Restaurant Midtown East NYC

At Château 49, a classic crême caramel for dessert beckons on the three-course $25 prix-fixe lunch in this low-key but pleasant French bistro near the United Nations. IRWIN ARIEFF

The UN General Assembly Hall, packed with delegates from across the world’s nations. The diplomats all need to eat, but where, they may ask, in New York City? BASIL D. SONFI/WIKIMEDIA COMMONS
New Yorkers know full well to avoid East Midtown Manhattan around mid-September. During those few weeks, when the United Nations General Assembly opens its annual session, multiple street blocks go into a major security gridlock in this part of town.

Although the outdoor space of the Riverview Cafeteria at UN headquarters in New York features long views of the East River and parts of the boroughs, the critic found the cafeteria’s food less than thrilling. IRWIN ARIEFF

At the Pho 5, which opened in February and is on Third Avenue near 39th Street, the nouvelle Vietnamese food features not only traditional vermicelli but also tacos piled high with goodies. IRWIN ARIEFF
Sure, you could check out The Pho 5 for its oversized bowls of beefy pho, its slurpable vermicelli and its tempting summer and spring rolls. But don’t snub the tacos.