The Top Manhattan Lunch Restaurants-- 2012 Update

Best prix fixe lunch deals in Manhattan

Nougatine at Jean George  1 Central Park W New York, NY 10023 (212) 299-3900
(Zagat rating of 27) Prix fixe lunch for $28 includes: appetizer, main dish and dessert. Some of Jean George's classics are found on the menu including: tuna tartare, avocado, spicy radish and ginger marinade, or the wonderful butternut squash soup with black trumpet mushrooms (seasonal). The sautéed red snapper with crispy skin is also excellent. The warm chocolate cake with vanilla bean ice cream is always superb. Unlike Jean George Restaurant don't expect table cloths and expect a higher noise level. Nougatine is our top pick for one of the best lunch restaurants in Manhattan. See Restaurant menus -- see yelp reviews

Bouley   163 Duane St New York, NY 10013 (212) 964-2525
(Zagat rating of 27) At $36 Prix fixe lunch (4 courses) this is a fantastic deal (Monday -Saturday Lunch). For Saturday lunch expect to call well in advance for a reservation. Recommended dishes include Bouley's new signature Porcini Flan (Alaska Live Dungeness Crab and Black Truffle Dash) and the Chocolate Frivolous dessert (Chocolate Brulee, Chocolate Parfait, Hazlenut Daquoise). See Restaurant menus -- see yelp reviews

Jean George Restaurant    1 Central Park W New York, NY 10023 (212) 299-3900
(Zagat rating of 28) . At 2 dishes for $32 and each additional dish for $16 it's still a great deal for this Three Star Michelin Restaurant, even though some of the great dishes like skate with chateau chalon sauce are no longer included. We do however consider the deal (see above) at Nougatine (Jean Georges Bistro in the same hotel) an even better deal. Menu will change by season by most of the classics will remain. See Restaurant menus -- see yelp reviews

SHO Shaun Hergatt  (CLOSED) ---40 Broad St (between Exchange Pl & Beaver St) New York, NY 10004 (212) 809-3993 (Zagat rating of 26) .Three Course $33 Two Course $27, Very large selection of wines by the glass for $10 Asian-accented French cuisine served at SHO Shaun Hergatt. Complex flavors. Precise techniques. Exotic ingredients. Very creative cooking and presentation. See Restaurant menus -- see yelp reviews --Note: Shaun Hergatt is planning on opening a restuarant soon in a new location in Midtown Manhattan.

Felidia Ristorante   243 E. 58th St. New York, NY 10022 212-758-1479
(Zagat rating of 26) .This is a 3 course prix fixe lunch for $29.50. Many dishes have small supplements are superb, e.g., grilled octopus, porcini pappardelle with braised, shredded hudson valley moulard duck mushrooms or the whole-grilled mediterranean bass with steamed swiss chard, lemon and oil. If you are a tripe fan the spicy, braised calf tripe “parmigiana” with buckwheat polenta is a classic . Felidia also scores high on our list of Best Lunch Restaurants in Manhattan. See Restaurant menus -- see yelp reviews

Gotham Bar and Grill   12 E 12th St (between 5th Ave & University PL) New York, NY 10003 (212) 620-4020
(Zagat rating of 27) A greenmarket prix fixe lunch for $24 for two courses. An additional $7 supplement for dessert. This restaurant was one of the original fine dining experiences Chef Alfred Portale . See Restaurant menus -- see yelp reviews

Sushi Yasuda   204 E 43rd St (between 3rd Ave & 2nd Ave) New York, NY 10017 212) 972-1001
(Zagat rating of 28) The fish is "flawless" here... this is as good as it gets and it's a great lunch deal with nice assortment for $22.50 (sushi or sushi and sashimi combination). See Restaurant site-- see yelp reviews

Cafe Boulud 20 E 76th St (between 5th Ave & Madison Ave) New York, NY 10021 (212) 772-2600
(Zagat rating of 27) 2 Course Lunch $28 | 3 Course Lunch $35 Best wine value here. Menu changes every two weeks. There is usually a special white and red wine of the month that is under $30 --an excellent value. Daniel is one of the top chefs in the country --and more importantly he knows how to train his staff to produce quality meals in all his NYC restaurants. -- Cafe Boulud stands out as where you will find great food at a great price. Since it's always filled be sure to reserve early. Cafe Boulud remains high on our list of Best Lunch Restaurants in Manhattan. See Restaurant menus -- see yelp reviews

Telepan 72 W 69th St (between W Central Park & Columbus Ave) New York, NY (212) 580-4300
(Zagat rating of 26) 3-course Lunch $24.07 - Wednesday thru Friday Lunch menu -- yelp reviews

Tocqueville 1 E 15th St (between 5th Ave & W Union Sq) New York, NY 10003 (212) 647-1515
(Zagat rating of 25)Tocqueville offers their prix fixe lunch special year round Monday through Saturday for $24.07. Tocqueville also has a wine pairing for lunch. Cuisine: is American/French Restaurant Price Fixe Menu -- see also yelp reviews

Momofuku Ssam Bar 207 2nd Avenue, New York NY 10003 (at 13th Street) 212-254-3500
(Zagat rating of 25 ) Korean/Asian Fusion Cooking --$25 Prix Fixe Menu for Lunch-- Sample Menu:-- First course: spicy honeycomb tripe OR smoked wild sturgeon OR pork buns 2nd course: veal sweetbreads OR duck confit OR cotechino dessert: quark ice cream OR apricot sorbet - Lunch Prix Fixe Menu -- yelp reviews

Recipe 452 Amsterdam Ave (between 81st St & 82nd St) New York, NY 10024 (212) 501-7755
(Zagat 22) Contains a small bar and a few tables in the back. Total of 29 seats. Same owner as Land (Thai restaurant next door). There is an $11.95 prix fix menu that serves a skirt steak has with a fantastic chimichurri sauce. Excellent calmari appetizer. There is usually a daily fish special which is excellent and reasonably priced.here is usually a daily fish special which is excellent and reasonably priced.menu -- yelp reviews

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NYC Restaurant Week® --NYC Restaurant Week debuted in 1992 when it was developed as a one-time culinary event to welcome the Democratic National Convention (DNC) to the City. Over the past 19 years, NYC Restaurant Week has grown tremendously. It has expanded to include both lunch and dinner offerings—three-course, prix-fixe meals for $24.07 and $35, respectively—and extended to two weeks (including Sundays for some restaurants) in both the summer and winter. Check NYCGO for more details on the next Restaurant Week in NYC.