Looking for some guidance in playing my trip to NYC. There are 2 of us 30 something pregnant women coming from Chicago for my birthday weekend. We arrive on 2/16 & leave 2/19. So far I’ve booked the flight & the hotel. Got the Grand Hyatt thru Priceline at $130 per night. I would love some recommendations for restaurants near our hotel and also some recommendations for Italian in Litty Italy, cannoli & maybe a good steak somewhere. Not a fan of the “fancier” Italian restaurants -goose liver or rabbit ravioli – not my cup of tea (especially being pregnant.). Would like the feeling of being in a mob movie. We ate somewhere in Little Italy last time ( I think was on the corner & we ate dinner in the basement ). It had a very “Goodfellas” feel!

I’ve been to NYC once before and know I have to go back to Katz deli for a melt-in-my-mouth pastrami sandwich.

And I really like walking around all the little neighborhoods. Any great neighborhood (not touristy) restaurants would be great too.

We wanted to see a play while we were there as well. Was hoping to get tickets to Mary Poppins but waited to long to buy them. So any smaller theatre productions that might be worth it would also be appreciated.

I've already done the Empire State building so maybe the Top of the Rock this time?

Thanks for your help!
HB

Search this forum for TONS of info about New York.

Enjoy!

Ummm, first piece of info. Are you aware Priceline only guarantees ONE bed for 2 people. I would PHONE the hotel and nicely request 2 beds. I would also immediately join the Hyatt frequent guest program which could help you at check in either for nicer room or freebies.

Little Italy is really not the "go to" place for real Italian (it's really touristy), but if you gotta go, Da Nico or Il Cortile are good.

For cannoli, Veniero's in the east village was always considered the best, but there are plenty of other options. I like Cafe Reggio in the village. NY magazine thinks Gusto is best.
http://nymag.com/bestofny/food/2006/cannoli/index.html

Carnegie Deli is known for their pastrami too and closer to your hotel. Why not try both. Carnegie is thinner sliced. SHARE your sandwich and maybe even do take out.

You can probably get discount tix at the TKTS booth when you arrive, but you might want to check broadwaybox.com (currently not working) and see what discounts are available and perhaps print some of those off and go direct to the box office. If you have your heart set on Mary Poppins, the link on broadwaybox for sold out shows sometimes yields not outrageous prices. www.applause-tickets.com can also sometimes help.

Smaller theater? Meaning Broadway, off Broadway? The Apple Tree, Drowsy Chaperone, Company are all B'way musicals worth seeing. Off Broadway, check the Clean House, the Scene and Frank's House (about Frank Lloyd Wright).

Top of the Rock well worth the time.

You may find some nice discounts on
seasonofsavings.com
http://www.nycvisit.com/paint/

We really loved the Italian food at Fresco by Scotto. It's on the east side, and the food was really amazing. The service was great, and for once we didn't feel like tourists invading a restaurant. We were treated like everyone else. And the food is AMAZING!
http://www.frescobyscotto.com/index_l.html

We also randomly happened upon a pizza place on Lexington at 45th called Pizza Rustica. REALLY good pizza, chocolate cannoli, and zeppoli.
http://www.pizzarusticany.com/

What kind of show are you looking for? Do you have any shows in the past that you've really loved?

Lucky for you, lots of shows are discounting right now- mclaurie gave you some good links. On seasonofsavings.com, you can see commercials for several of the shows.

I am heading to NYC for 4 days as well at the end of February. I've been once before, but never had the opportunity to check out a broadway show. I'd love to see Spamalot this time. Can someone explain what TKTS is and where are they located?

Thx

Info on the TKTS booths at tdf.org/tkts There are 2 of them. I don't know if you should count on finding Spamalot for sale at the TKTS booth.

There's been a discount on broadwaybox.com but it expires on feb. 15. You could give it a try
http://broadwaybox.com/shows/monty_p...c_tickets.aspx