andrewtayloruk

Hi,

I'm lucky enough to be going to NY this Christmas (I'll be there just after Christmas day and I leave the first week of January). I'm staying in the Millenium Hilton in the financial district of Manhattan.

I've got all the guide books and I've read all the websites and I'm not naieve when it comes to travelling, but has anyone here got any good first hand advice. I'm fairly sure I've got all the basics covered, taxi from the airport, wallet out-of-sight etc etc but does anyone who's a native or anyone who travels to NYC regularly got any tips for me.

Also, tacked on to this thread if anyone has any must-eat restraunts for the following food, I'd be really grateful.

A really good steak
Noodles out of a cardboard box (we don't have this in the UK)
Muffins and coffee
Apple Pie
Deli Sandwich
Authentic Pizza
Ice cream

I don't drink so I don't mind spending $ on good food.

Is there anything I should really really really see above all other tourist attractions?

Thanks a lot

Andrew

maleficent

Advice: Just look like you know where you are going. NYC is teeming with tourists that time of year, so you really won't stand out. NY'ers are a friendly bunch,and have many many opinions, if you get stuck, ask for help.

A really good steak -
Peter Luger's In Brooklyn - (it's in a shitty area of brooklyn, but easy to get to -- the restuarant IS NOT cheap - and they do not accept plastic - I'd also make your reservation well in advance. (This should be an easy cab ride from downtown)

Ice Cream:
(Cynthetiq has mentioned a place in Chinatown I think,
Or if you are feeling decadent- -go to Serendipity, near Central Park for a frozen Hot CHocolate. (Especially nice if you've been wandering 5th avenue at all the windows and been visiting the tree in Rockefeller Center)

Deli Sandwich:
KInda touristy
Carnegie Deli
Stage Deli

or the less touristy Second Ave Deli - -

all will give you mammouth sandwichs that you will remember forever -- (Go for the Reuben)

Pizza:
Patsys Under the Brooklyn Bridge (there's a subway right there, and it's across the street from a swanky restaurant that has some stunning views, Patsy's has tons of really cool photos on the wall - I love going there)

Totonnes in Coney Island (don't go at night, it's not in the best area but during the day it's safe)

John's in greenwich village

(all make the brick oven, thin crust - absolutely perfect pizza)


Muffins and Coffee - -for less than 2 bucks, the sidewalk vendors have some of the tastiest coffee in NYC...

Noodle houses are all over the city, I'm not sure I could say whcih one is the best

and HAVE A BLAST...

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FngKestrel

I don't regularly go to NY, but the one time I did, I made sure I hit a few spots. If you like cheesecake, go to Lindy's in Times Square. To die for.

andrewtayloruk

Thanks a bunch, I love eating I'm starving now and it's only 10am, I can't wait to go to NYC. Does anyone know if there should be snow? We get snow where I am in the UK but not until Jan/Feb. I don't mind it being cold but i'd prefer if it's cold and snowy

Andrew

maleficent

There's been snow at Thanksgiving (late November) some years, and other years not until February -- it's possible... But NY is pretty good at getting rid of snow from the city streets, corners might be a little sloppy, but the sidewalks are generally dry.

I wouldn't be surprised if it was cold -- Some areas of the city, especially downtown areas near the water, turn into wind tunnels and get very cold breezes.


Oh and so there won't be any international incidents - and you can act like a New Yorker --a regular coffee in new york -- is coffee with milk and two sugars...

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Glory's Sun

is Serendipity the same place as in the same named movie??

maleficent

never saw the movie - but I believe so...

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quadro2000

Yes it is. Although it's not really near Central Park, it's on E.60th Street between 2nd and 3rd Avenues...and be advised - it's a MADHOUSE during the holidays. Here's the Serendipity3 website.

If you're a Christmas-y person, I love the Radio City Christmas Spectacular...it's lots of fun!

Steak - if you don't want to venture to Brooklyn for Peter Luger's (or they're all booked, which is a good possibility), there's also Sparks, Smith & Wollensky's and Ruth's Chris...or these here.

Pizza - Maleficent is on the money with her choices, although to be honest, you can get a good slice almost anywhere in the city - Famous Famiglia is also good - just steer clear of Sbarro! However, if you go to John's in Greenwich Village - they do not sell pizza by the slice - you need to order a whole pie. (You can order a small one with six slices)

Good deli sandwich - Katz's Deli on the Lower East Side - this is the site of Meg Ryan's famous orgasm scene in When Harry Met Sally. Great pastrami, corned beef and awesome hot dogs!

That's what I've got for now...you'll have a great time!

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acostello

Taxi from the Airport to Manhattan is 45USD+Tolls+Tips= 49USD+Tips (10-15%)

As other's have said, nothing beats Peter Luger for Steaks. In the city (Manhattan) try Keens Chophouse, Old Homestead, Wolfgangs, Sparks - Rest are just so so.

Real inexpensive place for Chinese is Division St. (walking distance from Millinium Hotel)

Muffins and Coffee -Outside any Office Bldg on week days from 7AM-10AM street carts.

ApplePie & Pizza- (Its religion in terms whose is best and no two NewYorkers agree )

Icecream: ?? Homemade Icecream ? Italian Icecreams Indian Kulfi, Japanese Icecreams ?
Deli sandwich: Katz or Second Ave. Deli

Cynthetiq

whew!!! glad I finally made it to this thread...


In Chinatown... there's lots of places to get great noodles for very cheap.

I'm going to recommend some interesting places, first $1 dumplings... yes $1 for 5 boiled or fried dumpings...really can't be beat.
http://www.nyceats.net/eats/2003/08/dumplings.html
(this blog is also a great resource for food!!!)

Noodles, what kind of noodles? thick, thin, broad, wide? soupy or fried? depending on the noodles will depend on the recommendation

Ice cream: Chinatown Ice Cream Factory they have some interesting flavors from Lychee to Red Bean to Vanilla and Rocky Road. It's packed in the summers, and still busy even during the winter months.

Coffee and pasteries.. Cafe Lalo (where Meg Ryan meets Tom Hanks in You've Got Mail)

West Village... Chumley's good burgers and good pints, last time we were there they had good steaks according to the Aussies we had in tow. Writers hung out here and there are dust covers on the walls of all the authors that have been there. It's also a speak easy and a challenge to find also. It's on Bedford and Barrow @ 86 Bedford

If you are a Seinfeld fan then you must have some soup from the famed Soup Nazi inspiration at the International Soup Kitchen, soup is expensive about $9 for 16oz of piping hot soups, but it comes with a box of fruit, a chocolate, and some bread. It's some of the best soup I've ever eaten. They are only open for lunch and if you get there late in the afternoon they will have less selection. Note: Rules are important to follow. I did not get my change the first time I ordered because I did not follow the rules.

as I come up with more I'll post them here.

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RallyEX

andrewtayloruk: My wife and I just got back from NYC last week, we were celebrating our first wedding anniversary!

Just a few things to say first off: I absolutely love that city... from the moment I arrived until my wife practically dragged me away from it. We had a wonderful time, and it was one of the best travel experiences I've ever had. Everyone was super nice and gave us great directions and ideas on what to do. If you have read all the books ahead of time, and you can get to know the subway and bus systems well enough in the short time you are there, you will not have any trouble finding things.

As far as touristy things to do, I highly suggest the Circle Line 3 hour full loop tour of the city by boat. Although it will be cold when you do it, they have heated decks so you can see everything without getting frozen to the bone. They have outdoor decks for great photos and video. It is a great whirlwind tour to get in many things you want to see without dealing with traffic/transit, etc. Cost is US$26 per person, but is relaxing and enjoyable. Circle Line Boat Tours is located at the piers on the west end of 42ND street beside the Intrepid Aircraft Carrier Museum.

Also, if you get a chance, apply online for tickets to television shows. If you are familiar with Conan O'Brian or David Letterman and would like to see their show, apply for tickets online and you may get a call back to see the shows in person. I got to see both letterman AND conan, and I had a great time!

If you want to see a Broadway show, but don't know how/where to get tickets, go to the middle of Times Square and find the big white booth with large letters on the side that say "TKTS".. you can get broadway show tickets for half price. Go around noon.

Go to central park, just to say you've been there. Same with the the WTC site.

You'll love it, and I'd bet my postcount on it.

Sorry for the long post.

maleficent

There are also buses that run from LaGuardia to Midtown Manhattan ( generally the Port Authority - take a picture of the Ralph Kramden statue -- then grab a cab to your location -- PA is at 41st and 8th Ave but the buses go elsewhere as well)

http://www.panynj.gov/aviation/lgtsfram.htm

If you fly into Newark, Olympia Trails runs very regularly, and is much cheaper than a taxi.
http://www.olympiabus.com/

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quadro2000

i want to hear more about this, Cyn - what rule did you not follow, and did you argue with them when you didn't get your change?

I used to pass the Soup Kitchen every day when I worked in that area, but it was during the summer and I never stopped to actually order...

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powerclown

Buses? Cabs? Subway?
Bah!!
Get the quintessential New York City Experience: rent a car.

muaahahahahahaaaa

Cynthetiq

I didn't move to the left quickly enough. I didn't want to argue lest I don't get my soup, which was Shrimp Bisque which was incredible! a piece of shrimp in every spoonful...

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Not Normal

The Fulton Ferry Landing area in Brooklyn is worth a visit. Maleficent mentioned Patsy's Pizza and I agree, (sometimes there's a line out the door.) The River Cafe is across Water Street from there, it's a four-star restaurant. There is a cheaper but still very good American restaurant around the corner on Front Street called Five Front. Also it is very close to an Ice Cream Factory on the dock. A few blocks away on Water Street is Jacques Torres chocolates, nice hot chocolate there. Torres is opening up a bakery there too.

There is a state park that runs from underneath the Brooklyn Br. to the Manhattan Br.

The above area can be reached via subway or if the weather's nice, a walk over the Brooklyn Bridge! There is also a Water Taxi from Fulton Ferry Landing to the Financial Dist.

Spektr

I used to live on 96th in Brooklyn. There are a myriad of nice little joints right off the bridge, so definitely give Brooklyn a walk-through. It's been about 13 years since I lived there, so I can't give you precise names. But it's friggin New York! So just wander through Greenwich Village, Chelsea and Brooklyn and you're sure to find something enticing.

If you're looking for good clubs, bars or after-party spots, the meat-packing district is always bumpin'.

roderickpsu

Start by going to the top of the Empire State Building. That way you can get your bearings as to where everything is. Also, it's the best way to get a feel for the magnitude of this beautiful city.

quadro2000

I just found this article and thought I'd post it - it's pretty good.

The Non Expert: When In Manhattan...

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