Dining in Midtown on the East Side
- Ambassador Grill ($20-$25 dinner)
- 1 United Nations Plaza, Park Hyatt Hotel ( @44th St., btw. 1st Ave. and 2nd Ave.), 702-5014
- M-Sa 7am-11am, 12pm-2:30pm & 5pm-10:30pm, Su 7am-10:30am & 11:30am-1:45pm
- The Grill serves contemporary American cuisine that is sure to please!
- M-Sa 7am-11am, 12pm-2:30pm & 5pm-10:30pm, Su 7am-10:30am & 11:30am-1:45pm
- Blockhead's Burritos ($5-$11)
- 499 3rd Ave. (@ 34th Street), 213-3332
- M-Su 12pm-11pm
- Blockhead's is always busy because of their delicious Mexican food and great prices. The Big Breakfast Burrito is one of their specialties.
- M-Su 12pm-11pm
- Broadway Diner ($20 & under)
- 590 Lexington Ave. (@ 52nd St.),486-8838
- M-Sa 7am-11pm, Su 7am-4pm
- An all American diner.
- M-Sa 7am-11pm, Su 7am-4pm
- Caterina's ($15 & under)
- 213 E. 38th St. (btw. 2nd Ave. & 3rd Ave.), 922-3609
- M-F 12pm-11pm, Sa 5pm-11pm
- Try the chicken primavera at this Italian restaurant. It's to die for!
- M-F 12pm-11pm, Sa 5pm-11pm
- Inagiku
- Waldorf-Astoria, 111 East 49th Street, (212) 355-0440
- Monday-Friday from Noon to 2:00 p.m. and Daily from 5:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
- Inagiku was midtown Manhattan's first Japanese fine dining establishment. Reservations recommended.
- Monday-Friday from Noon to 2:00 p.m. and Daily from 5:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
- La Cote Basque ($35pf. lunch, $63pf. dinner)
- 5 E. 55th St. (btw. 5th Ave. and Madison Ave.), 688-6525
- M-F 12pm-2:30pm & 5:30pm-10:30pm, Sa 11:30am-11:30pm, Su 5pm-10pm
- Superb French food served at a lovely old restaurant. As for the receptionists, their bark is worse than their bite.
- M-F 12pm-2:30pm & 5:30pm-10:30pm, Sa 11:30am-11:30pm, Su 5pm-10pm
- Lipstick Cafe ($20 & under)
- 885 3rd Ave. (@ 54th St.), 486-8664
- M-F 7am-3pm
- M-F 7am-3pm
- Solera ($50-$80)
- 216 E. 53rd St. (btw. 2nd Ave. & 3rd Ave.), 644-1166
- M-Fri 12pm-11pm, Sat 5:30pm-11pm
- This upscale Spanish restaurant is definitely one to talk about. Chef Mariano Aznar prepares the main courses throughout the night, but for starters, you might want to try the ham croquetas or the fried calamari with the tomato vinaigrette. Reservations come highly recommended as are jackets, for men. Ties are optional.
- M-Fri 12pm-11pm, Sat 5:30pm-11pm
- T.G.I. Friday's ($20 & under)
- 47 E. 42nd St. (btw. Madison Ave & Vanderbilt Ave.), 922-5671
- M-Th 11:30am-9:30pm, F & Sa 11:30am-11pm, Su 12pm-9pm
- M-Th 11:30am-9:30pm, F & Sa 11:30am-11pm, Su 12pm-9pm
- Zephyr Grill
- Beekman Tower Hotel, 3 Mitchell
Place, 49th St and 1st Ave, (212) 223-4200
Stuck in the city? Don't fear, the best New England lobster is near! The Zephyr Grill, located in the landmark Beekman Tower Hotel, is serving up New York's favorite summertime meal with "The Maine Event," a fresh lobster with all the trimmings now through September.
The warm weather feast begins with a choice of either homemade soup or a garden salad. The star attraction -- a one-and-a-half-pound lobster -- is served with traditional accompaniments of steamed potatoes and corn on the cob. For dessert, guests enjoy American strawberry shortcake with whipped cream. Best of all, this meal is a steal at $19.99, every Wednesday and Thursday evening. Beverages, tax and gratuities are additional.
Named after the streamlined passenger trains of the 1930s in tribute to the hotel's history, the Zephyr Grill provides a rare treat in modern day Manhattan -- a moderately priced restaurant and bar in a classic art deco environment. The restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner daily in addition to a prix fixe Sunday brunch.