Where should I eat tonight in NYC?

February 22, 2016 12:39 PM

I am in the city for business tonight and will be left to my own devices for dinner. I would like someplace where I can sit at a somewhat quiet bar, read a book, and eat a reasonably priced burger. Help me Metafilter, I am paralyzed with indecision.

I've been to NYC a ton of times with my husband and/or friends, but I've never been here on my own with no real game plan for the evening. I would like to eat some food while reading a book and not look like a weirdo in a totally loud/trendy or sketchy place.

I'm staying around Park Ave & 34th St., and it doesn't look like there is anything decent to eat around here. I also don't want a super fancy place, and I'm not a foodie, so I'll be happy with a decent burger or sandwich that isn't the apex of culinary arts. Willing to travel to other parts of Manhattan, not really interested in going all the way to Brooklyn. Without any better ideas I am going to end up at Heartland Brewery in Times Square, and that seems a little sad, I know I can do better than that.

posted by banjo_and_the_pork to Travel & Transportation around New York, NY (20 answers total)

Best answer: Waterfront Ale House is a good ways east of you but the right call.

The Breslin can be both lound/trendy (and the only burger they feature is made of lamb) but its oh so good - they have a bar but its usually quite full of people waiting for tables. It is inside the Ace Hotel though, and im fairly certain you could get a cocktail and a burger while you sat in the very nice lobby (its not a hotel lobby like youre used to).

Keens can be loud as well - it really depends on the people sitting near you - but its decidedly un-trendy and very old New York. I cannot say ive had the burger (i think its only available in the Pub Room, which actually may suit your request better to begin with).
posted by Exceptional_Hubris at 12:45 PM on February 22, 2016

I guess i should have read the question better:

- is $20 a reasonable price for a burger (for you)? Keens is $19.50 and the Breslin gets $21 for theirs. The more i think about this the more it seems Waterfront may be the ideal answer to your question.
posted by Exceptional_Hubris at 12:49 PM on February 22, 2016

Response by poster: Yikes. $20 when I'm home is not a reasonable burger price, but I can deal with the sticker shock of being in NY, so it's not too much for tonight. I am shy and socially awkward about going out alone, so a good ways east but meeting the rest of my criteria is totally ok, I'd rather walk for an hour to get somewhere quiet and non-fancy than go somewhere that's going to give me agita. Thanks!
posted by banjo_and_the_pork at 12:55 PM on February 22, 2016

Best answer: Jackson Hole is near you (35th & 3rd) and is a saloon/50s-style burger joint, very casual, free pickles, personal jukeboxes, etc. The burgers are 7oz and around $9.
posted by xo at 1:15 PM on February 22, 2016 [1 favorite]

Best answer: Try L'Express bistro just a few blocks from you. Its casual and the tables are small and I'd feel ok going and taking a table to myself (or sitting at the bar) to read.

Manhattan price scale adjustment discussed above does apply.
posted by slateyness at 1:15 PM on February 22, 2016 [1 favorite]

Best answer: Bareburger is an NYC chain that will provide you with a nice, reasonably priced (by NY standards...) burger with lots of options for sides, customization, etc. They are dotted around and it looks like there is one near you on at 3rd Ave and 34th Street.

Having said that, I can't guarantee it won't be noisy - no idea how crowded they get on a Monday night. The one near me (1st Ave and 73rd) normally isn't too bad, but it's a less busy neighborhood.
posted by cpatterson at 1:16 PM on February 22, 2016 [2 favorites]

Best answer: If you're up for a trek to the Village, Peculier Pub might fit the bill with competent pub food and an impressive beer selection, although I'd hesitate to recommend a special trip just to eat there. (Maybe go get espresso and dessert at Caffé Reggio after. That would be worth the trip.) Grither described Peculier Pub perfectly in this AskMe when he said "It's kinda a shit hole, but it's my kind of shit hole." (Also, I don't know what the scene is typically like on a Monday night; the one time I ate there on a Wednesday it was dead quiet. When I walked by the next night it was completely, claustrophobically packed. This was a number of years ago.)
posted by usonian at 1:20 PM on February 22, 2016

Best answer: were I you I would walk to 27th and turn east to go to Blue Smoke. Its probably the best combination of price/service/location. A little chain-y but its a Danny Meyer place, they'll take good care of you service wise and the burger is good. Reality is its hard to find a burger with fries for less than 16 bucks or so in Manhattan at a sit down place.

On the lower cost side of things there is Molly's on third and 22nd that is a good burger.

If you do decide to go to the village for a burger go to JG Melon or Corner Bistro.

(but really go to the Breslin and get the lamb burger and a pint of the house bitter)
posted by JPD at 1:26 PM on February 22, 2016 [2 favorites]

Response by poster: Ugh, I wrote 34th but meant 54th, in case a difference of twenty blocks matters for suggestions. Thanks, you guys are the best.
posted by banjo_and_the_pork at 1:31 PM on February 22, 2016

Best answer: Oh Resto on 29th would be another good option.

also the front room of Grammercy Tavern
posted by JPD at 1:32 PM on February 22, 2016

Best answer: Oh - yeah that sucks. I'm right near you right now, and yes your choices pretty much are terrible nearby especially if price is important to you.

One thing to keep in mind is that NYC is very used to solo diners - especially at the bar. So nothing to feel awkward about (although I know you don't believe me when I tell you that)

You could walk over the PJ Clarkes on 3rd and 55th
The Stag's Head on 2nd and 51st?

Otherwise all of the places on the East Side are pretty close to you if you take the subway.
posted by JPD at 1:37 PM on February 22, 2016 [1 favorite]

Best answer: I do this all the time at Corner Bistro in Greenwich Village. They have booths, where I always feel that I can hide away and read. I really like their burgers (which come on paper plates.) It's more crowded at night, but it should still be a relatively peaceful place to get a decent burger and read on a Monday night.
posted by thegreatfleecircus at 1:42 PM on February 22, 2016

Best answer: it's a nice day out and you're not too far from jgmelon (74th+3rd). my husband goes there by himself for a burger every once in a while.

on preview, someone else suggested the one downtown, but either one works!
posted by sabh at 1:45 PM on February 22, 2016

Best answer: If you're on 54th and Park, why not hit The National? You can sit at a table or the bar, and the Ugly Burger is great.
posted by The Bellman at 1:52 PM on February 22, 2016

Best answer: Hopefully this isn't too off the question, but where ever you decide to go, look at their website photos first. By knowing how the place is laid out will help you not feel as awkward when you first walk in. You will have a better idea of what is where. (Always helps me when I go somewhere alone.)
posted by Vaike at 1:53 PM on February 22, 2016 [3 favorites]

Best answer: JG Melons is just great for atmosphere and the burger if you're willing to pop on the 6 train for a few stops. It's up at 74th and 3rd.

Or honestly, just walk up there, it'll be a nice evening.
posted by jourman2 at 2:05 PM on February 22, 2016 [1 favorite]

Best answer: There's a place called "burger heaven" not one block from you.

http://burgerheaven.com/
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 2:05 PM on February 22, 2016

Best answer: Oh, and there's a place called the Burger Joint in the Parker Meridian hotel, which would be good for an ambiance kind of thing.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 2:07 PM on February 22, 2016 [3 favorites]

Best answer: One thing to keep in mind is that NYC is very used to solo diners - especially at the bar.

I'll reinforce this. Every time I go to NYC for business I eat by myself, everywhere from Shake Shack up to Michelin starred restaurants. No one bats an eye. (But I can by shy and awkaward too, so I totally get it!)

I don't have a specific recommendation; I just wanted to add some more encouragement :)
posted by primethyme at 2:23 PM on February 22, 2016 [1 favorite]

Response by poster: I settled on JG Malone's due to it getting two recommendations, and it's a nice night for a walk. From what I have gleaned from bartender chatter this place is totes haunted, which I should have added as a preferable criteria. You are all best answers, thanks everyone!
posted by banjo_and_the_pork at 3:03 PM on February 22, 2016 [6 favorites]