I am going to the City that Never Sleeps, the Big Apple, the tiny slice of island that has captivated the imagination of Americans everywhere since its founding (do I sound like a PBS documentary?).
Pardon my excitement… but I just found out that I’ll be going to NYC for a couple of weeks later this summer, with corporate housing.
The schedule will be busy, but I am hopeful that I can carve out a couple hours here and there for museums, the Broadway, and good restaurants.
So… New York bloggers (English Major, Debt and the City, Downtown Chic, and anyone else who’ve lived/visited the area), please let me know your favorite places to eat, play, and browse in the city.
That is SO exciting! Free travel, accomodation and meals?! That sounds like a dream come true.
When are you going?
Wow, that’s awesome.
I’ll be in NY too! From July to September… guess your company isn’t the only one doing orientation/training in Manhattan…
How exciting, let me know whether you discover any awesome shops/restaurants etc.!
Hey, AWESOME! Nothing’s better than a paid trip–anywhere.
There are two places I recommend going that are often overlooked by tourists, but well worth it: first, the Promenade in Brooklyn Heights (great views of downtown Manhattan, the Statue of Liberty, etc–and FREE); and second, my personal favorite place in the city, The Cloisters, which is technically part of the Met, but has its own location uptown in Ft. Tryon park.
And, if you’re a Seinfeld fan, check out Tom’s Restaurant on 110th and Broadway; best milkshakes in town.
Have a great time here, and travel by city bus when possible. It takes longer, but gives you a view of the city, instead of being stuck underground in the subway.
I love telling people what to do in NYC! Do feel free to email me at my gmail address: englishmajormoney at you know where.
Though I agree emphatically with gildedbutterfly on the Cloisters and the joy of bus-taking, I’m going to have to beg to differ on the best milkshake in town. In my opinion, the winner is clearly Shake Shack, in Madison Square Park (23rd-25th-ish, between Broadway and Madison). The lines are long. It is worth it.
Some cheaper places to eat (I think we have pretty similar tastes in food) include Sixth Street (between 3rd and 1st Avenues), which is one funny Indian restaurant after another (go to the one with the most lights, or alternately, the one with the dinner special that includes free wine), Nicky’s Vietnamese Sandwiches (1st St., between 1st & A), which are delicious, delicious, delicious banh mi (get the spicy one, if you dare), and Sapporo Ramen, 49th and 7th-ish–get their Special Ramen. There’s also Momofuku Noodle Bar (1st Ave & 10th-ish). Otto is also reasonably priced (though not in the realm of the others), and is a nice casual wine bar (it’s a Mario Batali place). Bar Pitti is priced similarly: it’s on Sixth Avenue at Bleecker, wonderful Italian, great for eating outdoors in the when it’s nice, doesn’t take reservations.
If you want to go to Magnolia Bakery, which you (or someone you’re with) probably will, skip the cupcake. Seriously. There are far better cupcakes in the city (Amy’s, Cupcake Cafe). Get lemonade and one of two things: a) banana ice box cake, or b) raspberry cheesecake. Definitely take a walk through the Chelsea Market, and try to visit the Union Square Greenmarket.
In the not-so-frugal department, a couple of my favorite restaurants I can only afford on someone else’s dime: Prune (a teeny tiny little place on 1st St., between 1st and 2nd, I think–but very hard to get a table! Stock up on appetizers and split main dishes), Urena (28th St. between Park & Madison–it’s an incredibly ugly room with incredibly wonderful food–this might be my favorite food in the city, just for food–get the tasting menu! and definitely don’t skip dessert!). If you’re going to the theater (I recommend In the Heights), go to Orso (46th between 8th & 9th). Craft is also wonderful, but for a cheaper steak in a more interesting locale, you can try the Ricardo Steakhouse, 2nd Ave. & about 110th St. Some other places I like: Blue Water Grill, Japonica. You actually can get a decent meal at Chanterelle without selling your firstborn.
If you want to take exotic spices home with you, visit Kalustyan’s (Lexington & 27th-ish), which sells them (and amazing chai) in bulk for cheap.
By way of bars, definitely hit the Astoria beer garden for a long day/evening/night/early morning of beer, sausages, and meeting strangers. I like Buttermilk, in Brooklyn’s South Slope (it’s where I have my birthday parties)–there are board games and the world’s most amazing jukebox. I also like Rodeo (I forget the address entirely, but it’s in like lower East midtown), but you won’t if you don’t like country music. Try the Dove, on Thompson right off Bleecker–sometimes a little overrun with i-banking types, but really great (try to get the window table). If you want to do the whole Lower East Side thing, try Mo Pitkins (4th St. & A; careful, there’s a drink minimum on their live music shows in addition to the cover), Doc Holliday’s (Ave. A and like 9th) and whatever looks hopping nearby. Your late-night snack is at Crif Dogs (St. Marks–that’s 8th St.–between 1st & A) or Veneiro’s Pastry (11th, between 2nd & 1st).
Definitely go to Housing Works for clothes. There are amazing things to be found at very low prices–it’s not exactly “thrift store” prices, generally, because there’s tons of like-new and great vintage and designer pieces. If that’s your thing, you should also visit Stella Dallas (Jones Street, I think) and the flea market on 17th & 6th. Walk Bleecker between Hudson & 7th and ogle the Marc Jacobs & Cynthia Rowley.
See a movie at either the Landmark Sunshine (Houston & 1st) or the Angelika (Houston &…MacDougal, I want to say?)–they’re the most atmospheric of New York’s art houses. See music at the Knitting Factory–just go some night and check it out; you’ll almost certainly find something you like. You don’t say when your orientation is, but if it’s during the summer, you’ll definitely also want to picnic in Bryant Park for their Monday night film series. Catch a poetry reading at St. Marks Church (I forget the cross-street, but it’s on 2nd Ave).
See the new Greek & Roman galleries at the Met. The Guggenheim and the Whitney are always worth a look, but the most underappreciated museum, I think, is the Neue Galerie at 86th & Fifth, which is German art, generally (up my alley–not sure about yours), but does a lot of wonderful design exhibits. I’m not sure what’s there now.
And don’t take too many cabs. Public transit is way more fun, and New York is characterized by its walkability. Take walks. They’re wonderful, and really, they’re the only way you’ll get to know the city.
I’m not actually done talking about good places, but I should get some work done, so do email me to chat about it–I’ll be delighted.
Forgot one! Afternoon tea at the Harlem Tea Room (118th & Madison, Saturdays only, seatings at 1 and 3, make reservations).
Wow. The last comments just demonstrated what I love about the pf blogging community: great tips!! (EM: Maybe a future post?)
Hey! I’m pretty new to this site. I’m currently studying at NYU and I definitely second everything English Major mentioned.
However, I would like to add that I believe the cupcakes at Sugar Sweet Sunshine (126 Rivington St. between Essex & Norfolk) are pretty amazing!
Also, there is a great Italian place called John’s (12th St. between 1st and 2nd Ave). And across the street from John’s is another adorable restaurant called S’mac, that just serves Mac & cheese.
Also, for some good coffee, there is a cute shop called 9th Street Espresso (13 st between 3rd and 4th Ave)
And up in Ktown, there is a adorable yogurt place (I’m sure you have heard about it) called Pinkberry (7W 32nd St. between Broadway and 5th Ave)
Also, if you have computer access and need directions around this city, this is a great website: http://www.hopstop.com/?city=newyork
Hope that helps! Enjoy your trip!
Just posted about my trip to NYC this past Saturday-today. There are a few tips there…btw, NYC is starting to get the regular afternoon thunder showers and is super humid in the summer. Besta carry a small emergency umbrella…would have saved me a lot of headaches/wet clothes.
I loved the frozen hot chocolate at Serendipity 3 (it’s the cafe in the movie Serendipity). Skip the food - it’s overpriced and your standard American fare. I think the hot chocolate is $6 … that was in ‘03 not sure of the price now. But if the wait is too long, Dylan’s Candy Factory is next door, a fun place to peruse, sample and buy gifts. Serendipity is located in the UES (225 E. 60th). You’ll have to pay close attention since it’s small and not very noticeable.
Sylvia’s is great for soul food! Corn bread and colllard greens! (328 lenox ave in harlem)
Don’t forget Coney Island for a hot dog at Nathan’s!
The LES (lower east side) has lots of great deli’s including Katz’s. The NY Times critic didn’t like their pastrami sandwiches but I liked their potato knishes and other Jewish cuisine. (205 e. houston st.)
Chat and Chew - good comfort food such as crunchy mac’n'cheese (10 e. 16th street)
Arlene’s Grocery - a music venue has really fun punk rock karaoke on Monday nights. they’re in the LES if that’s something you like.
the strand bookstore - amazing place to get lost and feel super knoweldgeable -located in union square between subway stop and another grocery store I think. can’t miss it.
inside grand central station, the oyster bar is great, if you love raw chucked oysters.
there’s century 21 for clothes if you’re looking to buy clothes. it’s over by the WTC. it’s okay … not a real bargain but decent prices. be prepared for long lines.
there’s a place on grand st. the name escapes me at the moment that’s great for home-made dumplings.
i love the Mercury Lounge also in the LES for music - lots of on the cusp of being big bands 217 E Houston St.
and this is my personal all time favorite if you’re into the Strokes - 86 E 10th St # 1 (that’s wiz kid management’s new office) i love to walk by and see if members of the Strokes are in the office - very rarely though I’ve heard Albert Hammond Jr. occasionally drops by.
Juniors cheesecake is legendary! they have several locations but brooklyn is the most authentic - in flatbush but times square and grand central also do justice.
http://www.juniorscheesecake.com/juniors_cheesecake/Juniors_Cheesecake_Home/Our_Restaurants.php
I forgot to add New York bagels are infamous -
Murray’s Bagels on 13th/6th Avenue (there’s a blue awning so you can’t miss it).
Also on 13th Street there’s Grey’s Papaya, you have to try the hot dog/papaya drink combo … it’s also cheap too - less than $5.
and there’s also Two Boots Pizza, tons of locations. you should try the pizza there, a million varieties. compare that with ray’s pizza all over the city or john’s pizza, one of them is the original though i suspect it’s all the same generic huge thin slices.
Welcome to NYC Wanda! I can’t wait to hear about your experience here. I just received a powerpoint presentation of free NYC events this summer. I think I still have your email so I will forward it to you. I also got a list of all the happy hour specials around Manhattan. I’ll send it over later today. Respond back and let me know if you have ANY questions or need suggestions that English Major did not cover above
Wow, I gotta bookmark this page for next time I go to NYC!
Have fun, traveling for work is great when you’re young and unattached
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