NEW YORK THIS SUMMER

[marolyn]

My work will take me back to New York City several times this summer and early fall, and I would appreciate recommendations on restaurants and sites and events.

I just returned from a trip andstayed very near the huge hole in the ground caused by the steam pipe explosion. Traffic is always thick around the site but it is especially backed up, especially near Grand Central Station. I stay on Vanderbilt Ave. the west sideof Grand Central, and that short street is being used for staging the portable offices of the NYPD and media.

I have a few favorite things to do and places to go but am interested in new suggestions. Please recommend your favorites. Cheers...Marolyn

[Syrene-1]

Hi Marolyn,



Happy to offer up some suggestions. However you need to narrow things down a bit. Since no one has ever met, don't know anything about you (you could be 20 or 70). What do you like to do, museums, street fairs or anything in between - what kinds of restaurants are you looking for - neighborhood finds or the newest hottest places? Please give some perimeters so we can offer appropriate suggestions.

[kyshel]

I was treated to a superb time at the Dinosaur in Harlem--I had no idea it was a multi-location restaurant group, since it was so local and personal. They have some outrageous BBQ ribs and so much more, so if you're heading that way, it's worth showing up very hungry!!
http://www.dinosaurbarbque.com/nycIndex.php

[lhbrown]

Hi Marolyn,
New York City is a vibrant and wonderful place in the summer time. I never grow tired of the dynamics of the City. Regrettably, we don't spend enough time there. But whenever we do visit New York City, we always stop off at the Tavern on the Green www.tavernonthegreen.com for lunch. We love the elegant atmosphere there, especially in the Cristal room, but also the gardens are very nice. So far we have had excellent luck with the food. I enjoy their Sunday brunch or during the week I love their spinach salad for lunch with a glass of champagne.


I am sure you have been to the Metropolitan Museum but have you been to the Frick Collection and Frick Art Reference Library www.frick.org on 1 East and 70th Street? The Frick Gallery is a lovely small museum and houses the private collection of the Frick family which consists of world class art.The Frick Collection includes some of the best-known paintings by the greatest European artists, major works of sculpture (among them one of the finest groups of small bronzes in the world), superb eighteenth-century French furniture and porcelains, Limoges enamels, Oriental rugs, and other works of remarkable quality.


Another interesting spot is the South Street Seaport area near the tip of Manhatten. It has spectacular views of the Brooklyn Bridge, the East River, Lower Manhattan and the Statue of Liberty. www.southstreetseaport.com








Message Edited by lhbrown on 07-31-2007 02:39 PM

[claassenam]

Marolyn,

Just was in NYC this past weekend. I love the city and try to go a handful of times per year to visit my sister. I had the most fabulous meal there on Friday at the nouveau-French restaurant Bouley in Tribeca. This is one of the city's finest restaurants and it has a gorgeous atmosphere and great service. It's not stuffy, in fact we were there for lunch with an infant and nobody batted an eye. I am sure dinner there is exquisite. You can also try the much more casual Bouley Upstairs next door where they make what I assume would be great sandwiches, salads, etc. They bake a huge variety of their own breads which are fabulous!

I would also recommend a visit to Brooklyn. It is like a quieter Manhattan and it has really come up in the world over the years! Prospect Park is like a mini Central Park in Prospect Heights and there is lots of fun eating and shopping located around there and in Park Slope and Brooklyn Heights. In fact, I've heard people say that the (better) restaurants in Brooklyn are even better than those in Manhattan because they need to try a little harder to get people to them. I had another fabulous meal at Al di La, a tiny little Italian/American restaurant on 5th Avenue in Park Slope.

Finally, the place to be right now is West Village. What a great place to walk around, shop and eat. It has such a great village feel. You've probably heard of Magnolia Bakery, home to the famous cupcakes which (I think) are really worth the wait in line. You can grab a couple and take them across the street to a little park and sit and watch the people go by. Also, another great restaurant (that does not take reservations, so go early) is Mary's Fish House in West Village.

Also try the Tasting Room, which I visited last year when it was a hole-in-the-wall in East Village but I think they've moved due to excellent reviews and popularity to Nolita. Well worth a visit.

Can you tell, I love the restaurants in New York? Of course, shopping, shows, museums are all great as well. I think my favorite part is simply walking the neighborhoods and discovering the little hidden gems. Maybe because I'm a tourist I still find it all so exciting! I always consult a Zagat guide when making meal plans....

[elabyl]

Hi there ~

As a new yorker (well I've lived here 5 years so I guess that makes me a local?) I have several suggestions - although I agree that the options can be overwhelming, and often times what you are looking for depends on your mood. Since you've visited before, I'm assuming you've experienced many of the typical tourist spots and are looking for some variety. If you are looking for some of the best pizza and salad and a good old fashioned new york atmosphere that's casual and inexpensive (but not dirty or classless) then I'd recommend Patsy's. There is one on University and 11th just south of Union Square.

For an amazing steak dinner (or so my fiancee says - I'm a vegetarian) try Angelo Maxies.. and for great mexican, Dos Caminos. These are both on Park Avenue South.

For a more intimate, delicious italian meal, Max's on 2nd Avenue and 3rd street always fits the bill.

Lastly, if you have a late night out, you'll probably be in or near the East Village, and a must do late night snack is Pommes Frites - on 3rd ave. and 7th Street. The french fries have an amazing ability to stave off a hangover.

All of the suggestions are for a nice meal but will not break the bank - I know you can get a lot of information on the trendy, expensive (and often times overrated) restaurants in manhattan - but these are my go tos for a meal out.

I also agree with claassenam - Al di la in brooklyn is AMAZING!
Have fun!
Elabyl