Ugh there are so many places that are better than The Smith. The food is mediocre and it is loud.

Anonymous wrote:Essa Bagel

Essa Bagel is great. If you get a bagel for breakfast, you won't need lunch.

Anonymous wrote:NYC tourist newbie here jumping in to ask 1 question...
Are we supposed to make reservations at the above recommended restaurants, or can we relatively reliably just walk up and get a table within 15 min or so?

Reservations never hurt.

Anonymous wrote:NYC tourist newbie here jumping in to ask 1 question...
Are we supposed to make reservations at the above recommended restaurants, or can we relatively reliably just walk up and get a table within 15 min or so?

Depends. Most restaurants downtown in DC or NYC you need a reservation for if they are table service these days.

Shake Shack
Any of the restaurants at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Mexican or Thai.

NYC tourist newbie here jumping in to ask 1 question...
Are we supposed to make reservations at the above recommended restaurants, or can we relatively reliably just walk up and get a table within 15 min or so?

The Smith fits the bill, but beware that the one by Lincoln Center is SUPER loud. PJ Clark's and Rosa Mexicano are in the same vicinity, also family friendly, and a little less hectic.

I'd also recommend Momofuku Noodle Bar in the Duetsche Bank Center or the Blue Ribbon Sushi across the street from there on 58th.

And if you're willing to head a bit uptown to the West 70s, consider the Mermaid Inn, Parm, or Le Pecora Bianca on Columbus Ave, or Red Farm on Broadway. These are popular with Upper West Side families, and you'll escape the tourist and theater crowds.

I also like essa bagel and Sara beth's

Chelsea Market has a ton of options.

Agree The Smith is a safe option

Rue 57 has been around FOREVER and has a kind of "something for everyone" reliable menu and good food, but not really a destination place so I'd go there if you want to be close to the hotel. Different suggestions if you are ok with going further afield.

Essa Bagel

Urban Hawker is a lot of fun, Asian food hall from Singapore.

Hudson Yards has Mercado Little Spain by Jose Andres, like a big Spanish food hall.

If willing to travel, there is Eataly in Flatiron.

They probably would like the Smith, casual restaurants with decent food.

I also love Piccola Cucina uptown for Italian food (from Italy).

We like the Sarabeths on Central Park South for breakfast. It is huge so wait is shorter. For dinner, if your kids like sushi, sugarfish is good

s/o another recent thread -- I'm taking family on a trip to NYC and staying on the south end of Central Park. Will be there for Valentines Day evening, but not interested in a romantic dinner out (have kids with us). Where should we look for casual meals, especially dinner, that aren't fast food? Kids are reasonably good eaters.