Rec's for lunch or dinner for NYC? LTH forum NYC style?

I am looking for some recommendations for lunch or dinner in NYC. For dinner portion I would like it to be around $50 pp before drinks. I know that cannot get you a lot in NY. I can take a pass for Chinatown since I have eaten there many times. Something that is a must have for NYC would by my choice.

Otherwise, is there a LTH style forum for NYC?

TIA

I would try dinner at DB Bistro on West 44th Street, Daniel Boulud's more informal place (though still plenty nice) and have the renowned $29 hamburger. Worth every bite, and celebrates a certain NYC excess. For balance, I would have lunch at Papaya King or Gray's Papaya (various locations) for a perfect grilled NY hot dog for 75 cents.

I'm nervous about making recommendations for NYC when I know that GAF is lurking around.

For lunch, I'd recommend Katz' Deli. Dinner at the bar at Union Square Cafe.

If you go to Katz's deli-you have to get the pastrami-don't worry about anything else- Other Lunch possibilities-Tia Pol, Spotted Pig.For dinner I would suggest Blue Ribbon or Parea.

I will have to check out your recommendations.

If you want a true New York experience, head over to the Diamond Dairy of New York Restaurant (4 W 47th Street, Diamond District). To get there, you walk through an old jewelry store, climb a flight of stairs in the back, and grab a table at this little dining spot that overlooks the jewelry store through its plexiglass windows. Good potato pancakes and cheese blintzes there, as well as decent soups.

Katz's pastrami is phenomenal. The chaotic experience there of "where is the line/is this a line/is this the line for the food I want?" may either be off-putting or entertaining depending on your temperament.

I also like Caracas Arepas for an LTHforum-y place... It's a hole-in-the-wall establishment with very reasonable prices and fresh, tasty food. They usually have a handful of seasonal specials in addition to the regular menu. Might be more appropriate for lunch if you're looking for a "fancy" dinner, although I think a couple arepas hit the spot any time of day.

http://caracasarepabar.com/

Caracas Arepa Bar
91 E 7th Street
New York, NY 10009
(212) 228-5062

SungBros wrote:Katz's pastrami is phenomenal. The chaotic experience there of "where is the line/is this a line/is this the line for the food I want?" may either be off-putting or entertaining depending on your temperament.

Aside from the great pastrami, this is one of the reasons I love the place. Takes me back to the deli I grew up with in Chicago - Friedman's on Western just south of Devon. Pure chaos and you'd usually get abused by whoever was taking your order. It was a character builder.

Most ethnic restaurants throughout New York can provide you with good choices (a banquet even) for under $50, but there are so many choices. An excellent guide is that of Robert Sietsema, The Food Lovers Guide to the Best Ethnic Eating in New York City. He rates restaurants, and his three star restaurants are usually terrific.

Another possibility is to purchase Zagat's. They list restaurants that have dinners for $35. Some of these are from the among the best NYC restaurants. Often the menu is limited, but you get a chance to explore the chef's cuisine in the same environment as everyone else. And you will meet your $50/person goal with tax and tip. I don't have my NYC Zagat's by me, but this way you can choose a restaurant that seems to have your favorite cuisine nearby - you do have to wade through the verbiage in Z's reviews. I think the Union Square Cafe has such a deal and so does Aureole, but I believe 50 or so restaurants are listed.