Avoiding the tourist traps
Naples 45's pizza. Photo credit: Phil S. Kropoth
By Emily Ranager
Special to amNewYork
Out-of-town guests flock to New York when the lights and tinsel go up. Escorting family and friends to major holiday attractions can make even the most cheerful hosts hungry. Here, amNewYork recommends convenient eateries that will keep you well fed while showing guests around, without breaking the bank.
If you're checking out the Rockefeller Christmas Tree:
Naples 45
200 Park Ave. at 45th St.,
212-972-7001
Watch your dinner get toasty at Naples 45, which serves classic Neapolitan cuisine prepared in a wood-fired oven. Thin-crust pizzas are the biggest draw, ranging from $32.50 to $34.50 for a half meter of pie (which serves 3-4 people). Try the Quattro Stagioni — topped with artichokes, ham, fresh mozzarella, eggplant, mushrooms and tomatoes.
Taksim
1030 Second Ave., btwn 54th and 55th sts
212-421-3004
Taksim is a cozy Turkish joint known for affordable, hearty stews and classic meze. Try eggplant salad ($5.50), stuffed cabbage leaves ($5), lamb casserole cooked in a clay pot with vegetables, or the seasonal vegetable stew (both $12). Turkish wines are $20 per bottle, so imbibe without breaking the bank.
If you're admiring the holiday windows along Fifth Avenue:
Cosette
169 E. 33rd St., btwn Lexington and Third aves.,
212-889-5489
Settle in for French fare at Cosette, an intimate bistro known for its hot soups and simple entrees. Start with the classic French onion soup ($7) and top it off with the sole meunière, a filet of sole in lemon butter sauce ($19). At lunch prices are even more reasonable, with most entrees priced at $11 to $14.
Mandoo Bar
2 W. 32nd St. at Fifth Ave.,
212-279-3075
Experience the true tastes of Koreatown at Mandoo Bar. Watch chefs prepare the restaurant’s specialty dumplings, like goon mandoo, which are pan-fried and filled with pork and vegetables, and kimchee mandoo, which are steamed and packed with spicy Korean vegetables and tofu. Prices range from $6.99 to $9.99 for ten dumplings. There are also several noodle and rice dishes on the menu.
If you're planning to skate at Prospect Park's Wollman Rink:
Picket Fence
1310 Cortelyou Rd. at 13th St.,
718-282-6661
Picket Fence offers classic American comfort food in a kid-friendly environment. Entrees range from $12 to $22 and include specialties like buttermilk fried chicken with smoked Gouda mac and cheese and chicken pot pie with mushrooms. Picket Fence also serves several burgers and sandwiches ($9 to $11) and standard kids’ fare like grilled cheese with French fries.
Mike’s International Restaurant
522 Flatbush Ave. near Lincoln Rd., 718-856-7034
Get a taste of the Caribbean at Mike’s International Restaurant, where you can dine on regional specialties like oxtails in brown gravy and jerk chicken in spicy sauce. It’s a no-frills atmosphere, but you can’t beat the prices: all entrees are served with salad, vegetables and rice and cost between $6.50 and $11.50. For dessert, try the fruit cake rum cake ($2.50) or the sweet potato pudding ($1).
