where can i go for a delicious, affordable birthday dinner?
i'm trying to think of a good place in the city to take my foodie boyfriend out for dinner on his birthday. i'd like to keep it in manhattan - preferably the west side (uptown/downtown doesn't matter as much), but the trek to the east side is doable too. nowhere too large and easily crowded, but somewhere we can eat super deliciously for about $20 or less each, as we are poor art-type students. do places like this exist? and do they take reservations? i was thinking along the lines of maybe the jim lahey pizza place in chelsea or 26 seats on the lower east side, but i'd love more suggestions if you guys have them.
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11 Comments:
I have always loved Paprika on St. Mark's and they have AMAZING brunch deals, but also good "early bird specials". Would definitely fit in your budget and it is a very cozy and romantic spot that serves mostly Italian-esque (you'll understand if you eat there) cuisine and has fantastic service.
cdp1223 at 2:08PM on 04/30/09
Lil Frankies in the East Village is a great choice- good food, pretty cheap, and a fun atmosphere.
camdon at 2:48PM on 04/30/09
Snack in Soho - Thompson b/w Prince and Spring - Greek food that's realy good. The place is small and special but shouldn't be too loud or crowded. Veg Indian at Madras Mahal on Lex/27th...or either of the Westville locations (east village is generally less crowded).
producestories at 3:06PM on 04/30/09
OH! Sorry to pipe in again, but I just thought of Vegetarian's Paradise II (aka VPII) on W. 4th near 6th Ave. It is a small veggie-Asian type place that has the best faux chicken nuggets (with paradise sauce) ever! It is really casual and has great service as well. Doesn't usually get terribly crowded and is very affordable.
cdp1223 at 5:43PM on 04/30/09
i would recommend cafe asean (southeast asian, west village). it's super cute, romantic and inexpensive.
other options: kefi (greek, uws), el quinto pino (tapas, chelsea), supper (italian, east village), ino (panini, west village), westville (comfort food, west village), la palette (brazialian, west village), salam cafe (west village), ivo and lulu (french carribean, soho).... ok i have to stop because this is making me hungry!
kristin314 at 5:48PM on 04/30/09
Depends on what type of food you are interested in, but small plates/tapas are definitely the way to go to keep costs down. As few favorites:
cafe mogador (east village), casaville (midtown east), uva (UES), kashkaval (hell's kitchen), and any of the Hummus Kitchen or Nanoosh places.
andrearode at 10:50PM on 04/30/09
Oh please go to Il Bagatto. Everything is homemade, it's super romantic and the price is right! P.S. It's worth the trek to 1st between A & B.
weelicious at 12:12AM on 05/01/09
Pigalle in midtown. Affordable French food. Saw Chaim Topol there! (this will mean nothing to anyone under the age of 50, but my parents recognized him).
jrmanor at 7:19PM on 05/01/09
oooooh, thank you, everybody! now i'm trying to decide between paprika and il bagatto...anyone want to break the tie?
tinypig at 9:43PM on 05/01/09
Please go to Paprika if you're deciding between the two. Lived in the EV for 6 years and went there over and over, went to Il Bagatto on a friend's rave review, and everyone in my party found it mediocre and overpriced. Paprika is really good "foodie" food, and the atmosphere feels like the place costs more than it actually does.
Also to consider: Perbacco in the east village. Same thing as Paprika in terms of good food, good price, great atmosphere. And finally, In Vino is a great date spot with terrific italian food (sorry, east village is italian heavy) and is equal parts restaurant and wine bar if you're into wine.
If i had to rank the above recommendations, i would say: In Vino, Paprika, Perbacco (only because they tend to get full) and Il Bagatto a distant 4th.
Good luck!
mh330 at 7:25PM on 05/04/09
Last minute addition! Gotta add Joy Indian Restaurant on Flatbush Ave. and Prospect Pl. in Park Slope! It's delicious Indian food! Big tables, rarely crowded, totally affordable. PLUS - its BYOB!! talk about cheap. Seriously delicious
alliect at 10:03AM on 05/05/09