Times Square, NYE, and Chain Restaurants
 

If you are willing to spend upwards of $800 to eat in a chain restaurant on NYE in Times Square, you can come to my house, for an all you can eat dinner, funny hats, champagne, and I will throw in a pair of jammies for $350 a person.


http://nypost.com/2015/12/27/chain-r...ium=SocialFlow

It's the same every year.

Hotel rooms at the Marriott Marquis with any view of the ball drop are in excess of $2500 for the night.

On the other hand how much is it worth to be able to sit, versus stand, for 7 hours or more - and have access to a bathroom.

Warren, but you can't see Times Square from Orchard Street.

I once met a very nice young couple from Israel sitting on the Rockie Steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art who told me that dining at the Olive Garden in TS was one of the highlights of their trip to America.

Thin

Understandable, since he probably was accustomed to Jewish food.

Vincenzo

I know someone who was Italian who moved to Florida and wanted to go to Olive Garden. There are in Witness Protection now.

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It is true you can see Times Square from Orchard Street, but can get cheap underwear in Times Square? I mean underwear that has never been worn before.

Who knew Olive Garden could dumb down their menu and pull their unlimited breadsticks of the table.

I any city, but especially NYC, I am always amazed that anyone will choose Olive Garden (or Friday's, Red Lobster, Bubba Gump Shrimp Company). I am not a fan of our chain restaurants and every city has great local restaurants, big and small, inexpensive and high end....i know others enjoy these places, they are popular. I just don't think the food quality is good. I also would never spend NYE in Times Square( usually asleep by midnight anyway)!

We call it the garlic garden.

Key West is the best for NYE. Three drops, Bourbon St bar, Sloppy Joe's bar or wench at Schooner wharf. Take your pick, they are all good. Great entertainment and you can wear flip flops.

Just to be clear. . . for $350 we get dinner jammies and the opportunity to see IMDonehere's balls drop? And clean underwear?

Inaka-You got it, even though, they are rice balls.

I like Red Lobster's cheddar bay biscuits.

I also like OG's tiramisu, chicken flatbread and Ravioli di Portabello.

I am amazed that anyone would care what I eat.

Thin

I'm always amazed that anyone cares where someone else chooses to eat.

The chain restaurants are filled with tourists and locals feel bad that they're settling for chains when so many excellent local restaurants are only a block or two away.

The people who are feigning amazement, often comment on the actions of others. Please provide a personal list of acceptable topics to offer advice and to comment, so we may all benefit in the future.

Of course, on these boards, no one ever recommends restaurants or tells people how to save money or a better way to enjoy their trip.
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I think the biggest mistake people make who visit NY is ignoring the varieties of food and cuisines available. I would say only about 10-15% of the people who ask for advice here go beyond what they know or feel comfortable with.

Thus to spend hundreds of dollars on dreck, is appalling.

<i> I would say only about 10-15% of the people who ask for advice here go beyond what they know or feel comfortable with.</i>

And how have you determined that to be the case?

Oxgirl

I hired Ernst & Young to do a confidential survey of the Fodor's NY boards from 1624 to present.

Snort. Of course.

I have never heard an Ox snort on the NY Board before.

I started answering questions about NY on the old AOL Board and have been doing this for over 15 years. My 10-15% is probably a generous number and based on an honest assessment.

I know how that must rankle some.

It's Obx, not Ox. You've made that "mistake" before when someone questions you. Presumably b/c it's easier to call someone a name than it is to substantiate a ridiculous and unverifiable claim.

Last word to word you. You know you won't be able resist.

all hail the obnoxious oxgirl

let the balls drop