This week, I’m answering questions from three readers: a mom who wants to know where her daughter can eat cheap in the East Village and ...
This week, I’m answering questions from three readers: a mom who wants to know where her daughter can eat cheap in the East Village and Alphabet City; someone looking for affordable restaurants near Lincoln Center; and a reader looking for gluten-free brunch options.
As always, send your questions—or your own advice—to wheretoeat@nytimes.com, and you may see it shared in a future newsletter. I look forward to hearing from you!
Eat cheap but healthy in the East Village
I enjoy the newsletter even though I live on the west coast. I read it mainly to make recommendations to my daughter who lives in New York. I worry that she lives in such an expensive city where her rent is high and her income is so low! She doesn’t really cook so often eats out. Do you have any healthy yet inexpensive meal suggestions for someone living in the East Village, Alphabet City, and NoHo area? – Karen T.
Karen, when I was your daughter—not too long ago, I’m afraid—my way of eating on a budget was to eat at least two meals out of one. A restaurant that lends itself well to this approach is New Mexican Vegan Place Raiz NYC, in the East Village. Whether she opts for a mom-approved sweet potato and kale burrito or the possibly mom-disapproved Westside burrito with fries, vegan chipotle mayo, and guacamole (something green!), it’ll cost her around $14, or $7 for two large meals. I would also be remiss if I did not include the very delicious Taiwanese cuisine in 886, where nothing on the menu is over $16 and the portions are quite large. The bacon and charred cabbage stir-fry is not to be missed.
Affordable and non-touristy near Lincoln Center
The newsletter of the theater district inspired me to write with my own question. I often go with friends to shows at Lincoln Center and we still don’t know where to eat. Two solid places we landed on are Jing Fong and Lodi (but then we have to walk to train 1). Most places in the immediate area feel too touristy or overpriced. No suggestions? —Alex N.
This is such an old question that my colleague Sam Sifton answered it in 2011. (His suggestions then: Bar Boulud, Shun Lee West, Cafe Fiorello and Rosa Mexicano.) In the years that followed, a super casual Momofuku Noodle Bar opened inside shops on Columbus Circle. Even the best-dressed operator isn’t above pork belly ramen and charred romaine with peanuts. (You get both for $33.50, before tax and tip.) Another option is the Georgian Restaurant Shama mom. It’s a bit of a walk, about 11 blocks, but the food – four kinds of khachapuri, crispy-skinned Cornish hen in blackberry sauce, a platter of desserts – is well worth it. With the exception of the $70 meat platter and $45 lamb chops, the entire dinner menu is $28 or less.
Wheat-free brunch
We have friends visiting us next month and we would like to know your favorite gluten-free brunches. Dinner is a little easier, but so many brunch options involve wheat! —Alex T.
Since I don’t have celiac disease and don’t eat gluten-free regularly, I thought I’d think about this and reach out to my colleagues at The Times. Three people, including Sara Chodosh, a graphics editor, told me their reference was by Friedman, which has multiple locations in Manhattan. Sara’s favorite menu items are the Nova Benny, Eggs Benedict served on a pair of latkes, and the fried chicken and cheddar waffle. Styles reporter Gina Cherelus was impressed with Savage in Park Slope, Brooklyn. The restaurant specializes in gluten-free pizzas. Her favorite is the Mediterranean lamb sausage pie.
In other news…
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Openings: Ignacio Mattos (Lodi, Estela) is behind the food at corner bar, Lobby Lounge and another upcoming project at the Nine Orchard Hotel on the Lower East Side; 53, a restaurant and lounge bar specializing in “contemporary Asian” cuisine, opens its doors tomorrow a stone’s throw from the Museum of Modern Art; and the Loyal was replaced by Noortwyckan upscale restaurant by two Eleven Madison Park alumni.
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The Upper West Side is now home at Harry’s paintinga luxury food market, and Restaurant Bellini, both from the Cipriani family organization. Find them on West 60th Street just past West End Avenue.
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For the New York Times Style magazineReggie Nadelson highlights the East Village Meat Market on Second Avenue, a Ukrainian butcher shop that has been producing succulent kielbasa and crispy kabanos since 1970.
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Next time you’re in Los Angeles, check out these ten high-end frozen treat destinationsall handpicked by our California critic, Tejal Rao.
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