Upper West Side
The Upper West Side is a residential area with many families living in the great old apartment houses east and west of Broadway. These are real New York folk, so there's great family dining in this neck of the city.
Barney Greengrass ($)
541 Amsterdam Avenue (between 86th and 87th streets)
West 86th Street station (1 train)
212-724-4707
This has been a popular Jewish deli since 1908, and with good reason. It serves the highest quality food and hasn't changed for decades. The menu is huge (for starters, there are twenty-five appetizers, five kinds of herrings, sixty-one sandwiches, and eleven desserts). For one hundred years, Barney Greengrass has been known as “the Sturgeon King,” and New Yorkers line up for the smoked fish. Try the lox on an H&H bagel or maybe a
For something special, you can order wine and drinks with your meals, but don't forget your kids! Shirley Temples are always popular in fancy New York restaurants, and you can ask the server to serve your child's cranberry juice in a martini glass. It makes the kids feel sophisticated.
Carmine's Upper West Side ($$-$$$)
2450 Broadway (between 90th and 91st streets)
West 86th Street station (1 train) or West 96th Street station (1, 2, or 3 train)
212-362-2200
In this warm, happy place, Southern Italian food is served family style, which means large platters meant for sharing. You can't go wrong with the stuffed artichokes, the fried calamari, or the shrimp scampi. Don't be put off by the rather pricy meat platters; they easily feed a family of three — and maybe four. The desserts are great (if you have room) — try the tiramisu. A solid house wine is available. There are no reservations for parties of less than six, and there's always a wait by 6:00
Fiorello's ($$-$$$)
1900 Broadway (between 64th and 65th streets)
West 66th Street station (1 train)
212-595-5330
Almost across the street from Lincoln Center, this Italian restaurant has been serving the theater crowd for more than thirty years. It has a huge range of food (fifty kinds of antipasti alone) with an emphasis on Roman dishes. The Jerusalem artichokes, the heavenly rack of lamb, unparalleled pizzas, skillfully prepared fish, and the terrific tortellini are all highly recommended.
Reservations are a must. In the summer and spring you can sit outside and people watch. It's also a good spot for celebrity sightings. The service is speedy, and this is a great place for lunch, weekend brunch, or a late-night dinner.
Niko's Mediterranean Grill & Bistro ($$)
2161 Broadway (at West 76th Street)
West 72nd Street station (1, 2, or 3 train) or West 79th Street station (1 train)
212-873-7000
Niko's is a very casual Greek taverna with a huge menu of authentic Greek food and comfortable fare like pizza, burgers, and pastas. (Niko also owns Big Nick's Burger and Pizza Joint down the block — see page 305). Here's your chance for some truly good Mediterranean fish dishes. Niko's serves breakfast/brunch, lunch, and dinner seven days a week.
Tavern on the Green ($$$)
Central Park West (between West 66th and West 67th streets)
West 72nd Street station (B or C train)
212-873-3200
This is an unforgettable family experience. Kids are charmed by this unusual restaurant's over-the-top décor — there are lights and flowers and paintings everywhere. Ask to eat in the glass-enclosed Crystal or Terrace rooms. The chandeliers, in all colors, are beautiful. The Topiary Garden is legendary too.
Tavern on the Green serves lunch, brunch, pre-dinner, and dinner every day of the year. The seasonal menu is American and should satisfy everyone. There is a limited children's menu, but meals are so generous that you can share. The lobster bisque is an institution, and the crab cakes are fabulous. The menu changes often and features an array of artfully prepared fresh foods.
The wait staff is gracious, and they are truly pleased to serve children who appreciate the finer things. Special events are held during the year, some especially for kids. Check the Web site for details.
