denisea

As a way to take the sting out of "no trip to Paris" this year at Christmas , we are using points and miles to visit NYC for a long weekend in December. We have 2.5 days in the city (excluding arrival, departure) The 2 things we both want to do are The Met (somehow we have not done this before) and we have tickets to The Nutcracker at Lincoln Centre.

I know we will want to view the store windows at Bergdorf Goodman and others. I want to get Chaz to the bar at Baccarat for a class of Champagne. Sure, we will drop by Rock Center to see the tree (and the projection on the Saks facade).

Any other suggestions for Christmas season musts? The markets at Bryant Park? We know it will be crowded and expensive in NYC, so no need to warn us on that.

IMDonehere

I would try and stay and eat in the more residential areas to avoid the crowds you know about.

The Christmas tree at the Met Museum is elegant.

tuscanlifeedit

I don't know if you're a Dickens fan, but the original manuscript for A Christmas Carol is on display at the Morgan Library at this time of year. They serve very nice lunches, and have one rather elegant dining room and one nice one that doesn't quite qualify as elegant.

Your trip sounds like a lot of fun.

I always do a Christmas Market. If the weather is atrocious, Grand Central is a decent one and there is also Bryant Park. Union Square is fun but the space between booths gets crowded. Here's a link:

http://www.nyctrip.com/pages/Index.aspx?PageID=1393

I want to hear about where you eat!

NeoPatrick

"I would try and stay and eat in the more residential areas to avoid the crowds you know about."

Umm I'm trying to understand. If they want to avoid the crowds and avoid the center of activity, why not just stay home? What's the point of going to NYC for the big holiday atmosphere and then staying somewhere away from it?

denisea

Can I admit that I did not know the Morgan library even existed before today?

I took the comment around dining in residential areas to mean skip the restaurants around Times Square, Columbus Circle, etc...which we would. Maybe more Union Square Cafe, Barbuto, etc...however, I will be right in the shopping masses on Fifth!

Thanks and looking for more suggestions.

nytraveler

For Christmas decorations the place to start in THE tree at rock center, along with all of the other decorations in the rock center area. If you are up for a special sea food dinner make reservations at the Sea Grille and get a window seat so you can watch the skaters at the Rock Center Rink. then head across the street to St Pat's - which is glorious - and has just been refurbished for the pope's visit.

The major store windows to visit are Lord & Taylor, Saks and Bloomies. Lines are long - so it's often best to go at 11 pm or so when the stores close and crowds will be less.

For other trees:

The Met has an antique Neapolitan tree and creche

Mus Nat'l Hist has an origami tree

Many other trees around town - and also check out all the decorations on Park Avenue esp from 57th north.

The Nutcracker will be fantastic. Not sure if your hotel is nearby - but we usually walk home from there unless the weather is dreadful since we live on the upper west side - and it seems to make the magic last even longer.

There will be a lot of other special activities - check the web site of New York magazine fairly close to when you will arrive to see what else special is happening.

IMDonehere

Neo-you can stay at home, if you wish.

There are an extraordinary amount of excellent restaurants in the East and West Village. What is nice about that, is that many people in those neighborhoods go away during that time and they are a bit calmer. And then head to midtown at your convenience.

NeoPatrick

Did you bother to actually read the original post, IMDonehere? The poster isn't going to NYC to look for a quiet neighborhood experience. For all we know they have that at home. Clearly they are looking at places in the "thick of things" -- The Met, Fifth Avenue Windows, Rock Center, the Christmas markets (jam packed, of course). They aren't choosing Baccarrat for champagne because they are hoping it will be deserted!

Why suggest they avoid all that and stay and eat in "quieter neighborhoods"? Clearly that is NOT what they are looking for. Why do you not understand that for many people who don't LIVE in NYC, they actually are going there for the express purpose of being in the crowds and excitement? Most of us have wonderful, calm, neighborhoods at home -- what we don't have is Fifth Avenue and the crowds and excitement of NYC. Many of us aren't looking for a quiet weekend -- if we were we wouldn't be going to NYC at Christmas in the first place.

NeoPatrick

And at the risk of being accused of also not reading -- yes, I agree about eating at some "neighborhood restaurants", but that's not the same as "staying and eating in the more residential areas". And the neighborhood places which "might" be calmer because the local residents are gone are definitely nothing like Union Square Cafe, Barbuta, etc. which will be as busy or busier before Christmas as any other time of the year -- one doesn't go to those places because they will be half empty!

IMDonehere

You are right, Neo. You are the savior of the downtrodden tourist. All Hail Neo. (Unfortunately, the OP also said the she would probably eat in other places besides midtown.) All Hail Neo.

_________

For those who might interested in NY, rather than themselves:

There will be many restaurants that will be closed for private parties during that time.

Whatever you do, do not go to Rolf's for a meal. It is known for it epileptic inducing Christmas lights and decorations but the food is among the most vile in NYC. I do not always agree with Zagat's, but Rolf's has one the lowest scores of any place including chains. If you must stop for a drink.

For those who will in NYC on Christmas Day, there will be many restaurants that will open. There is a huge religious and ethnic diversity and among the many that will be open Chinese, Ethiopian, Jewish, Indian, Mideastern, plus a number of places that will offer a prix fixe.

nytraveler

For Christmas Day definitely reserve place weeks in advance if you want a traditional holiday dinner.

If you are up for Chinese - the Jewish tradition on christmas - then you should be fine - unless you go to a "name" place.

sf7307

If it's open, I would go to Jing Fong on Xmas Day just for the experience (the food is good, too).

denisea

We will not be there on Christmas -just before.

IMDonehere

We like Jing Fong very much and even though it holds 800 people do not go on the weekend as it is a zoo.

NeoPatrick

IMDonehere on Oct 26, 15 at 9:24am
"You are right, Neo. You are the savior of the downtrodden tourist. All Hail Neo. (Unfortunately, the OP also said the she would probably eat in other places besides midtown.) All Hail Neo."

Could you be any more obnoxious?

And who said not to eat at places other than midtown? I only objected to your "STAY and eat" in quiet neighborhoods. And by the way, Union Square Cafe -- which is a great choice -- is NOTHING like what you were suggesting where the local residents will be gone and it will be calm. Get it?

I'm also not sure why so many assumed they will be there on Christmas -- the OP only said "weekend in December", but has come back now to specifically say "before Christmas".

denisea

Well sadly, Union Square Cafe is closing just before we will be there (another victim of jacked up rent, so will have to wait until they relocate for that ricotta gnocchi).

Question on timing...The Met. Thursday afternoon or Friday AM?? I am sure it will be popular, but in general....if we went first thing in the AM, any chance it would be a little less crowded or does it matter at all?

ekscrunchy

I don't know your dining budget but I would heed the advice to book your tables well before arrival even at smaller places. The legendary chef from Barbuto opened up a new place in midtown, on 6th Ave and 58th St. Neither that, nor Barbuto, will exactly be calm unless you go on a Monday, but both are good ideas and both offer the famous chicken.

http://www.jamsrestaurant.nyc/

If you are splurging, two good ideas would be The Dining Room at The Modern (ask for view of garden), and Gabriel Kreuther, the new place by the former Modern chef, near Bryant Park which was awarded three stars by the Times:

http://www.gknyc.com/#menus

Here is another idea for a drink or snack, in midtown:

http://www.aldosohmwinebar.com/about

http://www.aldosohmwinebar.com/conte...0.19.15-mj.pdf

ekscrunchy

Two more ideas, not so $$$:

David Chang just opened a midtown branch of his new fried chicken place, Fuku, in midtown on Weat 56th off 5th. Open lunch and dinner but I have not been there yet. In the same building he also runs Ma Peche, which I have liked in the past:

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/16/di...n-midtown.html


http://momofuku.com/new-york/fuku-plus/menu/

http://momofuku.com/new-york/ma-peche/menus/




Those two would have a more youthful ambience, at least in spirit. ("Youthful" to some means uncomfortable!)

denisea

Thanks and I hear you on early reservations. Many of the places we are looking at don't open up reservation until 30 days or 28 days out...drives me crazy as I love to just plan it, book it and be done.

Great suggestions...always a new place(s) in NYC!!! I wish I could hit all of them!!!

yougogabe

I'm a big fan of 1) Red Rooster Harlem (chef was born in Ethiopia but was raised in Sweden) for the amaaaaaaaazing food. Fantastic vibe as well. Consider that. 2) Maison Premiere in Williamsburg, Brooklyn....very charming old world-ish bar with crazy good seafood and absinthe cocktails. And you have to sit at the bar so you can chat up with the strangers sitting to your left and right.