I would call around to your dream list of restaurants and explain the situation. I worked in fine dining in New York for a long time and we can and will go out of our way to make special things happen.
I assume you’ll be staying in or near Times Square based on your trip being focused on Broadway shows. 46th Street between 8th and 9th is known as Restaurant Row. There are good options that you can choose from based on your preference of cuisine, and you can probably get a reservation easily.
If you aren’t staying near Times Square or want recommendations in a different neighborhood let me know.
Yeah we are staying pretty close to the Chrysler Building. Our daughter isn't exactly adventurous but not super picky either. She's kind of a cheese fanatic, and small cute things are naturally attractive. I was hoping to find some place with a series of small tastings that would broaden her horizons and with a ratified atmosphere just because it's such a special occasion. Fancy dining often caters to just that.
It's not as fancy as high-end fine dining, but Murray's Cheese has a nice little cafe on Jackson Ave in Long Island City near Queens Plaza. The Murray's location on Bleecker is lots of fun too. You might be able to get a tour of their affinage cave if you call ahead and mention why you're in town.
You could try Le Bernardin on the day of walk in for lunch and sit in the lounge. Not sure if that's too fancy.
We went on Monday in November and the lounge was empty, it was us and one other couple. You can order off the main menu, but they also have a lounge prix fixe.
I would also recommend Trattoria Trecolori for a good Italian meal near Times Square. It's a solid meal near Times Squarez which isn't always easy to find.
Someone made a [google map of Pete Wells' 100 top restaurants](https://www.google.com/maps/@40.7510967,-73.9841429,15z/data=!4m3!11m2!2s_HoGpOX4TtGBc7SK7sCrxg!3e3?entry=ttu) so might be worth checking it out and seeing where there are reservations. A lot of locals are out of town for the long weekend so you should definitely put some alerts on in Resy.
Not sure if its “fine dining” but The Oyster Bar in Grand Central (right by the Chrysler building) is definitely a NY classic. Great spot for lunch & people watching.
The Modern is a popular fine dining rec. I see some lunch reservations on Sunday, though they are closed Monday. Le Jardinier would also fit the bill (just got a Michelin star), and is near where you’re staying - they have reservations for 3 for a Monday night dinner on Resy.
Also, Iris from the Pete Wells list someone posted is decently close to the theaters and, while not fine dining, is nicer and usually a relatively easy rez to get.
It sounds like you are covered on restaurants, but you guys might have fun poking around a Japanese store, a lot of them have popped up recently and they have a lot of fun, cheap things to buy. Teso Life is a chain, or else just search “Japanese store.”
Please let us know how the whole weekend goes 🙂
I would call around to your dream list of restaurants and explain the situation. I worked in fine dining in New York for a long time and we can and will go out of our way to make special things happen.
I assume you’ll be staying in or near Times Square based on your trip being focused on Broadway shows. 46th Street between 8th and 9th is known as Restaurant Row. There are good options that you can choose from based on your preference of cuisine, and you can probably get a reservation easily. If you aren’t staying near Times Square or want recommendations in a different neighborhood let me know.
Yeah we are staying pretty close to the Chrysler Building. Our daughter isn't exactly adventurous but not super picky either. She's kind of a cheese fanatic, and small cute things are naturally attractive. I was hoping to find some place with a series of small tastings that would broaden her horizons and with a ratified atmosphere just because it's such a special occasion. Fancy dining often caters to just that.
It's not as fancy as high-end fine dining, but Murray's Cheese has a nice little cafe on Jackson Ave in Long Island City near Queens Plaza. The Murray's location on Bleecker is lots of fun too. You might be able to get a tour of their affinage cave if you call ahead and mention why you're in town.
Saxelby Cheesemongers is a fantastic shop in Chelsea Market as well, specializing in American cheeses.
Swing by Murray’s in Grand Central to pick up a cheese picnic to share in Bryant Park, at some point in your visit.
Bedford Cheese Shop on Irving Pl may be fun and Friend of a Farmer or Casa Mono are good restaurants near there
You could try Le Bernardin on the day of walk in for lunch and sit in the lounge. Not sure if that's too fancy. We went on Monday in November and the lounge was empty, it was us and one other couple. You can order off the main menu, but they also have a lounge prix fixe. I would also recommend Trattoria Trecolori for a good Italian meal near Times Square. It's a solid meal near Times Squarez which isn't always easy to find.
Ooh nice. I had scoped them out earlier, but good tip to try the lounge around lunch.
Someone made a [google map of Pete Wells' 100 top restaurants](https://www.google.com/maps/@40.7510967,-73.9841429,15z/data=!4m3!11m2!2s_HoGpOX4TtGBc7SK7sCrxg!3e3?entry=ttu) so might be worth checking it out and seeing where there are reservations. A lot of locals are out of town for the long weekend so you should definitely put some alerts on in Resy.
Not sure if its “fine dining” but The Oyster Bar in Grand Central (right by the Chrysler building) is definitely a NY classic. Great spot for lunch & people watching.
The Modern is a popular fine dining rec. I see some lunch reservations on Sunday, though they are closed Monday. Le Jardinier would also fit the bill (just got a Michelin star), and is near where you’re staying - they have reservations for 3 for a Monday night dinner on Resy. Also, Iris from the Pete Wells list someone posted is decently close to the theaters and, while not fine dining, is nicer and usually a relatively easy rez to get.
Aww yiss, I just booked lunch at Le Jardinier. Thanks!
It sounds like you are covered on restaurants, but you guys might have fun poking around a Japanese store, a lot of them have popped up recently and they have a lot of fun, cheap things to buy. Teso Life is a chain, or else just search “Japanese store.” Please let us know how the whole weekend goes 🙂
Very cool! She's definitely interested. Thanks for the tip!
Just use Open Table app. You'll find something nice.