Quick trip to NYC with 16 YO DD - a few questions
Dec 5th, 2011, 09:19 AM
#42
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My day keeps getting better, and our trip keeps getting more jam packed! DD talked her dad into buying tickets to another show, so Godspell Friday night! Got discounted tickets for $99 each.
Dec 5th, 2011, 09:53 AM
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Dec 5th, 2011, 02:15 PM
#46
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Really open to all suggestions. I've made a google map and plotted a few that look good, haven't fully checked out the gnocchi list yet.
How are they about people just getting appetizers? We rarely get our own entrees, and would rather get 3-4 starters between the two of us.
How are they about people just getting appetizers? We rarely get our own entrees, and would rather get 3-4 starters between the two of us.
Dec 5th, 2011, 02:38 PM
#47
Okay, if I were there doing this trip I'd pick from these.
ellenem and NeoPatrick rave about Toloache. I've not eaten there, but there have been recent very good reviews on here and e and N have always steered me right.
Not fancy at all, but a place I love has a Hell's Kitchen location. Pio Pio. Peruvian food. We don't have Peruvian here and it's really my favorite - and it's the fav of my friend in the UWS. We order it all the time (delivery). The Matador Combo is $30 and enough to share (and have leftovers).
When you said white tablecloth I looked for ideas and a Palm has opened in the theater disrict. Yes, it's not a chain but one that started in NYC. Read this -
http://www.nytimes.com/restaurants/1...e/details.html
We ate at the one in Atlanta when they had the lobster special and it's an old school steakhouse with great food and excellent service.
For years I had a standby, my home away from home, that I ALWAYS ate at before shows - and stopped in the afternoon for a break and something cold to drink - and stopped in afterwards for coffee and dessert. Sam's is closed and I've looked for a replacement. The closest I've found is the West Bank Cafe. AnnMarie ate there recently and loved it too. They have a prix fixe menu if you are interested or you could just share apps if you wanted.
http://www.westbankcafe.com/menus/dinner.pdf
What I LOVE about it (other than the food and service) is that it's on "the other side" of the craziness of the Theatre District restaurants and it just feels more peaceful. After a good dinner (where you won't feel rushed and they'll be sure to get you out before your show), it's a short walk to your theater.
ellenem and NeoPatrick rave about Toloache. I've not eaten there, but there have been recent very good reviews on here and e and N have always steered me right.
Not fancy at all, but a place I love has a Hell's Kitchen location. Pio Pio. Peruvian food. We don't have Peruvian here and it's really my favorite - and it's the fav of my friend in the UWS. We order it all the time (delivery). The Matador Combo is $30 and enough to share (and have leftovers).
When you said white tablecloth I looked for ideas and a Palm has opened in the theater disrict. Yes, it's not a chain but one that started in NYC. Read this -
http://www.nytimes.com/restaurants/1...e/details.html
We ate at the one in Atlanta when they had the lobster special and it's an old school steakhouse with great food and excellent service.
For years I had a standby, my home away from home, that I ALWAYS ate at before shows - and stopped in the afternoon for a break and something cold to drink - and stopped in afterwards for coffee and dessert. Sam's is closed and I've looked for a replacement. The closest I've found is the West Bank Cafe. AnnMarie ate there recently and loved it too. They have a prix fixe menu if you are interested or you could just share apps if you wanted.
http://www.westbankcafe.com/menus/dinner.pdf
What I LOVE about it (other than the food and service) is that it's on "the other side" of the craziness of the Theatre District restaurants and it just feels more peaceful. After a good dinner (where you won't feel rushed and they'll be sure to get you out before your show), it's a short walk to your theater.
Dec 5th, 2011, 02:45 PM
#48
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Thanks, starrs!
When I said "nice dinner" I didn't necessarily mean white tablecloth! I just meant not Subway or fast food or something like that. Cafes, bistros, gastropubs - For us, that is nice!
Some of the places i am looking into;
Chez Josephine
Brickyard Gastropub
Marseille
Anyone have experiences with any of these places?
When I said "nice dinner" I didn't necessarily mean white tablecloth! I just meant not Subway or fast food or something like that. Cafes, bistros, gastropubs - For us, that is nice!
Some of the places i am looking into;
Chez Josephine
Brickyard Gastropub
Marseille
Anyone have experiences with any of these places?
Dec 5th, 2011, 04:31 PM
#49
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"How are they about people just getting appetizers? We rarely get our own entrees, and would rather get 3-4 starters between the two of us."
Perfectly fine. I live in NYC and do this all the time when out with friends. Often the appetizers are more intriguing than the entrees.
Perfectly fine. I live in NYC and do this all the time when out with friends. Often the appetizers are more intriguing than the entrees.
Dec 6th, 2011, 05:26 AM
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Marseille is an excellent restaurant that I often go to. Chez Josephine is also good, but I think it's too far out of the way since your theater is on 49th (the walk up from there can take a lot longer than it might otherwise take because of the crowds on 8th and 9th Aves. I don't know the other one.
I might also suggest vice versa, which is a nice Italian restaurant (pretty close to the theater on 51st St). You can get appetizer portions of pastas there, and they have a nice range of larger appetizers plus some good desserts. I've often gone there and had two appetizers instead of a main course.
Just remember that you need to make reservations at all these places, particularly if you want to eat before the theater. You really won't get a table without a reservation, and if your show is at 7, you need to eat around 5:30; you'll be rushed if you eat someplace more than 3 or 4 blocks from the theater, so be sure to look for places down to about 46th or 47th St and up to 51st or 52nd (9th Avenue is ok, but 10th is too far); ideally eat at a restaurant west of 8th Avenue so you don't have to cross Times Square before the theater. This is the night you're seeing Book of Mormon, right? And it's at 7?
I might also suggest vice versa, which is a nice Italian restaurant (pretty close to the theater on 51st St). You can get appetizer portions of pastas there, and they have a nice range of larger appetizers plus some good desserts. I've often gone there and had two appetizers instead of a main course.
Just remember that you need to make reservations at all these places, particularly if you want to eat before the theater. You really won't get a table without a reservation, and if your show is at 7, you need to eat around 5:30; you'll be rushed if you eat someplace more than 3 or 4 blocks from the theater, so be sure to look for places down to about 46th or 47th St and up to 51st or 52nd (9th Avenue is ok, but 10th is too far); ideally eat at a restaurant west of 8th Avenue so you don't have to cross Times Square before the theater. This is the night you're seeing Book of Mormon, right? And it's at 7?
Dec 6th, 2011, 05:42 AM
#51
Neo likes Chez Josephine.
He also doesn't like my following suggestion -
After a long day of sight-seeing, we often eat in before a show. We are guilty of trying to pack too much in and YEARS ago we started one of my favorite NYC things to do - eat in. When we stayed at the Hilton on 6th, we'd stop at the little market on 53rd on the way back to the hotel (or I'd go out for a dinner run). Each of us could order from the deli counter or choose from the big salad bar in the middle of the store. We'd grab drinks, chips, cookies, whatever we EACH wanted and take it up for a picnic. I love coming back for a rest, watch some TV, take a nap, just relax, eat a picnic dinner in the room - and then head out for the evening. To be honest, sometimes I do it even when I'm on expense account and could expense a dinner at a very nice dinner.
If you are on a budget, it would be a great solution. If the hotel doesn't offer breakfast, I'd head to the corner store to pick up a bagel, coffee and juice. We'd eat our big meal at lunch (less crowded and less expensive), sight-see some more, come back to the hotel room for a rest, drinks and dinner in the room, and then off again for the evening.
You can also call for delivery and have your meal delivered to the hotel - which is what we do when I stay at my friend's apartment before shows. Check the menus online. The delivery range is usually many blocks. Our tradition was always Thai, but now it's Peruvian from Pio Pio.
He also doesn't like my following suggestion -
After a long day of sight-seeing, we often eat in before a show. We are guilty of trying to pack too much in and YEARS ago we started one of my favorite NYC things to do - eat in. When we stayed at the Hilton on 6th, we'd stop at the little market on 53rd on the way back to the hotel (or I'd go out for a dinner run). Each of us could order from the deli counter or choose from the big salad bar in the middle of the store. We'd grab drinks, chips, cookies, whatever we EACH wanted and take it up for a picnic. I love coming back for a rest, watch some TV, take a nap, just relax, eat a picnic dinner in the room - and then head out for the evening. To be honest, sometimes I do it even when I'm on expense account and could expense a dinner at a very nice dinner.
If you are on a budget, it would be a great solution. If the hotel doesn't offer breakfast, I'd head to the corner store to pick up a bagel, coffee and juice. We'd eat our big meal at lunch (less crowded and less expensive), sight-see some more, come back to the hotel room for a rest, drinks and dinner in the room, and then off again for the evening.
You can also call for delivery and have your meal delivered to the hotel - which is what we do when I stay at my friend's apartment before shows. Check the menus online. The delivery range is usually many blocks. Our tradition was always Thai, but now it's Peruvian from Pio Pio.
Dec 6th, 2011, 01:24 PM
#52
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Hi there, I just want to mention some things about Carlo's Bakery. I walk by there all the time. The bakery is indeed 5 minutes' walk from the Hoboken PATH train station. However, the wait to get TO the store, on the line, can be hours' long. I've seen it recently go down the block and cross the street and go more than halfway down the next block.
If your daughter really wants to see it, you can take the time to go to the bakery, walk up to the front, take a photo, and turn around and go back to NYC. (However, there are some good lunch places on Washington Street and cute shops if your daughter wants to explore). But to actually stand on line to go into the bakery could take 2 hours or more.
There are bakery employees who maintain the line and make sure only the right amount of people cross the street, and then go into the shop. It's a very well-run operation. But just warning you, it could take most of a day to go there, get a cupcake (which actually are tasty) and then go back to NYC.
If your daughter really wants to see it, you can take the time to go to the bakery, walk up to the front, take a photo, and turn around and go back to NYC. (However, there are some good lunch places on Washington Street and cute shops if your daughter wants to explore). But to actually stand on line to go into the bakery could take 2 hours or more.
There are bakery employees who maintain the line and make sure only the right amount of people cross the street, and then go into the shop. It's a very well-run operation. But just warning you, it could take most of a day to go there, get a cupcake (which actually are tasty) and then go back to NYC.
Dec 6th, 2011, 02:39 PM
#53
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Starrs, if it were SO and I, we would probably do just as you suggest, but DD is a little different so I think we will go with a big lunch and rather than dinner in, we'll grab some street food. DD has just informed me she really wants authentic NY pizza so hopefully there will be a good place close by.
So some more questions...
Any street food anyone can recommend, preferably close the the theater?
Will we need reservations for lunch? I'm thinking we'll probably be doing lunch around 3 or 4?
Can we grab just dessert after the shows and would we need reservations for that?
Are subways cash only or can I pay with a card?
SO this is how things are shaping up so far...
Wednesday Arrive at LGA at 8:30pm, getting picked up by Dial 7, check into hotel, walk around, see Times Square or whatever is close by, grab a late bite to eat from somewhere and then to bed...
Thursday Ticket for La Liz at Christie's at 1:45 so morning will depend on how early we wake up and the weather. It is calling for snow, so that might be a good morning for the Met, or maybe the Cloisters. Quick snack before LIz's jewels, then big lunch after. Not sure how to expect for jewel exhibit so hopefully there will be time after for something else besides lunch. Tickets for Book of Mormon at Eugene o"Neill Theatre at 7pm. Dessert after.
Friday No firm plans until 7pm (Godspell at Circle in the Square). Giving up on Carlo's bakery. Will try to fit in FIT and either Cloisters or Met, depending on which we decided on the day before.
Want to fit in a walk through at least part of Central Park, 5th Avenue storefronts and Rockefeller Plaza. Have decided to pass o HOHO, will try to fit in a walking tour somewhere, just not sure where.
Saturday Checkout and get picked up at 9am for flight home.
Still open to more suggestions and advice.
So some more questions...
Any street food anyone can recommend, preferably close the the theater?
Will we need reservations for lunch? I'm thinking we'll probably be doing lunch around 3 or 4?
Can we grab just dessert after the shows and would we need reservations for that?
Are subways cash only or can I pay with a card?
SO this is how things are shaping up so far...
Wednesday Arrive at LGA at 8:30pm, getting picked up by Dial 7, check into hotel, walk around, see Times Square or whatever is close by, grab a late bite to eat from somewhere and then to bed...
Thursday Ticket for La Liz at Christie's at 1:45 so morning will depend on how early we wake up and the weather. It is calling for snow, so that might be a good morning for the Met, or maybe the Cloisters. Quick snack before LIz's jewels, then big lunch after. Not sure how to expect for jewel exhibit so hopefully there will be time after for something else besides lunch. Tickets for Book of Mormon at Eugene o"Neill Theatre at 7pm. Dessert after.
Friday No firm plans until 7pm (Godspell at Circle in the Square). Giving up on Carlo's bakery. Will try to fit in FIT and either Cloisters or Met, depending on which we decided on the day before.
Want to fit in a walk through at least part of Central Park, 5th Avenue storefronts and Rockefeller Plaza. Have decided to pass o HOHO, will try to fit in a walking tour somewhere, just not sure where.
Saturday Checkout and get picked up at 9am for flight home.
Still open to more suggestions and advice.
Dec 6th, 2011, 02:54 PM
#54
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"Will we need reservations for lunch? I'm thinking we'll probably be doing lunch around 3 or 4?" Watch for opening times. Many restaurants do not serve all day, but rather have a break between lunch and dinner, usually 3:30 or 4:00 until 5:00pm.
"Can we grab just dessert after the shows and would we need reservations for that?" Yes, you can, and chances are you won't need reservations at the types of places in which you are interested. Just be clear to the waitstaff when you first arrive that you've come just for dessert.
"Are subways cash only or can I pay with a card?" Subways require that you use a MetroCard, which can be bought using cash or credit cards at a machine in the subway station. This same card is also used to pay bus fares. You can also pay with coins on a bus (no paper currency) but it is tedious to carry $2.25 in coins unless you have dollar coins.
"Friday No firm plans until 7pm (Godspell at Circle in the Square). Giving up on Carlo's bakery. Will try to fit in FIT and either Cloisters or Met, depending on which we decided on the day before."
If your schedule permits, I suggest you get out of midtown, perhaps heading to the East Village. This area has lots of shopping (open after 11AM, particularly on 9th and 11th Streets between 2nd and 1st Avenues) and dining options that should appeal to your daughter. This is also a real neighborhood where real New Yorkers of every kind live and the eastern reaches of the NYU campus.
Want to fit in a walk through at least part of Central Park, 5th Avenue storefronts and Rockefeller Plaza. Have decided to pass o HOHO, will try to fit in a walking tour somewhere, just not sure where.
Saturday Checkout and get picked up at 9am for flight home.
Still open to more suggestions and advice.
"Can we grab just dessert after the shows and would we need reservations for that?" Yes, you can, and chances are you won't need reservations at the types of places in which you are interested. Just be clear to the waitstaff when you first arrive that you've come just for dessert.
"Are subways cash only or can I pay with a card?" Subways require that you use a MetroCard, which can be bought using cash or credit cards at a machine in the subway station. This same card is also used to pay bus fares. You can also pay with coins on a bus (no paper currency) but it is tedious to carry $2.25 in coins unless you have dollar coins.
"Friday No firm plans until 7pm (Godspell at Circle in the Square). Giving up on Carlo's bakery. Will try to fit in FIT and either Cloisters or Met, depending on which we decided on the day before."
If your schedule permits, I suggest you get out of midtown, perhaps heading to the East Village. This area has lots of shopping (open after 11AM, particularly on 9th and 11th Streets between 2nd and 1st Avenues) and dining options that should appeal to your daughter. This is also a real neighborhood where real New Yorkers of every kind live and the eastern reaches of the NYU campus.
Want to fit in a walk through at least part of Central Park, 5th Avenue storefronts and Rockefeller Plaza. Have decided to pass o HOHO, will try to fit in a walking tour somewhere, just not sure where.
Saturday Checkout and get picked up at 9am for flight home.
Still open to more suggestions and advice.
Dec 6th, 2011, 06:38 PM
#58
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What would it be like to go from the CLoisters to East Village? Since both of those we need to tae a train or subway to, that would seem to make the most sense, wouldn't it? We could do that Friday morning.
Dec 6th, 2011, 06:49 PM
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"Since both of those we need to tae a train or subway to, that would seem to make the most sense, wouldn't it? "
Not necessarily since that are at opposite ends of Manhattan. But you could make a very full day of it, spending a few hours in the morning at the Cloisters and then heading south to the Village for the afternoon.
The East Village is about 2 miles south of where you are staying. The Cloisters is about 7 miles north of where you are staying. From your hotel, you would 30-45 minutes north (uptown) to the Cloisters. After your visit, you would travel 40-60 minutes south (downtown) to the Village. You could take the A train all the way from the Cloisters to West 4th Street in the West Village, and then walk east through Washington Square and the center of Greenwich Village to the East Village. Or transfer from the A train to the L train at 14th Street to work your way across town to the east side.
Not necessarily since that are at opposite ends of Manhattan. But you could make a very full day of it, spending a few hours in the morning at the Cloisters and then heading south to the Village for the afternoon.
The East Village is about 2 miles south of where you are staying. The Cloisters is about 7 miles north of where you are staying. From your hotel, you would 30-45 minutes north (uptown) to the Cloisters. After your visit, you would travel 40-60 minutes south (downtown) to the Village. You could take the A train all the way from the Cloisters to West 4th Street in the West Village, and then walk east through Washington Square and the center of Greenwich Village to the East Village. Or transfer from the A train to the L train at 14th Street to work your way across town to the east side.
