I have been collecting suggestions for a special trip to NYC next week and would like comments/suggestions for the final touches.
We are real foodies and are not too much into shopping. We like exploring and museums and are looking for some R and R.

We arrive at 7:30 PM at JFK and are staying in Mid-Town. We have 10PM reservations at Gotham Bar and Grill and I think we'll either take a cab or the Express Bus to Grand Central Station depending on how we feel. It doesn't look like much of a walk to our hotel (46th between 6th and 7th). I think we have enough time to do that and still make our reservation, don't we?

Friday we are going to take the Greenwich Village Food tour at 11:30. We have tickets to Jersey Boys at 8PM. Other than those scheduled events we will probably walk, walk, walk. I am looking for dinner suggestions- either a quick snack pre-show or a post show dinner. I would like to have a drink at Roc Center and take in the view at night and am thinking that Fri might be best for that but am uncertain.

Saturday and Sunday are up in the air depending on weather. A definite is a trip to the Botanical Gardens to see the Chihuly Exhibit. I also want to see the Cezanne exhibit at the Metropolitan and would like to visit Ellis Island because I've never done so before. The only definite is dinner with friends at Gramercy Tavern on Saturday night. I had hoped to get a nice Sunday brunch in but am thinking that in reality after Sat night's meal,it may be way too much even for us. Sooo, my latest thought is that (working backwards) we would visit the Gardens on Sunday- pick up a quick bite for breakfast, take the train from Grand Central, visit the gardens, go back to Grand Central and then get ourselves to the airport (probably via our hotel where the luggage would be stowed) This leaves Sunday for either Ellis Island (if nice weather) or some museum time. I should mention that I know about the exhibits at the Metropolitan but have never been to the Frick and don't know anything about what's going on. Also, posters mentioned the Mandarin Oriental and I thought it would be nice to drop in there for a treat at Asiate. (So little time, so many wonderful places to eat or drink at)

Does this all work?

I'd choose the Met over Frick. Frick is very nice, but if you can only pick one, the Met is the obvious.

There's a Chihuly thread that was started 2 months ago and just been topped today. Just one word about taking Metro-North to the Botanical Garden:

There's only one train per hour on weekends - so make sure you bring the train schedule along. You don't want to miss the train and have to waste an hour of your precious travel time.

Friday evenings it's free admission to MoMA (after 4pm), if you're into modern art.

From Grand Central to your hotel is a good 10 minute walk but the sidewalks should not be so crowded the then. As for the 10pm dinner reservation you should make it with no problem as long as your plane isn't late - or you don;t have to wait a long time for checked luggage.

If either of the latter happens you have the option of grabbing a cab - which will save you some time - although it will be about $60 versus I think $30 something for the bus (assume you are two).

If you are running late, consider taking a taxi to Gotham, let them hold your luggage, then take a cab to your hotel afterwards. All put together that should be less expensive than cabs to and from Gotham from the hotel in addition to the JFK to hotel cost.

Thanks for transportation tips. What about dinner pre/post theater on Friday?

Esca is outstanding for a pre/post theater dinner. Give the meal enough & more time though so that you can enjoy it.

If you take the Express Bus from the airport, you have a few options you haven't considered.

1)I believe the bus stops at Bryant Park which would be a bit closer to your hotel.

2) For a small add'l fee they'll add a ride to your hotel (from Grand Central).

3) Take a taxi from Grand Central

There are lots of choices for pre/post dinner depending on what you want to eat and how much you want to spend. Since you are foodies, you might want to try Le Bernardin which is French/seafood and some feel THE best in NYC. It's on west 51st and your theater's on west 52nd about a block further west.

The 21 Club is on west 52 st. and has a pre theater dinner. Lots of history.

Michael's (west 55th) is one of my favorites and is a power place for breakfast and lunch. They have pre theater dinner I believe.

While I love the Frick, if you go to the Met for Cezanne, I think that will have to suffice. The trip to Ellis Island will likely take a fair amount of time as will the trip to the Botanic Gardens. You should try to get the first ferry out to Ellis Island whichever day you chose.

I assume you mean a drink at Rock. Ctr. at the Rainbow Grill? You could also do that after theater if you're eating before.

The ever-shifting sands of trip preparation make planning so much fun! Thank you mclaurie for the transportation suggestions from JFK and to both you and mdn for the dining tips. Do I need reservations for these places or can we decide as the mood strikes?

I have re-thought the idea of the trip to the gardens and decided we should go on Saturday to ease departure concerns.

How long should we allow for Ellis Island? I know everyone has recommended the first ferry out but would it be possible to go Friday afternoon around 2 since we will already be in the Village?

Don't waste your time trying to secure a reservation at Le Bernardin; it will never happen on a Friday, even a 6, with just a week to go. And I would never recommend it for a quick pre-theater meal. Esca's a good choice. I also like Aquavit, and the cafe isn't too expensive ($35 prix-fixe).

If you want to do the Met, I'd recommend going either very early or very late if you go on Saturday; it's horrendously crowded on weekends, especially right now. Or during the day on Friday might be good (maybe about 4pm ... and then go to dinner right after).

The Frick is my favorite museum in NYC, and I actually enjoy going there much more than the Met; it's small, the art phone recording is included in the admission price, and every single work is a masterpiece. For me, it's far above MOMA, but you can see where my tastes in art head.

I'm a big fan of Asiate, though the wines are the highlight there even more than the food. If you don't have reservations yet for Friday pre-theater, please make them today. The best places book up. I like Vice Versa ... which I think I mentioned in response to one of your earlier posts, but perhaps you might like DB Bistro Moderne if you are a real foodie. It's reasonably close to your theater, I think.

If you decide that you want to go to the Met, there are cocktails and appetizers served on the balcony overlooking the Great Hall, full bar and live classical music on Fridays and Saturdays from 4:00–8:30

Pre-theater, you may want to consider Milos on 55th. It's the best upscale greek seafood restaurant in NYC and a wonderful overall experience. We're going for the third time tonight, actually. If you like mediterranean seafood, this is a must, in my opinion.

http://www.milos.ca/en/newyork/index.html

Is Milo's casual or should we dress for dinner? Thanks.

Not jacket and tie dressy at all, but dress nicely. I'm bad when it comes to clothes and describing them, sorry. I'll take note of how people are dressed tonight (since it's a Saturday night) and I'll post when I get home.

I like Marseille for pre-theater dining.
As for Vollard - Cezannes exhibit, you'll love it. I wouldn't really waste too much time on the 1st floor. I would also try to squeeze in time for MOMA since it's right in Midtown.

So, on a saturday night, it seems like you run the gamut at Milos as far as dress. We saw casual (even a few jeans) and we saw jackets and ties. I would say just dress nicely.

As far as dinner, it was just unreal, once again. Not to miss are two appetizers - grilled octopus, which was perfectly charred and tender, and these little fried zucchini chips with tzatziki sauce that were amazing.

I didn't do seafood for a main dish this time, opting for the lamb chops which were also incredible.

Sorry for going on and on, but I really can't recommend this restaurant enough.

Thanks for following though John. We'll dress nicely, but forgo the coat and tie.

Jersey Boys is GREAT!!! I just saw it with the original cast and thought it was absolutely wonderful. We ate at Baldoria on W. 49th before the show-terrific food, expensive but not overly stuffy and you don't have to dress to the nines either. I've also been to Vice Versa, Doug's suggestion, which was less formal and also tasty. Enjoy the show-LOVED IT!

I am sooooooooooo excited about this upcoming trip, I can hardly wait. Even though Jersey Boys will be coming to LA, I always think that seeing the original cast is the best. I have made reservations for Vice Versa pre-show and am looking forward to what should be a very enjoyable meal.
I also am thrilled about the Dale Chihuly exhibit. I have decided to go on Saturday for that. We will play the Ellis Island and Met by ear. If it could work, I am tempted to try to squeeze it in on Friday after the Greenwich Village food tour, since we will be close by. Then Sunday would be open for Central Park and the Met. My latest idea includes a meal at the Boat House. So much to do... so little time!