Good cafes and hookah bars in NYC?

Question

My boyfriend and I are going to the city on Saturday for our one year, and we wanna have lunch at a cafe (I wanna go to Serendipity3 but the whole reservations thing turns him off I guess)...a GOOD cafe, lol.

And we wanna have dinner at a hookah bar. All of the place I've looked at either have 50/50 or all bad reviews.

Anywhere between/around Grand Central and St Marks Place would be perfect.

Answer 1

OMG PLEASE GO HERE YOU WILL LOVE IT! its called EATS, on 5th avenue i think im pretty sure 5th or Madison - just ask a cab drive they will know. but its a small cafe but the food is delicious the menu is very interesting like you pick 3 things to order. it is so good. i love the tomato&basil soup, and bread salad with tomatoe, garlic, mozzeralla in like oil and vinegar. as well as many other choices, its affordable and absolutely delcious! hope I helped - and if you go please tell  me how it was

Answer 2

try http://newyork.citysearch.com/

Answer 3

If you want to go to a cafe AND hookah bar that has great reviews, try Sultana on East 4th.  It's only 4 blocks south of St. Marks - a five minute walk.

It has great middle eastern food, affordable, and good hookah.

Cash only, last I heard.

Some of the best hookah bars don't have food.  Right near Sultana is one of the best hookah bars in the city.  They have beer, tea, and some snacks, but amazing hookahs, a wonderful personable owner and amazing service. Hade Bade on E2nd and 1st ave.

Dinner can be found in the area.  All the way on Ave B is an all-you-can-eat Brazilian Churrascaria. 35/pp and an awesome buffet.  They bring cheese breads and accoutrements to your table and then servers come by with skewers of freshly charred meat to serve you until you say no.

Another good option in the area is Knife + Fork, where you can get a 5 course tasting menu for 45/pp.  A little pricey, but there are few places that you can get a tasting menu for that price.  You need reservations, though, a few days in advance.

There are plenty of other East Village/St. Marks delicious institutions where you can make the hookah bar a second course.