I'm living in NYC for the month of December near E 3rd and 25th Street. Looking for local inputs as to where to go to eat, drink, and be merry. Like brewpubs, bargain restaurants (nice but reasonable, all types of food). Where to shop for groceries?

Any chance of getting lottery tickets to Wicked and Lion King. Am flexible and lots of time. Used TKTS for tickets to Avenue Q already but heard the others don't show here usually.

Any other sites not to miss / favorites besides the major sites that I can get from a travel guide.

Looking for places where you would take your relatives (that have traveled the world) that are visiting for a week.

If you're in Gramercy, then you probably mean 3rd Ave and 25th.

A great resource: www.menupages.com

Pete's Tavern is a local favorite.

Also you're a short walk from Union Square and all it has to offer.

Enjoy NYC!

Sorry to disagree with Gekko but Pete's is dreadful. Friend of the Farmer is over rated and you must be selective on all the restauants on Park South.

One of NY great food values on the corner of 3rd and 22nd Street called LaMarca, variations on pasta. Crazy hours closed Saturday and Sunday.

One of our favorite places is City Bakery on East 18th off Fifth. They know how to make croissants and other pastries, many tables for eating there. People tell me celebrities drop in but I am so unhip, I never recognized one.

Blue Smoke on East 27 has expensive but excellent ribs.

Pizza Fresca on East 20th. For some lucky reason, this place has not caught on as one of the best sit down pizza places in the city. Long wine list, very good pastas.

Ess-a-bagel, First Avenue and 21 Street. INMO best bagels in the city. Madhouse at breakfast and weekends limited seating.

Turkish Kitchen-3rd and 27, Great value for lunch and Sunday brunch. I do not know about authencity but it tastes good.

Lexington Ave is filled with Indian restaurants, My favorite just changed management and I have not been back.

That should gte you started.

I'm with Aduchamp, mostly, and would add Via Emilia on 21st between Bway and Park Ave So., very reasonnable, unusual Italian. Gets a nice young crowd.

Aduchamp and I disagree about Casa Mono - I really like it, he does not. We agree to disagree. It is cramped and noisy and inauthentic tapas, but I still find it delicious fun to sit at the bar with a cava and munch on their very good hams or piquillo peppers.

Walk over to Madison Square Park and check out the Shake Shack.

We also agree on the Shake Shack but the lines at lunch are maddening. I understand they now have a webcam to monitor the lines.

I have not tried Via Emilia but will do try it.

I've been going to Pete's forever, and it's great as far as pub grub goes (it's been there since the 1860's).

Shake Shack has had some issues with cleanliness, but I enjoy it anyway.

Danny Meyer's Blue Smoke is one of my favorites too!

Yes I mean 3rd Ave and 25th. Thanks for the inputs below, they look great and gives me a start.

I'm very excited about the month. It has been awhile since I've lived in a large city, love this place.

Where do you go shopping for groceries. There is a D'Agostino on the corner. Is that the best place?

You can see what's been at the TKTS booth the last week by going to tdf.org/tkts Wicked is not likely but Lion King could surprise you. Wicked is a popular lottery but if you've got the time, you could get lucky. Just be prepared for a lot of people. There are loads of other shows that are possible. Look on broadwaybox.com in the left hand column and avoid the uncertainty of the TKTS booth. What about the Radio City Xmas Spectacular? Everyone should go at least once in their lifetime. There are tix at TKTS.

Todai is an all you can eat Asian buffet on 32 st (6 east). Trader Joes at Union Square has very good bargains (market) and there's a Whole Foods there too. You're not far from Curry Hill Indian section on Lexington Ave. in the 20's.

I just hope you've got a legitimate hotel room or an apt. that belongs to someone you know. Lots of apt. scams from online rentals.

The NY Times (on Friday), Time Out NY, the New Yorker and New York Magazine will all have listing for special events. There are Xmas markets in 4+ locations. There's a new museum of Art and Design at Columbus Circle. There are various free walking tours and another discount tips listed here nymag.com/cheap)

If you are used to suburban supermarkets you will hate NYC supermarkers, over priced and small selection.

if you would like German food that is close to your apt:

http://nymag.com/listings/restaurant/rolfs/

I'm more uptown, but if I lived where you did, I'd shop at Trader Joe's in Union Square. There is a WF there too, but I'm more a TJ person.

The Union Square greenmarket on Saturday mornings for veggies and fruit, cheese and meats. Much better then the franken fruit and vegetables at the supermarket. There is a stand that sells Concord grapes from upstate. Delicious. Melts in your mouth.

One more thing. Not sure if you like Indian food, but I like shopping at the Curry Hill Indian groceries. Good spice and rice selection.

I recently had a great burger for lunch with ds at Old Town Bar and Restaurant - 45 East 18th (Bway and Park). It dates back to 1892 (not the burgers!) We ate at the bar and this place is truly old New York. I loved that the bartender brought food and drinks for the regulars without asking what they wanted.

http://www.penelopenyc.com/ on Lex is another good idea for breakfast. Gets crazy on weekends but good during the week.

mclaurie, I've walked by penelope (my son swims at the Baruch College pool on a club team right near there) and wondered about it - is it good? Worth going out of your way for, or just, if you're in the neighborhood, good?

You're lucky you have a D'Agostino near you... they're good for basics.. pretty good super market as far as Manhattan goes. Stay away from Gristedes.

Across the street from trader's Joe's and WHole Food is a Food Emporium which has a reasonable selection.

Also if things get bad there is a pawn shop on 24th and 3rd.

I second Casa Mono but also favor Bar Jamon next door for a terrific spanish wine list and tapas. Japonais is good, but pricey. Gramercy Tavern is also worth checking out.

Grandma,

You mean Grossstedes? Lots of people put Gristedes down, but they pick some prime locations in terms of convenience from my point of view. In general, they are more worn down than FE or Dags, but there's one right across the street from me so I'm there alot.