Need NYC birthday recommendations
 

Good morning, Fodorites. It's that time of year again, another birthday celebration in the Big Apple. You'd think that after 5 years of coming here I'd have the weekend down pat, but...I don't.

So far, I have plans to see a show and go to the Met to see the new American wing. Maybe browse in ABC Carpet & Home, a few rare bookstores, and Asprey. Beyond that, I am, once again, at a loss. Can any of you recommend something to do? I feel a bit jaded, but I think I've seen it all already. (Of course once I get there, I realize I haven't.) This year the theme is, "Things Found Nowhere Else in the USA." You know, the unique, the hand-crafted, imported.

And screw it that the Rainbow Room is closed. Is it impossible to get into the Monkey Bar?

Walk along the High Line.

Don't know about the Monkey Bar but have you been to the Campbell Apartment in Grand Central Station? Men must wear jackets, no sneakers for anyone but it is a lovely room with a throwback to the '30s and some unique drinks. Definitely one of our favorites. http://newyork.citysearch.com/profil...apartment.html

Another interesting (and last time I looked, free) place to visit is the Forbes Galleries (http://www.forbesgalleries.com/) -- wonderful, eclectic array from the family collection.

Finally -- just heard that the Morgan Library and Museum has an exhibit on Jane Austen running through 3/14 or so. Not sure if that appeals to you but it is reportedly drawing good crowds. http://www.themorgan.org/exhibitions...tion.asp?id=22

Hope all the links work and that you have a great celebration.

If anyone else is having trouble with the link to Forbes Galleries. Remove the ) and it will work.

But I thank you for that idea, thekidsmom.

Less obscure but off many people's radar and a museum I find fascinating:
The Museum of the City of New York
http://www.mcny.org/

The new madmuseum.org Check out Madeleine Albright's pin collection. Have you been to Asiate for lunch? Their $24 prix fixe is a bargain. Speaking of which, don't know exactly when your b'day is but Restaurant week is coming up Jan. 25. http://www.nycgo.com/restaurantweek And next weekend (Jan 22) there are a lot of antique shows scattered around town. http://www.stellashows.com/

Any place that makes an egg cream (One is on 2nd Ave and St Marks)

Brooklyn Heights Promenade-Best View of Manhattan

Wall Street

Central Park

Zabar's

Yonah Schimmel's knishes

Evolution (store on Spring Street)

Brooklyn Bridge

Trade Center

Washington Mews

Aquavit

2nd Avenue Deli or Katz's

The Cage (where street baseketabll is played on a small court)

Residential architecture found throughout the city.

Hot bagels that are real such as at Ess-a-Bagel or h & H.

Outdoor sculptures-Naguchi Cube, the Nevelesons. DeBuffets.

Don't know when your birthday is but the Museum of Art and Design has 2 fabulous exhibits right now - SLASH and Madeline Albright's pin collection and they've opened a new restaurant at the top which has wonderful views and is open late enough to go after shows at Lincoln Center

http://madmuseum.org

Last night I made a brief stop in the folk art museum - it's free Fridays 5:30 to 7:30 when everyone if fighting to get into MOMA

http://folkartmuseum.org/

The Jane Austin exhibit at the Morgan is wonderful as is the Highline - both listed above -If you go to the Morgan stop in at the Traveller's Bookstore that speciaizes in rare old travel books = it's a few blocks north - same side of the street
http://www.ctrarebooks.com

You've just missed a fabulous exhibit about the 50th anniversary of starting to build Lincoln Center but they now have a same day cheap tickets place open that does free concerts a couple of times a week.
Don't forget to check the exhibits at the Public Library as well.
http://www.nypl.org/events/exhibitions

Oh and The Museo del Barrio has undergone a facelift and it has reopened. One of the best event caterers in town is running their cafe and while you are there stop in at the Museum of the City of New York and the gardens across the street.
http://www.elmuseo.org/
http://www.mcny.org/

And if you are ready for a trip to Queens or if you have time to kill before a late flight from LaGuardia, you might enjoy the Louis Armstrong House. His wife was quite a decorator and the giftshop is great.

http://louisarmstronghouse.org/

I don't get to New York as often as I'd like, but one of the blogs I look at regularly is Gotham Gal, written by a New Yorker. Lots of "insider" hip info there, especially restaurant reviews. I bookmark the sites for a future visit.
www.gothamgal.com

Thanks everyone. I wanted to walk the High Line but not at the end of January. I think I'd freeze.

I have been informed by my sister that we are going to see the Tim Burton exhibit at the MoMa.

The residential architecture is good-I'm going to look into an architectural tour from the AIA.

The 2nd Avenue Deli--it reopened? I've eaten there lots of times, until it closed a few years ago. Can't say I'm going to be in the mood for chopped liver...I'm going to read NeoPatrick's trip reports...I always get good food recommendations from them.

I'd look for an architecture tour from Municipal Arts Society

www.mas.org

2nd Ave Deli re-opened about two years ago.

If you go to the library and get a copy of the AIA Guide To New York, it will give you a runnign start. (One of the authors died last month.)

What kind of food are you looking for?

For the last several years I've lived in suburban Maryland, where "going out to dinner" was PF Chang's or The Cheesecake Factory. So what I want is something to get the taste of overcooked meat out of my mouth, something uniquely cosmopolitan. Really cosmopolitan. I used to have tea at the Palm Court, but it's under renovation and though tea's been moved to the Champagne Bar, I think they've doubled the price (to about $60). So I'm thinking I'll try Lady Mendl's.

Asiate looks nice for lunch; you cannot beat that view.

A few years ago there was this great trip report of a couple who spend a long weekend in NYC on what was basically a divine eating experience. I can't find it. And someone (NeoPatrick?) used to spend a month in NYC and I used several of his recommendations last time I went. I will need dinner somewhere before a show.

I'd really like to find a Wagamama-type restaurant to try...anyone know of any?

We really enjoyed our visit to the store and restaurant here:

http://www.takashimaya-ny.com/

Momofuku Noodle Barr; Ippudo; Ramen Setagaya, Rai Rai Ken are all popular ramen places, if you mean by like Wagamama-type, mid-priced places with communal tables.

Lunch at Asiate is supposed to be one of the great bargains of NYC - a very cool, corporate upscale atmosphere with a great view.

As for different experiences, you might like the Rubin Museum on 17th St, - a wonderful collection of Himalayan Art that also has great events and music programming.

Tea at Lady Mendl's doesn't really strike me as cosmopolitan as much as I don't know, a place for flowery, bridal shower-y type of meals, but . . . how about incredible forward thinking sushi with spectacular uni at one of the great, unsung NYC places, Soto?
Or a happening skinny paella bar called Soccarat? Or terrific (if pricy) Italian food at Apizz or Peasant? Or sit at the bar at Gotham Bar and Grill and have a glass of wine and one of their delicious appetizers? just a few ideas for NYC stuff. You can find out more at www.nymag.com

For a truly singular New York City experience, why not go to the Tenement Museum in the LES?

http://www.tenement.org/

Try Jing Fong for Dim Sum

Supper-northern Italian

Tia Pol for tapas

I thought Wagamama was Wegman's mother.

The East Village is currently over run with ramen places.

What about Tea & Sympathy it isn't fancy but it is definitely an experience. The afternoon tea is good, but you'll have to mind the decor and the small space. The Russian Team Room also offer afternoon tea, so does the Waldorf and the Plaza Hotel.

For things you can't find anywhere consider visiting the other parts of NYC like Queens and Brooklyn, there a lots of local unique things and people. Like Sahadis for spices, Di Fara for pizza-one man one pizza at a time. Egg creme at Tom's diner.

In Manhattan-maybe an off-off Broadway show, or lunch at the German House.

Is the Palm Court at the Plaza now open again for tea?

Palm Court is not open.