maitaitom

Well, it was only a matter of time before we'd have to come back here and spend the rest of my retirement money on $25 martinis and $75 steaks (hopefully we'll do a little better than that).

Here are some things we want to see (four night stay) and a few (well, more than a few) questions...

The Cloisters...We are staying in Chelsea. it looks like we Take the A Train (hopefully there will be a little Duke Ellington music on board) and then need to take a bus to the Cloisters...is that correct?

We will make a return engagement to the Frick (our favorite from 2011)

I actually booked a one hour tour of the Woolworth building (hopefully it will be Woolworth it)

We, of course, want to go to the 9/11 Museum & Memorial (probably in the early morning before our noon Woolworth Tour). Would two hours be enough time for the 9/11 Museum realizing that everyone is different (we usually have that two-hour max visiting museums)?

Have never been to the Top Of The Rock, so that's on the agenda.

The Merchant House draws my interest (how about yours)...we like places like that...Jacquemart-Andre and similar in Paris come to mind.

I would assume that there will be no Tracy gardens of worth in November the week b4 Thanksgiving...am I wrong (it has happened before)? Probably too early for that giant Christmas tree, too..we leave for home on the 21st.

I've been looking at Italian restaurants, many of whose many are larger than a flight to Florence. Any Chelsea area (or anywhere else for that matter) Italian that you recommend that don't break the bank...we don't mind smaller authentic places...Same for French.

By the way, I have never dined at an over-priced NYC steakhouse, although severely tempted, If I decide to use all my future health-care money on a NYC steakhouse, will one make me happy I went as I lay on my death-bed?

Any other restaurant recommendations are welcome or recommendations of places to visit.

Thanks for help and see you in NYC baby! Look for the couple trying to figure out the subway map.

Grandma

Welcome back! Have you been to Ronald Lauder's Neue Galerie on 86th and 5th? If you've seen Woman in Gold the painting at the center of the movie is there. Also, a nice restaurant…Cafe Sabarsky… if you like schlag!

Peter Luger is usually the first choice of steak fans. It's in Brooklyn (near bridge) and only accepts cash (or that used to be the case)

Don't know if you're into musicals but The Vivian Beaumont Theater at Lincoln Center has a wonderful production of The King and I. Has been a sell out but think tickets are loosening up.

Peter Luger AND schlag would probably put a big dent in your health care
money -

musicfan

We stayed in Chelsea and took the subway to the Cloisters, but just walked from the subway stop to the museum. While it was a gradual uphill walk, I don't recall it being particularly daunting and it is very pretty if the weather is nice.

yestravel

I second the Neue Gallery and dont miss the new Whitney Museum.

Inakauaidavidababy

Re: The Cloisters one way or the other, if the weather is bright, I'd walk thru Fort Tyron Park and make a stop at New Leaf for a libation and search for unicorns in the woods and the Divine Bette Midler.

http://newleafrestaurant.com

Top of the Rock vs. Empire - I'm an old school girl and prefer the Empire, but that could be my rose colored memory recalling a private black tie event that offered us a private elevator to the top.

Is this a gang of 4 trip or just you and your lovely? You can save money for your copays by sharing. No one is required or any longer expected to order their own side of beef. Restaurants will cut and portion one entree and even plate it with shared sides sometimes. No getting around the $25 Martini. It is what it is.

maitaitom

"Is this a gang of 4 trip or just you and your lovely?"

Unless I hear otherwise, it looks like just the two of us. I like the idea of "stopping for a libation." Thanks. I'll start saving for the martinis

maitaitom

"...and search for unicorns in the woods"

If I find any, I might have had one too many libations. It looks like it's only a 10-15 minute walk from A Train exit through the park to the Cloisters. Park looks neat, too. Thanks again for the info.

Fra_Diavolo

Here's what I wrote about the Merchant House Museum a day or two ago:

"You asked about the Merchant House Museum above -- in my opinion an excellent small museum. The self-guided tour booklet is outstanding. In addition to its general descriptions, it uses excerpts from diaries to lend a real sense of what upper-middle class life in NYC might have been like during the era. Highly recommended!"

My opinion hasn't changed.

The bus link to the Cloisters is only a short hop. If your party is even modestly ambulatory, just walk.

williamscb13

I've had good Italian at Le Zie in Chelsea but it's been years ago.

I second the suggestion of walking through the park to get to The Cloisters.

And please report back on The Merchant House if you go there, I've always wondered about it.

nytraveler

Too early for the Rock Center tree - that happens in early Dec. But many of the store windows will be up for view - esp look at Lore & Taylor, Saks (across from RC and check out St Pat's) and Bloomies.

Agree that Top of the Rock is a don;t miss - the views are great - and you get to see the ESB. Plus no lines and you can buy tickets for a specific time in advance the same day.

IMDonehere

Our new favorite restaurant:

Au Za'Atar. We've been there so often the people know us.

http://www.opentable.com/au-zaatar
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There are now many new store made ice cream places-Davey's, Mikey's, Cones and Sundaes, Cones, Morgenstern.

If you are staying in Chelsea be sure to go two places for donuts. Donut Plant in the first floor of Chelsea Hotel. Probably the best donuts in the city. And Donut Pub, a throwback before Dunkin's world domination.

Interesting not the best place is Coppelia's.
http://coppelianyc.com/media/coppelia.html

While the original Manhattan project was successful, the results were devastating.

maitaitom

"f you are staying in Chelsea be sure to go two places for donuts. Donut Plant in the first floor of Chelsea Hotel. Probably the best donuts in the city. And Donut Pub.

Jenny Craig thanks you, until I weigh in.

"While the original Manhattan project was successful, the results were devastating."

We will not to try to be so destructive.

If you're in the neighborhood...the wine is on us. I promise, I will not mention Barry Manilow. Keep on being you!

IMDonehere

If you're in the neighborhood...the wine is on us. I promise, I will not mention Barry Manilow. Keep on being you!

Thank you. Being me has been more than enough up until now.

BTW, there are few other really good places in Chelsea. (There are a lot, but here are just some.)

City Bakery-Lots of hip local workers go there, there are scores of seats-Try everything during your stay.

La Boqueria for tapas.

Red Cat and Cookshop for proper meals.
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And for a place you will never find in any guide book-
Taste of Persia
http://www.viewmenu.com/taste-of-persia/menu?ref=google

It is in the front of a pizza shop with a limited menu. The place is dumpy but there are tables. Food is really, good, interesting and cheap.

Their name is not on the awning. Just enter the pizza place, it is immediately on your left as you go in.

maitaitom

Thanks IMD...

IMDonehere

No problem

tuscanlifeedit

Fort Tryon Park isn't really pretty in November, but still walk to The Cloisters. There's an episode of Law & Order, Special Victims based on the Slender Man urban myth, and lots of it takes place in Fort Tryon Park. It's interesting.

I think I would prefer Keen's to Peter Luger. It's really kind of atmospheric and you can use a credit card. I thought the food was delicious.

IMDonehere

I do not know if these high praise or an indictment, but we eat steak maybe twice a year and we thought Lugar was sensational.

Our favorite place in Manhattan is the Strip Joint.
http://nymag.com/listings/restaurant/strip-house/

kja

"the 9/11 Museum & Memorial (probably in the early morning before our noon Woolworth Tour). Would two hours be enough time for the 9/11 Museum realizing that everyone is different"

In general, I would think 2 hours should work -- I think I spent about 2.5 hours for the museum and grounds, and I think I'm at the "long" end of visit times. I'm sure you realize that the museum itself can be extremely powerful, and so you might want to be sure to allow yourselves plenty of time to re-orient to the present after the museum.

I saved my time for the surrounding grounds for after my visit to the museum itself for exactly that reason -- and it worked well, right up until a breeze kicked in and started dropping acorns on my head. Honestly, I can not, in any way shape or form, imagine the (lack of) thinking that went into selecting ONLY one type of tree -- an oak, which bear acorns, which fall and hit people -- for this monument. I've read the rationale (linked below), but I still can not understand that no one thought how disorienting it would be to stand there, contemplating the view, only to be hit in the head by something falling from the sky. It definitely did NOT work for me. Too, I've been told that current landscaping advice is to avoid using the same tree in any one area because if a blight / illness hits, all is lost. I just don't get it.

Sorry for the rant!

I did think the museum itself well worth seeing, and the pool and its symbolism hit all the marks for me.

Here's the link:
http://www.911memorial.org/selecting-trees

Grandma

The reference to Keens reminded me of Sparks Steakhouse…. used to be a big deal… and especially noted for its wine list. However, recent reviews are not so hotsy totsy. However, it IS historic…. two mafiosi were gunned down just outside the restaurant (awhile back) on the order of John Gotti.
Ah… for the good old days.

Keens is especially noted for its mutton chops (having never been there I hope that doesn't mean mutton in the English sense.)

Fra_Diavolo

"Keens is especially noted for its mutton chops (having never been there I hope that doesn't mean mutton in the English sense.)"

It does not -- it's a fine saddle of lamb. The problem is the size! However, you can order a half-saddle in their "pub". I did and thought it perhaps the best lamb I'd ever eaten.