If you still are considering hotels, try the Salisbury. Rates are comparable with the Chelsea. We stayed there for 4 nights...the place was clean, efficient, and the location was great.

http://www.nycsalisbury.com/

Hi Tom, I'm headed to nyc in Sept and these are some things on my list in case some of them might interest you:

On the roof of the Met right now is Big Bambu through 10/31:

BB "is a growing and changing sculpture―a vast network of 5,000 interlocking 30- and 40-foot-long fresh-cut bamboo poles, lashed together with 50 miles of nylon rope. It will continue to be constructed throughout the duration of the exhibition."

"On the guided tours, held during regular Museum hours, weather permitting, small groups of visitors are able to walk along the elevated interior network of pathways roughly 20 to 40 feet above the Roof Garden. Tickets are required for the guided tours, and specific guidelines apply to those interested in participating". Sounds so cool!

Also there is a Matisse exhibit at MOMA through Oct. 11th that requires timed entrance tickets. I highly recommend MOMA and there is a nice bar/restaurant inside.

The High Line walk in combo with exploring the Meatpacking District, also Context, which offers great tours in Europe now does some interesting architecture/cultural/art walks.

A walk along the Brooklyn bridge is a great choice, also Morgan Library in addition to Frick is really interesting (Guttenberg Bible, Illuminations etc.) and exploring the Chelsea Market, which has my favorite coffee vendor inside (forgetting name now) best cappucino ever!

I have a page of restaurants to try every time I go to nyc, one of my favorites from last trip was Lupa in the village (west I think?). It's one of Batali's but very mellow, no fuss, great food.

Have fun, can't wait for the trip report.

DH and I went to the Empire State Building at night and it was empty. Views at night were good. We never made it to Top of the Rock. Is the ESB becoming like the Leaning Tower-too touristy? Hope you can go to both places in NYC.

Bookmarking.

One of the most impressive buildings in New York remains the Empire State Building, but sadly you can't see it from there. But you can see it from Top of the Rock. I think that's one of the things that actually makes the view from Top of the Rock better.

I hate to quibble, but I'm confused by the repeated "never eat at a chain" then a recommendation for both Gray's Papaya and Nathan's. Aren't those both MAJOR chains? What am I missing here?

I agree with the recommendations for Red Cat -- there's just something about that place. It seems so upscale and the food is always really great, but yet the prices don't seem to rise to the heights that somewhat similar places have.

I hate to quibble, but I'm confused by the repeated "never eat at a chain" then a recommendation for both Gray's Papaya and Nathan's. Aren't those both MAJOR chains? What am I missing here?
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Yes, I know how you hate to quibble. You rarely do it.

Gray's the MAJOR chain has three locations.

Nathan's still makes good franks. The french fires are only as good as the kid who makes them and the one in Coney Island, the original, has the ambience of being the original.

I also think the Belch chain Le Pain Quotidien makes some fine bread and spectacular brownies.
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BTW, Payard is opening a new bakery on Houston Street near Sullivan Street in the next few weeks.

Tom: don't know your time frame for visit, and don't even know if you are a theater fan, but Vanessa Redgrave and James Earl Jones are starring in a limited run of "Driving Miss Daisy" on Broadway beginning early October. Sounds fabulous to me...

Thanks Auduchamp for clarifying --in other words you meant "never eat at ANY chain except those I suggest". I missed that part.

And thanks for giving me the laugh about MY never wanting to quibble, as opposed to you!

But once again I'll say it and mean it -- thanks for a super and wonderful list of inexpensive eats in NYC. It's great.

You are welcome Neo, and I hope you have time to enjoy some of them.

I always eat at the biggest chain in NYC, Duane Reade because I buy my cookies there.
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I went to public school with Nathan's granddaughter, when there were only three or four places, all owned by her family. And I went to high school just a few blocks from the original.

Years ago I think Hershey's wanted to buy Nathan's but they thought the name was too "ethnic." and the family would not sell. And then I guess they sold to those alchemists the Reise Brothers who turn food into s--t without it passing through the alimentary canal. The franks are still good. But when we were kids the french fries were bliss. Crisp on the outside and moist on the inside. They had a group of old man working the fryers who knew to the moment and brownness when they were perfect.

And actually I had Nathan's cater our tiny wedding a thousand years ago. To us old Brooklynites it is more than a chain.

I think my last stay in NYC was the first one ever without a trip to the Coney Island Nathan's. It's just something I love to do. But when the temps were hovering around 3 degrees in January, it just wasn't in the cards!

Understood.

There used to be a sign at the Stillwell Avenue subway stop (the main one for Coney Island) a remnant from WWII that read, "You Are Not in A Bombing Zone." It came down during the rennovation about 12 years ago.

One more question: We have the earliest reservation for Statue Of Liberty/Ellis Island Tour (8 a.m.) Would we also have time for the Tenement Museum that afternoon at 3:45? Thanks.

Yes. You'll spend an hour and a half at the SofL including museum and maybe two hours at Ellis Island with it's museums.
It will be a full day but it's possible to do all.

I think so, Tom...unless you really want to linger at Ellis Island. Of course that is possible if read every single placard and do several name searches.

Thanks HT and Jim,

Appreciate the input. Full days our are life! And Jim, thanks for the heads up on Katz's Deli. I have gone to Philippes since I was a little kid, so this should make a good stop for us on our whirlwind NYC trip.

One of the restaurants on my list is Lucien at 317 W 4th St. Does anyone know about this restaurant, and should I make reservations two weeks out? From what I read, it is casual, but just want to make sure. As always, thanks for your input!

Bookmarking

Hmmm the only Lucien I know of is on 1st Ave and 1st Street in the east village - Aduchamps stomping grounds

http://www.luciennyc.com/

good reliable neighborhood place.

That is Lucien I know and years ago we had a little 50th birthday gathering there.

I too have never heard of the one on West 4th and googled it. Besides not finding another there were strange entries for Lucien.

I went on google maps and I do not think there is any restaurant at that address.

You are correct (14 1st avenue). I had the wrong address (not even drinking yet today). mp and adu, have you dined here, and do you like this restaurant? The menu looked good upon first look, and the prices seemed in line with what we would like to spend. Thanks.