Early dinner?

Hi, we%26#39;re taking a daytrip to NYC this week, and will just grab an early dinner before driving home. Early meaning around 5 or 6, I would think.

I%26#39;ve been combing through restaurant ideas on this forum for hours, and I think I have a good list for lunch in the Times Square area: Carnegie Deli, Becco, McHale%26#39;s or Ollie%26#39;s.

Any recommendations for an inexpensive ($15-20 entrees), early dinner (no reservations required) in the general area of Times Square or Central Park? We%26#39;re looking for a restaurant that is unique to ';New York,'; so no chains. Otherwise, anything but seafood -- Italian, Brasilian, Chinese, American, Mexican, pizza, whatever. I%26#39;m completely overwhelmed by all the choices. Any help is much appreciated!

Early dinner?

For your lunch you can rule out McHale%26#39;s because it has closed.

If you eat Carnegie Deli for lunch you won%26#39;t be hungry for an early supper. The sandwiches are gargantuan full of meat. For lunch, Ollie%26#39;s would be good for a quick bite or John%26#39;s Pizzeria in Times Square.

For an early supper at a New Yorkish place in Times Square... To keep within your budget, you could try some of the pre-theater places like Joe Allen, ViceVersa or Le Madeleine. Without a reservaton there can%26#39;t be any guarantees, but chances are at your time of day they should be okay.

Early dinner?

Juniors, a NY institution, has just opened in the Times Square area.

It is indeed unique to NY:

45 Street between Broadway %26amp; 8th Avenues.

What day of the week? I think Wednesdays are especially busy in the Times Square area because some people are eating after matinees, and some before evening performances.

Are you spending the whole day in Times Square? Are you going for a matinee? I agree Wed. can get a bit busy (for lunch or dinner) without a reservation at a popular place. If you want an early dinner, I%26#39;d have a very light lunch. OR, have a great lunch and grab something quick before leaving.

';Near Central Park'; you could have a light meal at or from Whole Foods in the Time Warner building or Bouchon Bakery in same building. Le Pain Quotidien at 7th %26amp; 58th st. is another good light option. For a blow out treat for lunch, Jean Georges in Trump International hotel has a great prix fixe lunch (rezzie needed).

Near Times Square, Trattoria Trecolori, Maria Pia, ViceVersa, Aboccatto for Italian lunch or dinner (most of these have prix fixe for one or both.) Check websites or menupages.com.

For French Le Madeleine. For American Joe Allen.

Thanks for your suggestions. Good to know that McHale%26#39;s has closed. It turned up in a half dozen searches as a great place to go. Guess it WAS great.

We%26#39;re coming on Tuesday, so no Wed. matinee issues. We have a very loose itinerary so we don%26#39;t have to stay in the Times Square area. I just know we%26#39;ll be there and figured it would be too broad to ask for restaurant recommendations for all of NYC. But we can certainly take a cab, bus or subway anywhere.

So if there%26#39;s some really great moderately priced, casual restaurant you want to suggest, I%26#39;d welcome it.

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