Interesting spots/streets/shops on Upper East Side, NYC
 

Haven't explored too much on the Upper East Side--Madison, Park and Lexington--and the numbered streets along them. What are some interesting areas to visit there?

You didn't mention Fifth Avenue, so I presume you've explored "Museum Mile." <BR><BR>Madison Avenue harbors probably the most exclusive shopping in NYC, from 59th Street up to the mid-80's. There are also several high-end restaurants that attract the blueblood crowd (such as La Goulue). Great people watching and window shopping (even better if you can afford to go in and actually buy things). The Polo stores on the north corners of 72nd Street are my favorites. <BR><BR>Park Avenue is, well, Park Avenue. 99% residential buildings & houses of worship. <BR><BR>Lexington Avenue is more neighborhood Upper East Side (but less so than Third Avenue and east). Second & Third Aves have dozens if not hundreds of "neighborhood" restaurants, many of which offer sidewalk seating. The famous H&H Bagels is on Second near 80th Street. <BR>

Tell me about H&H Bagel.

Having rented an apartment for a month above Grace's Market at the corner of Third Avenue and 71st Street, I thought that place overshadowed Balducci's and Zabar's. There is a wonderful jam packed home decor store on the west side of Third, most of the block between 70th and 71st. As mentioned above that entire area especially on 2nd and 3rd Avenue is filled with great small neighborhood restaurants. I never knew one could eat so reasonably and so well in Manhattan.

Ahhh....H&H Bagels. Incredible fresh bagels, perfect in every way. Usually warm out of the oven in the morning. Sometimes even HOT enough to *burn* your hand through the bag. I want one right now!<BR><BR>

I'm actually a west sider but my child goes to school on the east side so I've been walking around more in that neighborhood. As a west sider, I've got to say when I read Ted's comment on "famous H&H Bagels" I only knew about the original store on Broadway & 80th - didn't know there's an east side store but I'm sure that knowledge will come in handy some day. And I agree with Patrick on Grace's Marketplace - wonderful place! The home decor store he likes is called Gracious Home, I believe.<BR><BR>In addition to Grace's, the other gourmet marketplaces I love on the upper east side are Agata & Valentina (First Ave & 79th) and the Vinegar Factory, related to Zabar's, on 91st between First & York. The Vinegar Factory also has a take-out or eat in, self-serve cafe across 91st St. And they're both across York from Asphalt Green which has great swimming facilities.<BR><BR>On upper Madison Ave, I love stopping in at E.A.T. for both their food and gift store (80th St). Another interesting place to browse is Zitomer on 75th/76th St - it's a drugstore & toy store & so much more. When I feel rich, I shop at Lobel's Meats on Madison & 83rd St - my family loves their meatballs, but it costs about as much as filet mignon.<BR><BR>You can feel French by getting some chocolate at La Maison du Chocolat on Madison & 78th then some nourishment at the communal table of Le Pain Quotidien on Mad & 84th. As long as we're in faux Paris, I've got to mention Fauchon down on Park Ave & 56th St - not the same nabe but pretty interesting I think.<BR><BR>I also like books and small bookstores which have all but disappeared in my neighborhood (except for Murder Ink/Ivy's and Bank Street). So I love Crawford Doyle on Madison & 81st, Kitchen Arts (cookbooks) on Lexington & 93rd and the Corner Bookstore on Madison & 93rd. I'm sure there are dozens more on the east side - I believe there's a Shakespeare & Co still left but I haven't been there. <BR><BR>As for places to visit, there's the Whitney on Madison & 75th, Asia Society on Park & 70th, Carl Schurz Park way at the East River & 84th-89th St and concerts, readings & classes at the 92nd St Y (Lexington Ave). And near the Y is my newest discovery - another eating place, of course, with coffee, desserts and take-out food called Yura & Co. on Madison & 92nd and another branch on Third & 92nd.<BR><BR>