Fodor's Travel Talk Forums - New York in December

Amy - If you hit the Korean BBQ restaurants, you'll come out smelling like you went to one. The grill is right on your table. I've never been rushed at Kang Suh and I've been there at all hours many times. For some serious *wintery* Korean eats, go directly across the street from Kang Suh to a restaurant that has wood paneling & try some bone soup with spicy pickled radish. YUM! For cheaper Korean eats, walk up 32nd Street, stay on your right and you'll find a 24 hour joint that serves prepackaged (but fresh!) food as well as a small buffet that includes bulgogi (the stuff you'd eat at the bbq restaurants). Of course, you can do the Empire State building first, then hit Macy's - the largest department store in the world! Just don't expect top notch customer service from everyone there... THEN have your Korean meal. Little Italy and Chinatown is a mere 15 minutes (if even) - Just TWO stops on Q or W subway line. Little Italy is not what it used to be - very touristy with "new locals" and chichi boutique shops popping up. Chinatown is changing too with a large Duane Reade (chain drugstore), Subways (chain sandwich shop) and a McDonalds smack dab on Bowery Street. Many of the old time spots for awesome food closed down and these chains took over =( From Chinatown, you can walk or bus it to South Street Seaport / Pier 17. Further south, is City Hall, Battery Park, etc. Have a great time!