Recently (1/12-1/15) in NYC to spend long weekend with DD. This is a Short report mainly on restaurants.

I stayed at the Courtyard Marriott SoHo. This is really on the outskirts of SoHo on Varik. Room was small but not cramped, nice sized bath and large walk-in shower. Very comfy bed. I was near the elevator but never heard it. I paid $189 for a King room. When we return in May for DD graduation, it's $359.

Subway A train via Airtrain from JFK. Smooth and a piece of cake. Once on subway, about 45 minutes to W 4th as the A became Express.

Thrs lunch - the Meatball shop in the W Village. Interesting idea- variety of meatballs served plain, on baguette, etc. You pick the meat Nd the sauce. I had spicy pork and spicy sauce. Very good

Thrs dinner Schillers liquor bar on Lower East Side. This is a very trendy place. I thought it was okay but the garlic shrimp and espresso martinis were very good.

Friday. Breakfast at La Bonbonnierre - a tiny diner in W Village. Greasy spoon stuff. Eggs perfect, blue berry pancakes yummy. Disappointed in the coffee.

Friday evening apps and wine at Bar Boulud. Excellent food, presentation, service. Expensive wine by the glass but generous pours. Cheese plate, salad, brussel sprouts, cauliflower. We could have gotten put of there cheaper but daughter was hungrier than expected and we HAD to have dessert.

Friday evening Faust opera at Lincoln center. Eh. Dark and dull. Lead had shining moments but the rest left much to be desired. We left before 4th act, as did many others.

saturday on my own most of the day exploring SoHo and in search of Frye Boots (found!). Front desk directed me to a small cafe 2 blocks away on King and MacDougal - 12 Chairs. I believe this Is a Mediterranean cafe. I had eggs and bread (excellent bread) and they added a small salad on the plate, good coffee. I enjoyed this immensely.

Stopped for apps later in the afternoon at a tapas bar on Spring St- Boqueria. To die for bacon wrapped dates, a perfect Rose`, and a nice salad. liked it so much brought DD and her beau here for dinner. Everything was excellent, great service. Faves were lamb and meatballs. Wlil return!

Made a short stop for glass of wine at Mas on Downing street. Sat at bar. Talented bartender. Restaurant menu looked amazing

Sunday AM brunch at Freemans on Rivington-not sure if this is LES, East Village? nolita?
Lovely little place hidden in an alley actually. Excellent food and coffee. My egg white and goat cheese omlette was perfect. DD and Beau had skillet eggs and enjoyed. Really good coffee. Go early (before noon) to avoid crowds. Probably earlier in season.

Sunday afternoon MOMA and drinks at Modern after.

Great weekend!
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Austin, sounds like you had a really nice weekend, and thanks for all the good restaurant tips. DW and I are going to be up there this weekend, and I'll have to keep a few of these spots in mind. Only problem with a weekend in NY is it can cost as much as a week in many other places, don't you agree?

Oh yes, especially when Mom is paying for most of the meals! I love NYC so much that I would take a long weekend in NYC over a week in many other places.

My favorites were 12 Chairs and Boqueria. Will definitely return to them next visit.

I want to go to NYC with YOU! Sounds wonderful! Thanks for the report.

"I love NYC so much that I would take a long weekend in NYC over a week in many other places. "

Very true - it's not cheap, but you get a lot of bang for your buck.

Austin - love the report! I was hoping you would share a little about FIT? My youngest is interested in it.

Congrats on your daughter's upcoming graduation. Is that Marriott a good distance to FIT?

MomDD - my daughter has done very well at FIT and loves NYC so much that she is officially a resident of NY State. Its the only school she applied to and luckily was admitted. Two of her friends also applied and one got in, the other did not. My DD majors in Marketing and Advertising. She seems to have learned alot. She also has had 3 Internships - all on her own and not required, except for the one she has now. Luckily it's paid. she probably learned as much from the internships!

This Marriott is not near FIT but is 4 blocks from where my daughter lives. As you know, NYC is expensive! My daughter was lucky that her grandpa set aside money for her college soon after she was born. Otherwise, we would never have been able to swing it. When she lived in the dorms and then in Murray hill with 4 other roommates, I used to stay at the Red Roof Inn on 32nd. It was affordable and convenient.

Grasshopper - Sounds like a great idea! ;-)

Thanks Austin! Yes, NYC is expensive! FIT is a pretty reasonable tuition even for out of state but living in NYC is not. We have family in Staten Island but that ferry ride would be a drag every day!

They have summer programs that look great that we are considering if she is still interested for next summer - she is 14 and her mind changes with the direction of the wind so we shall see.

I am thrilled your daughter has loved it. I will tell my dd. She always thinks it is a crack up when I say "I know someone" and it leads backwards to know someone from the INTERNET? ;-) She went to a gtg in Philly with me a few years ago on one of our trips - I have never lived THAT one down