Is the Bread Market on Av. of the Americas good? And is it close to Central Park? Would you suggest eating at Carnegie Deli and is it close to Central Park? By close, I mean walking distance. Thanks

52nd St. between 5th and 6th Ave.

Yes - walking distance.

Suggest you get a map before your trip - so you're not lost all the time. You should be able to get a decent one at any bookstore.

Twenty north/south blocks are one mile (ie 42 st to 62 st). East/west blocks are usualy 2/3 times longer - and vary a lot in length.

If you go to Yahoo maps it will give you an exact distance for anything.

Central Park starts (at the south end) at 59 st so something on 52 st is 7 blocks away or about 10 minute walk.

If you're looking for someplace good to buy food to take to Central Park, the Whole Foods market in the basement of the Time Warner building at Columbus Circle (southwest corner of the park) is a great option.

Carnegie deli is an acquired taste imo. If you like pastrami, many people think it's the best. I would rather have take out from Carnegie rather than eating there, but many love it.

Some other great bakeries near Central Park

Bouchon Bakery also in the Time Warner building.

Le Pain Quotidienn on 7th ave & 58th st.

Le Pain Quotidien is one of my favorite places for breakfast (and they have a nice lunch menu too), they have several locations in the city but the at 58th & 7th is closest to your hotel.

For a good map you might want to take a look at the "Streetwise Manhattan" map, they ate sold at most bookstores or you can order one on-line from Barnes & Nobel or Amazon

ooh, I didn't know that Le Pain Quotidien has a location so close to my office - ya learn something new every day! Thanks, mclaurie!

I feel the same way about both Carnegie Deli (not my thing but some people love it) and the Whole Foods Market at Columbus Circle (a great picnic/takeout lunch option). This Whole Foods has quite an extensive array of prepared foods, from freshmade sushi to hot plates to a large salad bar, and everything in between. Plus there's the supermarket side if you want to make your own!