My DH and I are making our first trip to NYC the last week of Aug. We've been on "island time" for some time now and its rare that we experience urban life. We could use some help DH is in his mid 30's and I'm in my mid 20's for reference.

For dining in the city, will DH need a jacket? tie? both? We haven't made reservations anywhere yet (that island time again) but some restaurants we are thinking of calling are Gramercy Tavern, One if by land...Balthazar, Trattoria Dell'arte, Cafe de Artists.
What can we expect to pay before drinks for dinner? We were hoping not to spend more than $150 before drinks. Any other suggestions?
Do you tip a concierge? Do they charge for helping to set up theatre tickets?

thanks!

Can't really answer any of your questions, except maybe the last one... We got our tickets for Hairspray online. 4th row Mezz. for $100 each. Our hotel advertised the abilty to get tickets for a Broadway shows. Out of curiousity, I asked them to find out how much tickets for Hairspray would be for the 8PM show on Aug. 6th (same day I had them). I was told $150 each. I don't know who gets that $50, but I can't see tipping anyone to get me tickets that I can get at a lower cost.

Marci 77, two sites I have found helpful for dining are MenuPages and Amazon.com (restaurants). Both sites have extensive restaurant menus for NYC and may list some of your choices as well as others you might consider. Seeing what a restaurant serves and the prices helps me decide whether or not to try a particular place.

Dress codes are rapidly changing. That means you will be better off calling the restaurant to know for sure. I don't THINK any restaurants are requiring ties these days, but many still require a jacket.

One if by Land is considered a tourist trap by many...it's the new Tavern on the Green. Cafe des Artiste is also more about the atmosphere than the food. I think your Grammercy Tavern choice is a great one.

Marci,

As another island timer who loves NYC, maybe I can help you out a bit.

Can't comment on any restaurants you've listed other than One if by Land. Hubby took me to dinner there for my birthday last year and we really enjoyed it. Yes, he wore a jacket, which we had pressed by the hotel after our arrival. I don't remember, but I don't think he wore a tie. We'd made reservations about a month prior, but I think even a week ahead would suffice. I think that for this restaurant $150 for dinner w/o drinks or wine sounds about right.

I always book theatre tickets on ticketmaster.com before leaving here and pick them up when I arrive in town. Just make sure you bring the same credit card that you booked on line with.

Enjoy the city! NY is fabulous! Then, enjoy getting back to the quietness of island life.

Marci=

A great restaurant to try in NYC is Le Bernardin- BEST French seafood around..
here is a link:

Le Bernardin ($42pf. lunch & $70pf. dinner)
155 W. 51st St. (btw. 6th Ave. & 7th Ave.), 489-1515
M-F 12pm-2:30pm & 6pm-10:30pm, Sa 6pm-10:30pm
This exquisite French seafood restaurant requires that men wear jackets at all times. Ties are optional. Reservations are required especially for weekends, which should be done well in advance.

It will probably run about $60-$75 pp plus drinks and tip= and definitely worth it- one of the BEST restaurants in the city...

If you use the concierge for something special, yes, you do tip--ie. for theater tkts as they use tkt brokers who actually get better seats than available online....like center orchestra rather than mezzanine....

They do NOT charge for helping get you theater tkts, but a tip is in order....

By the way, there are TONS of terrific restaurant in NYC that you do NOT need a coat and tie-
Try PO in Grennwich Village- it was the first restaurant that Mario Batali opened ( from Foodtv channel-Mario does Italy)...this restaurant only seats about 30 people,you need reservations, food is to die for and CHEAP by NY standards....and yes,make reservations in advance..I think it cost us $50 for 2 plus drinks and tip-portions were large- we shared an appetizer,had 3 entrees and a pasta dish and shared a dessert...PLENTY of food...

Enjoy NY-it's a ton of fun!!

Thanks everyone! I had planned to start calling for restaurants last night...and was so surprised to hear about the blackout when I got home. Wow! I guess I better give them some time for things to settle down.
Best,
Marci

I'll put my votes in for Balthazar and Trattoria Dell'Arte, both are favorites. Balthazar is fun and happening and pretty darn authentic. I love going to TDA before or after theater even though it's a bit of a walk from some theaters. (It's not far from the Neil Simon where Hairspray is playing.) I have seen a variety of stars at both spots, which was a fun surpirse.

Go to www.billboard.com and join. I got tickets last weekend to VERY funny "Forbidden Broadway" for $32/each (with handling fees et all it ended up as $142 for four tickets, 2nd row center.) They have discounts for Broadway shows as well. Don't know if you'll find any discount for Hairspray...especially on a weekend night. Restaurants -- oh my gosh, there are so many wonderful places to go. I like Provence, in the Village, which you could easily do with your budget, and it is casual dress although a very romantic spot. (Certainly no tie, a jacket is nice but not necessarily required, at least not the Saturday night we were there) A favorite Italian place on Bleeker Street is Acquario...we walked in without reservations around 9PM one Saturday night. Wonderful food, really good wine list, and it isn't terribly expensive. Again, quite romantic

I pretty much agree with all the advice you've gotten. While things have gotten pretty casual everywhere, NYC included, I think a jacket is a good idea for most restaurants you've mentioned (not needed for Balthazar or Trattoria Dell but wouldn't be out of place). Only places like Le Bernardin might require a tie. $150 is plenty (without drinks) for most everywhere (Le Bernardin has a prix fixe for $84/person). Skip One if by Land & Tavern on the Green. I like Cafe des Artistes but the food at some place like La Cote Basque ($68 prix fixe dinner-$36 lunch) is MUCH better & the setting is just as pretty IMO & may be better at this time of year (Des Artistes is dark & I think of it as more a winter place).

Do go to the Water Club-maybe just for a drink on their deck & watch the boats go by. Another place with water view is F.illi Ponte all the way downtown on the Hudson River for Italian. (The Water Club is Amercian/seafood & good. Also good for brunch)

Check out playbill.com and theatermania.com to see what's available at discounts. You can pay by credit card, avoid lines at the TKTS booth& see 2 shows for the price of one.

Have a great time!