It is a very comfortable classic French Bistro with very good food. In the East Village, even in the more expensive restaurants, casual dress is the norm.

Some of my other favorite French bistros in the East Village are the Flea Market and Casimir both have a more of a East Village crowd with a noisier atmosphere and although they are cheaper they are not as elegant.

Thanks. I think we at least have Trattoria Toscana and Lucien as two of our choices, and maybe the Red Cat, too. I might have a couple of more questions, and I appreciate the input, since work has precluded me from doing my usual over-planning for this trip.

((H))

We have dinner reservations booked now at:

Trattoria Toscana on Carmine St.
Lucien on First Ave.
North Square Restaurant & Lounge on Waverly Place

Keeping a couple of nights open.

Red Cat still high on the list

Rooftop bars also await our visit!

((H))

Tom, when do y'all depart for NYC? And do you like Chinese? (food, silly, food!)

I have never eaten a bagel, NYC in December - I will try a bagel or two or three :) And James Earl Jones and Vanessa Redgrave - thanks for the tip rncheryl, I will look and see if it is still on for our trip.

Tom, to ensure a reservation at Red Cat, I recommend you use opentable.com or call them at 212-242-1122 no later than four weeks before you want to dine there.

Happy to see Trattoria Toscana on your list; we really enjoyed it. Had a really terrific dinner Saturday night at Scarpetta at Ninth Avenue and 14th Street. Tom Colicchio's cooking was outstanding.

One other thing: If you want to combine a visit to any restaurant in that neck of the woods with a walk on the High Line, be aware that the High Line closes at 10 p.m.

Sorry, make that Scott Conant at Scarpetta. We're headed to Colicchio & Sons this Saturday.

Sadly, stop spreading the news. I have been hospitalized for more than a week, and our trip had to be reluctantly canceled. If they ever figure out what is wrong with me we might try later in the year or next spring. It's been a very frustrating two weeks.


((H))

Sorry to hear this, Tom. Hope you feel better and are back on the road soon.

Oh No! I was thinking of you while I was in NYC over the Labor Day weekend...I was doing restaurant "recon" in Chelsea for you! :-D

I just posted my trip report, if you want to check it out.

Maitais in the drip line, Tom! Hope you're hale & hearty again very soon.

Hope you are better quickly.

Fortunately, NYC will still be here. Get well soon!

Oh no! What a blow! Swift recovery and then you can take up where you left off. Best wishes.

Yes, more good wishes, hope they find out what's wrong, get well soon and NY will be waiting for you!

Oh no! Tom, I'm so sorry to hear that (mostly for Tracy, who probably has to listen to you whine all day). :)

Really, wishing you an accurate diagnosis and speedy recovery!

{{{{{{Hugs}}}}}}
Paula

What a bummer.... and NYC was just gearing up. Does your problem have anything to do with the accident you had while chasing your dog? Whatever, I hope you're back on your feet soon!

Sending healthy thoughts your way. Please keep in touch!

Tom, so sorry u're not well. Hope they figure it all out soon and you're on the road again soon. Take care

In researching for my Spring '11 trip to NYC,I came across this wonderful thread, with so many fabulous ideas. But I'm SO sorry to hear you had to cancel your trip, Tom. What a bummer for you and your family, with all your great planning for the trip. But I do hope you're better soon, and starting your re-planning for New York trip.

bookmarking

Tom, take good care of yourself, we are so sorry that y'all had to cancel your trip. I don't like to visit new places until I read your trip reports and know what fun I can expect. Get well soon, we will be thinking of y'all and checking back here for a health report.

I saved a link to this thread before our trip to NYC over Columbus Day. I had to remark on this.

>I think my last stay in NYC was the first one ever without a trip to the Coney Island Nathan's.

On our last morning, we took the subway out to Coney Island. One of our friends was thrilled to see the Nathan's. We were short on time (plane to catch), but she wanted to go in and get hot dogs. I remarked, but don't you want to see Coney Island. She replied, "I can look at your photos!"

Thinking back on that day, the boardwalk was fairly deserted except for a few people like us taking photos. The shops were all shut up and Coney Island was closed. Was that because it was so late in the year (October) or is it all permanently closed?

Coney Island usually closes after Labor Day, maybe staying open for weekends through September. I
Think they reopen around Memorial Day. If you're in the area around June 21st or the weekend right after, you can see the Mermaid Parade which is unforgettable!

Well, nearly kicking the bucket sort of screwed up our Fall 2010 NYC trip, but there are rumors we will try to make it to New York City in Fall 2011 (of course, if I can make it there, I can make it anywhere).

Right now, thanks to vigorous physical therapy, I am up to a few flights of stairs at a time, and by September, I hope to be ready for my "1,000 Stairs a Day" regimen, much to the consternation of Tracy, Kim and Mary. I can see the headline now: "Tourist Keels Over and Dies Half Way Up Statue of Liberty."

We have our list from last year of things to do, but any updated restaurant/rooftop bar/sights to see recommendations would be appreciated. Look out New York, here we come!

((H))

YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY, maitaitom hits the road again. NY, show him a good time!!!!!

I would simply love to know where I can call to buy all of you a round of drinks in NYC!!!

No, really!

Great news Tom! Onward and upward! If you still go for Chelsea Pines, try for a lower floor!

Yes, we will try the Chelsea Pines again. They were very understanding last year on why we had to cancel.

Kealalani, Thanks. I'll try and find a bar with "reasonable" prices, but the thought is good enough.

((H))

Happy to see you posting Tom :)

The new section of The Highline Park will be opened by then.

Hope you have a good time in NYC.

Every year there is a race, by stairs, to the top of the Empire State Builidng. One a year a NYC Fireman won the event. The only trouble was, her was supposed to be out on disability and lost his pension and disability due to fraud.

Enjoy your re-hab but keep it quiet.

We do not drink but there are at least 16 bars within a three block radius of our apartment. Most are for kids under 30 but happy hours abound for cheap booze.

Tom, I'm off to Italy on Friday.. I will be toasting you and your lovely wife while in Rome (and trying to avoid pigeon poop at all costs) and hunting down that zabaglione!

Glad to see you in the planning stages again!

Paula

Mai Tai, so glad to hear you are on the road again.

Hope the Big Apple can handle the Mai Tai four. I imagine I'll read about it in the New York Times Travel section some fall Sunday.

OK Tom, now I need to know when your quartet is descending upon New York City. I think I feel a GTG coming on, cuz I want to see the guy who was raised from the dead (and kept his sense of humor!)

And it had better NOT be when DH and I are in the Dordogne, warning les francais that you are going there in 2012!!

Wow, an NYC GTG! Looking like next to last week of September at the moment, but don't have firm plans yet. Rooftop bar GTG possibility? I better get cracking on those stair-step exercises.

((H))

Heck, I might even try to be in NY that weekend for that event.

Although I was thinking of going to Prague. No, really.

A rooftop CTG would be great - one of our favorites is 230 Fifth Ave., on the 20th floor of an office building (same address), huge space with scenic views of the Hudson River/Empire State Building and many more!

owlwoman, I went to the website. Martinis with a view! Gotta love it.

((H))

We bring all our out of town guests there, haven't had a complaint yet.