martite
Part of going to the Met if you don't live in NY is the ambiance around the Met -- all the people sitting on the steps outside, street performers, etc. and the building, setting itself. May should be gorgeous. While the Frick is a wonderful small museum, missing the Met is like going to Paris and never going to the Louvre. Obviously you aren't going to see it all but you can pick and choose the parts you want to see most. And if you love art, doing both the Met and MOMA (albeit on diff days like you've now planned) will give you two completely different art experiences.

If you use Doug's suggestion of Met AM, then Chinatown for dim sum, you have a whole late afternoon, evening ahead of you.

I'm not a great fan of Chinatown -- I'd probably head over to the meat market section (near Chelsea Market) for brunch at one of the many restaurants in that area. Pastis is intriguing/like a french bistro with outside tables too if it's a nice day. You'd be right on the edge of the most interesting part of Greenwich Village too.

Thank you so much for everyone's reply. It has helped me considerably. Below is what I have planned thus far. I'm still a little sketchy on dinner plans. Thanks for the suggestions to Blue Water Grill but I'm from Chicago and we have one here. It was really good. I'm looking for restaurants that are more unique to the area. I'll probably try City Crab on Friday for my fill of seafood. I'm still not sure for Saturday. I was thinking Vivolo but I don't see any online reviews for it and would probably prefer somewhere closer to midtown as I'd like to end my evening at the ESB on Saturday. I know its cheesy at Rock Bottom is apparently better but its our anniversary....Please feel free to comment or add suggestions.


Friday May 18
Arrive ~Noon LGA (CAB)
Check in to Roosevelt Hotel
Lunch: Carnegie Deli or John's Pizzeria (should be in walking distance)
Check out MOMA walk through Central Park
Dinner: City Crab? or Ethnic? Not sure yet.

Saturday May 19
Probably catch some coffee and bagel at Grand Central
7 am or so Ellis Island/Statue of Liberty (booked tix in advance)
Lunch: Financier Patisserie (Hanover Sq)
Visit Ground zero and Wall Street
Dinner 8:30pm at ??? Not sure yet (Cafe D'Artistes?)
After dinner, check out Empire State Bldg.

Sunday May 20
Go to the MET very early in the AM
Noon: Chinatown for Dim Sum (Jing Fong)
Walk around Chelsea/Chinatown/SOHO
Might go back to MET for more exhibits (pass works all day)
Dinner: Modern at the MET? Depends....

Monday May 21
Wake up early for a good hearty Breakfast (Ess-A-Bagel)
Leave for LGA for a 12:45pm flight.

martite, about your sunday schedule.
While the Met is a busy pplace, I don't think it's absolutely necessary to go first thing in the morning (9:30). Sure, it's a busy place, but if you're going just to look around, take in some highlights of the place, and are not trying to see a big "blockbuster" exhibit, it won't be so crowded on a Sunday afternoon that you can't manage. It's a HUGE museum, and I spend half my weekends there, and still always manage to find a quiet spot there too.
Running there first thing in the morning, then Chinatown, then maybe coming back seems rushed, to me. Start your dim sum a little early, walk around, then retreat to the museum.
Also the Modern restaurant you listed for dinner is at the Museum of Modern art, not the Met.

Are you sure about eating at the Financier? I haven't had their food, but everything there is a little expensive and the place is really tiny. It is a pretty little place so if there's something you really like about it then go. But there are other places down here you might enjoy more. (i work across the street!) The Financier has really good gelato. If it's a nice day you might want to walk over to the South Street Seaport either for lunch or just to stroll and look.

Dohlice, Thanks, I wasn't sure what was in that area. It was recommended in the Fodor's book. What do you recommend at the seaport? Is it far?

I don't know where you looked for reviews of Vivolo, but there are certainly good ones at menupages.
http://menupages.com/restaurantdetai...mp;cuisineid=0

It will be less expensive than Cafe Des Artistes which I think is past it's prime. It's also not that much closer to ESB. (There is very little GREAT dining near ESB unless you want steak at Keen's).

Paris Cafe might be a good option near the Seaport.
http://menupages.com/restaurantdetai...p;cuisineid=55

The seaport isn't far at all from where you'll be. There is even a free shuttle that runs from Battery Park and goes to the Seaport - http://tinyurl.com/34tzmc
I like Red at the seaport if you like Mexican. There is also the Heartland Brewery. I haven't been to that location, but the others are good. The Financier might be fine, but I like to plop down and rest my feet on vacation and that isn't a place you can spread out. Further up Pearl street (going away from the statue of liberty) there are some decent taverns as well. The Mercantile and further up - the Full Schilling are both fine. If you're not sure what you're in the mood for you can also go to Zeytuna (on Maiden Lane). You can get anything you want there - from sushi to a carving station - and it's all good. There are tables for self serve and there's also a full service dining area. Then you can go straight up Maiden Lane to the WTC.

We will also be doing the Statue of Liberty/Ellis Island, and then needing lunch. What is recommended for something in the area for family with teenagers. We will then head to Ground Zero, and then half-way walk across the Brooklyn Bridge. Lunch suggestions, please?