Family style Italian dining and other New York City, NY Restaurant Reviews

Restaurant Name: CARMINE'S

Family style portions of Italian dishes come lavishly prepared. Noise level is high as families chatter happily with one another over meals, so expect an atmosphere filled with laughter and talk. Service can be slow at times, but waitstaff makes up for it in friendliness. Celebrated a birthday here once- waitstaff came out with a cupcake and a candle and the whole group sang "happy birthday" with much gusto.

Wait can be long at certain branches, such as the one on 44th Street. Personally, I frequent the one on the upper west side more because it's more convenient and much shorter lines.

Favorite Dish: Chicken Cacciatore is delicious- white wine and chicken stock, with tomatoes and basil. The veal parm is also great.

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Theme: Italian
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$21-30  » Currency Converter
Address: 200 West 44th Street
Directions: Theater District
Website: http://www.carminesnyc.com/

Restaurant Name: Tom's Restaurant

Perhaps I had a very different experience with Tom's Restaurant since I was a regular during my college days- my roommate and I frequented this diner perhaps 3-4 times a week, and subsequently were well recognized by the waitstaff. We never faced lines, never a wait (they always have 1-2 tables reserved for their regulars, which is so nice!). I dont know if we are that predictable (probably), but our food arrived within minutes of ordering. As scientists, we set to timing them and found that on average (after 10 or so trials), food arrives in about 8 minutes.

I normally order breakfast food (omellette with cheese, hash browns, sausage, bacon, toast), and my roommate gets crab cakes or clams on half baked shell. Food that only takes 8 minutes? Can't be beat.

Note: interior of this joint looks nothing like the set of Seinfield. Nothing but the fascade on the outside is similar. However, if you're interested in tours, there are Kramer Tours offered that give you insight to the show, and who can resist snapping a photo outside on the street with the fascade?


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Theme: Diner
Comparison: less expensive than average
Prices: US$11-20  » Currency Converter
Phone: 864-6137
Address: 2880 Broadway (@ 112th St.)
Directions: Subway 1/9 to 110th Street, walk 2 blocks north.

Restaurant Name: Zen Palate

Top rated vegetarian restaurant, offers a varied assortment of vegetarian dishes including stir-fried noodles, "Felicity Mushrooms" (Fresh Shiitake & Button Mushrooms Sauteed with Basil, Bamboo Shoots & Carrots), and "Tofu Delight" (Zucchini, Tomatoes, Soft Tofu in Black Bean Sauce, with Taro Spring Rolls, Brown & Red Rice).

I go to the one in Union Square, not the one in the Theatre District.


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Theme: Vegan/Vegetarian
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$21-30  » Currency Converter
Phone: 212.582.1669
Address: 663 9th Ave., New York, NY
Directions: At the intersection of 9th avenue and 46th Street.
Website: http://www.zenpalate.com/