New York City: Gramercy Park, Murray Hill and the Garment District
While not the best neighborhoods for dining in NYC, Gramercy Park, Murray Hill and the Garment District are picking up the pace. The area around Lexington Avenue in the upper 20s is a good place to sample cheap and filling Indian fare. It's also a fantastic place to find a number of crowded sushibars and small French bistros.AMERICAN AND CONTINENTAL
El Rio Grande
160 E 38th St (between Lexington and 3rd aves) tel 212/867-0922.
Long-established Murray Hill Tex-Mex place with a gimmick: you can eat Mexican or, if you prefer, Texan, by simply crossing the "border" and walking through the kitchen. Personable and fun - and the margaritas are earth shattering.
Verbena
54 Irving Place (between 17th and 18th sts) tel 212/260-5454.
This simple and elegant restaurant serves a seasonal menu of creative (and pricey) New American food. Don't miss the
crème brulée
with lemon verbena, the herb for which the restaurant was named. Try to get seated in the garden, and reserve in advance.
ASIAN
Choshi
77 Irving Place (at 19th St) tel 212/420-1419.
Reasonably priced Gramercy Japanese serving first-rate fresh sushi. The $22 dinner prix-fixe menu is a good deal, including drinks, soup, appetizer, main dish (even sushi) and dessert.
Hangawi
12 E 32nd St (between 5th and Madison aves) tel 212/213-0077.
An elegant vegetarian and vegan-safe Korean restaurant. The autumn rolls are a great starter. A little pricey, but quite good.
FRENCH AND BELGIAN
Les Halles
411 Park Ave S (between 28th and 29th sts) tel 212/679-4111.
Noisy, bustling bistro with carcasses dangling in a butcher's shop in the front. Very pseudo Rive Gauche, serving rabbit, steak frites and other staples. Entrees range $15-25. Not recommended for veggies.
Park Bistro
414 Park Ave S (between 28th and 29th sts) tel 212/689-1360.
This friendly bistro is sister to
Les Halles
and similar in prices and style, though a little less hectic.
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