Restaurant Recommendations for Podcamp

If you're coming to NYC for Podcamp April 6-7, you may want to eat once or twice! Since so many wonderful people are joining in with the spirit of the unconference and sharing resources, I thought what better way to share my chef's knowledge than to recommend a few worthwhile places to eat in the neighborhood of the hotel!

Lunch possibilities:

While Chris Penn's pdf includes a nifty satellite image of the neighborhood with some fast food restaurants listed, there are actually quite a few other quality places nearby:

The Stage Door Deli: NW corner 33rd st and 8th Ave. Classic New York Diner fare, pastrami sandwiches, burgers and fries, matzo ball soup, etc. They always bring pickles and coleslaw to the table when you arrive. They're used to people being in a hurry there, so they are fast and efficient, and always friendly. My favorite quick eat in the neighborhood.

Tir Na Nog: 8th Ave. between 33rd and 34th (next to the main entrance of the CNN building). 212-630-0249 This Irish pub gets busy with a happy hour crowd there for pints, but also has great pub food. Fish and Chips, Corned beef and Cabbage, the usual suspects. With an authentic Irish atmosphere, yet only a block away from the New Yorker hotel.

Tick Tock Diner: 212-268-8444. This aluminum sided diner is in the same building as the New Yorker Hotel, and attempts to bring back the feeling of the 50's with neon signs, vinyl covered booths, and malted milkshakes. frankly, the food is better at The Stage Door, but if you're itching for that 50's feel, eat here.

Ben's Kosher Deli: 38th St between 7th and 8th. 212-398-2367. A bit farther from the hotel than the others, but this is the ultimate in NY Kosher Jewish Deli experiences. The sandwiches are sky high, and the service is perfunctory but efficient.

Cheyenne Diner: 411 9th Ave, at the NW corner of 33rd St., 212-465-8750. If you want the REAL THING for old fashioned diners, this is the authentic article. It's actually an old aluminum diner that was moved in and built into the side of the building. GREAT buffalo burgers. It's tucked away on 9th Ave, so head here and avoid the usual suspects on 8th and you'll be rewarded. it's just across from the temple of audio and video that is B&H Photo and Video, which frustratingly enough will be closed the whole week for passover, so it may be a tease for all you geeks!

Little Korea: This stretch of 32nd St between Broadway and 5th Ave. is CHOCK FULL of Korean restaurants, many of them open 24 hours with many offering the Korean Barbecue right at the table. You can't go wrong in any of them, but my favorite is Kum Gang San, 49 W. 32nd St., 212-967-0909.

Nick & Stef's Steakhouse: 9 Penn Plaza (on 33rd St. between 7th and 8th Aves) 212-496-4000. Slightly upscale steakhouse on the ground floor of Madison Square Garden. A little too expensive, but it's a safe bet if you like dry-aged beef. Take a meeting there with the company that wants to sponsor your podcast, and have them expense it!

Skybox American Bar & Grill: 416 8th Ave, 917-351-0607. After work, before MSG hang out for beer, steaks, birgers and grill. Good proximity to the New Yorker hotel.

Las Poblanitas: 302 W 38th St, just West of 8th Ave. 212-629-0090. Authentic Mexican restaurant, low on atmosphere, but high on flavor. Again, a bit of a walk from the hotel, but if you're hankering for Mexican after the day, this is a good, low key bet.

PodcampNYC, Restaurant Guide, ReMARKable Palate