Thread: NYC: cheap(er) eats

For the times when you're in a hurry, are underdressed, can't pull the right strings or don't want to break the bank.

This doesn't hold a candle to Chuck's work and is not meant to do so, just some places that I went to a lot when I was at NYU that were relatively inexpensive and decent.

I spent all my money on eating out instead of booze...


Tao

http://www.taorestaurant.com/

Trendy, cliche blah blah; the food is good and the decor is pretty amazing. Dinner can be on the expensive side and walk-ins are nearly impossible on busy nights, but if you want good "Asian-Fusion" and maybe see some celebs, good place. Also, I believe they have a three-course lunch special for $20.08 which is cool, and actually quite good for a premediated discount tasting menu.

Sushi Samba

http://www.sushisamba.com/top.html

This place is also trendy etc, but again, the food is good and the decor is cool. Lots of interesting stuff on the menu here; combining South American and Japanese flavors. They also have great sushi and these funky little salted crabs that you eat whole. Terriyaki-glazed chicken on Peruvian purple mashed potatoes is tasty and delivers more than novelty. I've been to the 7th Ave location.

Balthazar

http://www.balthazarny.com/

Excellent French bistro-type cuisine and a bakery on premises. French classics executed very well. I ate here to celebrate graduating and had a fantastic, multi-tiered fruits de mer platter. Fresh seafood and good beef. Plus it's in the middle of SoHo, so you're right in the middle of all things "cool and trendy." The menu is pretty straightforward continental European, and the bread is very good.

Knickerbocker Grill

http://www.knickerbockerbarandgrill.com/index_htm.htm

If you like beef, this is one of the better places in the City to go. You do not order "a steak" here; you order according to how many people are eating, for two, three etc. You can get all kinds of classic sides too; spinach and garlic, onion rings, etc. They also have a full dinner menu, in case you don't care for red meat. You dine on the tradition of the place as much as you do the food, a la Peter Luger's etc.

Choga

http://newyork.citysearch.com/profile/7109197/

Excellent traditional Korean food and very good sushi at reasonable prices. I ate here frequently, as it's around the corner from NYU. Also, it's right next to all the cool bars on Bleecker and vicinity, so you can get dinner and then wander the blocks checking out the different places. It used to be pretty inexpensive, but I'm not sure if that's still true. One of the few places I could get duk boki without a trip to K-Town.

Momofuku

http://www.momofuku.com/

Not so much classic, sit-down dining, but I think there are a couple tables and a long counter with many bar stools. This is more a place to stop inbetween bars or to get a quick meal. They serve traditional Japanese noodle bowls that are as filling as they are delicious. The broth is on the saltier side, but good. The toppings are fresh and abundant. Also relatively inexpensive.

Lemongrass Grill

http://www.lemongrassgrill.org/

Good Thai food; fast and cheap with many locations around the city. Nuf said.

Pommes Frites

http://www.pommesfrites.ws/

Doesn't get any more simple than this; classic Belgian french fries with 40+ different kinds of mayonaise and dipping sauces. These fries are really good and cheap; the absolute perfect snack while wandering the East Village and St. Mark's area.

Grimaldi's

http://www.grimaldis.com/brooklyn.htm

Really, really good pizza. Well-worth the trip across the Brooklyn Bridge.

Lombardi's

http://www.firstpizza.com/

Again, really, really good pizza. This is supposedly the first pizzeria in the United States and NYC, obviosly.

John's Pizza

http://newyork.citysearch.com/profile/7116744/

See above; worth trying if you are nearby so you can compare the three.

Murray's Bagels

http://www.murraysbagels.com/

Some of the best, freshest bagels I have ever eaten. Their everything bagels with cream cheese, lox, capers, tomatoes and onion is awesome.

Momofuku - this is the best "cheap eats" in the country! However, don't order the ramen - order everything else instead. If this restaurant were in SF, I'd go once a week.

Chikalicious - right around the corner from Momofuku, a 3-course dessert tasting menu for $15. Pretty delicious - a cool place.

Donut Plant - best donuts anywhere? The coconut cream is to die for.

Fatty Crab - the Malaysian Momofuku - similar concept, similar price-point, lots of spicy dishes, fun atmosphere - good stuff.

Lady M - not quite "cheap", but you can sneak in for a piece of cake for about $8-10 - wonderful cakes.

Burger Joint- the 2nd best burger in NYC - better than In'n'Out!

Tia Pol - pretty authentic tapas and they're willing to take more chances if you ask.


- chuck

Whoa thanks Chuck; next time I go to Manhattan I'm going to try a few of those places! Saw Chikalicious a few times while near Momofuku, never knew if it was any good or not.

I went to Serendipity before the whole bug scandal thing...food wasn't great lol but ther Frozzzn hot chocolate was!

Originally Posted by Carb0n Fiber

I went to Serendipity before the whole bug scandal thing...food wasn't great lol but ther Frozzzn hot chocolate was!

Hahaha and that sums it up entirely. I would rather eat at California Pizza Kitchen down the street than have anything other than dessert at Serendipity. Not worth the wait if there is a line either.

We waited about an hour, went to Dylans Candy bar in the mean time lol. Since the restaurant is so damn small you can't even move while you are waiting.

I suppose this sort of counts as NYC eats, more along the lines of metro NYC eats, but I am going here tonight...

http://www.positanoswestport.com/index2.htm

The website belies the food; the best Italian food I have ever eaten, and I tried a lot of places in Manhattan when I was at NYU. They have two appetizers here that are outrageously good.

One is fresh mozzarella wrapped in prosciutto baked in garlic marinara sauce. The other is roasted red peppers stuffed with fresh mozzarella and garlic. Neither are overly complicated but they are delicious. Tripe soup is also very good.

Main courses are equally good; from a freshly grilled NY strip with port reduction and sliced portabellos to an outstanding seared tuna steak with capers, tomatoes and olives to an incredibly flavorful ossobuco, marrow included of course.

Dessert there is great too; freshly prepared ricotta orange cheesecake, sorbets served in fruit peels, ubiquitous tiramisu and best of all, a simple zabaglione (not too heavy on the marsala) served over fresh berries.

If any of you ever have business in NYC, I would say it's worth the hour MetroNorth train ride from Grand Central to do lunch. Let me know you're coming and I will gladly join you.

For casual my pick is:

Brio
137 E 61st St
New York, NY 10021
(212) 980-2300

Definetly try it and let me know!

PJ, we gotta hit some of these up.. i loved tao in nyc

Thanks for the suggestions, I'll keep them in mind. Going to NY in a week.