Best New York City Restaurants?

I am ALWAYS looking for a great place to eat. Please suggest your favorite fabulous NYC restaurants.

My favorite is Joya, the Thai restaurant on Court Street in Brooklyn. The food is yummy and healthy and they have outdoor dining, and the price is so amazingly low that it’s crazy! I don’t know about you, but I am really sick of running up a $100 bill for food that’s not as good as what I can cook. Everybody says the same thing about Joya - read about it on Yelp. http://www.yelp.com/biz/joya-brooklyn

Great idea nycgirl!  I live out on Long Island (and am from SC) so I don't have the time to go around and figure out the good places to eat.  I'm really on the hunt for good restaurants around the Times Square and Broadway area.  My family is coming up at the end of September for a few days where we'll all stay in the city, and I would love to have some cool restaurants to take them to that aren't too expensive and not packed with tourists (i know, Times Square is tourist central... but even something in that general area??)!!

Maryhartley, I'll definitely look into Joya if we decide to go into Brooklyn for an afternoon.  Thanks!

You are correct, Acer824, Times Square restaurants are packed with tourists and/or costly.  However, one place that has decent food at a reasonable price is BBQ's on 42nd street between 7th and 8th Avenue.  They have rotisserie chicken, fried chicken, ribs, shrimp, catfish, roast beef, steak, tempura, and the best ranch dressing since Hidden Valley (they serve it on the side.) Their frozendrinks are delicious, but for calorie purposes, let your family have that!  I think the place holds 1000 people, BUT it is so large, you are seated immediately.  I have fed parties of 40 at $10.00 pp.

The other restaurants in the area are typical, Dave & Busters, Chilli's, Red Lobster, Ruby Tuesday's, Tex Mex, and stuff like that, but if you just want to be in the NYC atmosphere and enjoy good food at a reasonable price, BBQ should do.

PS, Mondays and Tuesdays are the best days to go.  Wednesdays and Fridays are the worst (super crowded streets.)

I like Ruby Foos in Times Square. They have great cosmos and fairly tasty food. It's pan-asian I believe and usually where I eat before a show.

I've been a big fan of Pappardella (pasta) lately. On the UWS

Thanks for the suggestions!  Thankfully we'll be there at the beginning of the week so will hopefully avoid some of the chaos.  Yeah we're trying to stay away from places like Chilli's that you could get anywhere, but definitel good to know its there!  Thanks!

Original Post by zamees:

I've been a big fan of Pappardella (pasta) lately. On the UWS

Mmm, the fiance would like that one! Will try it thanks! I like Rancho for Mex on the UWS mainly not because of the food which is "fine" but because their frozen margies are like clouds.

For good food though The Orchard on the LES is to die for. They have these flat bread appetizers that are worth going for those alone. I think the apps far outrun the entrees there and suggest going and just getting loads of apps. Big portions too and soooooooo tasty. Nice wines also.

MMM...I eat out a LOT (ahem, one reason I'm on here), but here are some of my faves in NYC:

Spice (Thai) 3 locations - UES, Village and Chelsea

Azuki (sushi) - Park & 19th...they serve free wine/saki when you order $15 of food. 

Patsy's for thin-crust pizza w/fresh basil and delish eggplant parm (all over the city)

Gemini Diner (35th & 2nd) - great for any time of day/all types of food

Chola (58th & 2nd) - Indian / largest menu ever!

Mercer Kitchen (Prince St) - steamed shrimp salad is to.die.for.

Metro Cafe & Wine Bar (21st & Broadway) - great dim sum and wine selection

Blue Smoke (27th & Lex) - BBQ/rib

Also, Joya IS amazing...they have a sister restaurant called Song on 5th Ave in Park Slope as well.  Great value and delicious thai.  Similar to Spice

For the theater district/Times Sq, I recent discovered this amazing bistro called Saju which has a price fix meal.  The waitstaff is super friendly.  44th b/t 6th Ave & Broadway.

there are a few different sushi places on st marks street most of 'em are supposed to be good.

There are couple of places that have amazing food in the city. My number one place would have to be Blue Ribbon - it's not too expensive and open very very late, which is nice cause it's conveniently located in the west village. All foods there are superb, and I highly recommend their seafood dishes.

...and few of my favorites...

Live Bait in Chelsea

Fresh Salt at South Street Seaport

Los Dos Molinos in Union Square

for vegans and vegetarians and other health & environmentally-conscious types:

Angelika's Kitchen (12th street @ second avenue)

Caravan of Dreams (6th street @ first avenue)

Candle Cafe (3rd Ave @ 75th Street)

Gobo (6th Ave @ West 4th)

Blossom (9th Ave @ 22nd Street)

The food is usually organic, concentrates on whole foods/grains, has many raw and diet options, and the prices at places like Angelika's, Gobo (particularly their lunch specials), and Caravan of Dreams, won't completely shatter your wallet.

Blossom is a must for upscale, absolutely delicious, gourmet organic vegan food.

I love PUKK (71 1st Ave) , its a great vegan/ vegetarian place its soo cheap (especially if you go for lunch..i believe its 6-7 dollars for the lunch special)

also I like yogurt land (267 Bleecker Street) or 16 handles (east village) you control the proportions and their is a wide variety of toppings and flavors (and all frozen yogurt!)

baby cakes (248 Broome Street) is also a cute bakery and if you have any food allergies this bakery is for you, plus most of the baked goods are actually better for you because they don't use refined sugar or refined flour

good luck!

I love Mara's homemade on 6th street in the east village.  It's a New Orleans/BBQ/Cajun place with great crawfish!

My fav local spot in Astoria (where I live) is call 'Lil Bistro 33 off of the Ditmars train stop.  It's a Japanese/french fusion place with amazing sushi rolls.

Original Post by natashik:

There are couple of places that have amazing food in the city. My number one place would have to be Blue Ribbon - it's not too expensive and open very very late, which is nice cause it's conveniently located in the west village. All foods there are superb, and I highly recommend their seafood dishes.

Mr. Bea and I tried Blue Ribbon recently on a friend's recommendation...the food was fantastic, the prices were a little on the high side, the decor left a little to be desired, but @ Blue Ribbon, it's all about the food! From what I understood, the restaurant was opened by chefs for chefs. It was meant to give the chefs somewhere to eat after their shifts were done, hence the reason it stays open until the wee hours of the morning. If you're planning to go there you'll need to look closely, there's no large sign outside, just small lettering on the door.

~Bon Apetite!