Diner Delight in Midtown Manhattan

New York City is famous for a lot of things, Restaurant Row being just one of them. Tourists and locals alike flock there daily to experience a mass variety of cuisines in a way that only New York can offer them. But I'm not here to talk about Restaurant Row, it's award-winning restaurants, or it's delicious cuisine. I'm here to talk about a diner a few blocks south of Restaurant Row- the Market Diner. Finding this diner was happenstance- my boyfriend and I happened to be hungry while walking around Midtown and the prices on menu displayed outside happened to not scare us broke college students off.

The Market Diner on 11th Avenue.

The diner's outdoor dining area- not open after sunset.














I've never been to a restaurant that didn't have a menu of some sort. I've also never been to a restaurant who's menu featured a "Thank You" letter to it's patrons; at least, until now. This letter was the entire length and half the width of the menu; and was so long it wouldn't all fit in one picture and still be legible.

Market Diner's massive menu.

The Thank You letter on the back of the menu.

There's something about a place that serves breakfast around the clock that makes me really happy. That being said, breakfast for dinner it was for me: French toast topped with- and I believe stuffed with- cinnamon-tossed apples and raisins drizzled with warm maple syrup. Delicious! As for the portions, 2 huge slices of French toast take up an entire dinner plate. And this is just the tip of the iceberg that is Market Diner's breakfast anytime options. There's eggs 1,000 ways- or so it feels- breakfast wraps, pancakes, waffles with fruit, yogurt or ice cream, toasted bagels with cream cheese, and lox for the traditionalists, and sides galore from bacon to corned beef hash. Whatever you like for breakfast, they have it here. And it will one of the best breakfasts you ever have, no matter what time you have it.

French toast with cinnamon-soaked apples and raisins and warm maple syrup.













Like most diners, Market Diner has burgers; unlike most other diners, Market Diner grilled the buns that surround the burgers. I recommend the Cowboy Burger; it has a little bit of everything from the menu; a burger grilled to your liking, topped with cheese, bacon, onion rings, and ranch dressing- lettuce and tomato optional.

The Cowboy Burger and all it's fixings.















The dessert portion of the menu makes your mouth water from the moment you walk in the door- there's a display case full of cheesecakes, pies and other desserts right behind the front counter. All of the desserts look amazing, but what's probably the best on the menu isn't featured in the case.

The display case featuring many of Market Diner's desserts.














The Hot Brownie Sundae is one of the best desserts I've ever had; a warm brownie topped with mounds of vanilla ice cream and a walnut-based sauce that would be great on any dessert, followed by globs of whipped cream and a nice drizzle of hot fudge. This dessert is best shared because of it's behemoth size, but can be conquered solo if there's no meal proceeding it.

The Hot Brownie Sundae. Amazing!















Next time Restaurant Row strikes your fancy, take a detour and check out the Market Diner. The food is excellent, the portions are totally worth the already reasonable price, and the staff is super friendly and not over-attentive. And, like everything else in New York City, it leaves you wanting to come back for more. So until next time..

Keep Smilin' :)