Every so often someone asks about places to eat near the Y on the popular Chowhound message boards. If you’re looking for a pre- or post-lecture, concert, reading, class, workout, etc spot, then check out the latest thread for insider tips. Here are some excerpts:

My favorite place to eat around the 92nd Street Y is Pio Pio for delicious and inexpensive Peruvian-style chicken. Le Bern it ain’t but the food is addictive.

Cafe d’Alsace, really good cheeseburgers (Ed Levine votes as the best in NYC), also the only bar in NYC that has a beer sommelier.

On the much cheaper side, Delizia Pizzeria on 2nd Ave and 92nd is great.

I live literally in the middle of all these restaurants. I’ve of those mentioned I’ve been to Pio Pio, Delizia, Zebu Grill, Fetch, and Ottomanelli NY Grill. All these are good choices, though Pio Pio is very cramped and not comfortable but the food is great. Chef Ho on 2 Ave. is a good choice for Chinese and Nick’s on 2 Ave and 94 St is also a good choice for their pizza.

And if you’re at home in your own kitchen, we’ve just launched the 92nd Street Y Mega Bites Recipe Challenge! This contest is not just for local New Yorkers, it’s open to all eligible contestants in the U.S. We have celebrity judges, including New York magazine’s Gael Greene, lined up and prizes that will turn up the heat in any cook’s oven. Go here for more info.