Forgive me for another restaurant query - Walk ins

Week is starting to take shape now. Have dinner reservations for the Friday and Saturday nights (Le Madeleine - pre theatre and Cite - wine dinner).

On arrival night the plan is Pongsri Thai so that leaves Monday - Thursday nights.

Do many restaurants accept walk ins? I%26#39;m going blind from menupages and still can%26#39;t decide where to book.

Of most concern is Monday night as it also is a theatre night (Rent). I%26#39;ve had a look on opentable and am underwhelmed with what%26#39;s available in the Theatre district. Would we be safe to eat further from the theatre at 6 and get a taxi or would traffic be an issue?

Forgive me for another restaurant query - Walk ins

I make reservations for dinner each night. On theatre nights I usually find a nice restaurant near my hotel and walk to the show. Cab back unless the weather invites. What area are you staying in?

Forgive me for another restaurant query - Walk ins

For the most part, my wife and I are %26#39;dropper-inners%26#39;, rarely make reservations.

NYC has so many dining options that if we can not be seated in a place we just head to the next spot, usually not too far away.

However, to each his own.

Last Sunday we had reservations at CIBO, not at all needed, there were only 8 other diners in the restaurant, staff outnumbered patrons, but that is just one instance.

Do what you will!

Poppa

I know I am going to sound like a broken record, but since you are staying at The Grand Hyatt, Cibo is only a few blocks away and the food is good and you can drop in.

Also, in GCT itself is Metrazur and Michael Jordan%26#39;s Steakhouse.

Pre-theater places in the theater district book up and a reservation is usually recommended there.

Don%26#39;t shoot me Voy, but the menu doesn%26#39;t work for us at Cibo. Maybe brunch but not lunch or dinner. It%26#39;s one of those menus that I hate, you start reading it thinking, good, fine and then you get to the end of the dish and they throw in a strange ingredient.

Will keep looking online, got a few recommendations from a friend in NYC in an email today so will check those out.

Thanks for all your help

Athtrasna,

Your apprehension is totally understandable - a menu that has odd sounding things on it can sound scary.

Many times there are exotic sounding ingredients, but they are quite often mere garnishes and can easily be tossed aside if not desired. Also an entree can be ordered by asking the server to ';hold'; certain items from the dish.

For example, I ordered spaghetti bolognese, and asked for the ricotta on the side because I am not wild about ricotta. No problem, it arrived in a separate bowl. My daughter ordered rigatoni and didn%26#39;t eat the spinach that came with it because she doesn%26#39;t care for it.

No matter where you dine you might find some odd-sounding things, but new experiences are fun and it is definitely easy to avoid what you don%26#39;t like.

For quick bites, you are right near GCT and they have a nice food court. Hale %26amp; Hearty Soups, Two Boots Pizza, Dishes for grilled panini, and Junior%26#39;s has cheesecake to name a few offerings.

Across from GCT is Pershing Square. I have not dined there but others on this board say it has terrific breakfasts.

Bon Appetit!

CIBO food, for the most part, is prepared ala minute (on the spot) - not from a steam table - so it is easy enough for them to leave out an ingredient that is not to your taste.

In fact when we were there last Sunday, at the next table one of the young boys objected to something in one of the dishes and the waiter assured him it would be left out.

CIBO is not to be missed, IMO.

Poppa

Are you guys on commission!!

Okay okay we%26#39;ll give it a go! Be prepared for my honest report when we get back!

Always a pleasure to deal with someone who is adventurous!

Enjoy.

Poppa

Brunch or dinner at Cibo?

We have a couple of nights open for dinner but I was thinking maybe brunch on our last day. The plan is mass at St Patrick%26#39;s then brunch and then head to the airport.

If not Cibo for brunch then any other recommendations?

ANY but the snootiest restaurants will accept walk ins assuming they have a table free. Problem is especially around Times Square, the most popular/well known places are always crowded. If you%26#39;re venturing into other neighborhoods that are not so touristy, I think you can always find a good place to pop in.

As to brunch on your last day, while I think Cibo is very good and good value, you might want to end the trip at some place more glamorous or memorable. What about going to the Rock Center Cafe overlooking the ice rink at Rockefeller center? Brasserie 8 1/2 has one of the few good buffet brunches.

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Or what about the Boat House in Central Park?