Met my husband in the city Friday and we stayed over at a great hotel - The Stanhope. The bellman asked if this was my first time there and when I said yes he said I'd never stay anywhere else and you know what? He was right. The Stanhope (which is a Park Hyatt Hotel), is an elegant little hotel, right across from the Met on Fifth Avenue and 80th. Beautifully decorated, large rooms and excellent service.

I had to wait for my husband to finish work, so I had a drink in the very nice bar there. In the interest of letting people budget for NY trips (there are a lot of people planning on this board), I'll list some prices. A glass of wine was $ 11-18, drinks were $ 10-20, and a beer was $ 10. They had some great Calamata olives, dried cranberries and slivered almonds on the bar.

When my husband arrived we went over to the Met to see the Richard Avedon exhibit. I liked it, would have liked to see more of his fashion work though.

My husband was starved so we wanted to eat close by. We asked the concierge for Italian, moderate and casual. He suggested Cinque Lire. It was good, not outstanding. We each had a glass of wine, an appetizer, I had pasta and my husband had fish, no Desert. Dinner was $107.00 plus tip. This is moderate in Manhattan.

We headed down fifth towards the plaza and had a few drinks at Whiskey Park, which is across from Central Park next to the Ritz Carlton.

Saturday was a gorgeous day, and a race (or races) were being held right in front of the Stanhope. The race was "The Fifth Avenue Mile". It was nice to have the street closed off and quiet because of no traffic. We watched a bit of the race and headed to the shops. Went to Bergdorf's, Tiffany (window shopping!), and all the other obscenely expensive but fun stores on Fifth.

Went to Morrells wine shop and Sherry Lehman on the way back up Madison and did a bit of tasting and bought some wine.

Had lunch at Serafina on Madison on the rooftop. Fun place with great food! We'll go back there. Delicious salad and pizza. One big arugula salad and one small pizza and espresso was $ 46.00 with tip.

Had to head home (Grandma was watching the kids). It was a nice break and great for my husband to be in a different neighborhood (upper West side), than his usual stomping grounds when at work (Union Square).

Re, this paragraph: He suggested Cinque Lire. It was good, not outstanding. We each had a glass of wine, an appetizer, I had pasta and my husband had fish, no Desert. Dinner was $107.00 plus tip. This is moderate in Manhattan.

I'm sorry you didn't get a better recommendation! That's pretty expensive for a casual dinner, certainly not moderate. The neighborhood you stayed in is very expensive and not known for less expensive great food. Next time you're in town, please come downtown--it's not a long trip by subway, and you'll find fabulous restaurants for a lot less!

I know, I wish we had gone downtown but my husband had spent all day there (well, some of it was at the Italian design exhibit at the armory), and was beat. We usually do go downtown, or to Lupa, but he wasn't up for more schlepping that day!

I coughed out loud when I read that too! Definitely NOT moderate Manhattan. I've never paid 10 bucks for a beer, either. I'd say $40-$60 for two people for dinner is moderate.

Glad you had a good time...you stayed in a great area.

I guess that was moderate for the "paying customers" at The Stanhope. We were using points!

Great report Nina. I do agree with "J" that good meals are to be had elsewhere for far less. I just want to clarify for folks reading this that $107 plus tip for a diner such as you described is NOT typical for "moderate" places in Manhattan. The point was well taken that for the neighborhood you were in it may be the case but a truly excellent meal with a pasta dish, a fish dish, a shared appetizer, a glass of wine and a couple coffees can be had for well under $60 before tax and tip. I know of a few places where you could actually do this for $50. Likewise, a glass of wine in many places will be more like $6-10 but in the hotel bar of any upscale hotel the prices you mention are typical/ Again - great reports and my comments are not meant to be critical - just don't want to scare off folks who read this and think they can't afford a Manhattan trip!

Owen, I wish I had consulted you and Suzanne first! Actually, we originally intended to go to Bar Veloce for wine and panini but my husband just didn't feel like heading back downtown.

Oh, and we didn't split the appetizer, we each had one. My husband's alone was $18 it was the special - prosciutto and fresh figs and was fantastic, but of course you never know what the specials cost until it's too late!

Well, I always know what the specials' prices are because I ask... Clearly most restaurants are banking (literally)on people not asking.

Wow - it sounds like a fabulous 24 hours! Even though I live in Manhattan, my days are never like the one you describe. I was confused, however, by your mentioning the upper west side at the end of your trip report. Was that where your husband was at some point, or did you mean east side? The west side does have very reasonable moderate restaurants, by the way, for your next visit.

xx, I meant the Upper East side. I'm confused too!

nina,
So glad you enjoyed your mini vacation The Stanhope IS a very nice hotel, friends from LA like to stay there, so we have been in the bar.
You picked a good weekend, did you go to the Book Fair on Fifth on Sunday? We were at Bergdorfs and Bendels
As to Star Points-what a treat to spend money here and there, and eventually get some kind of reward for it..
Friday night we will be at the Metropolitan to see the Avedon exhibit-amazing isn't he?
Hurry back to NYC!

Nina, we're not impressed that...
1. You consider $107 for dinner a "moderate" price in NYC...
2. Your husband spent part of his day at the Italian design exhibit...
3. You spent a lot of money for a drink at the Stanhope bar...
4. You had drinks at a bar next to the Ritz Carlton...
Etc., etc., etc.

I had a glass of wine at the bar at the Avalon Hotel where we stayed and it was $10. I thought that was a little too much. You and I were watching the same race on the same day and we also had lunch (sandwiches) at Serafina's. Great place for a light lunch or dinner.

Hi everyone, weare, so glad that you weren't impressed, that wasn't my intention, I would really question the kind of person who would be impressed by someone attending an exhibit for work. Things that make you go hmmm?

And Brooklyn, yep, that's me, a big Rube. I only get to the city once every couple of months and my husband, well, he just works there. I don't feel that we were ripped off, we had a great time. Now if we went to Nobu, well then we would have really dropped some serious money.

NYGirl, We didn't get to go to the book fair as we were home by Saturday night, maybe next time. We'll be back in with the kids first weekend of November, looking for the family fun stuff.

Sandi, Were you at Serafina's on Saturday? Seemed like lots of groups were there for get togethers, (lots of big tables and picture taking). What a coincidence!

We just grabbed some sandwiches and took them to the park. Saturday's weather was glorious.

Geez, what nitpickers! Moderate can mean differnt things to different people. I live in the city and go out to eat very frequently. I consider inexpensive to be $30 to $60 per couple, moderate to be $65 to $115 per couple, and expensive to be $125 and up. I guess it is all relative to the neighborhood, whether or not you are in a hotel, and what you earn. Nina - glad you had fun and thank you for the report.

I forgot to add that this is usually with 1 drink. Two vodkas and two wines for me can add almost $40 to the tab in a nice restaurant. We've taken to bringing our own wine (if allowed) and paying anywhere from $10 to $20 corkage fee. Works out cheaper every time.

I'll answer your question, Answer. Ellen is correct. Moderately priced dining is a relative term. Where I live, and in Manhattan, I have never eaten at a restaurant (other than pizza or chinese), for less than $100. That is moderate. If you dine at Gramercy Tavern, or Mesa, or Bolo, or One if By Land..., or Nobu, or Babbo, or Esca or Il Mulino or Il Nido or any other popular, good NYC restaurant, you'd be lucky to get away with spending twice that amount.

When we're traveling to different parts of the country, or overseas, it's pretty easy to find a nice meal for $50.

Satisfied?

Oh, and I believe my membership to the PAC was revoked due to repeated visits to Myrtle Beach. Can you get me reinstated?