Inexpensive and Terrific Places to Feed Us?

[Busboy]

Thanks, all -- will report back...

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As a fellow tourist to NYC, I urge you to spend time learning the subway. Aside from rush hours it is fast and relatively relaxed, you meet the most interesting people (OK, not always a good thing) and once you get down with it, you are free. Mastering the the local/express dance (riding two stops, changing to the express, and then going many blocks and changing back to the local): key.

I have no idea how two people can eat in New York restaurants for $64/day, but best of luck. Surprised nobody's mentioned the great New York pizza parlors.

Also, along with the mention of Zabars, keep in mind that it is near Museum Row. Work up an appetite with the two-mile hike someone suggested, check out some priceless art, and grab a baguette and some cheese.

One of my best meals in NYC was when we lucked into a hotel room at the Grammercy Park with a view of the Empire State and the New York Life (I think) buildings. Our son was sick, so we ate cheese and bread in bed, accompanied by decent but unexceptional wine from the hotel water glasses. Every now and them my wife would nudge me, or vice versa, and we'd have another sipe of wine and marvel at the astounding view. I hate Midtown, I'm hard-pressed to think of eating in New York for $64/day, but there is the potential for something marvelous everywhere you turn in that town. Have fun.

[ned]

Prime Burger!!!!

and

Oyster Bar at Grand Central!!!! (where not everything is cheap but most of the best stuff is)

[Lori in PA]

Day 1 (so far):

--2 hard-cooked eggs in our room = nearly free

--at Manhattan Espresso (146 East 49th St., betw. Lexington and 3rd Ave.): 1 large cappucino & 1 almond croissant = $5ish

--Lunch at Zabar's Cafe: 1 Eli's Health Bread, Nova lox, and cream cheese sandwich = $3.25, 1 cup wild mushroom soup = $1.50, and 1 half-pint fresh-squeezed oj = $1; lunch total = $5.75

--Mid-afternoon snack at Grand Central Station: 1 express pack of sushi rolls = $6.50, triple scoop gelata = $4.25; snack total (more like Lunch #2) = $10.75

We had thought we'd have dinner at Montparnasse (pre-theater menu = $20) but find we aren't hungry enough yet, so we'll see.

Thanks everyone for the help. I did walk up to the Upper West Side this morning in the invigorating wind and beginnings of the rain to do the Zabar's/Fairway/Citarella sight-seeing foodie-in-New-York thing. It was a great choice, as was the decision to take the subway back.

[tommy]

the halal cart on the corner of 3rd and 48th does one helluva mean 5 dollar lunch, including drink. the chicken is quite good, and the lamb is really tasty, if not a bit salty and processed. if you're up that way that is.

[Lori in PA]

The rest of the story:

Tuesday dinner was at Le Sans Culottes East; 1085 2nd Ave. at 57th St. We had their $22 prix fixe meal. It began with eat-all-you-want appetizer of bread (not so great) with pork terrine, mustard, cornichons, a big basket of fresh veggies and melon wedges, and a pile of sausages to slice from. For mains, I chose the Onglet Bordelaise (hanger steak with red wine sauce) and The Husband had the safe-but-tasty Poulet Cordon Bleu. My steak was very good – cooked exactly to the medium rare I requested. We had chocolate mousse for dessert. It wasn’t fancy or challenging food, but it was just right for a chilly, rainy night. On the way back to the hotel, we stopped at the Buttercup Bake Shop for a couple of cupcakes to take with us. Not bad – ALMOST too much frosting for me and I’m a frosting lover.

Wednesday, I was back at the Manhattan Espresso Co. for a café mocha and another almond croissant. I spent the morning window shopping along Fifth and Madison et al. After the so, so rich mocha and all the walking my blood sugar did a real nose-dive suddenly and I got the shakey, get-something-in-me-right-now feeling. I ducked into a “marche” and stared confusedly at the bowls of prepared foods with no signs/prices. I asked for a small spoonful of some sautéed shrimp and another of plain fruit salad. Here’s where all the research I did and all your wonderful advice shows its value – this unplanned, un-researched, and un-recommended few mouthfuls of food cost me over $12. The label on my shrimp informed me that it cost $27/lb. And they were rubbery. Sad.

The Husband and I lunched at Starwich just before we left town. We had two of the signature sandwiches – the filet mignon for me and the grilled cheese/apple/ham for him. Of course, I made him trade parts so I could try both. Very good. Not sure the value is there, but after paying the same amount for yucky shrimp and a few bites of fruit, I can’t really complain, can I?

It was a lovely, refreshing few days. The Husband says he loves it when I accompany him on business trips because he eats so much better. He says there’s another reason, too, but that would be off-topic here. Thank you again for all your ideas. You are so generous to make recommendations and offer advice. My time in NYC was truly enhanced because of your knowledge.

[Cook456]

Thanks, all -- will report back...

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You have to make a trip to get one of those Bearded Papa Creme Puffs. They are to die for!