My husband, friend and I will be spending the day in New York City on Saturday. We have only 9 hours! Here's our plans so far...

10:00 (approx) - Arrive at 51st & 7th Avenue. Buy Metro Card Day Pass.
10:15 - Subway to 71st & Broadway.
We need suggestions for a place to sit and have coffee/tea and pastries.
12:00 - Meet @ 81st & Central Park West for the Central Park Conservancy Free Walking Tour of West Side Stories.
1:30 - Subway to Brooklyn Heights
2:00 - Explore the area - Eat pizza @ Grimaldi's, ice cream at the Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory, check out the chocolate at Jocques Torres' Chocolate Shop, walk around DUMBO, maybe check out the Plymouth Rock Pilgrims Church.
5:00 - Walk the Brooklyn Bridge to Manhattan.
We need suggestions for a place to sit and have a beer and appetizers.
6:30 - Subway to 51st & 7th Avenue
7:00 - Depart for home

All times are approximate except for the noon walking tour and the 7:00 pm departure time.

Robyn

You might try Café Luxembourg for your morning coffee and a light bite. 200W70, between Amsterdam and West End. http://www.cafeluxembourg.com/

And, for the afternoon stop, I would suggest the bar at Le Parker Méridien. http://tinyurl.com/384t32

They took a formerly virtually vacant arcade on the 57th Street side of their lobby, in the block between Sixth and Seventh Avenues, and turned it into a very stylish bar. We stopped there the other night after a Carnegie Hall concert--it was very comfortable with great recorded jazz in a high-ceilinged, plushly appointed room. Nearby in the lobby is their famous Burger Joint if you want something a little more substantial to eat.

It's then only a few blocks' walk back to 51st.

Or you could consider Cafe Sabarsky at the Neue Gallerie at 86th/Fifth (across from the Metropolitan Museum) and then walk across the park to your noon tour. http://www.cafesabarsky.com/

I'm wondering if you have a typo. Otherwise why are you going to 71 st & B'way if the tour starts at 81st? Nearer 81 st., you could go to Corner Cafe http://www.menupages.com/restaurants...cafe-bakery-2/ or Cafe Lalo. If you have some reason to go to 71 st., Cafe Luxembourg is a nice idea and a comfortable place to sit, but my favorite pastry place in that area is Levain's Bakery @ 167 West 74th St Their chocolate chip cookies are orgasmic and they also have great scones and cinnamon buns. You'd have to sit on the bench outside though. Aroma Espresso bar is another option 161 W 72nd Street (Amsterdam & Columbus)

For beer & apps. I agree with bspielman's idea of heading near the bus stop. Parker Meridien sounds great. For something more casual, Maison at 7th ave. & 53 st. has a large outdoor seating area if it's nice or you can sit inside. Lots of options from apps. to burgers, crepes, salads etc. http://www.maisonnyc.com/index.php

Thank you for your suggestions. I will check out some of the websites.

Gardyloo - Cafe Sabarsky is on my list of places that I would like to eventually try. But I think I'll wait until we visit the Metropolitan again (being it's on the other side of the park).

McLaurie - We like the UWS neighborhood (have spent quite a bit of time there, we use to have access to a condo on 72nd between Columbus and Broadway) and thought we would just meander our way up to 81st Street.

Thanks again for your replies. Now, if Mother Nature will just cooperate and hold off on raining on us on Saturday!

Robyn

I'd just like to add that if your bus leaves at 7 you might want to get a bite in that area, so that you will be closer and not have to rush to get back to the bus. Lots of eateries in the area where you are getting back on the bus.

Have fun while you are here.