Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Bhojan
INDIAN
When it comes to Indian, the East Village's Curry Row lags miles behind Midtown's Curry Hill.
One of the best spots in the neighborhood is one of the newest, an elegant all-vegetarian paradise that highlights
the cuisine of Gujurat and Punjab. “Thali” platters allow you to sample a range of delicacies, and they're just $9
for weekday lunches.
102 Lexington Ave., near 27th St.
212/213-9615.
www.bhojanny.com
.
Mon-Thurs 11:30am-10:30pm; Fri-Sat 11:30am-11pm; Sun
11:30am-10pm. Subway: 6 to 28th St.
Chennai Garden
INDIAN
Vegetarians can relax in this Indian legend, as the long list of
dosai,utthappam,
and
curries here doesn't contain a scrap of meat. Most entrees are under $10, and portions are substantial. Despite
the prices, vibrant pink walls under subdued lighting make for a date-suitable atmosphere.
129 E. 27th St., btw. Park and Lexington aves.
212/689-1999.
www.orderchennaigarden.com
.
Mon-Fri 11:30am-3pm and 5-10pm; Sat-Sun
noon-10pm. Subway: 6 to 28th St.
Ess-A-Bagel
BAGELS
The huge bagels here won't win any points with purists, but they make an already good
deal even better at $1, or $2.75 with a huge helping of cream cheese. The bustling full-service shop has several
tables for your savoring pleasure.
831 Third Ave., btw. 50th and 51st sts.
212/980-1010.
Mon-Fri 6am-9pm; Sat-Sun 6am-5pm. Subway: 6 to 51st St. Other location:
Gramercy,
359 First Ave., at 21st St.
212/260-2252.
Subway: 6 to 23rd St.
57 Napoli Pizza e Vino
ITALIAN
I am a groupie for
pizzaiolo
Salvatore Olivella, having followed his classic
Neapolitan pies from L'Asso to no. 28 to his latest wood-burning oven on 57th Street. Top-quality ingredients
make for stellar pizzas, with tangy sauce topping well-structured, lightly singed crusts. Just $20 or so gets you a
skateboard-shaped pizza that'll be hard for three people to finish. Take advantage of a rare slot of affordability
on one of the city's toniest blocks, made possible only by the eccentric location, up a flight of stairs from C'est
Bon Café.
120 E. 57th St., btw. Park and Lexington aves.
212/750-4586.
www.57napoli.com
.
Mon-Thurs 11am-11pm; Fri 11am-midnight; Sat
10am-midnight; Sun 10am-11pm. Subway: 4/5/6 or N/Q/R to 59th St./Lexington Ave.; E/M to 53rd St./Lexington Ave.
Oms/b
JAPANESE
This little shop frequented by Japanese expats puts rice balls together with whimsy and cre-
ativity. Strong flavors like burdock, wasabi shrimp, and plum are on offer, executed with artistic flair. More
snacks than meals, balls start at only $1.50 apiece, with set menus starting at $7.25.
156 E. 45th St., btw. Third and Lexington aves.
212/922-9788.
www.riceball-omsb.com
.
Mon-Fri 8am-7:30pm; Sat 11:30am-5pm. Subway:
4/5/6/S to 42nd St./Grand Central.
Roomali
INDIAN
The
roti
here (an Indian pancake, give or take) is homemade daily, making a fresh foundation
for a series of flavor-packed
kati
rolls. My favorite is the
achari
chicken, which is spicy and tangy and a deal at
$6 (two for $11).
Aloochanapaneer
rolls, made with potatoes, chickpeas, and cheese are a great $5.50 option for
vegetarians (two for $10). This Curry Hill shop does mostly takeout, but the small dining space is low-lit and
pleasant.
97 Lexington Ave., at 27th St.
212/679-8900.
www.roomaliny.com
.
Daily noon-10pm. Subway: 6 to 28th St.
9 Midtown West
The Burger Joint at the Parker Meridian
BURGERS
One of the city's best burgers hides behind curtains inside
the lobby of a fancy Midtown hotel. The Burger Joint is as unpretentious and inexpensive as its name, and the
burger is a delicious instant classic, juicy and not too greasy. Buy one for $7, add 50¢ for cheese.
Though
the entrance is hidden (look for the neon arrow by the check-in desk), the local business folk and tourist trade
have discovered the place, and it's mobbed at lunch.
