New York City New York City Midtown East Food

Moonstruck Diner, 250 E. 58th St., between 2nd and 3rd Ave. (www.moonstrucknyc.com), A glistening, gemstone-studded world where the food is so cheap and delicious that it must be magic! Breakfast ($1.30-12) is an especially enchanting deal. Specials start at $6 and include coffee or tea and juice. All portions, from those of the eggs ($.65-$10), to the salads ($7.50-$12) to the long list of pasta favorites ($12.50) are enormous, and the menu itself is similarly gigantic. You are sure to find something that makes your moonstones skip! $10 min. for credit cards. Burgers and sandwiches $6.25-12. Appetizers $5.25-9.75; entrees $13.75-22.25. Coffee and tea $1.20-2. Wine $5. Beer $5-6. Open M-Th 7am-midnight, F-Sa 24hr., Su 7am-midnight. Takes credit cards. Wheelchair access. Serves alcohol.
Tanaka, 222 E. 51st St. The walls are a combination of clean wood and soft greens, and guitar music plays softly in the background. Though the guitar music may not be strictly Japanese (The Beatles' “Yesterday” has been heard, as has a version of “Guantanamera”), the ambience is perfect for you to enjoy tasty sushi, teriyaki, and tempura. You can get your sake ($4-6) hot or cold and finish it off with some mochi or tempura ice cream ($3.50). Sushi $3-14. Lunch box $9. Appetizers $1.50-7.Entrees $10-20. Beer $4. Sake $4-6. Open M-F 11:30am-11pm, Sa 12:30pm-11pm, Su 3:30-11pm. Takes credit cards. Serves alcohol.
Mangia, 16 E. 49th St., between Madison and 5th Ave. (www.mangiatogo.com), Mangia is two fantastic restaurants rolled into one. For a relaxing, waiter-served meal, head upstairs. For a quick, delicious, custom-created eating experience, stay downstairs. Food is served buffet-style, so you get no more and no less than what you want. Exquisite entrees include grilled Norwegian salmon ($13), chicken milanese ($12), and filet mignon ($14). You can also make a meal out of the side station, with dozens of mouth-watering sides and salads of all kinds ($4.50 per lb.). Another of Mangia's gems is the fresh juice bar, where the juice man (or woman) will make a fresh-squeezed beverage before your very eyes! Sandwiches and panini $2.50-12. Salads $8-11. Sides $4.50 per lb. Small-plate meals $6 per lb. Custom salads $4.50 +$0.75-2 per topping. Breakfast $2-6.25. Fresh juices $4.50-5.50. Entrees $9.50-14. Pizza $7.50. Sweets $0.75-$5. Open M-F 6:30am-5:30pm. Takes credit cards. Wheelchair access. Has outdoor seating.