I hope you guys can help.... This website made my weeks in Rome/Amalfi, and Budapest/Prague so much more wonderful than they could have been, so I'm hoping I'll get the same great tips for New York.

I'm flying out on Friday, 14th April to JFK to meet a girlfriend who is flying in from California. We haven't seen each other for ages since she emigrated out there, so we're really hoping to hit the town!

We're staying at The Hudson hotel and we'd really like some tips on cool bars and restaurants - places with great food, drinks and music - but without the aggro that comes from being too new or too exclusive. Is there anywhere that's worth visiting for the surroundings alone (I've read the Oyster Bar at Grand Central station is pretty amazing)? We're not early 20's anymore - in fact early 30's would be flattering - so nothing too young & hip, but not too quiet and restrained! Thanks to anyone who can help

TTT...I think you need to look in the mirror and figure out that even though you aren't 20 anymore that "young and hip" has yet to really pass you by!

http://fodors.com/forums/threadselec...1&tid=34782193

http://fodors.com/forums/threadselec...1&tid=34721519


hipguide.com

btw, Grand Central is amazing. Not sure Oyster bar is. Clam chowder's good and whispering gallery just outside is amazing. Have some cheesecake at Junior's also in Grand Central.

http://www.newyorkology.com/archives...spering_1.html

If you're looking for excellent oysters, try

Blue Ribbon

97 Sullivan St., New York, NY 10012
between Prince and Spring Sts.
212-274-0404

Intrepid1 - I tend to avoid mirrors because they don't seem to reflect the image I have in my mind these days!!

mclaurie - thanks for those links - that's really going to help. Neither of us are big Oyster fans (thanks tho, Michelle) - we were just going to gawk at the architecture - but the cheesecake tip sounds right up our street!

For a good laugh go to Lucky Chengs
http://www.planetluckychengs.com It will be an experience you will always laugh about.

If you go shopping at Macy's (34th and 6th) have lunch in the cellar. It is pretty inexpensive with a pasta station, sandwich bar, pizza, daily specials and a salad bar. The Chicken pot pie is great. If you want to try something different in the area, go over to 32nd between 5th and 6th for Korean. All of the appetizers they bring out are included in the price of your meal.

If you are going to be in town during the week--check out daily candy for all the sample sales (http://www.dailycandy.com/)

If you are going to catch a play--head over to the tickets booth in Times square for half price tickets the day of the show (http://www.nyctourist.com/broadway_tkts.asp)

Have a great time!

Jacko, I have one of those mirrors too

I guess I can't go anywhere hip, cause I'm over 50, LOL. ;-)

Hi Jacko,
The Grand Central Oyster bar is fantastic for people watching as well as having a wonderful range of appetisers, snacks & drinks (not just oysters). It's still one of the special memories from my NY trip last August. It has a great atmosphere.

For the oyster lovers, try a mixed dozen (or 2!) from the various regions listed daily.

Thanks barbmhuber for that wonderful website, dailycandy... it even tells me about sales here at home in London, so have definitely bookmarked that one!

Scarlet - if you ever find a mirror that works - PROPERLY - let me know!!

And Bokhara - People Watching with food & drinks has to be up there as a favourite pastime. That's definitely going to be something we do.

And it's not that I think age has any bearing on whether you're Hip or not - I just find that anywhere that attracts the early 20's here in London turns me back into a Mum - wanting to brush the boys' hair, pull up their trousers and urging the girls to eat more! (Am also too old and too wise now to want to stand in a queue in the cold, just to get into somewhere thats crowded and overpriced)