<p>You generally can’t go wrong with any diner in New York City … the AppleJack Diner on 57th & B’dway is great, as is the Olympic Diner on 49th and 8th Avenue. Diners offer good, quick, cheap food, a huge selection, 24 hour availability and they’re generally clean (otherwise they’d never have any repeat customers). Same comments generally for most delis in New York City, although we’ve found that the delis around Rockefeller Center and some in Time Square (i.e., the tourist traps) tend not to be as good as the ones that are a little “off the beaten path”.</p>
<p>IMO, Ellen’s Stardust Diner, while a fun tourist-y kind of place, is a little loud and over-priced, and it’s not really a ‘typical’ NYC diner, although it’s a fun experience. </p>
<p>If you want to treat your student to a special dinner regardless of cost, try any one of NYC’s great steakhouses, or head over to Restaurant Row (46th between 8th and 9th) for a huge selection of pre-dinner restaurants. I believe there is a website for “Restaurant Row” in New York City. Fine dining in NYC doesn’t have to be uber-expensive if you just stick to ordering entrees without appetizers, drinks or desert. </p>
<p>Best of luck to you this weekend!</p>