New York City: Midtown West
While the majority of Manhattan's best dining occurs downtown, some manifold good meals await you in Midtown West , a neighborhood whose restaurants encompass Greek, South American, Japanese, African, French and everything in between. Restaurant Row (W 46th St between Eighth and Ninth avenues), is a frequent stopover for theatergoers seeking a late-night meal, though Ninth Avenue offers cheaper and generally better alternatives.AMERICAN AND CONTINENTAL
Aquavit
13 W 54th St (between 5th and 6th aves) tel 212/307-7311.
Superb Scandinavian food - pickled herrings, salmon, even reindeer - in a lovely atrium restaurant with a mock waterfall cascading down one of the walls. A real treat, and priced accordingly; reserve well ahead.
Hamburger Harry's
145 W 45th St (between Broadway and 6th Ave) tel 212/840-0566.
Handy diner just off Times Square; some claim its burgers are the best in town.
Joe Allen's
326 W 46th St (between 8th and 9th aves) tel 212/581-6464.
Tried and true formula of checkered tablecloths, old-fashioned barroom feel, and reliable American food at moderate prices. The calf's liver with spinach and potatoes has been on the menu for years. Popular pre-theater spot, so reserve well in advance unless you can arrive after 8pm.
Stage Deli
834 7th Ave (between 53rd and 54th sts) tel 212/245-7850.
Another reliable all-night standby, and longtime rival to the
Carnegie Deli
. More genuine New York attitude and big overstuffed sandwiches but it's not at all cheap.
West Bank Café
407 W 42nd St (at 9th Ave) tel 212/695-6909.
Some French, some American, all delicious and not as expensive as you'd think - pastas and entrees range from $11 to $20. Very popular with theater people before and especially after a performance.
ASIAN
China Grill
52 W 53rd St (between 5th and 6th aves) tel 212/333-7788.
An eclectic, slightly pretentious see-and-be-seen pan-Asian eatery that always seems to be busy. Fun destination whether you're seeking lunch, dinner or drinks.
Ollie's Noodle Shop
190 W 44th St (between Broadway and 8th Ave) tel 212/921-5988; also 2315 Broadway (at 84th St) tel 212/362-3111; 2957 Broadway (at 116th St) tel 212/932-3300.
Good Chinese restaurant that serves marvelous noodles, barbecued meats and spare ribs. Not, however, a place to linger. Very cheap, very crowded and very noisy. Also very popular pre-theater place, so don't be alarmed if there are long lines - but due to the rushed service, they move fast.
CARIBBEAN, CENTRAL AND SOUTH AMERICAN
Cabana Carioca
123 W 45th St (between 6th Ave and Broadway) tel 212/581-8088.
Animated restaurant decorated with colorful murals. A great place to try out Brazilian-Portuguese specialties, like
feijoada
(black bean and pork stew), washed down with fiery
caipirinhas
. Portions large enough for two make it reasonably inexpensive.
El Papasito
370 W 52nd St (at 9th Ave) tel 212/265-2225.
Inexpensive and tasty Dominican fare, this small eatery offers excellent pork
chicharrones
(fried on the bone),
asopado
(thick garlic rice soup) and for dessert try the flan, which will melt in your mouth.
Victor's Café 52
236 W 52nd St (between Broadway and 8th Ave) tel 212/586-7714.
A well-established hangout, serving real Cuban food at moderate prices. Great black bean soup and sangria.
FRENCH AND BELGIAN
Chez Napoleon
365 W 50th St (between 8th and 9th aves) tel 212/265-6980.
Owing to this neighborhood's proximity to the docks, it became a hangout for French soldiers during World War II, leading to the creation of several highly authentic Gallic eateries here in the 1940s and 1950s. This is one of them, and it lives up to its reputation. A friendly, family-run bistro; bring a wad to enjoy the tradition, though.
Hourglass Tavern
373 W 46th St (between 8th and 9th aves) tel 212/265-2060.
Tiny midtown French restaurant, which serves an excellent-value, two-course prix-fixe menu for between $12.75 and $15.75. The gimmick is the hourglass above each table, the emptying of which means you're supposed to leave and make way for someone else. In reality they seem to last more than an hour, and they only enforce it if there's a line. Cash only.
Le Madeleine
403 W 43rd St (between 9th and 10th aves) tel 212/246-2993.
Pretty midtown French bistro with good service, above-average food (including some knockout desserts) and moderate to expensive prices. Get a seat in the outdoor garden if you can. Usually crowded pre-theater.
GREEK AND MIDDLE EASTERN
Afghanistan Kebab House
155 W 46th St (between 6th and 7th aves) tel 212/768-3875; 1345 2nd Ave (between 70th and 71st sts) tel 212/517-2776.
Inexpensive lamb, chicken and seafood kebabs, served with a variety of side dishes. Complete dinners for under $15.
Lotfi's Couscous
358 W 46th St (between 8th and 9th aves) tel 212/582-5850.
Moderately priced Moroccan hidden away on the second floor. Lots of spicy dishes, vegetarian options and inexpensive salads. Closed in Aug.
ITALIAN
Julian's
802 9th Ave (between 53rd and 54th sts) tel 212/262-4800.
Light and inventive Mediterranean fare in a bright, pleasing room and clever dining garden tucked in an alley. Whether you want sandwiches or scalloppine, this is a safe bet in the Hell's Kitchen area.
Trattoria dell'Arte
900 7th Ave (between 56th and 57th sts) tel 212/245-9800.
Unusually nice restaurant for this rather tame stretch of midtown, with a lovely airy interior, excellent service and good food. Great, wafer-thin crispy pizzas, decent and imaginative pasta dishes for around $20 and a mouth-watering antipasto bar - all eagerly patronized by an elegant out-to-be-seen crowd. Best to reserve.
JEWISH AND EASTERN EUROPEAN
Carnegie Deli
854 7th Ave (between 54th and 55th sts) tel 212/757-2245.
This place is known for the size of its sandwiches - by popular consent the most generously stuffed in the city, and a full meal in themselves. The chicken noodle soup is good, too. Not cheap, however, and the waiters are among New York's rudest.
Russian Tea Room
150 W 57th St (between 6th and 7th aves) tel 212/265-0947.
One of New York's favorite places to hobnob with the glitterati. Rates are perhaps not as high as in the city's top dining spots, and it's easier to get a table (though unless you're a celeb you may get relegated to the second floor dining room). The wonderfully garish interior makes eating here a real occasion, too. Stick to the old favorites - blinis, borscht and chicken Kiev.
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