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December 30, 2009 11:35 AM Subscribe
What's a good "Mom & Dad are in town and want to take us to dinner" restaurant in Manhattan, preferably by Union Square?
I’m looking for a restaurant that is good without being pretentious or weird, nice but not too expensive, and not too crowded or noisy for my parents. I would also like to find a place that takes reservations, won't keep us waiting, and is within walking distance of Union Square. Last year we went to Rosa Mexicana, which was just right.
I’m looking for a restaurant that is good without being pretentious or weird, nice but not too expensive, and not too crowded or noisy for my parents. I would also like to find a place that takes reservations, won't keep us waiting, and is within walking distance of Union Square. Last year we went to Rosa Mexicana, which was just right.
Best answer: Union Square Cafe for sure. It is made for dining with the out of town 'rents.
posted by Pineapplicious at 11:40 AM on December 30, 2009 [4 favorites]
posted by Pineapplicious at 11:40 AM on December 30, 2009 [4 favorites]
What's the expectation, budget-wise? There are plenty of good restaurants in the area, but are you looking for a $15 entree kind of joint, or $40?
posted by swngnmonk at 11:46 AM on December 30, 2009
posted by swngnmonk at 11:46 AM on December 30, 2009
Response by poster: Let's say $30 per entree, also forgot to mention we went to Blue Water Grill last year as well.
posted by 2bucksplus at 11:51 AM on December 30, 2009
posted by 2bucksplus at 11:51 AM on December 30, 2009
Best answer: Union Square Cafe is the canonical "parents from out of town" restaurant. It's a great place. It's never the craziest/most exciting restaurant, but everything is always very good and the staff and service are amazing. They make you feel like a king. It's a good pampering experience, and, depending on your parents, it avoids the "our amuse bouche tonight is a box of pure oxygen flavored with lemongrass" problem that occasionally stymies parents.
No discussion of Union Square area parents-from-out-of-town restaurants is complete without mentioning Gotham Bar and Grill. Kind of a similar situation as USq Cafe. Last time I was there I remember thinking, "you know what? this is still a really good restaurant, its just that NY gets so obsessed with blog joints places like this kind of fall off the buzz radar."
Getting away from the "this place is totally designed for this purpose" restaurants, I really like 15 East. I think the dude who runs it used to be the chef at Jewel Bako during its glory days. I went there a few months ago and it was awesome, if you really like sushi. Plus the staff at 15 East is great too, if you tell them "we're here with my parents from out of town, can you just bring us a whole bunch of tasty stuff?" they'll make it awesome, kind of an omakase/NYC tasting menu hybrid.
There's a ton of options, but basically I think Union Square Cafe or Gotham Bar & Grill is exactly what you are looking for.
posted by jeb at 11:58 AM on December 30, 2009 [3 favorites]
No discussion of Union Square area parents-from-out-of-town restaurants is complete without mentioning Gotham Bar and Grill. Kind of a similar situation as USq Cafe. Last time I was there I remember thinking, "you know what? this is still a really good restaurant, its just that NY gets so obsessed with blog joints places like this kind of fall off the buzz radar."
Getting away from the "this place is totally designed for this purpose" restaurants, I really like 15 East. I think the dude who runs it used to be the chef at Jewel Bako during its glory days. I went there a few months ago and it was awesome, if you really like sushi. Plus the staff at 15 East is great too, if you tell them "we're here with my parents from out of town, can you just bring us a whole bunch of tasty stuff?" they'll make it awesome, kind of an omakase/NYC tasting menu hybrid.
There's a ton of options, but basically I think Union Square Cafe or Gotham Bar & Grill is exactly what you are looking for.
posted by jeb at 11:58 AM on December 30, 2009 [3 favorites]
Les Halles?
Gramercy Tavern is not far away, either.
posted by mattbucher at 12:03 PM on December 30, 2009 [2 favorites]
Gramercy Tavern is not far away, either.
posted by mattbucher at 12:03 PM on December 30, 2009 [2 favorites]
If you're in the mood for Italian, Borgo Antico is a nice place that meets your criteria.
posted by xo at 12:03 PM on December 30, 2009
posted by xo at 12:03 PM on December 30, 2009
Knickerbocker would be a classic choice.
posted by DarlingBri at 12:30 PM on December 30, 2009 [1 favorite]
posted by DarlingBri at 12:30 PM on December 30, 2009 [1 favorite]
Chat N Chew is a solid OK restaurant that serves comfort food.
posted by wcfields at 12:33 PM on December 30, 2009
posted by wcfields at 12:33 PM on December 30, 2009
Laut on 17th is a good alternative as well. They serve Malaysian/Thai and that is where I went with my parents last week when they were visiting.
posted by Falconetti at 12:36 PM on December 30, 2009
posted by Falconetti at 12:36 PM on December 30, 2009
Knickerbocker, Union SQ Cafe, and Gramercy Tavern are all the correct choices.
posted by dfriedman at 12:41 PM on December 30, 2009
posted by dfriedman at 12:41 PM on December 30, 2009
What jeb said, with that caveat that Union Square Cafe is incredibly popular.
When are you planning on dining there? USC opens its books 4 weeks in advance, and if you don't call far enough in advance, they may only have undesireable time slots left. Luckily, they do some a few tables for walk-ins, which are first come, first served, and they also keep a waitlist by phone.
posted by kathryn at 12:47 PM on December 30, 2009
When are you planning on dining there? USC opens its books 4 weeks in advance, and if you don't call far enough in advance, they may only have undesireable time slots left. Luckily, they do some a few tables for walk-ins, which are first come, first served, and they also keep a waitlist by phone.
posted by kathryn at 12:47 PM on December 30, 2009
Nthing Union Square Cafe, having actually taken my parents there (and, another time, to Blue Water Grill).
posted by alphasunhat at 12:48 PM on December 30, 2009
posted by alphasunhat at 12:48 PM on December 30, 2009
If you can't get into USC, Chat 'n Chew is good for a small group and usually doesn't have crazy wait times. (I am a sucker for CnC's mac & cheese.)
posted by secret about box at 1:03 PM on December 30, 2009
posted by secret about box at 1:03 PM on December 30, 2009
really have any of you dined at USQ cafe in the last two years? It has become a totally unmemorable experience I had one of the worst duck confit of my life there. It used to be perfect for this sort of thing. The food has declined such that I can't bear to see people suggesting it.
GT and Craft would be my suggestions for w/parent dining in that nabe. If you want the practiced informality of a Danny Meyer place (USQ) but want some great Roman-style Italian food try Maialino. I went two weeks ago and thought it was great. Slightly lower price point as well.
Aldea in that area is also very very good I think. Look at the menu it might no be your parents thing.
Hearth in the East Village is also IMO a good choice - its 12th and 1st which is close enough to USQ
posted by JPD at 1:04 PM on December 30, 2009 [1 favorite]
GT and Craft would be my suggestions for w/parent dining in that nabe. If you want the practiced informality of a Danny Meyer place (USQ) but want some great Roman-style Italian food try Maialino. I went two weeks ago and thought it was great. Slightly lower price point as well.
Aldea in that area is also very very good I think. Look at the menu it might no be your parents thing.
Hearth in the East Village is also IMO a good choice - its 12th and 1st which is close enough to USQ
posted by JPD at 1:04 PM on December 30, 2009 [1 favorite]
Steak Frites on 16th between 5th Ave and Union Square West.
posted by droplet at 2:12 PM on December 30, 2009
posted by droplet at 2:12 PM on December 30, 2009
As ever, Jeb and Kathryn nail it but I would mention one small thing in Les Halles' favor is that it's a nice fit if your folks are red staters and your dad loves steak and mom loves Anthony Bourdain, which is a not-uncommon parental trait.
posted by anildash at 3:36 PM on December 30, 2009
posted by anildash at 3:36 PM on December 30, 2009
I didn't care for USC (I'm with JPD, I went about a year ago and was pretty disappointed) but Gotham is a solid choice, it really feels like a restaurant made to go to with your parents. Apiary mentioned upthread is very good too, and not so expensive, with a great wine list. 15 East is delicious but probably more than you would like to spend, that fancy sushi ain't cheap.
posted by ch1x0r at 5:25 PM on December 30, 2009
posted by ch1x0r at 5:25 PM on December 30, 2009
Basta Pasta, on 17th between 5th & 6th Ave, is my favorite restaurant in the neighborhood. It's Italian/Japanese fusion; the pasta dishes are in $15-$20 range, other entrees in the $20-$30 range. The dishes are mostly Italian, but with sushi-grade ingredients. So, it ranges from something like the linguini with sea urchin, to a simple fish of the day grilled with vegetables. It may seem a little on the pretentious & weird side from my description, but, honestly, I've never had a bad meal there in the last decade, and I bring out-of-towners there whenever I can. It's unique & memorable, but not gimicky or fad-driven.
posted by oh yeah! at 6:42 PM on December 30, 2009
posted by oh yeah! at 6:42 PM on December 30, 2009
If your dad is a steak guy, he might get a kick out of Strip House.
If Gotham's an option, you might also consider Gramercy Tavern.
posted by nicwolff at 8:25 PM on December 30, 2009
If Gotham's an option, you might also consider Gramercy Tavern.
posted by nicwolff at 8:25 PM on December 30, 2009
Nthing Knickerbocker ~ I always recommend it especially for visiting relatives.
Unpretentious good food in an excellent atmosphere, ask for a booth.
posted by sequin at 9:51 PM on December 30, 2009
Unpretentious good food in an excellent atmosphere, ask for a booth.
posted by sequin at 9:51 PM on December 30, 2009
I second Aldea for a change--very, very solid and delicious 2-star cooking, all entrees with good portions under $26. Best of all, it's Portuguese cuisine and not that generic "New-American" style that seems to pervade the USQ area.
However, the gorgeous front tavern room in Gramercy Tavern practically screams "lunch with parents." The service is that good. The food, though, is not as interesting as Aldea's.
posted by chalbe at 6:25 AM on December 31, 2009
However, the gorgeous front tavern room in Gramercy Tavern practically screams "lunch with parents." The service is that good. The food, though, is not as interesting as Aldea's.
posted by chalbe at 6:25 AM on December 31, 2009
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posted by Calloused_Foot at 11:39 AM on December 30, 2009