hi aduchamp,

i would agree ... fodorites are really the best! however, from a food perspective, i've always relied on the hounds on chowhound ... for toronto, paris, chicago, barcelona, etc. and the recos have been spot on.

but i will do my due diligence and read up on ottomanelli's.

tks!

lilaki, some stadiums / arenas will not let any backpacks in. From the MSG webpage, "Madison Square Garden asks all guests to arrive early and travel light. All persons and bags are subject to search. Bags that have passed inspection must fit comfortably under your seat. Oversized bags are prohibited. MSG does not provide an area to check bags, coats or any other personal belongings. We are not responsible for any property that is lost, stolen, or damaged."

Not really sure what qualifies as oversized.

hi tchoiniere,

thanks for the info ... we'll double back to the hotel to drop off the camera bag then. the bag would definitely fit under a seat (it's like a mini-backpack) but i don't want to take any chances!

And you also don't want to take any chances that someone behind you spills a beverage and it trickles down onto your bag . . .

The Ottomanelli's you are talking about is in my neighborhood and it is fine! Also remember, the MetroCard is good on public buses as well as subways so when you are tired of walking - with the 7 day - you have the option of hopping on a public bus. Print out the Manhattan bus map at mta.info and have it with you just in case.

The kandinsky exhibit is fun but it really is more than you ever wanted to know about Kandinsky.

The Jewish Museum - also in the neighborhood - is open free on Saturdays and it has an amazing exhibit about the artist Man Ray and it's in the neighborhood.

Also - the Met is open late Sat so if Guggenheim is a zoo you can go back to the Met. You also have SaraBeth's in the neighborhood - bit more expensive than Otto's and an interesting Turkish Restaurant that I haven't eaten at at 90th and Lex.

hi sue,

yep - thanks for the tip about the metro card. i have been known to take buses even ONE stop when i'm tired! :)