what wine goes well with the anger of Achilles, son of Peleus?

April 22, 2009 8:18 AM

What awesome places do you recommend for dinner near-ish Chelsea in Manhattan?

We're going to be in Manhattan on Saturday night to see the Iliad at the Lucille Lortel Theatre near 8th Avenue and 26th Street. I'm interested in ramen, and he might be more inclined for really, really good Indian food, but any delicious pre-theater dinner that isn't readily available in smaller US cities will make us both happy.

Sushi or anything seafood heavy probably isn't the greatest idea, given that I'm dealing with a shellfish allergy, but I can deal if it's the best option by head and shoulders.

Max budget of around $30-$40 per person, though we can splash out a bit more for something extraordinary, but time constraints might keep that from happening. Cheap and obscure and linoleum floored would thrill as long as it was tasty.

Thanks!

posted by joyceanmachine to travel & transportation around New York, NY (4 answers total)

There are a few good places in that nabe that come to mind but nothing very ethnic ex. Grand Sichuan. I can't think of Ramen in that area. There is a new Ramen Setagaya on University and 12th or 13th as well as Ippudo over on 4th and 9th. Both I heartily recommend but might be outside your area (plus the wait at Ippudo on a Saturday is terrifying). No Indian that I would recc. in the nabe or a place I would even call close.

In Chelsea itself
Co. -Artisinal Pizza
Tia Pol, Txikito, El Quinto Pino, Soccarat - Tapas (soccarat is Paella)
Trestle on Tenth - Swiss (maybe too pricy but I really like it)
Klee - Bistro type stuff
RUB - Barbeque
There is an izakaya -Izakaya Ten next to Tia Pol that I have not been to that is supposed to be decent.
Cookshop you could probably get out of for the top end of your price range w/ no booze.
Same w/ Red Hat
posted by JPD at 9:10 AM on April 22, 2009

Not too far away there's a couple of delicious Afghan restaurants on 9th Av in the low 50s: Afghanistan Kebab House and Ariana Afghan Kebab Restaurant. It's kinda like really good Indian food, only different, and there are some noodly dumplingy options that might satisfy your ramen cravings.

(I've seen people argue about which of these two restaurants is better. I happen to like Ariana!)
posted by moonmilk at 9:19 AM on April 22, 2009

Seconding Ariana and Trestle.
posted by rokusan at 10:36 AM on April 22, 2009

We ended up going to Ariana's. The boyfriend was so-so on the food, but I thought it was fantabulous. Thanks for the help, guys!
posted by joyceanmachine at 7:36 AM on June 18, 2009