I have a business trip and will be in the Chelsea area and downtown. I usually stay Uptown so I am looking for neighborhood insider tips of things to do in the neighborhood, jazz haunts that aren't the village and favorite cheap places to eat.
(I think I have a good list of the expensive ones!). Thanks.

There is so much to do and see during the summer at the Seaport and the Financial Center. Try the www.nyctourist.com site and the www.downtownnyc.com sites for lots of info.

Also the Metropolitan Club on W22nd St brings in all kinds of great talent cabaret and jazzy.

I'd also suggest getting a copy of the Village Voice and NY Magazine to see what is up while you are here.

Want to correct one web addresss it's www.downtownny.com

Hi Dianne,

NY Magazine just released their new 2007 cheap eats list. Click through the list and you'll see plenty of options in Chelsea and below 14th St.

http://nymag.com/restaurants/cheapeats/2007/34995/

Although not a cheap place to eat, you can go to Blue Water Grill across from Union Square for jazz in the basement every night.

Here is a list of restaurants mostly in the East Village. Almost all we have eaten at at least three times.
Indian-Brick Lane-Banjara, Mitali, Brick Lane

Inexpensive Italian- La Marca (3rd Ave. and 22 Street, only opened noon-10 PM, Mon-Fri)

Medium priced Italian- Cacio e Pepe, Gnocco, Supper, Luzzos (this started as a neighborhood place and has grown into a destination restaurant)

Expensive Italian- I Coppi (For dinner But great brunch pre-fixe

Inexpensive Eastern European- Veselka

Very Inexpensive Filipino-Elvie's

French Bistro-Cafe Deville, Casimir, Flea market (for atmosphere)

Greek-Pylos

Tapas-Xunta. Secretes (more expensive), Bar Carrera, Café Mono (more expensive)

Dessert-Veniero's, DeRobertis for the frozen lemon thing and tortonis.
Cones, Chinese Ice Cream Factory, Australia, Ronnybrook< Cones is by far the best

Bagels-(Not East Village) Ess-a-Bagel

Brunches-Five Points, Zoe's, Blue Ribbon Bakery Turkish Kitchen (outside the area but delectable buffet at a reasonable price.) City Bakery (18th off 5th), Cafecito (Ave C), Clinton Street Bakery ,9th St. Market, small and impossible to get into.

Pizza-Lombardi's (Sue me, it is below Houston), Totonno’s (2nd and 26th.) Pizza Fresca

Hole in the wall-Stage (next to Stomp) great cheap home made soups

French fires-Pomme Frites

Bakery where the people have gotten nicer Moishe-wonderful challah, black and whites, kickel, and sponge cake-

Noodles and dumplings-Momofuku , (we were not impressed with dimpling man on St. Marks.)

Seafood-Mermaid Inn

Thai-Pong Sri (there are few around the city) Friends House 2 (on 14th)

Fried Chicken-Birdie’s (On 1st Ave and about 9th Street.