First Timer in NYC
 

My wife and I are staying at Michelangelos in Manhattan over Valentine's weekend. This will be our first time in Manhattan and I really would love some suggestions on things to do/see, etc. We don't want it to be a big sight-seeing trip, but would love to possibly attend a show and eat at a few fine restaurants in the area. <BR><BR>Any help is appreciated!<BR>

First of all, you've got to be a bit more specific in what type of show you'd like to see, what type of restaurant(s) and a price range for the restaurants.<BR>Second, if you don't want it to "be a big sightseeing trip," what do you want to do besides see a show and eat?

Hi, JJ-my first response to your question would be to look through all of these threads and check the posts that already deal with what to do in NYC..there is so much info on here already-then you can ask specific questions~

Howard: I'm really hoping for the weekend to be a romantic and relaxing one, versus trying to see everything nyc has to offer in a weekend. Maybe just walking around and seeing the sights in the immediate area and have some great meals! Our hotel is around 51st and 6th Ave.<BR><BR>We both love Italian food, so that would be our first choice in terms of a specific type of restaurant. Probably looking at a max of $50-60/person.<BR><BR>Based on some of the other posts, I will probably take my chances with a show at the tkts booth in Times Square. <BR>

There's an excellent Italian restaurant--Remi--right near your hotel on West 53rd Street, between 6th and 7th Avenues. It's within your price range. Highly recommended.<BR>As for things to do, you are in a most convenient location for "just walking around and seeing the sights."<BR>Rockefeller Center, St. Patrick's Cathedral and other Fifth Avenue sights and attractions are within a couple blocks of your hotel. Times Square is a few blocks away and Central Park is a 10-block (half-mile) walk away. The Empire State Building and Macy's are less than a mile away. (Keep in mind that 20 north-south blocks are the equivalent of a mile.)

Howard: Thanks for the information. That sounds like what we are looking to do.<BR><BR>How would you compare Remi with Barbetta? Although the reviews were limited on this site, Barbetta received much better reviews than Remi. Also, how about Esca? If we wanted seafood, would that be a good choice?<BR>

As one person's opinion, I think Remi is better.

Here's a great walk: Walk down Mulberry Street from the Spring Street area, through the heart of Little Italy. Have lunch. Turn west on Canal Street and enjoy Chinatown. At West Broadway, turn north and walk through SoHo. Great walk, you see 3 neighborhoods.

JJ: Try Fresco by Scotto, at 52nd and Madison, for a great Italian meal, its a see and be seen place with excellant food. You won't be disappointed.<BR><BR>Two other suggestions are Torre di Pisa on 44th Street between 5th and 6th Avenue. Beautiful restaurant with good Italian food. Has a very good pre-theater that is quite reasonable.<BR><BR>If you are looking for something before or after theater, try Ciro at 45th and 8th Avenue. Italian owner, Italian chef, has a $24 pre-fixe in addition to a full ala carte menu of Italian favorites. It's one of our theater district favorites and reasonably priced, generally, about $40 per person including tax, tip and drinks.<BR><BR>

Walk over to 9th Avenue, there are plenty of fun, small restauarnts in the 40's and 50's. Uncle Nick's has greek food, Rachels' -- American, lots of cheaper fun finds.<BR><BR>Wander around the west village -- see if a restaurant call ed The Grange Hall is still around, West Village is very romantic. Chelsea Market is a neat indoor food market, I always found it oddly romantic. Go to Zagat.com to look for reastaurants.

Cite, 120 W. 51st St. (bet. 6th & 7th Aves.), has a great prix fix wine tasting menu after 8pm. The food is excellent (and so is the wine).

Take a walk in Central Park to the Central Park Zoo, or the children's zoo, or whatever it is called--it is really lovely, it feels like another world, kind of European. It's beautiful and uncrowded in winter. It is a nice walk from where you're staying. I think you can buy a cup of coffee in a paper cup there.

Thanks to everyone for the information!

Has anyone taken the WorldYacht cruise? If so, how was it?<BR><BR>http://www.worldyacht.com

The view is good, the food is not! And, the latter is expensive!

Eeek... stay away from Uncle Nick's. Baaaad experience there. World Yacht Cruise.... hmmm... MAYBE in the summer but not now. It's very expensive and, in my opinion, not worth the money. The food is quite bad, actually. I would try The River Cafe in Brooklyn (very easy cab ride). Great view (even post-9/11) and superb food. You might also want to try The Water's Edge which is in Long Island City. The restaurant offers a free water shuttle to the restaurant and they will call you a cab for your return (easy cab ride back as well). The food is also very good, nice view, and very good service.<BR><BR>Good luck and have a great time in NYC!

Topping

I don't doubt that it has happened to someone, but I never had a bad meal at Uncle Nick's.

jj, have you ever stayed at this hotel before? I will be be there on feb 8 & 9. I've only heard wonderful things.

Michaelangelo is a really nice hotel choice and has a great location. You're an easy walk to the Times Square & the theatre district, to restaurant row, to Rockefeller Center, the Museum of Modern Art, and to Central Park. If you have some time to kill take a leisurely stroll down 57th street from Broadway to Park a shot - great shopping and dining, then just a short walk over to Central Park.

Cindy-<BR> I have never stayed there, but I have also heard great things about the hotel. Anyone I have asked about it had only good things to say.<BR> Please post your thoughts and opinions on the hotel and your stay when you get back from your trip!<BR>

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There is a really good moderately priced Italian restaurant in the theater district near your hotel called Becco. Nice atmosphere, and the food is excellent. You also get a lot of value for the price and there is a large selection. They also do a great prix fixe where for $21.00 (I think that's the dinner prix fixe price these days) you get a large antipasto plate and unlimited amounts of their 3 freshly made pastas of the day. They are usually excellent. The wine list is also good and very reasonable (usually around the low 20s a bottle on the non-reserve list). It always gets crowded so make reservations. <BR><BR>Enjoy!!!