Mom, I like Babbo very much but have not eaten at Mesa Grill. Also, Bobby Flay just grates on my nerves.

My very favorite blow-the-kids-college-tuition restaurant is March.

Tours at Lincoln Center

http://www.lincolncenter.org/visitor...;ws=&bc=99

GoTravel, you do have a good point about the 9 p.m. CJ reservation perhaps being too late to consider a followup to the Rainbow Grill.
The backstage tour is the Met is excellent and highly recommended.
Here's a couple other top-of-the-line restaurant recommendations that won't break the bank: Union Square Cafe and Gramercy Tavern.
Hey, Momof5, your plans sound great. Can I be your guest?

Babbo is memorable and fantastic -- and, yes, Mario is there fairly often. In fact, we were there about two-three weeks ago and Mario was cooking and then came out at the end of the evening for drinks at the bar. If you can get reservations, I strongly recommend it.

I have been to Mesa Grill several times for lunch. The food is very good, and so are the margaritas! It's a high-ceilinged restaurant with modern decor, so it has more of a business or even a festive (read: noisy) feel than a romantic one (not sure what you are looking for). It's no Gramercy Tavern or Babbo, but I don't think it costs as much as these eiither.

Can also vouch for Gramercy Tavern. Excellent.

Momof5, thank you for asking such fabulous questions. My husband and I are going to NYC at the end of this month and we'll be sure to soak it all in, while walking fast!

1. Not known? Taking a stroll in Gracie Point, by the river. Carl Schurz park is beautiful.
2. Upscale, I like the Mandarin. Regular, I like the Sheraton Russel. In the middle, my favorite is the W The Court.
3. If there's a hotel nearby, catch the cab at the hotel. If not, midblock usually works. Avenues work better than streets, except the larger streets (34, 42, 57, etc).
4. Expensive restaurant? Hands down, Gramercy Tavern.
5. Inexpensive restaurnat? Chola, Indian food on 59th b/w 2nd and 3rd. Fantastic food, incredible value for lunch (all you can eat for 13.95!)
6. FAO Schwarz. The new store is simply amazing.
7. Several! Lion King is probably my usual favorite.
8. Walk faster.
9. Sarah Jessica Parker, Roger Moore (on the street) Jim Carrey, Mark Whalberg, Kevin Bacon, Cuba Gooding Jr., Mike Leigh (and others, at the Gotham Awards), Paul Newman (at Cafe Des Artistes), Stanley Tucci (just walking around SoHo).
10. Pretzels on street carts usually suck. Don't be afraid of the subway, it is usually faster than any other means of transport (except late at night). NEVER have food at a chain restaurant, you are missing a much better experience some place else!

I think most of your questions have been answered several times over, so I will just address the celebrity sightings question. I live here and see celebrities practically every week. Not trying to be a name dropper, but celebs are everywhere--you just have to be good at recognizing them out of context. They are not going to jump out and wave. They are going about their business like every other New Yorker and will blend right in. You need a sharp eye.

The one place that has a constant flow of celebs is the theater. Rarely a night goes by that I don't see someone in the audience--Nicole Kidman, Toby McGuire, Mel Brooks, Joel Gray, Cameryn Manheim, Amy Irving, Jerry Seinfeld & Jessica, Marlo Thomas, Tony Randall (RIP), Paul Newman & Joanne Woodward, Harvey Feirstein, Nathan Lane, Lauren Bacall, Alex Baldwin, Kathy Lee & Frank Gifford, Rosie O'Donnell, Cynthia Nixon, Donald Trump. All of these people frequent and support the broadway & off-broadway theater AND Lincoln Center AND Carnegie Hall. They also attend the many fundraisers for Broadway Cares, GMHC, etc. Of course it is random, but I would say you have an excellent chance of seeing someone IF it is a limited run, there is a star in the cast, or the performance is for charity.

You are also more likely to see a celeb in a trendy restaurant on an 'off' night (Sun - Wed) than when it is really crowded (other than DiNiro who is everywhere). Try Spice Market, Ono, Pastis, Babbo (saw Steve Van Zandt there looking like a slob), V Steakhouse (go for lunch), or the shabby chic breakfast hang out, Bubby's.
And finally, go jogging. Either around the reservoir in CP or around Gramercy Park. Gramercy joggers I have seen are Uma & Ethan and Dustin Hoffman.

1. not too known - wander around NoLiTa - Mott, Mulberry, Elizabeth Streets, from Houston to Spring.

2. hotels - don't know

3. Taxi advice: if possible stand where it is not a busstop or a crosswalk and where there is not a parked car.

If driver has off-duty sign on and you are going a short way in his direction, hold out hand with thumb & forefinger about an inch apart to indicate short trip.

4. Expensive restaurant - Tocqueville

5. Inexpensive - Great New York Noodle Company, Chinatown, have the flounder cooked in salt.

6. Holiday activity - Xmas eve service at St Luke in the Fields in Greenwich Village. Go early - small church with great music.

7. Broadway show - Hairspray

8. Wish tourists would do - the usual - not block street crossings, step out of center of sidewalk to confer.

9. Celebrities: I see Uma Thurman in the Gramercy Park/Little India areas.

10. Best tip - comfortable shoes & follow your heart.

Hello! I am a newbie to this board and am going to NYC in May for the first time. Just reading everyone's responses has again gotten me all excited about this trip! I have dreamed about going to NYC for a long time and so looking forward to it. I now know where to come for wonderful advice. Thanks to everyone for the questions and answers!

Okey, I know this is awful but I am going to answer the questions that I asked last month. Again your answers helped me so much.
1-I think the Lincoln Center tour
2- The Plaza but of course I did not stay there.
3- Wave my arm yelling taxi
4- Babbo
5- Becco or Ben's Deli
6- Look at all the Christmas Windows
7- Wicked
9- Wiliam Defoe
10- Try not to cram so much stuff into 5 days.

Thanks again everyone and Happy New Year!!

Bravo!!

Hi Momo, we did NYC in 5 days too, not enough IMO. Will go back in the spring! #4 Aquavit #5 Becco(it was such a hoot and I love that type of restaurant) #6 Radio City Christmas Spectacular # The Producers (so far). #10, go often!