Going to NYC for 4th of July w/e
 

We went to NY about 2 years ago and have done some of the tourist attractions. This is what we have planned for our next trip. I would appreciate your input especially for our two sit down dinners. It is a group of 4 27-30 year olds.
NYC:
Going to see Avenue Q and hopefully Spamalot
Sightseeing
Chrysler Building
Grand Central Terminal
Central Park
Natural History Museum
F.A.O. Schwarz
Food:
Lunch:
Papaya King or Grey’s Papaya for a hot dog
John's Pizza or Lombardi’s
Carnegie Deli or Katz’s ( will be going here after show)
Snack/Breakfast:
Jacques Torres bakery in Manhattan
Veniero’s Italian Bakery and Ferrara’s
Dinner:
Balathazar or Pastis ??
A good Italian restaurant in Little Italy? Maybe Angelo's?

Also how about great bagels in the midtown area. We are staying in the Hilton NY. TIA!

I'll try to answer some of your questions:

Papaya King or Gray's Papaya -- these are virtually the same and you should go with whichever is most convenient. I wouldn't go out of my way for either one, personally, but it's a fine snack if you happen to be by one.

John's Pizza or Lombardi's -- I've never been to Lombardi's, but John's is good, they sell whole pies only, nice atmosphere, salads are good, too.

Carnegie Deli or Katz's (for after a show) -- Katz's is on the Lower East Side and, therefore, not convenient to the theatre district. Go with Carnegie.

Bagels in Midtown -- 57th & 7th is a Pick-A-Bagel. Good bagels and appetizing.

I would choose Balthazar or Pastis, but both are good. I think the atmosphere at Balthazar is a bit better for a sit-down dinner. Il Cortile or Da Nico are both good restaurants in Little Italy. Definitely do your research and make reservations before you go out to dinner. It's easy to end up at a mediocre tourist trap if you don't have the names of a few good restaurants.
If you are looking for great bagels, you might want to swing by H&H on your way to the Museum of Natural History. Fantastic bagels on the Upper West Side.

Sorry...I meant Balthazar over Pastis!

You should call today for a reservation for Balthazar or Pastis (same phone #).

"hopefully Spamalot "? I hope you don't think you'll get these at the TKTS booth.

Agree that either Papaya King or Gray's depending on where you are, but do you realize these are just snack bars with a counter and stools, not even tables?

I can't imagine eating at either Carnegie or Katz's <i>after</i> a show. As already stated, katz's is nowhere near the theaters or your hotel. I'd do one of these delis for a lunch. Make sure you share. Sandwiches at the Carnegie are HUGE. (There's a charge for sharing but it doesn't matter. Pay extra for some extra bread).

For after a show, go to Joe Allen's for a burger or salad or meatloaf. Then head across the street to Don't Tell Mama. OR, get your Italian fix at Becco, Orso or Lattanzi, all on the same street as Joe Allen (restaurant row). Make reservations!

Jacques Torres is not a bakery but a chocolate shop.
http://www.mrchocolate.com/default.aspx

Veneiro's has better pastry (imo).

Since you're into NY food, don't miss some cheesecake. It's good at the Carnegie deli and Junior's, famous for cheesecake is inside Grand Central station and now also has a place in Times Square.

Little Italy is truly tourist central. Save yourselves a trip and eat elsewhere. There's much better Italian in NYC.

Both Balthazar and Pastis are good (and owned by the same people). Balthazar is in Soho and Pastis is in the meatpacking district. (Both are open for breakfast too). Pick whichever is most convenient to your plans.

I hope you've figured out where to go to see the fireworks! YOu should also try to squeeze in some sort of boat ride even if it's a water taxi ride.
Have fun!

Well since Little italy was referred to as &quot;tourist central&quot;. it should also be safe to say that, nowadays, Balthazar is also overly touristic.

I'm not dissuading anyoine from going, but, fwiw and imho, the last couple of times that we dined there, it's hard not to hear that every table all around us were from out-of-town (one has to to converse louder than the next table in order to hear each other); besides, the food's really nothing to be writing home about and I know that there are better bistros/brasseries in NYC. However, the dated brasserie decor is still appealing. JMHO.

Since you are going to Grand Central Station you should check out the &quot;Whispering Wall&quot;. Very cool...

hardly anyone knows the fantastic trick you can play just outside the Oyster Bar. The beautiful tiled ceiling, with a dome formed by two arched passages crossing at right angles, acts as a whispering gallery. Stand facing one of the pillars while your companion faces the one diagonally opposite - you'll be able to whisper to each other, completely unheard by the commuters hurrying past. It's a secret little dose of romance in one of New York's busiest spots - and it's absolutely free.
How to get there: On the subway (New York's equivalent to the London Underground), go to Grand Central/42nd St station, on the S/4/5/6/7 trains. If you're walking, you want the East 42nd St and Vanderbilt Avenue entrance to Grand Central. Once inside the station, ask anyone where the Oyster Bar is.


If you're going to have lunch while you're there I'd recommend the Indian place. If you want Mexican Zocalo's is wonderful - Great Blood Orange Margaritas. All of these things are in the same place you can get your Junior's Cheesecake!

Bill, in response to your comment above, could you list some of the bistros/brasseries that are better than Balthazar in NYC? (and no, I'm not being sarcastic!) I've enjoyed Balthazar on previous visits and would be interested in hearing of some that were even better. Thanks

Raoul's is quite good and just around the corner. I really like Artisanal as well, but different neighborhood.

grantop wrote:
&lt;&lt;&lt;Bill, in response to your comment above, could you list some of the bistros/brasseries that are better than Balthazar in NYC?&gt;&gt;&gt;

I would love to name my prefered bistros/brasseries in NYc. However, I do recall that in another thread you were adamant about restaurants in NYC where you have had a glass of wine and a light lunch for under $20. I was one of those that requested for you to name them and you answered every posts short of providing the names of your under $20 restaurants.

This is not being sarcastic, either, but sorry.

I went to Torres' shop and he had baked goods and that is what I am going for as his cookies are divine. We were there last time. YUM!
I have heard Patsy's is good basic Italian maybe we'll go there instead of Little Italy. Thank you all for your wonderful responses.

Billyboy, No problem - I didn't provide my list over there because you were so rude on that thread. Sorry.

Thanks Lizzie for sharing your knowldege, I appreciate it.

grantop,

Can you comprehend the threads here at all?

I think you'd better revisit the thread and carefully see for yourself who was actually providing information to your question and who was being rude as you dismissed others who tried to provide information.

Bill, please don't spoil Keli's thread.

grantop,

Are you always this argumentative? I stated my position earlier on, and you just wouldn't let it go.

It's really easy, please just let it go.

I will be scratching Little Italy dinner. Please recommend a great homey Italian restaurant not too $$$ (Pastas 18-25). Last time we were there we went to Nanni's and absolutely loved it. I'd like something like that. Thank you for your help thus far.

Lupa, a Mario Batali joint, is a terrific Italian restaurant. It's in the West Village, along Thompson near Houston St.

Best bagels Midtown (aside from Ess and H&amp;H): Pick-A-Bagel on the southwest corner of West 57th and Seventh Avenue. Look for the line.