NYCGuide
Where To Take A Picky Eater
photo credit: Noah Devereaux
If you are a frequent reader of this website, it’s very likely that you are not a picky eater. But if you’ve landed on this page, you’re probably having dinner with one. When we say picky, we don’t mean they have dietary restrictions (check out our Gluten-Free and Vegan guides). We’re talking about people who eat like toddlers—where salt is the primary seasoning, and usually, there’s some deep-frying or melted cheese involved. This list couldn’t possibly encompass every individual preference, but here are some nice sit-down restaurants that have many straightforward choices, plus something a little more exciting for you.
THE SPOTS
photo credit: Noah Devereaux
Perfect For: You friend who only eats diner food
Some people—early morning MTA workers, late-night comics—can subsist on diner food forever. But if a club sandwich isn’t your idea of a nice night out, eat one at Sadelle’s. The Soho restaurant serves things that you can get at any diner, like cobb salads and omelets, but they’re the Queer Eye makeover versions of those dishes. Order a bagel, which is elaborately presented like afternoon tea, or a custardy french toast that is literally three-inches thick. It’s quite the scene, and you can feel good about ordering the seafood here.
photo credit: Noah Devereaux
Perfect For: Your partner who was raised on SpaghettiOs
Spaghetti is one of those people-pleasing foods that can go from a depressing rent week meal to something glamorous with just a simple change of scenery and a grating of fresh parm. When we want to go full red sauce and still feel fancy, we line up outside Emilio's Ballato in Nolita. The chicken parm, meatballs, and caesar salad happen to be excellent. But more importantly, it’s been around since 1956 and celebrities eat here, so it feels special even if you’re mostly consuming large amounts of melted mozzarella. You won’t even be mad that your picky person ordered a plain bolognese after waiting two hours for a table.
Perfect for: Special-occasion sushi with someone who won't eat raw fish
Despite the fact that people buy sushi with their bodywash at Walgreens now, your partner is still averse to raw fish. But it’s your birthday damn it, and you do not want to spend it in a strip mall sushi joint that’s lit like an office building, just because they also serve chicken teriyaki. Go to Sushi of Gari on the UES (or their locations in Midtown and Tribeca) instead. There isn't a tile floor or fluorescent in sight, and your companion can choose from various teriyaki, tempura and udon bowls. Meanwhile, you can enjoy a buttery piece of salmon nigiri, topped with seared tomato.
Perfect For: The friend who asks for a million modifications
From what we’ve observed at this Park Slope restaurant, the best way to appease children is to let them have the illusion of control. At Pasta Louise, you’ve got some say in what goes in your bowl. They only make one shape of pasta every day, but then you choose between house-special sauces like bolognese and cacio e pepe, and add toppings like breadcrumbs, cannellini beans, and prosciutto. Parents love it because Louise is fun for kids, but their handmade pasta skills are serious—and the low-lit bar room isn’t too PG for strictly adult dinners.
photo credit: Kate Previte
Perfect For: The meat-and-potatoes crew
The people behind Rolo’s are true meat, bread, and potato craftsmen with their own bakery, butchery, and pasta-making operation—so you could take or leave the extra touches and still have a satisfying meal. Go as adventurous as you’d like. Would you like your focaccia with olive oil, or calabrian chili butter? A branzino with an egg yolk sauce, or a buttered medium steak? The sceney Ridgewood restaurant comes alive after 7pm every night of the week. After a few cocktails, the picky eaters in the group might be open to trying the crispy war potatoes with peanut sauce, kewpie mayo, and chopped onion. (You can also get them plain.)
Perfect For: That person who eats tomatoes only on pizza
Pizza is a time-tested crowd favorite that pleases children, adults, and adult children who are expected to eat with people their own age. One of our favorite sit-down pizza date spots is Sotto Le Stelle in Sunnyside. They have three Neapolitan pizzas that are just sauce and a mild cheese, and one that forgoes cheese altogether. (We’ve recently learned that non-vegan cheese-haters exist.) Either way, you can eat it on a cute patio with string lanterns and potted plants, instead of standing up at a greasy slice shop.
photo credit: Noah Devereaux
Perfect for: Your friend who subsists on ramen
At ROKC in Hamilton Heights, the food is secondary to their whimsical collection of cocktails. The drinks come in vessels including but not limited to: a light bulb, winking teacup, and a hollowed-out green pepper. They also have a thing for lighting your limes on fire. It’s a fun place to take anyone, but even a picky eater is going to need some food to chase with a lychee slushy. The “R” in ROKC stands for ramen, and they’ve got some solid basic options with soy sauce and chicken broth, as well as some decent karaage.
photo credit: Emily Schindler
Perfect For: The friend who cares more about the view than the food
No matter how you feel about grilled meat, the spectacular view of Manhattan from Laser Wolf’s rooftop will make you appreciate that you get to eat anything at all in its vicinity. But also, this Israeli restaurant in Williamsburg is really good at grilling things. Their charred meat, fish, and vegetables are well-seasoned without any overwhelming flavors, and the most adventurous topping you’ll find are garlic chips. Included with every meal is a bottomless platter of vegetarian mezze, creamy hummus, and fluffy pitas that will win your most Wonderbread friend over (and make you happy too).
