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Savor Hungarian-Italian Cuisine in NYC

© Eve Carr

You don't have to travel around the world to enjoy fine ethnic cuisine. We have plenty to sample right here at home, especially in the larger cities. New York, for example, is home to more ethnic restaurants that you could possibly ever dine your way through. Choosing where to dine next can be a challenge because there are so many options.

So say you're in New York, and you're trying to decide which of its many outstanding ethnic restaurants you should you choose. You're in the mood for Italian, but your traveling partner want to go Hungarian. So which one should you select?

Both. No, you don't have to eat two meals. Simply plan to dine at Caterina's at 316 East 53rd Street, which offers the unique -- and absolutely delightful -- blend of Hungarian and Italian dishes.

Manicotti, Penne Primavera, Chicken Paprikas, Stuffed Cabbage, they're all here. And while there are ample selections from each cuisine, be certain to check out the chef's specialties for the absolutely mouth-watering combination of the two. The tortellini here comes in a goulash-like meat sauce that will have you taking bread in hand and sopping up what's left. Go ahead, no one's looking. And, even if they were, who cares -- it's that delicious.

This unique Hungarian-Italian blending of foods is served in an intimate restaurant in New York's Mid-Town. The setting is stylish, but not overpowering, and the service is pleasant, but not pretentious. Piano music in the lounge invites you to linger. And, best of all, for such delicious food and a delightful setting, the prices are quite reasonable.

While we were lucky to be seated at their street-side window table, if you want this prime location, it's best to make reservations at (212) 355-5360 or fax (212) 980-2930. If you are staying at the Lyden House at 320 East 53rd Street, you won't need to worry about getting a cab back to your hotel. It's just a couple of doors down the street in the same block. (1-800-ME-SUITE).

For breakfast the next day, before your busy day of sightseeing, pop into Bunchberries, where you can enjoy an international varieties of gourmet coffees from hearty espresso to cafe latte, and cafe americano (espresso with hot steaming water.) "The purist's choice," they say because it is lighter and simpler than drinks with steamed milk.

Now here's a fun thing to do for lunch. Plan on a picnic in the park. Pick up take-out foods from one of your favorite ethnic restaurants and plan to enjoy it at Greenacre Park, a delightful oasis of plants, honey locust trees and waterfalls in mid-town Manhattan. There's also a snack bar here if you like.