Ive lived/worked in this city for about 10 years no and have really soaked up the atmosphere and culture

as I have received a lot of advice from these forums, so im happy to answer any questions

Also--use http://newyork.citysearch.com/
its helped me plan many a night

Hey Jason! I'm planning a four day trip with some friends Jan 14-17 to your fair city. I've been there a few times but would love to hear what a native considers to be the top ten (or so) things to not miss while we're there (we're going to celebrate my best friend's husband's 30th birthday). Any advice on where to celebrate it? Thanks!

Hey there! I'm the best friend and it is my hubby's 30th-- how shall we celebrate!! (No women for hire!)

Restaurants to recommend are difficult not knowing the type of scene you're looking for..
However-given that Im turning 30 fairly soon Ill give some places I wouldnt mind my friends taking me:
#1 pick:
Balthazar--In NOHO-french bistro--definate hot spot in the city and great raw bar

Rialto-In NOLITA--New American bistro--just ate there last week-excellent food-great neiborhood

Chez Es Saada-Lower East Village--moroccan-themed,with a rose petal strewn bar and stairs-Very cool place

Bond St- In Village--One of the best sushi places

Angilo & Maxies--Flatiron Area--STEAK!!!!

Churrascaria Plataforma--Brazillian All-You-Can-Eat--Meat and Salad Bar-
Awesome

Most of these picks are definately scene (25-30ish, hip, stylish crowd)--but I dont think you can go wrong

Check out the site I posted and look them up--Let me know if youre looking for a different vibe

Also ill post more comments a little later

What an idiot. At least Sam could spell.

Hey Bud--whats your suggestion-

Caliente Cab Co followed by The Tunnel

or do you stick with The Vault the whole night

You wish you had the balls to go to the Vault, Nancy boy

Jason
Can you help me? I am visiting new york in february and am trying to get tickets to see the Knicks. I have had no luck through the agencies. Will I have more luck when I am in NYC, can you give me advise on where to go to get tickets. Is it worth us taking a visit to new jersey and seeing a game there?

Hi Lynne--

My thoughts on Knicks tickets is that they are pretty much impossible to get--Corporations usually own all the seats--and they are very expensive ($300+) through agencies. The only tickets ive gotten have been through work. I would post a general message about the tickets as someone else might have some ideas

We are going to be in NYC in June. There will be 4 adult and we would like some suggestions on a good, safe, not to expensive hotel.

Hey Jason,

I'm always looking for places to get a cheap, good meal in NYC. One of my favorites is DOJO. Don't tell me about Chinese or Indian places, I know plenty of those already. Any suggestions?

I have several suggestions - all very inexpensive ($15 per person or much less with tax and tip contignent on what dish you order - in some cases this may include a nonalcoholic beverage)
1) El Pollo - Peruvian grilled chicken. It's got low key atmosphere and incredible food. 2nd or 3rd Ave in the E. 90's
2) Pink Tea Cup - soul food place on Grove Street in the Village (near Christopher Street PATH station). Great very authentic southern food. Dinner includes homemade soup, salad and dessert. My fave.
3)Frutti de Mer (or something like that). It's a small Italian place in the east Village/lower east side vicinity. Tables are pushed in very close together and get there early if you don't want to wait in line. You can get an excellent pasta dish for $6-8 and the portions are HUGE. If you order an appetizer plan on sharing it. I went alone, orderd the fried calamari (it was excellent) and the order was so large I didn't have room for most of my dinner.
4) Tonnono's Pizza. In the east 80's near 2nd or 3rd? Very nice casual atmosphere and the BEST pie in NYC. It's waaaaay better than John's Pizza. Not like a cheap slice at a walk-up place - this is the real deal - fresh whole-milk mozzarella and chunks of plumtomato in the sauce.
5) Khyber Pass - a sedate and low key Ahfghani joint on St. Mark's Place. Afghani food has the elements of indian cuisine that I like but a more subtle pallette of spices is employed. Very tasty and has some cool little low table up in the window eher you can check out the sidewalk traffic.

These are just a few that I've tried and enjoyed. I very rarely spend more than $12-18 TOTAL for dinner in NYC but I skip desserts and appetizers (unless they're included) and don't drink alcohol. BRING CASH!!! Many of the smaller places (including at least 2 or 3 of the above) do not accept credit cards. Not in this price range but worth a mention is the $25 price fixe dinner offered by L'Ecole, the restaurant operated by the French Culinary Institute (at the corner of Broadway and Grand). With tax, tip and a mineral water it will add up to $35 - $40 per person but it's a meal you'd pay twice as much for anywhere else in NYC. Highly recommended and reservations are a must (but it's not snooty - atmosphere is relaxed and subdued).

Best Pizza-Lombardi's--Spring & Mott St
Best Burger-Corner Bistro-W4 & Jane St
Best Mexican-Mexican Radio-Mulberry Bt Spring & Prince St
Best Chicken Sandwich-Island Burger-9th Ave and 50th St
Good Theme Restaurant-Jekle & Hyde
Best Deli-Katz on Houston St

Just wanted to add---spent a day at the new Hayden Planetarium at the American Museum of Natural History. It was incredible---a huge silver sphere hovering in an enormous, airy glass-walled cube marks a new architectural icon on the Upper West Side. Founded in 1935 and re-conceived for 2000, the 333,500-square-foot Rose Center for Earth and Space has opened to the public after six years, newly equipped with state-of-the-art research facilities and an outstanding new exhibit: the Hall of the Universe. This is a MUST