KatPen

Back from 7 nights in New York. Can never get enough of that place!!! This trip had a lot of family events so I managed very few of the things on my list.
First hotels: I had booked the Distrikt after reading their rave reviews everywhere, and was really looking forward to experiencing it myself. Well, although I have no specific complaints, I certainly wasn’t overwhelmed. Maybe my expectations were too high. My family was staying at the Iroquois, a completely different standard of hotel. But after one night at the Distrikt I managed to get a Queen room there for a lower rate than my King at the Distrikt, so we decided to move and I was very happy with the change, even though it was a smaller room. And although I didn’t think the location of the Distrikt would bother me, my adult daughter went out with friends each night and she was very glad to come home late to the Iroquois.
Pluses for Distrikt: comfortable room but basic furnishing. Great bathroom with a lot of bench space and good hard shower.
Pluses for Iroquois: beautifully appointed rooms, nice library area off lobby, excellent location (between Times Square and Grand Central but away from the bustle). My only complaint was the poor lighting in the rooms, and when I mentioned this to housekeeping they brought me an extra lamp, and the management have since informed me that the lighting is being redone in the rooms!
Shows: Following recommendations from this forum, we went to see Buyer and Cellar on the tiny stage at the Barrow theatre in Greenwich. Great fun! Amazing one-man performance for a non-stop 90 minutes of laughs (even if we didn’t get all the inside New York jokes).
On Monday night we decided to try out Cast Party at Birdland, even though I didn’t manage to get much feedback from my posts on Fodors. For those who don’t know, Monday night has no Broadway shows, and Cast Party is an open mic night where singers can just get up and perform. There is a great 3 piece band that gets the sheet music from the performers as they get up on stage, and they do a fabulous job. The show is hosted by Jim Caruso, a veteran showman, although he looks a bit tired and mentioned many times he has been doing this for 10 years. But the acts were actually really good (except for a couple) and we had a most enjoyable evening. There is a $20 admission and $10 min cover charge. So I suggest getting a drink and not food (which wasn’t great). But I think it is a good way to spend a Monday night in New York.
Last show was Kinky Boots – very entertaining, great show.
Restaurants: Three main restaurants for finer dining…
Balthazars – a wonderful New York vibe. Just walked in on a Friday night and had to wait at the bar for about 20 minutes, but that was fun too. Great seafood and steaks. Kept looking for celebrities but didn’t see any. Probably wouldn’t recognize them anyway!
En Japanese Brasserie on Hudson Street – special décor and wonderful Japanese food. A real treat.
Vice Versa – pre-theatre dinner was delicious and well-timed to have us out with plenty of time to walk to Kinky Boots.
So this report was a bit longer than I intended, but I hope will be helpful for somebody. Enjoy New York and I will have to come back again to continue my list of things to do…

NeoPatrick

Thanks for the report. I haven't been to Cast Party in a couple years -- sounds about the same as always. Can be absolutely fantastic, but usually just some good fun.

MichelleY

Nice report. Thank you!

HowardR

Glad you are added to the list of those who enjoyed Buyer & Cellar. It really is one of the most enjoyable shows on or off Broadway.

KatPen

NeoPatrick I am glad you read my review as you were one of the few who replied and expressed an opinion about Cast Party. I was glad to give you an updated opinion. Howard, it was partly thanks to your reviews that I found out about Buyer and Cellar, and also NeoPatrick's reviews on Kinky Boots (as well as others). The thing I love about this forum, apart from all the information you can receive, is the feeling that you almost get to know some of the regular contributors (as you two) and can feel confident in their recommendations. If you think about it that is really weird, as of course I don't know anybody. But there are certain people whose posts I look for when planning a trip to New York - McLaurie, SueNYC - too many to mention but thanks to you all.

5alive

Great trip report. Our family went to New York last year and I also relied upon the advice of that same core of New York posters. Fodors should create a designation for our leading members on each state or country's board.

KatPen

Thanks. I forgot to mention that we spent Saturday in Williamsburg - at the Smorgasbord food market and then just walking around the streets - great food, great vibe! The streets are lined with people setting up tables and selling anything. Lots of fun and a different New York experience.

Pepper_von_snoot

I am laughing my ass off because my mother's favourite restaurant in Manhattan was Vice Versa and her least favourite was Balthazar!

Did you see the James Turrell exhibit at the Guggenheim? It is spectacular.

Thin

NeoPatrick

It's been quite a few years, but the guy at the table right next to us with the spikey blond hair and the bright red shoes was obviously "SOMEBODY". So I had to ask the waiter. How was I to know what Rod Stewart looked like?

NeoPatrick

Ooops. That was Balthazar!

KatPen

That's really funny NeoPatrick. Thin - unfortunately no museums this time for many reasons. As I said, I just have to come back! I also forgot to mention another restaurant - Le Marais - which is kosher and has great steaks. Apparently many people don't even realize it is kosher, and it's very good.

POMAH

I've been to 2 Broadway shows in 32 years in NYC, and would have to be dragged by force to another one!

Katz is kosher, and has dill pickles.

As for celebs... I just find a bench in Central Park, hang around 2 hours, and am sure to spot a celeb or two.
One time Seinfeld was on a line for a hot dog infront of me; Robin Williams did a dance in a fountain, Chris Walken walked by my fave bench, Celine Dion was signing autographs.
Candice Bergen likes to chill out on the West side along with her friends Regis, Danny DeVito, etc.
Oh, and saw Alec Baldwin arguing with someone on his cell phone. Turns out it was his driver who was late.

ciaony

"not touristy things - but hotels/shows/restaurants trip report" is funny.

NeoPatrick

I always like the phrases "non touristy hotel" and "non touristy restaurant". Who else stays in hotels and with so many foodies traveling for the best food and doing their research, these days you can almost count on some tourists to have sought out the very best.

5alive

To me, a non-touristy hotel is one that appeals primarily to business people or people there for conventions, etc.