Going to New York - shopping/restaurant recommendations?

[origenesprit]

Why not eat breakfast somewhere other than the hotel? At least once.

 

[Manton]

I used to live in dreaded Murray Hill and I thought that Park Bistro across the street was better than Les Halles. This was many years ago, however.

 

[teddieriley]

Originally Posted by origenesprit

Why not eat breakfast somewhere other than the hotel? At least once.


+1. Especially if it is not a free breakfast complimentary with your hotel stay. If it is, at least one breakfast at a local cafe would be a better experience.

 

[Mr. Moo]

Originally Posted by origenesprit

Why not eat breakfast somewhere other than the hotel? At least once.

Originally Posted by teddieriley

+1. Especially if it is not a free breakfast complimentary with your hotel stay. If it is, at least one breakfast at a local cafe would be a better experience.

Noted. The breakfast is free, which is a nice draw. We will go for breakfast once outside.

Originally Posted by Manton

I used to live in dreaded Murray Hill and I thought that Park Bistro across the street was better than Les Halles. This was many years ago, however.

If you mean the Park Avenue Bistro, the hotel where we are staying (Hotel Giraffe) is partnered with Park Avenue Bistro. Perhaps we'll do lunch there on our last day in NYC.

 

[romafan]

Originally Posted by lee_44106

while I love NYC I'm too poor to afford NYC

PS: I always enjoy the Sabrett hot dog stands on the streets and the cheap but oh-so-sweet coffee from the street venders.

I once watched a mounted patrol cop ride his horse over to a HD cart and order dog. The vendor slathered on a little mustard and handed it up to the cop. As he took the hotdog his horse 'dropped' his not inconsiderable shvanz and let loose w/ a true racehorse stream which hit the pavement next to the cart w/ a gigantic splash, sending p!ss spattering everywhere, including a nice sprinkling for the top of the cart - the whole time the vendor & cop were chatting away. The cop finished his dog and rode away and the vendor went about his business as if nothing had happened. Gives a whole 'nother meaning to the term 'dirty water dog'....

 

[falsestart]

Originally Posted by Mr. Moo

To ressurrect the thread a bit, I've put together a tentative schedule for the first 3 days. Any comments/thoughts are welcomed.

Day 1 (Wednesday)
Arrive at hotel at 9am - breakfast at Hotel
Empire State Building/Top of the Rock
Grand Central Station
Lunch at Jean Georges
Times Square
Dinner at Hagi Sake Bar

Day 2 (Thursday)
Breakfast at hotel
The Metropolitan Museum
Lunch somewhere in/near Central Park
Central Park strolling/exploring
Dinner at Il Gattopardo
Lion King Show (Broadway)

Day 3 (Friday)
Breakfast at hotel
Union Square
Washington Square
Lunch at Katz's Deli or Bleecker St Pizza.
Ground Zero/PATH station
Battery Park/Staten Island Ferry/Statue of Liberty
Dinner at Babbo (if I can get a reservation) or Eleven Madison

Day 4
??????

Day 5
Flight at 6pm, not sure what to do before then

I would pass on bleeker street pizza and definately go to Katz's - it's real old school and you'll have a unique experience there

 

[TheFoo]

Originally Posted by falsestart

I would pass on bleeker street pizza and definately go to Katz's - it's real old school and you'll have a unique experience there

Tourist trap

.

 

[CharlesAlexander]

Come down to SoHo and say when you come.

 

[Mr. Moo]

Originally Posted by falsestart

I would pass on bleeker street pizza and definately go to Katz's - it's real old school and you'll have a unique experience there

Originally Posted by mafoofan

Tourist trap

.

I'm leaning towards Katz's, but I'm having trouble fitting in pizza elsewhere. Maybe on Day 4 or 5. Any ideas for Day 4?

 

[origenesprit]

Is there a reason to go to Katz's vs 2nd Avenue Deli?

 

[TheFoo]

Originally Posted by Mr. Moo

I'm leaning towards Katz's, but I'm having trouble fitting in pizza elsewhere. Maybe on Day 4 or 5. Any ideas for Day 4?

I'm just kidding. I've never been to Katz's. But it's as much a tourist trap as Zabar's, seeing as how it's an institution that draws outsiders.

 

[Mr. Moo]

Originally Posted by mafoofan

I'm just kidding. I've never been to Katz's. But it's as much a tourist trap as Zabar's, seeing as how it's an institution that draws outsiders.

I guess. Is there a better hot pastrami in NY?

What do you think of the days I've put together? Do they make sense time wise? Am I being overzealous with the amount of things we're doing?

 

[TheFoo]

Originally Posted by Mr. Moo

I guess. Is there a better hot pastrami in NY?

No idea whatsoever.

Originally Posted by Mr. Moo

What do you think of the days I've put together? Do they make sense time wise? Am I being overzealous with the amount of things we're doing?

They look fine to me, but I think you'd have a better time if you hone in on particular things to do at the general places you've listed. Central Park is gigantic, for example. It is easy to get lost in it, wander out, and somehow evade the more interesting and scenic parts. You will be coming from Midtown, so decide if you want to head up to the east or up to the west. I would do both and make a loop (Fifth Avenue/the Plaza to Columbus Circle, or vice versa).

Do you really want to eat at two Italian places for dinner? You're getting pizza, too. If you want to do Babbo, but can't get in, try Lupa. It is often booked very early, too, but it's at least another Battali option. Don't miss Il Gattopardo and Hagi, though!

 

[KObalto]

To get a reservation on a weekend for Babbo, you have to call at 10:00 AM EST exactly 30 days in advance. I think it's well worth it. There are 2 tables for 2 in the bar areawhich they leave open for walk-ins. If you show up at 5:30 PM, you can usually nail one of them.
Katz's is great. In addition to the pastrami, they have amazing matzoh ball soup with the lightest matzoh balls in creation.

 

[Mr. Moo]

Originally Posted by mafoofan

No idea whatsoever.



They look fine to me, but I think you'd have a better time if you hone in on particular things to do at the general places you've listed. Central Park is gigantic, for example. It is easy to get lost in it, wander out, and somehow evade the more interesting and scenic parts. You will be coming from Midtown, so decide if you want to head up to the east or up to the west. I would do both and make a loop (Fifth Avenue/the Plaza to Columbus Circle, or vice versa).

Do you really want to eat at two Italian places for dinner? You're getting pizza, too. If you want to do Babbo, but can't get in, try Lupa. It is often booked very early, too, but it's at least another Battali option. Don't miss Il Gattopardo and Hagi, though!

Well, we were thinking of going to the Met, and entering the park on that side (UES I believe) afterwards and kind of heading South. We do want to do a carriage ride... where is that? Should I aim for certain parts of the park? Can you draw me a simple map? New York is huge.

As for two Italian places... you may be right, but so many Italian places were recommended here that I'm sort of lost a bit. Perhaps I can substitute Keens Steakhouse for Babbo... or something French. Need more non-Italian recommendations...