Hey Ladies,
My college aged girls and I are headed to New York in the morning all the way from Georgia. They have been begging to go for 2 or 3 years and I figured we’d better go while I’m feeling good. We have an itinerary as I booked through a travel agent. Any recommendations of places to eat?
Hugs to all,
Stacy
Hi Stacy...where are you staying? Manhattan? If you want message me.
Best regards, Maria
We will be at a hotel in Times Square.
I don't, but you might want to narrow it down to the area you will be staying. Have a great time. Enjoy the decorations and all the glitter. Blessings, Hannah
What kind of food? I lived there for 30 years, just moved away so can come up with ideas... just let me know ow what you do and don’t like.
I recommend getting out of the Times Square touristy areas and explore away!
Without doubt the best restaurant experience I've had in NY in the past couple of years is at Coarse in the West Village ($15 uber/taxi from midtown....or take the C train from 50th St./8th Ave. and get off at 14th St, which is two very short blocks to the restaurant.
I've gone about 5-6 times, but then starting after March (I know the date because my last visit was for my birthday!) they kind of stopped making vegan dining an option... 
But my daughter will be in the city after Christmas and of course this was the first restaurant she booked!
It's an experience as much as a really great meal. Very casual, but absolutely amazing. They have long, shared tables (but you don't feel a lack of privacy) and your chef comes to your group to ask about any allergies/etc., and then makes you what s/he wants to, based on what they've procured that day. It's small plates...3 or 5 courses (you choose...I'd go for the 5) with wine poured with each course. They've got cool artwork, great vibe/crowd, and the most amazing staff, who all seem to be incredibly expert and welcoming!
I think it's less than $100 pp including the wine (even less for 3 course option, if available) and so seems like a good value. Plus it's a great excuse to head downtown and see a different part of the city!
Another good option...fun, a bit of an experience, is Eataly. They have like 5 (+?) different dining options. We usually go for the Italian place...they have a one-of-a-kind in the US oven (1000 degrees) and so the bread is to die for! and the pizza. But we go to that one because they handle vegan pretty well; I'm sure the others are good, too. Oh, I have eaten at like a biergarten on the roof, but don't remember being blown away. Aside from the dining options, it's like a wonderful food hall, with fantastic products for sale. I'm not describing it well, but if you've been, e.g. to Harrod's food hall in London, it's similar (but more low key...). You could pick up some great pastas, etc, to bring home, too.
** I'd recommend only this location...like 5th Ave/23rd street, NW corner...NOT the location by the World Trade Center. That one is smaller and not nearly as good, in my view.
My last job before getting sick was right by Times Square (6th & 42nd)...so I know many of the nearby places...If you narrow it down, I can make some Reco's closer to your hotel. Oh! A very nice place, good food and nice atmosphere, is Bryant Park Cafe, right in Bryant Park, behind the big library. So you'll see Bryant Park at 42nd and 6th, to the SE. The cafe is through the park (which is small). PLUS, this time of year they have a really wonderful holiday set up in the park w/ vendors, ice skating, etc. And a fine dining option nearby is Aureole, on 42nd b/w 6th and B'way. Pricey, but very good!
For the best Italian, in MY opinion (certainly a well-debated topic!), Il Mulino (that's "Il" meaning an I (i) then an L), on West 3rd, one block south of Washington Square Park, near NYU. There are a couple of other locations, but W. 3rd is the original and the best. Pricey, so I'd not waste your money on the other locations...
Re: bagels...another hotly debated topic...I like Kossar's on Grand Street, in part because they are one of the few remaining places in the country (the world) that still make bialy's which are a cousin of the bagel with a great history..and amazing taste/texture! They orientated in Bialystok, Poland, and were the local Jewish bread product. With the Nazi invasion the town was really horrifically wiped out (I read an entire book about this one town) and so the "bread" was almost lost to history. But a few people brought it back, in NY, and it's next to impossible to get fresh ones anywhere else. It's in the Lower East Side, on Grand Street, which gives you a good excuse to explore that neighborhood, too!
That's it! Sorry to rant but your question got me started! Now I'm hungry and will have to break my fast!! 
Enjoy your trip, gosh, sounds like so much fun!!
Best,
Lynn
*Originated, not orientated (is that even a word? autocorrect!)
Thank you Lynn. We are at the Sheraton NY at 7th Avenue and 53rd. I’m amazed at Times Square. Wow! We did a holiday lights tour tonight. We went by the library and Bryant park. We will have to check it out more while we’re here. Someone else also told us about “eately”. We have a carriage tour tomorrow and then the Rockettes tomorrow night. We’re just enjoying being together. Sure would like a Louis Vuitton but 3 is definitely not in the budget. 🤪😂. I’ll post a pic or two later in the week. Thank you so much.
I live in NY. If you have never been here around Christmas time, you will love it. Seeing the tree and walking along Fifth Avenue and the stores decorated. Eating-wise.....we have so many excellent restaurants....NY is super large......sometimes the most expensive place is not the best. Depends on what type of food you are looking for.
If you like Thai food, google and read the reviews. The best restaurants are usually not the packed tourist traps but the out of the way places where the restaurant may seem non-descript but has excellent food. Enjoy! Great time to come.
We are amazed. Loving being with my girls! Glad the rain is gone.
Oh even better, it is your first time? New York can be hectic and crazy but I cannot living anywhere else. Where else can you order Thai food at 3 am to be delivered LOL....But Christmas has a special feel to it especially with the store windows and ice skating at Rockefeller Center. I hope you and your girls enjoy as much as you can. Best museums, theater, etc. plus the free entertainment you get on the streets and in the subway stations. Enjoy as much as you can. I see you are staying in Times Square.....one of the places where it is the most crowded. I wish you all a great time and try some of those food marts on the streets. If you see a line waiting to buy something off a cart on the street, you can be guaranteed that they are New Yorkers that knew this person sells the best food. I hope the weather doesn't get too cold.
Hi Stacy,
It sounds like you have a fun trip planned! I can't help with recommendations, as I'm not local, but I hope you and your daughters have a lovely time in New York.
Sophie 🥀🥀
On 7th I think bet 56/57 on the west side of the street there is a building with lights that say 2020, which could be a fun spot for a photo. Greek food at Molyvos bet 55/56 on 7th. Trattoria del Arte is on 57th and 7th. Store windows are fun...Bergdorf, Saks, Tiffany, Bendel's and Macy's. New Nordstrom on 57th and Bway. For the subway download a free app called Citymapper. Have fun!
Try to go to Little Italy for one of your meals!
I’m going to ask!
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