gr8tlakes

Will be back for a NYC visit for the first time since 2016. Interested in some midtown (staying at Barclay) dining suggestions. Had about settled on Seafire for one evening, but the dining room looks sterile..and probably loud. Was also looking at the companion Benjamin Steakhouses, tilI saw mention of it being loud. I'd love to hear about anyone's 'favorite little neighborhood place'….not loud, not trendy, reliably good food. Anyone?

(PS - not a newbie here, tho I,ve not posted or looked, really, in quite a while and had to re-register. Actually, this will be my first real trip in five - ‼️ - yeah, five years thanks to covid and then a series of surgeries… So, I'm def looking forward…)

tracilee

For Italian, we really enjoyed Il Cantinori last summer. It’s not really midtown, between Washington Square Park and Union Square. The food was very good and we really liked the atmosphere. It wasn’t warm enough when we were there, but it looked like they have large windows that open up to the street in good weather.

https://www.ilcantinori.com

SeaF

For excellent steak and cheesecake, I really enjoyed Gallagher’s Steakhouse on W 52nd St.

TDudette

Just before Covid, I had a nice dinner at:

Benjamin Prime ( https://www.benjaminsteakhouse.com/prime/ )

and a spectacular lunch at:

Morgan Library Café; Turkey sandwich with guac, bacon, and balsamic onions. Fries with a slightly spicy ketchup. Apple tart tatin. It was enough for two people.

Below is my trip report...do double check that venues are still open, and share what you end up doing!

New York City – Sargent and the Zoo

Madam397

Stella 34 Trattoria is an Italian restaurant in Macy's with a separate elevator right near the front entrance on Broadway. I've only been there for lunch but there is a nice menu with a view overlooking Herald Square.

Many restaurants that were standbys in midtown closed during the pandemic and many people including me are not really in midtown too frequently these days.

ekscrunchy

We just had a good meal at CI SIAMO, west of the new Moynihan Hall in the west 30s.

The onion tart is a dish I will long remember. It is a large and brassy restaurant but it's fun and the food is excellent.
Also look at some of these which are always good.

UPLAND
I SODI
MAIAILINO

CASA MONO

Do not necessarily look at a steakhouse for good steaks.






I have no idea about the Benjamin but I do not think it's all that popular with locals, at least the locals that I know. In fact I have been a NYC resident with a great interest in restaurants for many decades and have not been to any of the places mentioned. Does not mean that they are not good, but I would keep looking.

Maybe you can do better than a restaurant inside Macy's...but I've not been there.

Good food in that area, for steaks, is COTE. Bit I've not been since they received all their accolades.....its really fun with a great wine list.

For all the you need to book ahead......

You did not ask about pizza but we were at Don Antonio a few weeks ago for pizza but there also have good and moderately priced Italian food in the theatre district......I'd keep it on my list.....pizzas were quite good if not the standard of the original in Naples......pretty cheap..

Fra_Diavolo

I don't live in the neighborhood anymore, and it's been some time since I was last there, but we used to enjoy the Crave Fishbar (2nd and 50th) https://cravefishbar.com/crave-fishbar-midtown-menu/ for well-prepared original fish dishes. Warning -- avoid weekdays and happy hour, when it's jammed.

Madam397

Don Giovanni is a good option for a casual meal in the theatre district. We also enjoy Marseille and Cafe Un Deux Trois. Restaurants come and go pretty quickly these days, especially those that closed during the pandemic.