New York City: Any Recommendations?

[SandyDee]

I am heading to the Big Apple in less than 2 weeks. I am visiting a cousin who is starring in a Broadway Play. I will be there for a long weekend. Does anyone have any "Must Visit" places or "Must Try" places to eat? I am eager to hear.

[Kristilyn1]

how exciting! A family member in a play!!!

I would have to say, I strongly recommend the Empire State building at night. I was completely opposed to going, thought it trite and dumb. Well, I went and felt it was awesome and well worth checking out. I can't really recommend any restaurants as it has been a dog's age since I've been......

Kristi

[DNCW]

Here's a couple of my favorite restaurants in NYC:
Union Square Cafe (yes, it's in Union Square): excellent food, extremely knowledgeable and friendly staff, good wine list, and nice atmosphere. I definitely recommend this. Make a reservation.

Carmine's: Good Italian fare and bustling atmosphere. But make sure you go with a group of 4 or more b/c it's family style (huge portions). They have two locations - one on the Upper West Side and one just off of Time's Square.

Dock's: great seafood on the Upper West Side (Broadway and approximately 91st).

There's many, many more great restaurants to try, but that's just a start.

[MrsReber]

I was going to suggest Carmine's too! It is a great atmosphere if you go with a group of people. Yes, they do serve lots of food! If you can get to Little Italy, there are a bunch of great little restaurants there that offer great lunches. If it's nice out, you can sit outside on the sidewalk and people watch! And right nearby is China Town. I only ate there once- it's hard for me to pass up the Italian food! I used to work in the city. I didn't get out too much for lunch, though! There are so many great restaurants around the midtown area. I worked right on Broadway and then on 6th avenue. I don't miss the commute at all! Also, there is a restaurant in Bryant Park and a nice little seating area outside (again weather permitting). I never ate there, but I think they have entrees that are a little bit out of the ordinary. Nothing really exotic, just different fare. Also, right in the theatre district, there are some great little Irish bars where we'd sometimes go after work and get appetizers and drinks. Oh, and don't forget Ruth's Chris steak house, also right in that area. Expensive steaks, but rather good. My employer at the time took about 20 of us out for steak dinner one night. There's also Dish of Salt which is a pretty good Chinese Restaurant in the same area.

If you go to the Empire State Building, they have some "virtual rides" where you sit in those seats that move and they show a movie on a huge screen.

Which play are you seeing? I love to go at least once a year to see a play. Enjoy!

[bijoux22]

New York is a great city! My husband went to school there, and when we were dating I spent lots of time there.

Restaurants
For Steaks I would highly recommend Smith & Wolenskys or Peter Luger, both very famous and outstanding steak houses (not chains)

For Fish, The Palm or The Palm II, always fresh and delicious but a little pricey.

For Pasta/Italian, Becco in the theater district, on Restaurant Row. I have been many times and have never been disappointed. Very clean. They have a pasta dinner which begins with a wonderful antipasto (not rolled up salami and a hunk of cheese) then you are served from hot saute pans 3 different home made pastas. YUMMY! The waiters walk around with the pans and continue to serve until you say no thankyou. Great dinner for about $25.

Oops, I got so excited talking about the restaurants I forgot about some of the sights, and there are so many.

Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty
Metropolitan Museum of Art
Museum of Natural History
Museum of Modern Art
St Patrick's Cathedral
Empire State Building

I am saving some of the best for last
The food/gourmet stores!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Balducci's
Dean & Deluca

And so much more. ENJOY :-)


[This message has been edited by bijoux22 (edited 10-05-2000).]

[MrsReber]

Bijoux, you are so right! I have been to Becco twice! I forgot all about it! The homemade pasta dishes are soooo good. I took my mom there and she tasted this risotto that she absolutely loved. That's saying alot since she doesn't like risotto at all! I have gotten the pasta both times I was there. Out of this world and such a cute place! There are quite a few nice restaurants down Restaurant Row, too.

[LSB]

It's been a couple of years since I moved from NYC, but a few of my favorites when I lived there were: Vong - Asian-French fusion, great atmosphere; Pongsri Thai - in the theatre district; Penang - Malaysian food in Soho and the Upper West Side. You can go to zagat.com and sort by neighborhood, cuisine, price etc. I lived by the Zagat guide - they were always on target. Sounds like a great weekend. Have fun! Louise

[iqueen]

Vong is also one of my favorites. If they still have, the Warm Asparagus Salad is to die for.

[SandyDee]

You guys, Thank you so much for all the great suggestions. I am printing this off so I don't miss anything. My cousin is in "Contact". In fact he was on Jay Leno show Monday night. That was pretty fun to watch him. We will be a group of 7 so if we go to Carmine's we should be fine. I have been to New York a few times before, but the last time was probably 15 years ago!!! I have been to the Empire State Building but not at night. That is one thing that a truly want to do. I can't wait, you have really been a help. I will let you know when I get back what all we were able to do. Keep your fingers crossed for decent weather. Thanks all.

[Ruthie]

Two words: Il Mulino.

The best Italian food I've had in my life! Very tough to get reservations. Be sure to book in advance. Also -- quite pricey!

Have a great trip.

[Liane]

Ditto on Carmines - my favorite!

[venus]

Congratulations Sandy. Can I ask what show your cousin is in?

I live in New York right now and there are sooo many good places to eat. If you're going for a pre-Theatre lunch or dinner, I would definitely recommend Ruby Foo's. I work on Times Square and my office is obsessed with their lobster spring rolls. Ruth Chris's is also good, as is Foley's Fish House. There are zillions of little restaurants springing up in the East Village--you can just walk down 1st avenue or avenue A between 21st and 2nd streets and find just about anything you want. The Docks also has a location on 40th and 3rd Avenue, but their oysters cannot compare to the Oyster Bar in Grand Central Station--yum! Atlantic Grill has great seafood too, but make your reservations 2 weeks in advance. If you want really good seafood and Italian, I would check out Pescatore, which is on 51st and 2nd. Carmine's is delicious, but overcrowded--I prefer the tiny restaurants in little Italy. We went to the restaurant in Bryant Park--the Bryant Park Grill-- for brunch on my birthday. Gorgeous restaurant, but the food is fairly standard New American

If you have $$$ to spend, GO to Peter Luger's. The best steak you will ever eat, but very pricey.

If you're sightseeing, go have drinks at the bar in the Metropolitan Museum and the planetarium at the Natural History Museum is not to be missed. There are tons of great drink places in Soho--try Bar 89 for giant Cosmopolitans. The Knitting Factory in the Wall Street area has great jazz and blues, and of course you can always go to the top of the World Trade Center.

Bijoux, I am going to try out Beccos! I haven't been there yet but it sounds great.