The Top List of Best Buy Restaurants - New York, NY
Let this list be a roadmap on your way to finding your own special places – ones with that “little something extra,” that “je ne sais quoi” by Regine Zamor,Eleonora Boreyko & Curtis Hagedorn
What makes a restaurant a "best buy?" If that designation were simply an equation of quantity vs. price, you'd find this list of eateries filled with America's fast-food-finest (even as venerated a gourmet as Julia Child has rhapsodized over McDonald's French Fries.) However, being a "best buy" is more than that, particularly in a New York that, contrary to popular belief, is filled with food bargains from the Bronx to the Battery. So let this list be a roadmap on your way to finding your own special places - ones with that "little something extra," (or for an extra dollar or two, that "je ne sais quoi") which makes an ordinary meal an experience to be treasured (and repeated and repeated...)
CAFÉ HABANA 17 Prince St., New York, NY 10012 212-625-2002 It doesn’t matter if there is a wait, and it certainly shouldn’t matter if it’s small and tight inside; Café Habana is worth every minute. If you’re really bothered there is an option to order ahead, or order from the takeout right next door. Not the best place for Vegans, Café Habana’s Mexican-Cuban menu is a hearty meal for a not so hefty price. Roasted Pork, Cuban Sandwiches, the famous Grilled Corn, spiked with chili powder, melted cheese and lime are to die for. Have a mojito, throw down an intense flavored meal, and get every dollar’s worth at this hotspot in lower Manhattan.
Holiday Schedule: New Years Day-Open, Easter-Open, Thanksgiving-Closed, Christmas Eve-Open, Christmas-Closed, New Years Eve-Open, 4th of July- Closed
Estimated price per person $7-$12
WILD GINGER 380 Broome Street, New York 10013 212-966-1883 Being a Vegetarian has never been this good. Wild Ginger’s Pan-Asian Vegetarian cuisine isn’t just tasty to Herbivores; meat-eaters also dine at this innovative downtown spot consistently. The soy protein tastes just like chicken, and you’ll be delightfully surprised at the scallion pancakes. Drop in or order a lunch special to be delivered, and you can catch one of the best deals around. For about 8 dollars, a miso soup, spring roll, and full meal will leave you filled for the entire day. Each entrée comes with a pumpkin slice, brown rice, or coconut rice, laced with raisins. Vegetarian or not, Wild Ginger is easy on the palette and your wallet.
Holiday Schedule: New Years Day-Open, Easter-Open, Thanksgiving-Closed, Christmas Eve-Open, Christmas-Closed, New Years Eve-Open
Estimated price per person $6-$10
CHICKPEA 23 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10003 212-254-9500 Formerly a pizza joint, Chickpea isn’t just a place for college students to catch a break. Located in Cooper Square this Middle Eastern cuisine won’t hurt your wallet. With 14 bucks being the priciest thing on a menu, you can order a Falafel for 4 dollars or a combo meal for only 7! Not your usual falafel eatery, Chickpea is for those on the go, wanting to grab a quick meal, or a low cost meal without losing the quality and taste. Pitas are made in house and falafels are the freshest around.
Holiday Schedule: New Years Day-Open, Easter-Open, Thanksgiving-Closed, Christmas Eve-Open, Christmas-Closed, New Years Eve-Open
Estimated price per person $6-$13
SNACK 105 Thompson St. (Between Spring and Prince Sts.) 212-929-3499 Hours: (Mon-Fri) 12pm-3pm; (Sat-Sun) 12pm-3:30pm; (Mon-Sat) 6pm-11pm; (Sun) 6pm-11pm To avoid long lines, locals come to Snack at off-hours. This Greek tavern is one ‘XS’ eatery with ‘XL’ popularity. The growing success prompted the owners to open a second location, Snack Taverna (serves brunches) in the West Village and seats 52 instead of 16. The food is consistently excellent. The stuffed grape leaves swim in a saffron-scented crushed-almond sauce; the roasted monkfish is complemented by the caramelized romaine and dill-scented verjus. Be in the mood for mouth-watering braised lamb shoulder, enhanced by intense flavors of oven-roasted tomatoes and fresh mint enlivening. Ask a waiter about their selection of fragrant wines. Drink copiously to balance the substantial meal. Priceless, not pricey! If you happen to be in Queens, Astoria has similar competitors, even less expensive.
Estimated cost per person: $20-$30 Holiday schedule: call for info.
CHOUX FACTORY Midtown East Store 865 First Ave. NY, NY 10017 (Bet. 48th & 49th St.) 212-223-0730
Upper East Store 1685 First Ave NY NY 10128 ( Bet. 87th & 88th St.) 212-289-2023
West Village Store 58 West 8th St. NY, NY 10011 (Bet. 5th & 6th Ave) 212-473-4015
Chelsea Store 36 W 23rd St. 8th Ave NY, NY 10011 Bet. 8th & 9th St.) 212-627-4318
Hours: (Mon-Fri) 7am-10pm, (Sat-Sun) 10am-10pm. Some shops close at 8pm (call for info)
Japanese chefs have long plied their art of making sushi. However, when it comes to desserts, things are not too sweet, since green tea ice cream is often the only choice. In contrast to restaurants, small Japanese shops spilled throughout New York display their culinary skills. An unassuming hole-in-the-wall Choux Factory hides its delicious secrets. In the window, delicate pastries form a pyramid, waiting to be filled with freshly made chocolate, strawberry, or vanilla custard. Pastries, strawberry cream-cheese, and butter are all home-made in the immaculate, tiny back room. If you are looking for a quick and inexpensive lunch, have a tasty panwiche (Japanese sandwich). An early lunch assures availability of the popular BLT, egg salad, and tuna panwiches. Recently, as an option to the traditional custard filling, pastries are filled with different flavors of ice cream. Frozen drinks based on Green Tea refresh in the summer heat. Small tastes, big flavors!
Estimated cost per person: $5 - $12 Holiday schedule: call for info.
L'ECOLE 462 Broadway (@ Grand) (212) 219-3300 Hours: M-F: 12-1:45 (Lunch) M-W: 6- 9 (Dinner) Thur. 5:30 -9:30 PM (Dinner) Fri/Sat: 5:30 - 10:00 PM (Dinner) Closed Sunday Even if you don't get your hair cut at a Beauty Academy, or your teeth cleaned at the School of Dentistry, you can still indulge in the fabulous fare created and served by the students of the French Culinary Academy at L'Ecole. Under the tutelage of such masters as Andre Soltner and Jacques Pepin, L'Ecole's young chefs serve up classics with a contemporary twist in a manner, which is part professional panache, part breathless aspiration. Constantly changing, a place to visit again and again.
Average cost for dinner per personl: $25-30
Holiday Schedule: New Years Day-Closed, Valentines Day-Open, Easter-Closed, Thanksgiving-Closed, Christmas Eve-TBA, Christmas Day-Closed, New Years Eve-Open
ZEYTUNA 59 Maiden Ln. (At William St.) 161 Maiden Ln. (at Front St.) NY, NY 10038 NY, NY 10038 212-742-2436 212-514-5858 Hours: (Sun-Thu) 6am-10pm, (Fri – Sat) 6am-10.30pm
Unlike famous Zabar’s Café, Zeytuna unexpectedly draws numerous patrons from the financial district; its greater appeal is one good reason. When time is money, a self –serve option will get you back to work in less than an hour. The TV’s on the walls will make the time go even faster. It is a matter of opinion, but some customers give their pizza a nine out of ten. The menu is ample: sushi, pasta, chicken; and, you can ask for a sample. Since Zaytuna is also a grocery store; all meals are made with fresh ingredients. In spite of this, if you eat there often, the quality might vary. The waiters are often moody, but who cares. Lunch might be a few bucks more ($9) than your neighboring Chinese restaurant for under $7, but much more satisfying.
Estimated cost per person: $9-$15 Holiday schedule: call for info.
CHAT N' CHEW 10 East 16th Street, New York, NY 10010 212-242-1616 Hours: Mon-Sun: 10 am - 12 pm A great little hole in the wall location for: comfort food (amazing mac and cheese, jaw-breaking sandwiches) genuine kitsch (most theme restaurants would pay big bucks for the junk hanging all over the walls and ceiling) and truly relaxed and friendly service. Nothing special, unless you've always wanted your own little hang out to have a bite on a week day night before going home to watch "Survivor." And who hasn't?
Average Cost of Dinner Per Person: $15-20 including tax and tip
Holiday Schedule: New Years Day-Closed, Valentines Day-Open, Easter-Open, Thanksgiving-Open, Christmas Eve-Open, Christmas Day-Closed, New Years Eve-Open
VESELKA 144 2nd Avenue NY, NY 10003 212-228-9682 Hours: 24/7
East meets West at this fun upscale diner. “Veselka (the suffix ‘vesel’ means ‘fun’ in Ukrainian) has been serving Ukrainian delicacies for over fifty years. Feeling hungry or hung over? Come to hang out at Veselka that hosts early birds and night owls 24/7. Indigenous to Eastern Europe, the waiters seem gloomy, maybe just more pensive than your ordinary waiter. In the summer, indulge in the traditional pierogi bearing large blueberries inside (ask about the pierogi of the month). Their paper-thin homemade blintzes filled with farmer’s cheese are celestial. As a dessert, a fresh raspberry sauce blankets the blintzes. Do not leave this place without trying the tender Beef Stroganoff, strips of beef cooked with onions and mushrooms. These ingredients are simmered over a low fire in sour cream, becoming a rich sauce. If you are patient, let the odor wrap itself around you, then dig in. The dish is served over noodles with a small salad on a side. Any of the house specialties might become palate-addicting.
Estimated cost per person: $20-$25 Holiday schedule: call for info.
GOLDEN UNICORN 18 East Broadway, New York, NY 10005 212-941-0911 Hours: Mon-Sun: 8 am - 10:30 pm So many people already know about this place, it seems a shame to tell you about it here, but we're nothing if not selfless. The best dim sum on Manhattan island - if you're not familiar with dim sum, all the better, have it first at Golden Unicorn. A never-ending panoply of Chinese delicacies, some familiar, some exotic, each priced by the size of the plate it sits on. At the end of the meal, they add up the plates and present you with a stunningly inexpensive bill. Bring lots of friends, tell them you found Golden Unicorn all by yourself.
Average Cost Of Dinner Per Person: $15-20
Holiday Schedule: New Years Day-Open, Valentines Day-Open, Easter-Open, Thanksgiving-Open, Christmas Eve-Open, Christmas Day-Closed, New Years Eve-Open
HONORABLE MENTION: Restaurants to seek out for yourself, all over the city. Etats-Unis, The Market Café, Lou Lou, Patois, Al Di La, the Prix Fixe Lunch at both Montrachet and Chanterelle and, finally, the biggest bargain of them all at the classic location: Gray's Papaya at 72nd and Broadway, two hot-dogs and a drink for $1.95 now that's a New York minute.
The Top List of Best Buy Restaurants - New York, NY