mp,

Sounds like you and I followed the same route. I also always loved a visit to Johnny Jupiter. That stretch has gone a bit more Madison Avenue in the last few years. . .

I’ll never understand why people waste their time at Grimaldi’s. I’m glad you did have fun here! Isn’t the walk over the Brooklyn Bridge great? I do A LOT of planning when I travel but I limit my must do things and use the rest as back up. That way if we don’t stumble upon a restaurant that looks good I still have a list of possibilities.

I’ll never understand why people waste their time at Grimaldi’s

Me either, now that I've done the trek. It was good, but not go-out-of-your-way good (now the Jacques Torres hot chocolate I had AFTER lunch at Grimaldi's was worth walking across the bridge for)!

And it's tought to beat the view from the waterfront there!

Enjoyed your report and observations. It sounds like you
were coming from LGA if you were able to pick up a city bus. Were you waiting for Super Shuttle or the Airport Express bus? The Express bus is usually fine.

mclaurie, yes it was LGA and it was the Airport Express bus. I thought it would be the best way to go since we only needed to get to Grand Central. I have no idea what the problem was. (I'm sure it showed up the minute we got on the city bus!)

Very informative report. It's good to hear when popular attractions are worth it (ToTR) or not (Grimaldi's). I'm in the middle of overplanning for an August trip.

is Jacques Torres chocolate factory near Grimaldi's? We are planning a trip to NYC early October and part of the fun will be walking the Brooklyn Bridge. Thought of Grimaldis and now that you mention Jacques Torres, thought we would complete the meal there.

Tyger, Jacques Torres is just a couple of blocks (toward the water) from Grimaldi's. You can have hot chocolate, or make up your own box of chocolates!

There is also a Jacques Torres in Manhattan plus other quality chocolate makers.

My daughter goes to Billies in Chelsea, I think they are better than Magnolia (there is now one on the UWS) or Buttercup Bakery - these are completely tasteless!!

Different strokes on Grimaldi's -- I actually thought their pizza was excellent the time I tried it, worth seeking out. Coupled with an ice cream from the nearby Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory, it made for a really good lunch before a stroll over the Brooklyn Bridge.

I've been to Grimaldi's twice and found the pizza good -- not the best I've ever had, but was a little turned off by the "attitude". The first time ours was really burned around the edges which neither of us likes. So the second time we went I politely asked if we could have one not burned around the edges. The guy became very indignant and said, "you don't understand that our pizzas are coal fired. They are all a little black on the edges". I responded, "yes, I do know, but all I'm saying is I'd prefer one more like this (pointing to the nice golden brown one to our left) instead of one like this (pointing to the black one to our right). He hurumphed loudly and marched off. But we did get a non-burned one.

I think Grimaldi's is behind

Lombardi's
Pizza Fresca
Tontonno's (Coney Island and uptown)

and maybe a few others.

Personally, my favorite Manhattan pizza is Patsy's on First Avenue between 117th & 118th Street. Thin crispy crust and a full menu available - including chocolate souffle for dessert.

As for cupcakes, it's hard finding great ones but I like the ones at the UWS Fairway Cafe (from Mitchel London) and also at Yura, on Madison and 92nd, and Bouley Bakery in Tribeca. And Amy's Bread on Ninth Ave in midtown also has good ones. But I'll always prefer the chocolate chunk cookies from Levain Bakery on W. 74th Street!