Union Square - NYC - late night bite

I have to head to NYC for work next week and will be getting to my hotel by Union Square around 9. Any suggestions for an interesting place to grab some food and a good beer in walking distance? I don't want anything really high end, just inventive food that won't make me feel like I wasted an opportunity. Thanks for any thoughts.

Union Square Cafe....sit at the bar if you can't get a table...which is great especially as a single....

21 W. 16 st


Eisenberg's Sandwhich Shop....are there better delis in NY?....yes....better old classic NY atmosphere?...NO! Great brisket/corned beef combo....and very friendly...
174 5th Ave.

I love Union Square Cafe!

Also, nearby is Tabla, which is part of the same restaurant group. Make sure you go to the informal room downstairs (The Bread Bar) rather than the fancy one upstairs. Indian fusion with interesting drinks, chutneys and naans to die for, out of this world desserts. I try and go here everytime I'm in NY.

I had one of the best meals of my life when I sat at the bar at Union Square Cafe as a single.

Comfy -- friendly bartender who served me up some complimentary dessert wine to go with my outstanding peach cobbler. It was a wonderful experience.

Thanks for the help. I am now definitely leaning towards Union Square Cafe. Any other thoughts are welcomed. I will report back next week.

my favorite room in NY - The tavern room at Gramercy Tavern.

42 E 20th St
New York, NY 10003
(212) 477-0777

I ended up at the bar at the Gramercy Tavern tonight. It was really wonderful. Had a lovely one-off Brooklyn beer - Bareback Ale - and a fantastic red snapper with sunchokes and mussels. The service was fantastic, and I got a chance to watch a man crash and burn in his attempts to hit on the woman sitting on the other side of me.

Thanks everyone for the suggestions.

schenked wrote:I ended up at the bar at the Gramercy Tavern tonight. It was really wonderful. Had a lovely one-off Brooklyn beer - Bareback Ale - and a fantastic red snapper with sunchokes and mussels. The service was fantastic, and I got a chance to watch a man crash and burn in his attempts to hit on the woman sitting on the other side of me.

Thanks everyone for the suggestions.

Glad you enjoyed it. 10 years ago, that man might have been me

The bar at Gramercy Tavern is the best dining-alone spot in the world, as far as I'm concerned. I've done it at least a dozen times, and besides the great food, what I love is that I can have a whole new experience on each occasion. Sometimes it's socializing with fellow bar patrons, sometimes it's discussing food and drink with the amiable bartenders, and sometimes it's just bellying up to the bar with a good book and a stiff drink.

Happy Taster Gal wrote:I love Union Square Cafe!

Also, nearby is Tabla, which is part of the same restaurant group. Make sure you go to the informal room downstairs (The Bread Bar) rather than the fancy one upstairs. Indian fusion with interesting drinks, chutneys and naans to die for, out of this world desserts. I try and go here everytime I'm in NY.

They've changed Tabla (as of the end of Oct). Its all the same menu now...both upstairs and downstairs. No more "Bread Bar" versus Tabla. Some menu items from both high/low end both upstairs and downstairs but its now meant to be a uniform experience in the entire restaurant.

For something interesting, try Socarrrat (http://socarratpaellabar.com) on 19th between 7/8 Avenues (Union Square is around 14th and 5th). Its a paella bar that's fun--everyone sits at one long table and the paella is fantastic. Very informal but quite excellent. Go early or late, though...long wait at peak times.