Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with nyc and restaurants

Where to go for a traditional Thanksgiving dinner in NYC this Thursday?

Pontius Pilate — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 12:16:24 -0800

Where to go for a traditional Thanksgiving dinner in NYC this Thursday? A couple of friends and I live and work in NYC and decided against going back to our various respective families for Thanksgiving. We'd still like to have a traditional Thanksgiving dinner this Thursday, but alas, none of us has anything close to the requisite cooking skills - so we are wondering how feasible it is to find a restaurant in Manhattan that does a good Thanksgiving dinner.

I have looked through various guides online, and it does look like there are many restaurants that do in fact offer this. However, the reviews are fairly sparse, and I'd love to get some first-hand recommendations from those who have done something like this in the past - or even anecdotal, second-hand suggestions. Any input would be much appreciated!

Party time... in midtown?

roomthreeseventeen — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 11:08:50 -0800

NYC party-filter: I need a private-ish room for an after-party in November. Caveats inside. My SO is having a reading of his show on a Tuesday night in November, and we’d like to have a little get-together drinkfest for the cast afterwards. We wouldn’t get there till about 9:30 or 10pm, probably 30-40 of us, and should be within walking distance of Times Square/Midtown west. I’ve looked through the Metatalk questions for NYC Meetup Places, but you guys always hang out in the East Village. :)

Bonus points if we don’t have to pay a charge for a private room, or can get sone kind of drink deal.

What should I do in NYC for My 30th birthday party?

squareoak — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 09:38:18 -0800

I have a 30th birthday coming up in NYC and I'm trying to think of some fun restaurants, places to go (i.e. bowling, paintball, karaoke), and or things to do. I'd like for a group of us to be able to eat and do something (like bowl) at the same time then we'd all go out to a bar afterward. Anyone have any fun restaurant or party place suggestions in NYC? btw, not interested in bowling or karaoke suggestions

Where should I take my parents for Thanksgiving in NYC?

chinese_fashion — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 22:00:40 -0800

Where can I take my visiting parents and sister for a nice Thanksgiving meal in New York City? My parents will be coming up to visit me in NYC for the first time EVER, and I'm really excited about this. They don't leave Virginia much. I'd like to take them out to a nice place for dinner on Thanksgiving, and as a family, we're looking forward to the adventure of it. I've spent 31 out of 32 Thanksgivings in Southern VA with the fam, so this is a huge stretch for them.

They're not as adventurous with their palates as I am, mind you. I didn't know you could even eat beef rare until after leaving college. They like Chinese and Italian just fine, though. So I guess I'm saying that turkey and stuffing isn't necessarily mandatory.

My dad's got some issues with long subway/car rides. He's got a health condition that means he needs to be near a bathroom pretty often. Nothing's COMPLETELY out of the question, but I don't know if he could swing a trip to say, Coney Island or Harlem on the subway.

I live in Williamsburg and they'll be staying here/Greenpoint too. It could be as easy as going to DuMont or something, I just don't know what's open and who does what.

So I'm asking: any suggestions for a good Thanksgiving tuck-in in Brooklyn/Manhattan?

need NYC recomendations

jmugrapler — Mon, 19 May 2008 18:51:36 -0800

Looking for a great hotel/restaurant Combo for June in NYC... planning to propose, so much... I am planning on proposing to my long term girlfriend and subsequently taking an overnight trip up from Philly to New York. I am going to propose here in Philly before leaving, so suggestions for question popping are not what i am looking for. Though, a really good one could sway me. My fear, and rationalle is that after 6.5 years, she knows its coming, and the trip for no reason would surely give me away so I want to do it before.

I need recomendations for a cool, unique hotel, and a really great restaurant. For the hotel I am hoping to stay in the $300 range, and probably about the same for the restaurant. So far I have been leaning towards the W, which is right in my range and looks fun. Anyone have any experience either way? Is the midtown location a major drawback?

I dont really have an agenda other than go up there and have a fun night. Other diversions and breakfast, lunch drink places are also welcome. Not really fans of the club scene, but we both really like wine and love Belgian beer.

For a restaurant, the GF is up for anything so adventurous is definately a plus. I am not very framiliar with new york restaurants for comparison, but in Philly she really likes Buddakan, Cuba Libre, Lacroix, and Friday Saturday Sunday.

Good: Sea Food, sushi, French, Steak
Bad: Chains, Touristy, Bland

Please help!

NYC Lunch

ecab — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 15:28:00 -0800

Where should I take my sister for a nice weekday lunch in New York City? I want to take my little sister to lunch for her birthday this Thursday, but most of the restaurants I've really been wanting to try are dinner only. I'm much less familiar with good lunch spots. I want it to be something very tasty and reasonably trendy/cool/nice/whatever - it's for her birthday, so it ought to have some specialness. I'd spend up to $60-70, but probably not much more. She's too young to drink, so that's not any issue. I'm interested in all sorts of food except Italian.

As for area, let's say below ~23rd St. in Manhattan, or perhaps somewhere in Brooklyn (though reasonably easily accessible as I need to get back uptown not too long after lunch).

From eating cookies on prom night, to flirting in Manhattan meat markets?

Anonymous — Sun, 09 Mar 2008 15:26:20 -0800

After a complete transformation, I need to practice flirting, in New York. I'm in my early 20s and I recently lost a lot of weight. I was not a fabulous fat girl, so I've never really been picked up, hit on, or flirted with, and now I'm not sure how to respond to any of the above -- let alone reciprocate. I mean, I've read plenty online, I'm socially competent, I have plenty of friends (girls and guys), I'm told I'm funny and fun, and I don't think I'm going to embarrass myself. I hope. I do have some recently acquired physical experience thanks to a good friend, and although that's not complete, the real problem is that missing out on all the years of normal teenager-development stuff means I need practice flirting, basically. I'm not even sure how to look approachable. I am also really, really criminally bad about not being able to turn down anyone who's interested in me.

I'm going to be in New York in a few weeks. I think it's the right place to start -- I'm familiar and comfortable with the city, but because it's not home base for me, I'm not going to run into the same people again, and I'm not going to worry about whether flirting will turn into more. I can just relax and practice low-stakes flirting.

I'd really like an idea of somewhere to go, where it's likely guys will try to flirt with me. If I were looking for a serious relationship, I would just do stuff I enjoy while being open to meeting people, or maybe I'd make an effort to go to readings or talks or other intellectual stuff. But my goal here is not just likeliness of awesome guys, but also frequency of flirt attempts. However, more intelligent crowds would still be great -- I don't want a total B&T meat market vibe. Somewhere everyone's looking for a one-night stand wouldn't be as right as somewhere people are openly looking for something that could be more. I have business during the day, so after-work bars (or whatever) would be great, but I'll be there over at least one weekend so that's fine too.

Also, although I might be pretty cute now, I'm still not a stunning model wearing high fashion, so I'm not going to get entrance to that kind of scene. I'm not good at judging myself, so all I can do is say that with a fair picture of me in a sweatshirt, Hot Or Not rates me about 7.5. (No, I won't be wearing a sweatshirt out -- more likely a fitted sweater with jeans or a skirt.)

Bonus complication: Because of my previous addictive behaviors with food, I don't drink. I have no problem going to bars or being around people who are drinking, but if drinking is the only thing to do, or if everyone there is going to be really drunk, that's not as much fun. Plus if guys have beer goggles on, I can't believe they're into the actual me.

Basically, I'm looking for a few different things. In no order:
1) advice/experiences of people who have gone from ugly ducklings to semi-swans around this age
2) advice in general about how to flirt, how to attract interest, etc.
3) recommendations from New Yorkers about what specific places would be right to go to

Thanks, everyone!

Where to eat and drink in NYC on Christmas day?

triv — Wed, 05 Sep 2007 05:51:06 -0800

I'm going to be in NYC with my girlfriend over Christmas, and need some advice from the hive mind about the general opening hours of restaurants and cafes on Christmas day in Manhattan. We're flying in on 22nd and leaving on 27th December, and have been to NYC once before in the winter so know what we're getting into. However, this is the first time we'll be there on Christmas day.

So, does anyone have any knowledge of *cheap* but nice restaurants that open on Christmas day? What about shops and cafes? Does the Subway run? Does everything shut down or are certain places open? Bonus points for any attractions that we should visit that would also be open. We're just as happy bumming around and taking pictures, but will have to stop and eat at some point!

Giving thanks for (and in) New York City

serialcomma — Sun, 12 Nov 2006 22:23:54 -0800

Suggestions needed: where to eat, watch football, and keep busy on Thanksgiving Day in New York City. My boyfriend and I will be in New York City for Thanksgiving. We're looking for three things for that day:

1. A place to have Thanksgiving dinner. Turkey and the trimmings is not essential--we're leaning toward a Chinese meal instead. Can anyone suggest a not-too-pricy Chinese restaurant (or other non-turkey cuisine) that'll be open on Thanksgiving?

2. He wants to watch the Cowboys game. Can anyone recommend a sports bar?

3. And any thoughts on other things to do on Thanksgiving? I used to live in NYC, and he's visited several times, so I'd rather avoid the typical tourist attractions (though I realize those may well be the only things open on Thanksgiving Day).

Oh, and specific neighborhood doesn't matter too much, though I'd prefer recommendations in Manhattan.

Thanks!

NYC Restaurant Filter: Where Can I Find Great Rijstafel?

NYCinephile — Sat, 12 Aug 2006 17:16:01 -0800

Show me to the rice table! A MeFite's recent answer (http://ask.metafilter.com/mefi/42709#656922) about things to do in NYC has sparked my curiosity about & whetted my appetite for rijstafel (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rijstafel).

Is Java still open? Do you recommend it? Are there recommended restaurants in Manhattan that serve it?

I'm hoping to share what sounds like a tasty meal with some friends who enjoy a variety of international cuisines.

Indian Food in NYC

spaghetti — Fri, 06 Jan 2006 07:38:29 -0800

Where can I find great Indian food in NYC?

What must I see/do in NYC?

rfordh — Tue, 22 Mar 2005 09:06:44 -0800

I'm in New York City until Sunday. I've been exploring mostly without direction so far, but I thought I'd throw it out to you guys. What should I see or do before I leave? Details: I'm 20 years old, staying in Brooklyn Heights. If you know a good restaurant or two around that area, that would be great. The same goes for great bagel places, cafes, or restaurants in Manhattan, as I'll be around there a lot during the day. I've been following some advice from this thread, and any location-specific advice for clothes shopping would be great.

The Mefi archives proved to be a little too specific when I checked them, so I'd like to leave this as broad as possible. Any suggestions or advice would be much appreciated, so throw it out there even if you don't think it's right for me. Thanks.

Cool NYC hotels

onlyconnect — Tue, 01 Mar 2005 08:05:55 -0800

NYC Hotel Splurge: My bf bought Spamalot tickets for a weekend in June and we are looking for reasonable deal on a high end hotel ($250-350/night) to live it up a little. Royalton? Sofitel? Other? Also seeking food recs. The theatre is on 44th & Broadway. We really like the cool urban feel of the photos of the nearby Royalton, but the reviews are so so, and for less cash we could get a suite at the Sofitel, which gets uniformly super reviews. Both of these hotels are a block away from the theatre. Should we think about other places instead? Looking for a little bit of a wow factor b/c we don't get to travel together alot. Also, any fun (vegetarian friendly) dining experiences nearby? (The archives haven't really addressed this.)

(BTW, I am finding that internet services yield lower hotel rates than the regular hotel sites, so finding a really special hotel experience for the rates cited really seems possible.)

Cheap, fast Chinese food in NYC

cyrusdogstar — Mon, 22 Nov 2004 08:43:57 -0800

NYCFilter: This should be a simple question, where can I get fairly decent, cheap, fast Chinese food in Soho or Chinatown? Details and Midtown analogies inside. I work in Soho, specifically the Puck Building (corner of Houston and Lafayette Streets, a block from Broadway). In the immediate neighborhood all I've really found is a Subway and a passable pizzeria; but, I occasionaly tire of those and I do like Chinese/Japanese food (don't we all?).

My girlfriend works on and off in Midtown, and she's got a plethora of cheap & good Chinese/Japanese food to choose from when she's there--Yoshinoya's, a place that recently closed called Yip's, another place whose name I forget on 38th Street. They all offer your typical compact rice + meat (+ sometimes veggies) meal for approximately $3-6.

However, I haven't yet found any similar places around here, and I'm afraid to wander 10 minutes down to Canal and start trying random Chinese restaurants in Chinatown. Mostly because A) I wouldn't know where to start and B) I'm unsure what the general range of quality is down there.

So I'm hoping someone can suggest places they've been to or heard of that would offer some fairly cheap, fairly decent General Tso's or whatnot, that would be in this general area of Manhattan. Thanks!

Recommend delicious vegan restaurants in NYC

iconomy — Thu, 29 Jul 2004 06:50:44 -0800

I go to NYC at least once a month, and I'm always on the hunt for good vegan restaurants, especially in the East Village area, although I'd love to hear about good eats in other areas of the city as well. I've been to Quintessence, Bonobos, and Caravan of Dreams, and I go gaga over LifeThyme, the grocery/bookstore/cafeteria on 7th Ave and 9th St - they have six inch high veggie pizza that's to die for. Are there any more yummy vegan places I need to know about, and if so, what's the most yummilicious thing on the menu?

All-you-can-eat

Prospero — Mon, 03 May 2004 12:34:24 -0800

I'm going to Churrascaria Plataforma in NYC in a couple of weeks, an all-you-can-eat Brazilian restaurant that encourages gastronomic excess. What are strategies I can employ to help me consume more food than a person should reasonably eat in a single sitting? (Time isn't a factor, I don't think--it's a fixed-price menu, and I believe you can stay as long as you like.) And is there any Brazilian cuisine that I should try while I'm there?