I will be in NYC for the first time in August for a convention and staying at New York Palace Hotel. Several sightseeing tours have already been planned such as Statue of Liberty, Empire State Bldg, Broadway play, etc. Would like some suggestions on good restaurant within walking distance of hotel; Also what kind of weather in August and what kind of clothing should I pack?

The weather will be hot and sticky. There could be a bit of rain. Wear cotton and carry an umbrella. Do a NYC thread search. There's lots of great info.

Cabs are cheap in NYC so driving a long distance is no problem but The Palace has some great restaurants close by. My favorites are Daniel, Feledia and Cafe Buloud. Do a search for NYC restaurants near The Palace on

www.chowhound. com

My absolute favorite restaurant near the NY Palace is Fresco on 52nd (?) b/t Madison and Park (closer to Madison). The Scotto family, who own Fresco, are frequently on the Today show cooking their recipes. The food is great, the atmosphere good and energetic, service also very good. Mama Scotto will make you feel like a member of the family.

They have a place next door called Fresco to Go which is a great place to grab a bite for breakfast or lunch.

There are dozens of great restaurants within an easy walk of your hotel. Let us know what kind of food you prefer, and give us an idea of your budget and we can offer meaningful options. One that comes to mind immediately is Le Bernadin. Alto is also very close to the hotel. There are many many choices and that is a great location to base yourself in.

If you want to see some other things, NY Party Shuttle or Marvelous Manhattan are good options. They both have a/c buses.
nypartyshuttle.com
kingofnyc.com

Make sure to go to Top of the Rock at Rockefeller Center.

The restaurant in your hotel, Gilt, is supposed to be good.
http://menupages.com/restaurantdetai...=0&cuisineid=0

Oceana is a great seafood rest. nearby.
http://menupages.com/restaurantdetai...=3&cuisineid=0