Manhattan eateries

[Scrumhalf]

My wife, 2 sons (9 and 4) and I will be in and around Manhattan for a few days next week. I am looking for restaurants that will enable us to sample some authentic NY cuisine as well as some ethnic flavors without breaking the bank. We are vegetarian, so having a decent vegetarian selection is a must.

I am particularly interested in places around Central Park and Midtown as well as downtown. I have been told to go to Little Italy as well as Grimaldi's across the Brooklyn Bridge but I would welcome other specific restaurant recommendations.

 

[bigbadbuff]

I thought the walk across the bridge/Grimaldi's was a lot of fun, assuming it's a decent day weatherwise. Do it on a weekday if possible, it will be a nightmare on the weekend.

 

[chas]

If you want cheap ethnic eats and are vegetarian you should check out Sigiri. I think it is the only Sri Lankan restaurant in the city. It is downtown and it is BYOB. Sri Lankan food is excellent, I think it is much better than Indian food. The place is also low key and will be fine for kids. http://www.sigirinyc.com/

 

[gomestar]

I personally avoid Little Italy for everything besides cookies. Most restaurants are overpriced, poor quality, and take advantage of the fact that it's mostly tourists.

In Chinatown, go to Doyer's Vietnamese. It's one of the highest rated vietnamese places in the city, and it's hilariously cheap (most entrees are like $7-9). The food is excellent and there's plenty of vegetarian options. Type it up in the NY Magazine website (nymag.com) for reviews, directions, etc.


Better yet, go to Doyer's, and then Little Italy is right next door, get some cookies for dessert there.

 

[chas]

For a good place near (relatively) Central Park you could check out Celeste http://nymag.com/listings/restaurant/celeste/

Very, very reasonable prices and the food is excellent. However, be prepared for a true NYC dining experience as they pack you in like sardines. It is on the Upper West Side so it is very kid friendly. You will also not find any tourists.

 

[gomestar]

There's also "Jo-Jo", Jean George's baby restaurant. Prix Fix dinner is $35, not a bad price for NYC and for Jean Georges. It's on 64th, maybe 3 blocks from Central Park.

 

[mellowfellow]

Red Bamboo 140 W. 4th St., New York, NY 10012 This is around the nyu area. You and your kids/wife may enjoy red bamboo. it is the only vegetarian restaurant that I have been to in ny. Go there for lunch. Its a casual place with great vegetarian food that taste just real chicken. more vegan restaurant recommendations from chowhound: http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/491375

 

[Scrumhalf]

Great recommendations, guys! Thanks!!!

 

[Xiaogou]

Originally Posted by Scrumhalf

My wife, 2 sons (9 and 4) and I will be in and around Manhattan for a few days next week. I am looking for restaurants that will enable us to sample some authentic NY cuisine as well as some ethnic flavors without breaking the bank. We are vegetarian, so having a decent vegetarian selection is a must.

I am particularly interested in places around Central Park and Midtown as well as downtown. I have been told to go to Little Italy as well as Grimaldi's across the Brooklyn Bridge but I would welcome other specific restaurant recommendations.

Lombardi's which is just North of the Little Italy area in NYC. Also, Tony Lukes for an AUTHENTIC Philly Cheesesteak. http://www.tonylukes.com/

 

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Originally Posted by chas

For a good place near (relatively) Central Park you could check out Celeste http://nymag.com/listings/restaurant/celeste/ Very, very reasonable prices and the food is excellent. However, be prepared for a true NYC dining experience as they pack you in like sardines. It is on the Upper West Side so it is very kid friendly. You will also not find any tourists.
Highly recommended but might not work with the young kids.