It sounds like a wonderful trip. Your account of the bike tour is hilarious,"the lithe young things are in shorts w/credit cards tucked in pockets." LOL. But yay, you did it! I enjoyed your shoe montage and the crocs - trés chic.

I admit being a bit envious about your great deals since I don't have the knack at getting them myself. We travel w/dd so I guess that's part of it, but must continue to study fodor's for tips.

Thanks for sharing all of your details, descriptions and critiques.

Thanks Starrs, just found your post and saving it for the great links & tips.

Hi starrs...glad you had a great trip. Sounds like you should have packed some zinc..

Hey Stars,
Just giving you a Yankee hug and wishing you well.

Thanks for the nice comments. It was a fun trip and can't wait to get back.

Thanks for the hug, Andrew. It's much appreciated. Maybe I'll make it to South Pacific and can't stop being so jealous of steelygirl :-)

starrs....loved your report and GREAT pix! thanks so much for all of that!! Btw, where is the cute little restaurant pix titled, "George Washington touched these beams" (or something to that effect). Also, the communal table..is that the "quotidien" place? Reason to go on tours: I've stopped by Yoko's Dakota bldg twice in the past 2 years.....never knew the top 3 floors were hers! (nice a/c unit). :) :) Thanks starrs! Colette

http://lalanternacaffe.com/

There's a glimpse of the awning in the picture.

The Bar Next Door is downstairs - a jazz bar

That room is at the base of the staris as you go in the (tiny)jazz bar.

But, it was highly recommended -
http://lalanternacaffe.com/page/nutk...s_Reviews.html

There's a covered courtyard patio in the back the guide said was open even in the winter.

I have really enjoyed the Big Onion tours: www.bigonion.com
these are walking tours a different neighborhoods - and the guides are volunteers, i.e. Princeton history professors, Ph.D. candidates, etc.
Enjoy the city

Hi starrs - I really enjoyed your report because I'd like to go to NYC for the first time next year and your recommendations and information are great! I'll probably go solo too and the tours look like so much fun!