My husband just told me that he is "surprising" me with a trip to New York for my 50th birthday. He's never been, but he knows it's one of my favorite places. We are going Friday,April 19 and returning home Sunday, April 21. He already has reservations for dinner at the River Cafe in Brooklyn for Friday night and tickets to the Producers Saturday night. I need help with a good pretheater restuarant that I can get reservations to at this date. I've also always wanted to explore Greenwich Village. Can anyone give me any pointers there or any other suggestions for this trip.

Thanks
Judy

Try Chez Josephine on 42nd Street, just west of 9th Avenue. Just right for that special weekend your husband has planned. It's a 4-5 block walk to the theater.
It's owned by two of Josephine Baker's rainbow children, with one of them--Jean-Claude--serving as a most gracious host. You'll love him...and the restaurant!
Make reservations today--212-595-1925.

My DH took me for my 50th and it was great. Had a fabulous dinner at Daniel.
Stroll along Madison, Lexington and 5th ave. Go to the 6th floor of Bloomingdales for Martines chocolates. Shop at ABC at 19th and Broadway then go across the street for dishes at Fish Eddys. Have soup dumplings (get the crab ones) at Joes Shanghai on Pell st. Chinatown. Buy some pastries at Ferrara bakery on Grand in Little Italy. Pay your respects at the world trade center, you just go, don't need tickets, in front of Century 21, then shop inside. If you love museums do the Met early, down the street is the Frick. Walk from one to the other in Central Park. Go to Grand Central Station and see how wonderful it looks now then go downstairs to the food court and have a Little Pie and coffee.
I just got back with my daughter and I love this town!

Thanks Marilayne you have given me some great suggestions. And thanks to you too, Howard. If you have any more ideas I'd love to hear them.

Judy

Try Orso or Joe Allen for pre-theatre dinner. Another option is the revolving dining room at the Marriott Marquis which is on the very top floor. You're right in the heart of Broadway and the view is spectacular. The food is surprisingly decent. I frequent NYC fairly often. My best meals have been at Union Square Cafe and Babbo. I also second the ideas on shoopping at Century 21 (a good vantage point for Ground Zero) and touring the Frick.

How nice, you can combine a shopping experience with gawking at the WTC site.
"Look honey, I got this great blouse and took a few pictures of the men digging out the bodies"

Judy, I hope that the wit you find in "The Producers" is of a better class than the poster directly above. Do you reckon that's his real email address?
Notice how he had nothing at all constructive to offer.... just rubbishing someone who was trying to help.
When we were in New York, we found it was great to walk across the Brooklyn Bridge... since you are going there for dinner, why not walk across in mid-afternoon? There's a great cheesecake shop over there, too, for a late-afternoon snack..... unfortunately, I can't remember its name, but it's quite well-known so I am sure 100 people will be able to tell you.

My husband actually did surprise me with a NYC trip (both our firsts) for our 5th anniversary (all the way up until the airport exit - I thought we were driving to ATlanta)

We had the greatest dinner of my life at Daniel. The last time I called there for a res. (I see NY more often now) they offered me a 5:00 and 10:00 reservation only....so you might be able to get in pre-theater. Hurry, that was 3 weeks in advance.

Have a GREAT time!

Carmines or Puleo's in the theater district for Italian. I would avoid the revolving resteraunt in the Marriott Marquis. Was there 2 weeks ago and the food was awful. If you go, expect an al la carte menu with steaks for $36, salad for $10, veggies for $10, etc. Worst meal we had. Have a great time.

Yeah, I'd avoid the restaurants in the Marriott Marquis, especially the revolving restaurant at the top. "The View" isn't that great anymore, with fully 1/4 of the ride staring at the Viacom Building across the street (i.e., MTV), and a very limited "view" of the Empire State Building and Times Square. The elevator ride is fun though, and it's a freebie.

Funny, someone I know (very well) who is in NYC every day is having their 50th soon and is going to Bermuda!

Have fun, and my condolences.

I would suggest you wander around SoHo, taking the Prince or Spring Streets subway stops, visiting some of the art galleries and fashionable shops, then go east to Little Italy for an expresso and snack and then head north to Greenwich Village for more sights. I love the River Cafe and the view is so romantic. Have a wonderful 50th!

Hi, I like Bobbies recommendation.Dinner in that area is great, I like Provence on MacDougal St.charming & delicious.Or Zoe on Spring Street.Then there are sooo many great boutiques and galleries to browse through.
**I think that it is always best to remember that the WTC site is an ongoing process of body recovery and the people that have to live/work near there see and have seen terrible things .It is very difficult for some New Yorkers to deal with and to mention seeing the site and shopping at Century 21 at the same time, can sound a little crass.JMHO

Pay your respects at the world trade center, you just go, don't need tickets, in front of Century 21, then shop inside.


Is this what you mean == crass?
Pretty f-ing insensitive I think!

Some of you people act like such a bunch of babies. How did this thread, a person coming to NY for their 50th, get turned into another of these idiotic ground zero debates?

Judy is not a fool and can make up her mind for herself.

I will say this: Ground Zero looks like a construction site, and the whole area is overrun with tourists. You can buy Ground Zero tshirts, hats, and photos of the Trade Center before and after. There is really nothing to "see", but if anyone wants to go there to pay their respects -- and then drop by Century 21 -- by all means go. Two of the many things that this country is about and what makes it great are free enterprise and freedom of choice. Follow your heart, not the opinions of anonymous people on a website.

Tnanks to everyone for your thoughts and suggestions. I think I can use them to help me convince my husband that he needs to "surprise" with a return visit for our anniversary this summer.

Danna, he would have pulled off the "surprise" had I not started to make flight reservations to Amsterdam with a few friends for that weekend. Otherwise , I may have been like you thinking that we were going to Atlanta also. We live just an hour south of Atlanta.

And thanks friend for realizing my mother didn't raise a fool. I will be paying my respects at Ground Zero. The last time I was in New York, I took my children to dinner at the Windows of the World restaurant. It was a great night, a beautiful night, and a wonderful memory.