@nytraveler, I was unclear. I realize NYC doesn't. Have cherry trees like DC. I had read the Central Park was looking nice about now.

I think our timing's going to be good in booth cities, bless the weather changes.

Oh, we have reservations for Keen Steakhouse in NYC for our first meal. Hubby wanted to try it and we figure we'll share the king cut and have some sides. He doesn't want a smaller cut, and they'll split. Not sure about a sharing charge, but that'd still be okay; he wants the bigger cut.

So, Bianca, how did your DH like NY/DC on his first trip to the States? Does he desire a return trip? (Grand Canyon calling your name? ;) )

Bianca,

I very much enjoyed your trip report and your commentary. I find NYC does much better having small supermarkets than DC within the city core (I think perhaps this is since very few people in DC don't have cars, many are accustomed to driving to the all-in-one big supermarkets), although I think even NYC doesn't have quite the ubiquity of it as in the European cities, so I understand your reaction.

I also found it interesting that you like Greenwich Village less than other parts, describing it as too trendy and thereby lacking the NYC "soul". My instinct was to object strongly with you on this point, finding G.V. has a vibrant, neighbourhood feel with winding streets, charming prototypical New York brownstones... although perhaps since it's price-wise so out of reach now of ordinary New Yorkers, I then questioned myself that you might have a point.

I also think that in the last 15 years North America has come a long way with regard to not smoking... it's one thing this continent has by-and-large gotten much better about.

Thanks again for a great read! Daniel

No - Central Park is brown and crunchy, typically the trees leaf by the end of April. This year has been warm and tings may be sooner. Went through the park this am and a few sections of grass are turnig green - but there are no flowers yet - and I don;t expect them for a month anyway.

Central Park was lovely in the sunshine at this time of year :) even without flowers etc. Just wish we had had time to do Central Park Zoo!

My husband really enjoyed his first trip to the US, thank you. He preferred DC to NYC though! We're talking wine tour time next :D Any suggestions?! He's a Rhone Valley man usually but is open-minded wine-wise...

Greenwich Village reminded me too much of Paris' 16th arrondissement. I can see why some people like it, but to me it had kind of an unfriendly/cold feel. Really not for me I think! But also I acknowledge that this view is based on one very rainy morning :p and that I could therefore be wrong.

@Bianca and nytraveler

Thanks again for the info! Three weeks to go! Here in Fresno, a MAJOR agricultural area, Spring is always wonderful. You can see changes in the amount of greenery on a day by day basis. My favorite time of year.

First, in America it's called a subway, not the metro. 2nd, D.C. should be bundled w/Philly & Boston. 3rd, probably too cold for Atlantic City, but less tourists and less expensive.

But what about Brooklyn, Queens? Pier17, the hood, China Town, Coney Island, etc.?
Restaurants dont make reservations unless they charge you %15 deposit. They know people wont show. So am not surprised yours was "cancelled"... it was in fact never taken.

propita: I am going to NY in late April, and I was thinking of Keen's, which I enjoy. There is a ton of debate everywhere about the best steakhouse in New York, but to my mind, Keen's was fun, had good service, and the food was good. I liked it and want to go back.

A place where my daughter and I split great steak, and had more original and totally delicious complimentary food, was Hearth in the East Village. I want to go back there, too.

POMAH: I do believe that the OP tried to confirm her reservation, as NY restaurants often ask one to do, and couldn't get an answer. When she finally got through, they had canceled her reservation, and I'm assuming it was because she didn't get her confirmation call in when she tried to do so.

In Washington DC it's called the metro, not the subway. In Boston, it's called the "T", not the subway. in San Francisco, it's called "BART", not the subway. In New York, yes, it's called the subway.

Because of the unusually warm winter, Central Park had daffodils in bloom in February. It was so unusual that I took pictures! There were no crocuses in bloom that I saw that day. They usually bloom before the daffodils.

What sf7307 said.

I will say that in DC people won't flip out on you if you call it the subway instead of the metro. Most will point you in the correct direction and not to some bogus sandwich shop.

Atlantic City?

POMAH: Wow, you seem friendly...NOT :/
Metro, subway, subway, metro...everybody knows what I mean. A rose by any other name...etc.
And secondly: 'should'?! According to whom?! In any case, this was just one trip and I hope there'll be many others. You can only do so much in 5 days.
Your comment about the restaurant reservations makes NO sense I'm afraid...we made reservations at ALL the other places I mentioned without putting down any deposit.

(tuscanlifeedit: you have it right. And the steak sounds good!)

Bianca - the only time that I'm ever asked to give a credit card guarantee in NY is for New Years and Valentine's Day or very rarely for a large party (8). It is not a deposit, but used to charge the customer a fee ($50 pp for example) if they cancel last minute. The terms are always spelled out in online booking. Even the top restaurants that I've gone to for special occasions (Bouley recently) did not require a cc guarantee on a regular evening.

sf7307
on Mar 13, 12 at 11:15 PM In Washington DC it's called the metro, not the subway.
=====

Generally, I mean in America it's called the subway not the metro. Eventhough NYC uses a METROcard to access the subway and buses.

So let's say you make reservations at some top fancy shmancy restaurant, and then dont show up. Do they have a right to charge you for taking up their space, time, and not eating? Yes. Just as if you were to reserve a hall for a wedding, and it is called off 3 days prior, you do not get your deposit back. Now, if the guests still wish to show up to eat and be merry, that's their business as the place and musicians have been paid for.

POMAH - Restaurants can't charge for no shows because they do not have your credit card information. It is very poor etiquette to be a no show and to avoid that from happening, most restaurants call you a day or two before to confirm.

It's <I>not</I> generally called the subway, <I>except</I> in New York.

CPG and Bianca, you might want to read Pomah's response on the SF-LA thread to know why it makes no sense to continue to argue these [valid] points!