Market Cafe is a small, unassuming place that's a tad like an institutional canteen but serves gourmet food at great prices. You can easily walk out of this unlikely placed restaurant - that sits just east of the more salubrious areas - spending less than $20 on a first and main course. Try the scallops, which were enormous and delectable on a bed of pureed potatoes and rocket with a burnt butter sauce. They're a steal at around $8.
Market Cafe, 496 Ninth Ave between between 37th and 38th. 212-564- 7350 nearest station 34st-Penn station
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From the moment the manager casually threw the menus at us we should have just got up and left. What followed was a rushed meal, with starters being interrupted by a waiter trying to get us to accept our main course. Menus thrown at us again, when we asked to wait 10 minutes before choosing a dessert. The same attitude being shown to other tables who also left quickly. This was only 9pm on a Saturday night in New York! Cleaning being done around us. The manager loudly saying "We can close at last!". We were out on the street by just after 10pm. Across the road the Italian was still full with lots of people laughing and enjoying maybe a second bottle of wine or a relaxed dessert.
Do yourself a favour and walk right across the street from the start. I can only think this place has changed hands. Some of the worst service I have ever experienced and one of the most unpleasant atmospheres.