in Manhattan

just move to Encinitas, where to eat???

I concur with bonedaddy regarding Potato Shack. Discovered it in college and am still eating there now (many, many years later). Portions are huge and satisfying -- you'll have plenty to take home with you later. And their manhole cover-sized pancakes? Really are that big. Get an apple pancake, and the apple slices are baked in. Love that.

Also Roxy is a great choice for more vegetarian fare -- I particularly love the artichoke sandwich.

Trattoria Trulli is also quite good. I ate at Calypso once about six years ago, but I can't remember anything about it other than that I was there. Of course, it if it was awful, I'd remember, so it's not awful but apparently not mindblowing, either.

warrior rabbit in San Diego

So where is a good breakfast in SD?

My top two breakfast places are the Potato Shack in Encinitas, and the Eggery in Mission Beach.

warrior rabbit in San Diego