Can anyone recommend good ethnic restaurants in NYC? - Orchid Board

Judi · #1 05-18-2010, 10:06 PM

My niece and her 2 adult daughters from Austin Texas will be visiting in late June, but before they come upstate they will be spending a few days in the big apple. They will be spending 3 days in the Time Square area and would like to eat at some good ethnic restaurants--specifically Hungarian if possible. My husband grew up in Astoria Queens, but left over 30 years ago so we are out of touch with ethnic neighborhoods and restaurants.

So if anyone has favorite ethnic restaurants within easy subway reach of Time Square, I would really appreciate it if you could share your favorite restaurants!

Thanks-Judy

Izzie · #2 05-19-2010, 12:41 PM

I have cousins that lived there for many years, I'll shoot them an email and see what they say.

I've done a lot of trips around and out of the country, and one thing that I've found indispensable are Guide Books.
If you can find a good one, they'll have a great section about restaurants, with information about genre, price range, and ratings.

Never leave home without one!

If you're a member of AAA insurance, you can get guidebooks for free from their offices.

nenella · #3 05-19-2010, 08:00 PM

Well I haven't tried any in NY but here's a link ;
http://local.yahoo.com/NY/New+York/Food+Dining/Restaurants/Hungarian+Restaurants
Bon apetit!

stefpix · #4 05-20-2010, 03:23 PM

In the Times sq area you'd probably find only Strip Mall ethnic cuisine. Not sure if there are many Hungarians/Germans/etc left in NYC.
Plenty of Polish food in Greenpoint. Pretty cheap and hearty.
You can find a lot of good authentic Mexican in Sunset Park/Williamsburg, Asian in Chinatown/Koreatown/East Village. West Indian/ Jamaican in Flatbush. Indian in Jackson Hts / East Village

Judi · #5 05-21-2010, 10:12 PM

Thanks for the suggestions, nenella the link has some good suggestions, and Izzie guide books are a great idea. There are many sources for info, but I was hoping someone could make suggestions based on actually eating at some of of the restaurants. Unfortunately, I think stefano you might be right, the time square area has cleaned up but is also probably a lot like a strip mall.

stefpix · #6 05-21-2010, 10:32 PM

Times square had been cleaned up of pimps and drug dealers for decaded who have been replaced by terrorists and terrified pedestrians...

well there is great food in NYC. For east Euro feel the beer garden in Queens...

orkie · #7 05-22-2010, 02:15 PM

The best Hungarian place is in Brooklyn (it's right by my house,), it's called Korzo and it's awesome (it's got a variety of Eastern European food). Easy to get to if you don't mind taking the subway, about a half hour ride from Times Square. Here the link
Korzo.

I would also rec. the Indian restaurants down on the Lower East Side, Panna II is my fave, it's a crazy, cheap, delish, Bollywood experience. It's on 1st Ave between 6th and 7th street (there are about 4 Indian restaurants there stacked on top of each other, all trying to get you to come into theirs). Easier to get there than Jackson Heights, which also has great food.

Tell your neice to use hopstop.com for subwayying around, it's like mapquest for the subways, but a million times better! It takes into account service changes etc and gives you the walking directions as well.

Times Square won't have any really great ethnic restuarants, it tends to be mostly over-the top versions of chain restaurants you could go to anywhere in the US, like TGI Fridays, Olive Garden, etc. Not where you want to eat if you are looking for a really great NYC foodie experience.

orkie · #8 05-22-2010, 02:20 PM

Oh and if your neice and her daughters go to Korzo by chance, the Halusky appetizer is amazing!!!! (My grandmother is Slovakian and it's better than hers! shhhhh...!)

Judi · #9 05-23-2010, 12:06 AM

Thanks, orkie, the restaurant sounds great, I'll pass it on--and the hopstop site is really cool! I can use it when I'm in Boston too. I knew I'd get good advise on OB for other thigs beside orchids

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(My grandmother is Slovakian and it's better than hers! shhhhh...!)

Oh, and your secret is safe with me!

stefpix · #10 05-23-2010, 01:22 PM

On 5th ave in Brooklyn there is also this Slovakian restaurant I think may be called Stefan. It should be around 17 th or 20th st. Never ate there. In the same area there are some good authentic Mexicans. And anway in nearby Park Slope there are plenty of places to see and hang out. If it is sunny and warm the beer garden in Astoria Queens is quite a nice experience.

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