Start Spreading The News: The Maitai 4 to Take Bite Out Of The Big Apple!
May 10th, 2010, 07:44 AM
#21
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I've been to the top of the Library Hotel for drinks. It's nice but nowhere near the nicest option. Lots of rooftop bars. The Strand hotel is a newish one on 37th st. that's supposed to be good. Here are some others http://nymag.com/nightlife/barbuzz/11025/
May 10th, 2010, 08:41 AM
#23
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Hi, wow, you're heading my way, watch out NY, at least there will be no driving involved 
Been to the Library Bar, very small rooftop. Our favorite is on top of an office building at 230 Fifth Ave., that's the name and address. Great views of the ESB. There's another roof top bar opening on top of the new Wyndham Hotel, I believe on West 26th street and in mid-town, the Kimberly Hotel is also opening one.
If you do walk the High Line North - South, the Standard Bar has a beer garden at the end, might be right up your alley, and for a reasonable dinner, there's a good Thai Restaurant across the street called Sea, I think that's the name.
Another good restaurant close by is Cookshop and I've heard Trestle on Tenth is also decent.
For a splurge, I cannot recommend Eleven Madison Park enough. We just had our anniversary dinner there and we were totally blown away, not only by the food, but the service too.
Sounds like you've already gotten good sightseeing advice. I like the Chelsea area a lot, you've made a good choice for your stay. Lot's of fun restaurants and shops and easy to get around.
Been to the Library Bar, very small rooftop. Our favorite is on top of an office building at 230 Fifth Ave., that's the name and address. Great views of the ESB. There's another roof top bar opening on top of the new Wyndham Hotel, I believe on West 26th street and in mid-town, the Kimberly Hotel is also opening one.
If you do walk the High Line North - South, the Standard Bar has a beer garden at the end, might be right up your alley, and for a reasonable dinner, there's a good Thai Restaurant across the street called Sea, I think that's the name.
Another good restaurant close by is Cookshop and I've heard Trestle on Tenth is also decent.
For a splurge, I cannot recommend Eleven Madison Park enough. We just had our anniversary dinner there and we were totally blown away, not only by the food, but the service too.
Sounds like you've already gotten good sightseeing advice. I like the Chelsea area a lot, you've made a good choice for your stay. Lot's of fun restaurants and shops and easy to get around.
May 10th, 2010, 09:15 AM
#24
Original Poster
Wow everyone, thanks so much!! Adu, your list is spectacular and, you are correct, I was going to ask that question ("And yes, Mel Brooks stole the name for Max Bialystock"). Maybe I'll wear a cardboard belt when I visit.
Yes, five days will not be enough, but the trip should whet our appetite for another visit. Thanks for all the suggestions.
Yes, five days will not be enough, but the trip should whet our appetite for another visit. Thanks for all the suggestions.
May 21st, 2010, 12:30 PM
#26
Original Poster
Just got our tickets for Statue of Liberty (Crown) and Ellis Island for 8 a.m. I assume that is the time the boat leaves Battery Park. How much in advance should we arrive to pick up tix at Will Call? Also, has anyone dined at Trattoria Toscana in the West Village? It gets rave reviews. Thanks.
May 21st, 2010, 02:04 PM
#27
Try to get a Zagat's dining guide. If you're out wandering around and get hungry you can check by neighborhood to see if there's a good spot nearby. Also, if you don't want to spend all day in a museum, check out the Frick at 70th and 5th... a little gem. Also, the Neue Gallery at 86th and 5th. They have a great place for pastry...Cafe Sabarsky.
May 21st, 2010, 02:26 PM
#28
Just thought of something else... haven't been there in years but spent a lot of my misspent youth there. Marie's Crisis...... a piano bar in the Village (on Grove Street between Bleecker Street and 7th Ave.) New Yorkers? Is this a MaiTai type of place???
May 21st, 2010, 03:24 PM
#29
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A MUST SEE while you are here is The Cloisters up in my neck of the woods, or the concrete woods, that is. Wayyyyyy on the upperwest side of Manhattan, the stop is 191st ST and then walk through Ft. Tryon Park to the musuem. It looks like a castle and is WELL WORTH a vist. Some of the most priceless treasures of the Met are on display at The Cloisters.
We'll all be on the lookout for you, in case you get into some trouble, let us know how much bail money to keep on hand.
We'll all be on the lookout for you, in case you get into some trouble, let us know how much bail money to keep on hand.
May 22nd, 2010, 09:03 AM
#30
Original Poster
travelbuff, The Cloisters is now on my list. Thanks for the info, and thanks for keeping some bail money handy (start saving now).
Gwendoynn, The Frick also looks interesting. Don't know about Marie's Crisis. I like show tunes. Singing them in public, not so much (well, unless it's Sound Of Music night!). Tracy, Mary, Kim and I would not be considered "The Fab Four" when it comes to our singing voices.
Thanks.
Gwendoynn, The Frick also looks interesting. Don't know about Marie's Crisis. I like show tunes. Singing them in public, not so much (well, unless it's Sound Of Music night!). Tracy, Mary, Kim and I would not be considered "The Fab Four" when it comes to our singing voices.
Thanks.
May 22nd, 2010, 01:12 PM
#31
Travelbuff.... Is it in Ft Tyron Park that the Restoration Project.... started by Bette Midler to clean and green New York.... has a restaurant? It might make a nice pit stop. Also, I recall taking a bus to the Cloisters... the M4 on Madison Avenue. Does that still exist? (In case the group should find themselves on the Eastside.)
(MaiTai... come to think of it... probably we're all too old for Marie's Crisis -
(MaiTai... come to think of it... probably we're all too old for Marie's Crisis -
May 23rd, 2010, 06:41 AM
#32
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We had dinner with friends at Trattoria Toscana three weeks ago, on May 1. Though we dine out fairly often--and often at nearby places--we had never been there. We liked it a lot, and hope to return.
Pretty straight-ahead Tuscan food, very well prepared and attractively presented. The waiters are veterans, with a typically New York dry wit--lots of amusing byplay. Our waiter was the sort of guy you might want to ask to sit down and join you for a glass of wine.
Although they offer sidewalk dining, we had a four-top at the very front of the place, overlooking the outside diners. The weather that evening was warm, so the entire front of the place was thrown open to the outdoors. Very enjoyable!
If you decide to visit the High Line, I'd suggest you combine it with lunch or dinner at Red Cat, Tenth Avenue just above 23rd Street. It's one of our favorites--we've never been disappointed there. The northernmost entrance to the High Line is currently (expansion further north is planned) at 20th Street just west of Tenth, an easy walk from Red Cat. If you have dinner, then walk the High Line after dark, when its great perspective of that part of the City is enhanced by the illumination of the plantings and other architectural features, not to mention the City itself.
And, re your visit to the Statue of Liberty, other threads here suggest that you arrive a minimum of one hour before your departure time in order to clear security. Will call may add some time to that.
Pretty straight-ahead Tuscan food, very well prepared and attractively presented. The waiters are veterans, with a typically New York dry wit--lots of amusing byplay. Our waiter was the sort of guy you might want to ask to sit down and join you for a glass of wine.
Although they offer sidewalk dining, we had a four-top at the very front of the place, overlooking the outside diners. The weather that evening was warm, so the entire front of the place was thrown open to the outdoors. Very enjoyable!
If you decide to visit the High Line, I'd suggest you combine it with lunch or dinner at Red Cat, Tenth Avenue just above 23rd Street. It's one of our favorites--we've never been disappointed there. The northernmost entrance to the High Line is currently (expansion further north is planned) at 20th Street just west of Tenth, an easy walk from Red Cat. If you have dinner, then walk the High Line after dark, when its great perspective of that part of the City is enhanced by the illumination of the plantings and other architectural features, not to mention the City itself.
And, re your visit to the Statue of Liberty, other threads here suggest that you arrive a minimum of one hour before your departure time in order to clear security. Will call may add some time to that.
May 23rd, 2010, 12:27 PM
#34
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Gwendolynn, Yes, yes, yes and NO!!! Ft. Tryon is one of the nicest parks in the city now, and the view from there of the Hudson and downtown is breathtaking. The Park is up on top of the highest points in Manhattan so you are looking down at the Hudson and the Closters has some beautiful gardens to roam and you won't believe you are still in Manhattan.
The NO is the #4 Bus it starts at 6th and 32nd and ends at the Cloisters going up Madison Ave, across 110th St and then up Broadway to Ft. Washington, and ends at 191st St and it probably takes well over 2 hours to get there, in bad traffic maybe a lot longer. I always tell visitors to take THE SUBWAY, it takes a fraction of the time to get anywhere including taxi rides.
The bus stops every 2 blocks all the way up, now for me, that's not a problem, I get on the bus downtown, take a nap and I am home. I'm on 145th St just off Broadway now, so the ride for me is usually over an hour, and when I have time to kill, it's kind of relaxing, especially the 10 bus which goes up Central Park west and the views of the park are wonderful, feels like you are out of the city (well sort of).
So yes please put The Cloisters on your list and if you want another intersting historic site on 164th just east of St. Nicholas a few blocks up from the 155th ST C train stop. An entire street of a mew. All the homes are identical and built in the very early 1800's and now that I'm thinking of it will get more info. It ends at the Jeffries House also a National Landmark and spectacular site overlooking the Harlem River. It must have been truly magnificent when it was surrounded by farmland up on the cliff. George Washington was a frequent guest.
We also have the Hamilton Grange on W 140th St just east of Amsterdam, President Hamilton's home currently undergoing total rennovation. The house was moved recently and is now on the grounds of City College.
This area of Manhattan is currently undergoing a major growth spurt. It is the fastest growning area of the city, and most of the brownstones are rennovated or are being rennovated, so this area will be one of the nicest in the city in probably less than 5 years. Well worth a look see too.
Phew,,,,,ok off my soapbox now.
The NO is the #4 Bus it starts at 6th and 32nd and ends at the Cloisters going up Madison Ave, across 110th St and then up Broadway to Ft. Washington, and ends at 191st St and it probably takes well over 2 hours to get there, in bad traffic maybe a lot longer. I always tell visitors to take THE SUBWAY, it takes a fraction of the time to get anywhere including taxi rides.
The bus stops every 2 blocks all the way up, now for me, that's not a problem, I get on the bus downtown, take a nap and I am home. I'm on 145th St just off Broadway now, so the ride for me is usually over an hour, and when I have time to kill, it's kind of relaxing, especially the 10 bus which goes up Central Park west and the views of the park are wonderful, feels like you are out of the city (well sort of).
So yes please put The Cloisters on your list and if you want another intersting historic site on 164th just east of St. Nicholas a few blocks up from the 155th ST C train stop. An entire street of a mew. All the homes are identical and built in the very early 1800's and now that I'm thinking of it will get more info. It ends at the Jeffries House also a National Landmark and spectacular site overlooking the Harlem River. It must have been truly magnificent when it was surrounded by farmland up on the cliff. George Washington was a frequent guest.
We also have the Hamilton Grange on W 140th St just east of Amsterdam, President Hamilton's home currently undergoing total rennovation. The house was moved recently and is now on the grounds of City College.
This area of Manhattan is currently undergoing a major growth spurt. It is the fastest growning area of the city, and most of the brownstones are rennovated or are being rennovated, so this area will be one of the nicest in the city in probably less than 5 years. Well worth a look see too.
Phew,,,,,ok off my soapbox now.
May 23rd, 2010, 12:34 PM
#35
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When you aren't hobnobbing with the socialites, a visit to the diner below is a possibility when you are in the Times Square area:
http://ellensstardust.com/
Food is meatloaf American, decor is Elvis American and wait staff are all singers/actors. It was great fun. I can't remember about reservations though.
Museum of Art has roof top bar FYI. DH and I went to Elaine's but didn't see anyone famous-that whole area looked great for food and drinking though. Carnegie Hall is still on our wish list-supposedly best acoustics around.
Anyone have the sites online for broadway tickets? Saves time in line. I'll go check.
http://ellensstardust.com/
Food is meatloaf American, decor is Elvis American and wait staff are all singers/actors. It was great fun. I can't remember about reservations though.
Museum of Art has roof top bar FYI. DH and I went to Elaine's but didn't see anyone famous-that whole area looked great for food and drinking though. Carnegie Hall is still on our wish list-supposedly best acoustics around.
Anyone have the sites online for broadway tickets? Saves time in line. I'll go check.
May 23rd, 2010, 02:13 PM
#38
Travelbuff... thanks for the update. I recall a nice bus ride up to the Cloisters.. but we started at 86th Street ! But you have inspired me to try it again..... we New Yawkers sure do ignore our own wonders.
As far as the mention of Payard.... too late. It closed last year due to a landlord dispute.We are all hoping for a reincarnation somewhere soon.
Elaine's (and Elaine) is in my neighborhood.. but no regular people go there.. it's too much of an "IN" place. If you find yourself at 88th and 2nd Ave. Cafe D'Alsace is the place. Especially for anyone interested in beer.
The only reason MaiTai and crew might find themselves in my neighborhood is if they decided to investigate Gracie Mansion. We also have a wonderful park and an historic mews but I doubt that we'd be on the radar for a short trip. Believe it or not... those of us who live very far east in the '80s are often accused of living in the suburbs -
As far as the mention of Payard.... too late. It closed last year due to a landlord dispute.We are all hoping for a reincarnation somewhere soon.
Elaine's (and Elaine) is in my neighborhood.. but no regular people go there.. it's too much of an "IN" place. If you find yourself at 88th and 2nd Ave. Cafe D'Alsace is the place. Especially for anyone interested in beer.
The only reason MaiTai and crew might find themselves in my neighborhood is if they decided to investigate Gracie Mansion. We also have a wonderful park and an historic mews but I doubt that we'd be on the radar for a short trip. Believe it or not... those of us who live very far east in the '80s are often accused of living in the suburbs -
May 23rd, 2010, 03:36 PM
#39
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Payard's bistro is closed. They moved into a new spot but I think they are just making confections. I have not been to the location.
http://www.payard.com/locations.aspx
http://www.payard.com/locations.aspx
May 24th, 2010, 09:58 AM
#40
Original Poster
Marking all this stuff down. Thanks for all the ideas everyone. Tdudette, we will try to limit our hobnobbing with the socialites. I'm not even bringing my Top Hat on this trip. Although I did see a rerun of Top Cat the other day.
