New York
Little Miss Manuel and I are off on our winter jollies to New York in a couple of weeks, weather and ass bombers permitting. I don't know why I called them our winter holidays it's not like we holiday several times a year. This is in fact last years holiday which had to be delayed due to the awfulness that was 2009. To say that we are ready for it is an understatement. Anyhoo we have never been and to be honest I'm drowning in a sea of information and advice from everybody from taxi drivers (one of whom informed me that the food portions are 'fucking huge mate') to the restaurants guests. One minute I'm told I must go see the Statue of Liberty next it's don't it's not worth it. I'm so confused and my head hurts. On reflection I really should stop telling every single person I meet that I'm off to NY at the end of the month.
So help me dear readers, fill in the blanks. I trust you, seriously...
- We must go see.........or our trip will have been a waste.
- We should avoid.........like the plague.
- We must eat breakfast at.......because the.......are the best.
- The coffee at.......is super awesome great!
- They serve the best lunch at......
- If we don't go for dinner at........we are idiots and deserve ridicule.
- The cocktails at.........are super lush.
- When riding the subway we should always/never.......
- We should tip at least.......
- The best shopping is at.......
- The best record stores are in.......
Share anything you know that may be of use. Tours, venues for a night out, comedy, music, anything.
Thanks.
Manuel! How exciting! You gave me some excellent suggestions for my trip to Belfast two years ago (and to one excellent restaurant with a very friendly waiter, I remember) so as a resident of NYC for almost five years, let me return the favor!
We must go see……..or our trip will have been a waste.
*view of the city from the Top of the Rock
We should avoid………like the plague.
*Overpriced restaurants near Times Square
We must eat breakfast at…….because the…….are the best.
*brunch at Calle Ocho on the Upper West Side has all-you-can-drink sangria! (Make a reservation.)
The coffee at…….is super awesome great!
*I don’t drink coffee, so can’t help you with this one!
They serve the best lunch at……
*Whatcha hungry for? Patsy’s Pizza, Shake Shack burgers, ‘Wichcraft sandwiches…
If we don’t go for dinner at……..we are idiots and deserve ridicule.
*Otto, a reasonably prized Batali restaurant near Washington Square. Or Craft or Craftsteak, two of Colicchio’s restaurants. Or Alta or Pipa for tapas. or Gennaro for Italian. or a million others!
The cocktails at………are super lush.
*Angel’s Share (hidden cocktail lounge above a sushi restaurant!)
or Flatiron Lounge
When riding the subway we should always/never…….
*always move out of the doorway when you get in the car, and never stare at strangers!
We should tip at least…….
*20% for good service at a restaurant, and 15% in a cab.
The best shopping is at…….
*Bargain shopping: Loehmann’s in Chelsea or on the Upper West Side; Filene’s Basement, TJ Maxx (any location) or Century 21.
The best record stores are in…….
*Do people still buy records? If they do, it’s probably in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.
Don’t miss:
- Central Park
- Grand Central Station (and have a drink at the bar inside – Campbell’s Apartment)
- St. Patrick’s Cathedral
- a Broadway show (get tickets at the TKTS booth or one hour before starting time at the box office)
- Times Square at night
- Washington Square Park/ NYU area/ Village
- Battery Park/Staten Island Ferry/Wall Street/Brooklyn Bridge
- High Line Park (elevated park on an old railroad)
- The Met
- walk down 5th Ave.
- Dakota Building on 72nd St.
other ideas:
Ellis Island
Lower East Side Tenement Museum
United Nations
MoMa/Museum of Natural History/Guggenheim/Cooper-Hewitt
soul food in Harlem
I was a tour good for student group from China last summer, so I’ve got lots more suggestions if you need them. Best thing to do is just walk around. Good luck!
that.is.superb! Emily thank you so much!
Manuel, do take the subway it’s cheap and above all, fast. Walk as much as you can and stay out of taxis.
Stephen Rea is starring in Sam Shephard’s “Ages of the Moon”
Check out the New Yorker online for the weekly listings of what’s going on:
LMM wants to go to Bloomingdales and Saks for sure. The bargains will be incredible. Oh, and Sephora on 5th Avenue is the Mother of All Makeup Shops.
MOMA was a must for me on our trip last year.
+1 on Angel’s Share. It’s on Stuyvesant street(or summat). Or Milk & Honey.
Best tip a dollar a drink, all other tips are on the bills.
Go to Katz deli, where they filmed When HArry Met Sally. Best Jewish deli food evah! Brisket sammich…nom nom nom.
Eat lunch from a cornerstore deli- they do the best wraps etc. Keeps you going for about 8 hrs on $5.
Stay clear of restaurants in Times Square. But it’s great lit up- video it, so you can remember what it was like before the neon-induced seizure kicked in.
Get the Staten Island ferry at dusk for the best view of the island.
Eat as many hotdogs as possible, with everything on them.
There is a class deli which I forget the name of. You’d drop a grand in it easy. Zagars? Something like that. Get a picnic and sit in the nearby park. Or seeing it’s January, sit in their cafe.
Oh and go to chinatown for lunch it’s about $15 for all you can eat. You’ll probably have to pay a supplement. When you can finally see again after all that food, head into Mulberry St & the Italian area. There’s a bar there where Donnie BRasco and the sit-downs in the Sopranos were filmed. LMM will probably love Macy’s- you can buy the Little Brown Bags there.
We must go see “one of the amazing museums” or our trip will have been a waste.
We should avoid “the times square restaurants” like the plague.
We must eat breakfast at “wherever is closest to where you’re staying – check tripadvisor.com for guest suggestions” because the “pancakes or waffles, no matter where you go,” are the best.
The coffee at “the aforementioned handy breakfast cafe” is super awesome great!
They serve the best lunch at “the crappy hotdog/pretzel stands – have lunch on the go”
If we don’t go for dinner at “i would recommend the rainbow room in rockefeller, but the website informs me its closed ! little italy for amazing pizza” we are idiots and deserve ridicule.
The cocktails at “the plaza” are super lush.
When riding the subway we should always/never “let go of your bag or each other”
We should tip at least “15%”
The best shopping is at “bloomingdales, macys, sephora, urban outfitters (its much better there than here), abercrombie (for the dark loud and nauseating experience) and soho”
The best record stores are in “i didnt find them. they’re probably in brooklyn”
moma, the met and the natural history museum are must sees.
the restaurant boat trips are fun – may be slightly pricey but the views from your table will be amazing.
a walk through central park is a must.
definitely go to the theatre.
and take many many pictures.
go visit Mr. Unbearable Banishment here:
he’s a lovely blogger (and friend), and has put many cool tips in his “NYC, a users guide” tagged posts…
There’s loads of second hand record shops in greenwich village, but if you’ve got the time and little miss manuel doesn’t mind, there’s only one destination for vinyl:
And a trip to the secret burger joint in the back of le parker meridien is well worth the trip as well.
You should avoid Tavern on the Green like the plague. It’s not what it used to be.
MOMA – really if you don’t go to MOMA then your whole life is a waste… keep saying to yourself, i am not going to New York, i am going to MOMA
Another vote here for MOMA.
Bloody tipping is such a minefield. A US waitress blogger put it as 15%-20% in cash, on the table, no quibbles. Any less and you’re making a statement. Taxis 10-15% but feel free to give more or less depending on the service. The doormen/hotel staff/anyone who looks sideways at you, I dunno…
Enjoy!
* We must go see a play on or off Broadway, doesn’t matter, just doing it is aces, or our trip will have been a waste.
* We should avoid the Gugenheim on a Tuesday like the plague. Cos it’s shut. I didn’t know this. And I’d walked.
* The coffee at the coffee shop near MOMA is awesome. And I was once mistaken for the cousin of one of the women behind the bar. It was most amusing. Them expecting a Brooklyn brawl when I spoke, and my rather polite English accent the actual result.
* They serve the best lunch at Grand Central Station Food Hall.
* If we don’t go for dinner at Les Halles we are idiots and deserve ridicule.
* When riding the subway we should always/never get the last night train out of Grand Central to Harlem.
* The best record stores are in the UK. Natch.
And walk around a lot. You’ll marvel a the place a lot more than if you cab everywhere.
I am so jealous of you… had the best (and only) honeymoon in NYC
•We must go do the twilight Circle Line Manhattan cruise – wrap up warm and you can buy beer & pretzels on board or our trip will have been a waste.
•We should avoid not very much like the plague.
•If we don’t go for dinner at Brasserie Les Halles (owned by Tony Bourdain) we are idiots and deserve ridicule.
•Go for one drink in The View at the top of the Marriott Marquis in Times Square.
•We should tip at least a buck a beer & at least 15% everywhere else
•The best shopping is at Old Navy beside Macys – Manuel and LMM sized clothing which is relatively dirt cheap.
•The best record stores are in Greenwich Village – esp Bleeker St
Cheapest place to buy theatre tickets is the TKTS booth just across from South Street Seaport – the one in Times Square always has mental queues & this one has the same stock & no waiting…
If you have time, book a walking tour of NYC with It’s free & run by local volunteers. Best thing we ever did. Make sure you try to walk through Central Park as well – v. gorgeous
y’all will love new york, sugar! everyone has left great suggestions, but daisy is right, go visit UB, he’s a grand read and a fantastic all thing nyc source! xoxoxoxo
Hello Manuel.
Long time reader etc…
Anyway, I went to NYC for the first time this year, and LOVED it. Whatever you do you will have a fantastic time.
I have 2 top tips – if you fancy going to see MOMA, they often do free entry on a Friday evening. But the queues are HUGE, so get there early if you want to do this (like 5pm or before)
Secondly, I found that in some Broadway theatres you can try and get standing tickets (which is fine for the shorter shows). They release them at about 6pm, and these are MUCH cheaper than even the ticket booth in time square, but they are not guaranteed. You can also go to loads of comedy for about 10 dollars, tickets are from vendors on the street and I managed to haggle them down on the price a bit.
Have fun
Manuel… have a look at Per Se (), Thomas Keller’s restaurant. It’s pricey as hell but I have my eye on it when I go out there on business. Though Mrs F probably wouldn’t be happy at me enjoying a $275 meal before I even have a drink. We ate at Ramsey’s place last time we were there but I’d stand on his head to have a go at Keller’s “oysters and pearls” dish.
We must go see………or our trip will have been a waste.
We should avoid………like the plague.
We must eat breakfast at TIFFANY’S…….because the DIAMONDS…….are the best.
The coffee at…STARBUCKS….is super awesome great!
They serve the best lunch at…LUNCHTIME…ANYWHERE!!!!
If we don’t go for dinner at…DINNERTIME…..we are idiots and deserve ridicule AND WILL PROB GET HUNGRY!!!!
The cocktails at…THE BAR……are super lush.
When riding the subway we should always/never…MAKE EYE CONTACT WITH ANYONE….
We should tip at least…ALL THE TIME….
The best shopping is at…WALMART….
The best record stores are in……BELFAST.
this is all just fantastico….except you crispy…you mook
re: tipping – i grew a mullet, wore a t-shirt with a maple leaf and said ‘whats that all aboot’ a lot – and tipped NADA, NOTHING – everyones a winner – you don’t have to tip, the americans worst thoughts about canadians are proven true and… canadians love seeing other canadians piss off americans – this CANNOT FAIL.
If you’re in Times Square, you’ll probably see the whether you want to or not.
Zabar’s is the name of the super-delicatessen mentioned above. It is great. Citarella, in the West 60s is great for seafood.
Also….don’t forget Lincoln Center (New York City Ballet, New York City Opera, Alice Tully Hall, and the Metropolitan Opera).
Grand Central is great too…..The “Oyster Bar” restaurant is also a place where one might have a quiet drink or two…..or a delicious bowl of clam chowder.
Junior’s — at the food court on the lower level of Grand Central — sells sandwiches — though they are most noted for their cheesecake.
all best,
MaryAnn
Ass bomber! Haha! That is all.
Don’t only take one pair of shoes, which are a flimsy pair of falling apart converse. You will get mild to moderate frostbite before you are able to wade through the snow to buy a more sensible pair.
Marvel at the angularity of the haircuts in the Apple store on 5th ave.
All the food is really healthy, even curries, so be sure to take a lump of trans fats with you to smear liberally over all meals.
I can’t remember much else of use but have an ace time!
Gonna put all the facebook comments on here too…makes it easier for the taking of notes
Go to the View restaurant in the Mariott Marquis, Times Square- It’s pretty expensive but it revolves and has the most amazing views!
You have to go to Little Italy on a Sunday. I swear to God its like stepping into the Sopranos. Stretch limos and rich Italians everywhere. And the coffee is much better there than anywhere else.
For cheap amazing thai food go to the YumYum Bangkok – so cute and yummy.
Also, there’s a Tim Burton exhibition on at the MOMA at the minute. I’m going this weekend. And if you’re there on Feb 11, Slayer, Megadeth and Testament are playing. \m/
get back on the plane…It’s a shit hole.
Must go see: MOMA (Museum of Modern Art), MMA (Metropolitan Museum of Art), Morgan Library, NYPL (main branch with the lions in front), Chinatown, Little Italy, SoHo (South of Houston Street–galleries, restaurants, shopping). Rockefeller Center, 1250 Avenue of the Americas (6th Avenue) 212-632-3975 (near to the all the posh shops on Fifth Avenue — Saks, Tiffany, Bergdorfs — Radio City Music Hall, and the 47th Street Diamond District).
Avoid: 10th and 11th Avenues on the West Side of Manhattan in the 40s and 50s. Anywhere above 86th Street, East Side or West Side.
Eat Breakfast at: There are lots of small reasonably priced coffeeshops in Manhattan, most of which have extensive breakfast menus (some serve breakfast at any hour of the day). The staff at your hotel should be able to direct you to the closest such establishment.
Coffee at: Caffe Regio, 119 McDougal Street, in Greenwich Village (below 14th Street) 212-475-9557.
For Tea time: I understand the Plaza hotel does a very nice tea.
Best lunch: Carnegie Delicatessen, 854 Seventh Avenue at 55th Street (just a short walk from Times Square) 212-757-2245.
Dinner at: Firebird Restaurant (Russian) 365 West 46th Street. 212-586-0244.
or Kennedy’s (Irish) 327 West 57th Street, 212-307-1722. Two bars, a good juke box, and a private room in the back. Fireplace in the main dining room. I had my engagement party there.
Cocktails at: The Blue Bar at the Algonquin Hotel, 59 West 44th Street. A short walk from Times Square and the Theatre district. 212-840-6800. Cabaret acts in the main room.
When riding subway: Don’t, under any circumstances, make eye contact. Do not speak loudly or draw attention to yourself. Watch your wallet/handbag. Do not display your camera, cellphone, or display jewellery/valuables. Dress down. Avoid looking like a tourist. If possible, take a taxi, a bus, or, if the distance is walkable…walk…..the best way to see the city is aboveground!!!
Best shopping: Macy’s at 151 West 34th Street. 212-695-4400
Century 21 (way downtown) 22 Cortlandt Street (between Church and Broadway) 212-227-9092.
There are also bus tours available from many hotels to the Woodbury Common Outlet Mall. You might want to ask the hotel staff where you are staying about these.
Tip at least: 15%. 20% if service has been prompt or exceptional. Taxi drivers are tipped, and it is customary to leave a tip for the women who do the housekeeping in the hotel. Barmen are also tipped, as above, 15% or 20%.
Best record stores: I would try Times Square at 42nd Street on the West Side of Manhattan (Midtown).
Irish bars: Try Jameson’s on Second Avenue in the fifties (right next to Murphy’s) At present (my husband tells me) they are having a price war and, as a result, the price of drink is quite reasonable.
Also….don’t forget Central Park (there’s a zoo)…..but I would only go during the daytime.
The goods that are sold on the street (surprise, surprise) are counterfeit (and very possibly made of toxic materials).
Beware of those who may bump into you and spill something on your clothes. This is most often a ploy to distract you and relieve you of your wallet.
From the airport take a yellow taxi cab with TLC (Taxi and Limousine Commission) numbers on it…..if you sense they are trying to overcharge you take their number down.
Don’t let your bags leave your sight.
Hope you have a great trip!!!!! I hope you will post pictures!!!!
I cannot thank you all enough…..tremendous….definitely gonna do the Tim Burton exhibition amongst other things…!
oh so jealous!
•We must go …on the staten island ferry……or our trip will have been a waste.
•We should avoid…spending too much (or any in my case) time shopping……like the plague.
•We must eat breakfast at…Central Park Boathouse (the outside one, not the posh glass one)…because the…people-watching and the feeling that you are really in New York is the best.
•The coffee at…pretty much anywhere….is super awesome great!
•They serve the best lunch at…Great NY Noodletown at Bowery / Bayard in Chinatown…
•If we don’t go for pizza at…John’s Pizza in the Village…..we are idiots and deserve ridicule.
•The cocktails at…Holiday Cocktail Lounge in the East Village……are not particularly lush but the place is an excellent dive.
•When riding the subway we should never…fall asleep and miss the stop….
•We should tip at least…15%….
•The best shopping is at…can’t help here, discovered hell=macys….
•The best record stores are in… Bleecker Street Records nr Leroy st was my favourite….
Definite +1 on MoMA, and seeing the city from up high – Top of the Rock is a good one – and walking loads, especially in lower Manhattan where the streets get narrower and less like wind tunnels
I recommend for food tips, we found it pretty useful, and see if there’s any gigs on in the Bowery Ballroom, it’s a great venue
Enjoy!
Hey it’s me!
I recommend…. Umberto’s Clam House in Little Italy… it’s very authetic, the guys there are like something from the gangsta movies! It’s not posh. Fab baked clams. Delish lobster. Not far from there in the East Village (about 5 mins walk), there’s a cool wee theatre that does all kinds of wierd and wonderful off-beat magic shows and stuff… keep an eye out and you may see something intersting (sorry but i can’t remember the name of it but it will be on a tourist map of the area!)
Also in the East Village, you got to go to this place it’s just brilliant. They only serve two types of beer – the barman will enquire gruffly “light or dark?”! This place has a proper history and you will meet some real characters here, we did and they took us on a tour of the East Village to some really great bars! Can’t remember where all we went… too much light and dark
Oh and one guy insisted we went and had a halal pepperoni pizza slice (he was fond of trying to find things for us that you can only get in “NYC baby!”)
If you’re really lucky, you’ll get lots of ace fluffy snow when you’re there… and if so, I recommend ice skating and general snowman making and carrying on in Central Park. It’s magical. I think the Tavern on the Green is closed now though!
I am SUPER jealous, you wee rascal. Have a blast.
Sinead and Helen….whoop whoop! thank you
Thank-you all so so so much ! Can’t wait to go! Now Manuel has no excuse to start planning our day by day itinary!
Me? You want me to plan it? Okay then….hahahaha
Looks like you need to stay for a couple of months.
How much weight were you hoping to put on?
Ha! I’ll be a thin god over there!
I’m on the West Coast so I’ve got nothing except to say, WHAT FUN!!
Everybody else has covered the bases;
You have to buy a pre-paid ticket to ride the subway, there are machines in the entrances that take debit/credit cards. It’s a flat price for a journey regardless of length. If you have time, catch the PATH over to Hoboken, bar/restaurant heaven and great views of Manhattan after dark. If you fancy iconic, catch the ‘F’ train to Brighton Beach aka Coney Island – it’s all shut this time of year, but it’s a fascinating place because the population is about 95% Russian – loads of groovy little restaurants.
Statue of Liberty is definitely worth it and anybody who says otherwise is stoopit.
Top of The Rock – Rockefeller centre is 120% better than Empire State Building and the queues are sensible.
I ended up living on deli food – you take a little plastic tub and fill it from an extended salad bar (lot’s to choose from, hot & cold) and then pay by the weight. Surprisingly cheap and no worry about tips!
You have to try the knish from a street vendor if you see them listed – basically a deep-fried mash potato cake, split with mustard. Fantastico. If you see ‘Gyro’ on the menu, it’s a donner kebab, but with soft Greek pitta instead of our hard pitta.
Chers Jason….quality help right there…
Re Sparrow, avoid Tavern on the Green because it went tits up last year.