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Dinner To Go

Linda Perney

July 25, 2006

Takeout food for a party. (Newsday)

It will never live up to that other New York City institution, Order In. But it will do when you want something tasty but can't be bothered -- or don't have the time -- to linger over a restaurant table. Or if you're putting together a picnic or a casual cocktail party. Here are some terrific places to pick up dinner -- or breakfast or lunch -- to go.

OTTO ENOTECA PIZZERIA. Mario Batali's take on fast food is superb: crispy pizzas and great pastas. Our favorites are the meatball pizza, but you can only get that on Tuesdays. If you're hungry any other day, go for the classic Margherita. Don't want pizza? The spaghetti putanesca is awfully good. For dessert, there's the gelato. (One Fifth Avenue; 212-995-9559. Pizzas are $10-$14; pastas go for $9; gelato is $10-$12 a pint. )

SCHILLER'S. Instead of hanging around, waiting for a table, you can call up ahead of time, then step up to the bar and pick up your stuff. Presto! Instant dinner. We love the mac and cheese, and the cuban sandwich is a killer. If you're craving comfort food, you can't beat the rotisserie chicken. (131 Rivington Street; 212-260-4555. Mac and cheese, $12.25; Cuban sandwich, $14; rotisserie chicken, $17.50)

CITY BAKERY. People complain about the prices, but this is the place to pick up a superlative lunch. Great soups and a salad bar worthy of all the praise it gets. Good sandwiches and pastries, too. And don't leave without a couple of pretzel croissants. (3 West 18th Street; 212-366-1414; salads, $12.50 pre pound; mac and cheese, $11.50 per pound; pretzel croissants, $3 each)

AZURI CAFE. They dispense what may just be the best falafel going. The place is simple, and people complain about the service -- not to mention the rudeness of the owner, Ezra Cohen. But who cares about the guy's personality? All you're doing is picking up dinner. Great hummus and babaganoush, too. (465 West 51st Street; 212-262-2920. Falafel platter, $9; shwarma gyro and sides, $11.50)

ARTISANAL. You want a really great meal, and you don't want to make it yourself. Think you could cozy up to, say, some wild burgundy snails followed by a perfectly prepared trout? Call Artisanal, and they'll have it ready for you. (2 Park Avenue; 212-725-8585. Snails, $13.50; trout, $25.50)

DAISY MAE'S BBQ. You can pick stuff up at one of the carts or you can stop off at the restaurant on Eleventh Avenue. However you get it, this is great barbecue. Call up a friend, pick up a six-pack, and dig in. (623 11th Avenue; 212-977-1500. Carolina pulled pork sandwich, $9; full rack of Memphis dry rub pork ribs, $23; bourbon peaches, $8 per pound)

CAFE SPICE. Takeout Indian food is a New York staple, and Cafe Spice in the Village has a wide-ranging menu. Having friends over for drinks? Make it easy on yourself: Pick up a couple orders of mini dosas, samosas, and spicy chicken fingers, and start mixing the martinis. (72 University Place; 212-253-6999. Samosas, $4.50-$5.50; dosas, $5.50-$6.50; main courses, $10.95-$17.95)

FULEEN SEAFOOD. Chinese is the traditional takeout, and Fuleen never disappoints. Great fresh seafood, with standout dishes like whole sea bass or fried shrimps fired with chili. If you don't want seafood, the Peking duck gets raves. (11 Division Street; 212-941-6888. Jumbo shrimps, $14.95; Peking duck, $28 )

BROOKLYN

DiFARA. The waits are as long as your arm, but there are plenty who call DiFara's the best pizza in the borough, if not in the city. (1424 Ave. J; 718-258-1367. $15 buys that pie)

MOBAY. The Jamaican food at this Fort Greene restaurant is terrific. Start with an order of jerk shrimp,and follow it up with some curried chicken. And don't forget the rummy rum cake. (112 DeKalb Avenue; 718-246-2800; jerk shrimp with mango salsa, $8.50; curried chicken, $9.75; rum cake, $4)

RED HOOK BALLFIELDS. Saturday and Sundays, this is the place to be for Mexican and Central American takeout. The vendors set up tables around the perimeter of the playing fields, and while the athletes play, the rest of us can nosh to our hearts' content on everything from quesadillas to seviche. (Bay Street between Clinton and Court. Figure on spending about $3 per plate)