I am getting great advice form this site and am visiting NY for 4 nights with my wife for first time on Dec 16th. With your help, itinerary is almost complete but I need some final help br /> - We have decised not to go to Woodbury Common but would like best advice for reasonably priced mens and ladies suits, dresses, shoes - casual and office wear in Manhattan
- Have booked One by Land and am about to book River Cafe - can anyone give me their best three at this price level and their best three at mor emodestly priced ?

The best three pricey restaurants are probably Nobu (or Nobu next door), Le Bernardin and Il Mulino.

When in NY, if you like Italian food, and not your usual chicken parm and hot antipasto, definately go to one of Mario Batalis's restaurants. Amazing! Lupa, Babbo, Otto, and Esca (Esca is mainly fish). He is so innovative with food. You're taste buds will be amazed! For fish also Milos is great. Expensive, but the fish is flown in from places like Portugal. It's Greek & Fish. One if by Land is good, but soooo styuufy and so 1970's. I was there for a dinner party last month and they served Beef Wellington. I remenber my mother making that on holidays as a child. If you can get a reservation to Babbo, I would chhose there. Go on line and look at the menus. They may sound strange, but like I said it is unbeliveable! Good Luck and have fun!

You can always find good deals in Macy's and Bloomingdales.

If you are willing to take the time to dig, go to Century 21. Be forwarned it isn't exactly cheap but instead of paying $3,000 for an Armani suit, you'll pay $400. Service is horrendous but it is usually worth it to me to brave the crowds. Try and avoid Century 21 on Saturdays and at lunchtime.

Wrote you a long post yesterday that "disappeared" (along with a lot of others). Discount shopping... For suits at good prices for men and women Sym's on 54 st b/w Madison & Park. For men, Today's Man and Men's Warehouse. For women, Filene's, Loehmann's. For shoes, some of the clothes places will have some. Saks Fifth Ave. should be having their womens's shoe sale then.

Here's a link to more discount shopping from NY magazine

http://newyorkmetro.com/urban/guides...g/clothing.htm

mclaurie, are you speaking of the Syms on Park Avnenue near the Mercedes dealership? I can never find anything in that store! I know all discount stores are hit and miss but I swear I miss that one every time.

My mother, on the other hand, always comes out of Syms with some huge deal like the Hope Diamond for $9.99. I must be Syms illiterate.

I'm a big fan of Century 21, discount department store right next to Ground Zero. Everything from radios to sheets to designer clothes and shoes. Amazing selection of men's designer ties, for example. You can't always find every size in every item, but when you hit it right, the prices can't be beaten, in New York. You can also find good deals at Foreman's (one location on lower east side, one in mid-town not far from Sak's.

I can suggest a few moderate neighborhood restaurants around Gramercy Park area: Kitchen 22, owned by same owner (Charlie Palmer) as the much pricier Aureole.36 East 22nd St.
Small menu, changes often, prix fix for I think about $25. One of the best deals in town for very good food.
I don't think they take reservations.
Reservations also not taken at Craft Bar, 47 East 19th St. It is the neighbor restaurant to Craft, a very fine, and expensive contemporary restaurant. Craft Bar has similar quality at half the price.

For an inexpensive lunch, brunch, or dinner, I'm a big fan of l'Express, corner Park Ave South and 20th St.
It's not haute cuisine, but good reliable food as you might find in a neighborhood place in Paris. They serve all day long, you can get eggs or a burger or a salad or a full meal at any time.
Very crowded on weekends at brunch time.

Thanks for comments - I have heared that Jersey Gardens is a good alternative to Woodbury Common for good reasonably priced and closer to city - Anyone any views ?

whispers, if this is y'alls first trip to NYC, there is no reason on earth to schlep outside the city to visit discount malls that are everywhere.

If this were your 100th trip maybe.

Gee, GoTravel, I was under the impression you were from NYC or somewhere very close by! You seem quite knowledgable regarding many things NY -- then you type "y'alls"! I take it you are from the South somewhere? Good to see that you must travel to NYC quite often.

P.S. Whispers, Unless you have a car, I don't really know how you would get to Jersey Gardens (?) or Woodbury Commons. If you rely on public transportation, this would eat up the better portion of one day! That, to me, does not sound like a good use of only four days in NYC. You've received good recommendations especially Century 21. :-&

Michelle, for five years I spent almost one week every other month working in NYC. I feel like I lived there.

My parents live part time in New Jersey right outside the city but spend a lot of time in Manhattan. Their home away from home is the Salisbury on West 57th.

I know my way around Manhattan island pretty well

I am a South Carolinian so you guessed correctly about me being from the south!

Not going to travel ouitside centre based on advice thanks - Thinking of hitting the South on a family holidays and South Carolina sounds nice - welcome recommendations !!!

Well, in this case, GoTravel can advise you on the So. Car. part as well!

Jersey Gardens is not really comparable to Woodbury Commons IMO. Woodbury has much more high end stores. I live 10 mins from JG and never (ever) go there except to go to the movies once in awhile. You can take a look at their website and see if any of the stores appeal to you. http://www.jerseygardens.com

I looked it up for somebody else before and you can take the bus from Port Authority, & it takes 34 mins to get to JG and costs 4.35 each way bus fare. www.njtransit.com