WHY SO FEW REPLIES??
 

i was wondering why a question about toiletries gets 52 replies and when i ask about trying to find a nice restaurant to take my 11 year old to with possibly some music thrown in i only get 5 replies and 2 of them were mine?? I'm coming to NY in less than 10 days and still no reasonable suggestions

Try chowhound.com. Lotta knowledgeable foodies over there...

No reasonable replys? I think you not listening. There were several reasonable replys telling you that your not really able to find a restaurant where you can get a burger that also has a live band playing music that a 11 would enjoy. Or an adult for that matter. Let alone a "diner". Any place having a live band isn't going to start playing music till late. You could find a jazz bar with a combo playing but that isn't going to start to 8-9 clock and its really not going to be the atmosphere a 11 kid is going to enjoy. You might consider that you are asking for the wrong thing.

Could it possibly be because of the gender make-up of those frequenting this board????

'cause you aren't going to find an American diner with live music

the last time I read the responses in your post you were very kindly advised as such AND given some other ideas

Wonder how many responses I'd get to "Where can I find biscuits 'n gravy in London/Dublin/Sydney?

=; Gosh, Janjack, I took the time to reply to your question - even looked up the address and website of the place I was recommending. I thought it was perfect for an eleven year old...but you didn't even bother to respond - yet you post here to complain that my response was unreasonable? Tough board!

By the way, for the record, this female did not respond to the toiletries thread.

I know it can be frustrating, but keep in mind - 90% of travellers in the world take toiletries and therefore have some knowledge/opinion on the subject, whereas not everyone knows abotu NY diners. Like other posters, I'm not sure you're going to be able to find what you are looking for in NYC. Have you spoken to the Tourist Board (or Convention/Visitors Bureau, whatever it is called)? They might be able to answer for you.

Good luck, and hope you enjoy your trip!

99.9 percent of the travelers here have some idea of how to pack. The number who go to New York and risk taking an 11 year old boy out to eat at a "nice restaurant" would be few and far between.

Boys that age seem to want McDonalds, Burger King, Pizza Hut or maybe for a treat, Wendy's. Places that are not known for music. Hot Dogs from a sidewalk vendor would be more exciting for the AVERAGE 11 year old kid.

I think this is called "biting the hand that feeds you." Actually it is biting the hand that feeds you voluntarily and for free when you have posed a difficult scenario, as others have pointed out.
I read your original post and after taking three trips w/11 yr olds to NYC, I couldn't think of a reply. I had a reply for toiletries. Easy as that.
And it would be nice if you thanked the people who did reply to your post.

This could be a problem with vernacular. Janjack, you originally asked for suggestions for a "diner" with live music, something hard to find in the States. Ellen's Stardust Diner comes closest to what you were asking for, a good suggestion in my opinion. Diners in the US are lunchroom counters where one goes for a quick, cheap meal.

In this post you mentioned trying to find a "nice restaurant" with entertainment, something different altogether. What do you mean by "nice"? That could be very expensive, depending on who you ask.

That said, here are a few suggestions taken from the New York Mag Restaurant Guide which has an excellent search engine. Their website is:
http://www.newyorkmetro.com/restaurants/

Arturo's
Italian,Pizza
Price Range: Moderate
A classic New York pizza joint serving coal-oven pizza with a slice of history and a side of live jazz.
106 W. Houston St.
West Village
212-677-3820

Hard Rock Cafe
221 W. 57th St. (Midtown West)
near Broadway
212-489-6565
Hum along to all-time rock-and-roll greats while the kids ogle Elvis memorabilia, Jon Bon Jovi’s guitar, and costumes worn by Michael Jackson.
Live Music, Kids' Menu, Good for Kids

Jekyll and Hyde Club
1409 Sixth Ave.
between 57th and 58th Sts.
212-541-9517
If the kids are bugging you for some theme-park entertainment (and you’re looking for something a little closer than Disney World), this is your ticket. Creepy hosts and scary animatronics are Jekyll & Hyde hallmarks.

I do understand how you feel about getting just a few replies, when other threads are kept going with 200+. It does help if you come back and thank people for their suggestions. Many times people post a question and never come back to check on them, and they die for lack of interest.

Anyway, I hope you and your family have a great time in the US.

Maggi

Agree with emd. You can't always get what you want. If your answers aren't here then go somewhere else and stop whining. You're too used to bleating and getting your own way. Grow up!

Janjack , you've posted 5 questions, ALL of them have gotten responses, and you haven't come back to any of them to thank or clarify.

I can't tell you how many times I've asked questions here and gotten NO reply. Not complaining, it just depends on your question and if somebody out there happens to know the answer.

~Liz

Agree with others that most know toiletries, a relative few know NY eateries with music that would appeal to an 11 yr old.

Also agree that you should get back on those threads you started and thank posters for their responses or ask for addition details about the places they suggested.

From a practical point, responding to your own threads will also put them at the top of the list so others who might not have seen your questions the first time around will see and respond. Once a thread drops out of the top 50 on the list fewer and fewer people tend to respond. Also, when the original poster doesn't respond some fodorites won't add more info thinking the poster isn't checking their threads.

It is because most everyone here on Fodors has some experience with packing. Fewer by far have a great restaurant to recommend for a 11 year old in New York.

Because the foil beanie on my head gets better reception when the sun is shining.

I like donuts.

Janjack: all of the above + people here like to discuss things semi-controversial. The title of the toiletry thread, alone, draws more people with common opinions - than your thread. It's on par with the human nature phenomenon that causes people to gawk at traffic accidents.

Don't confuse quantity with quality. (For example, Rachael Ray's wedding in Tuscany has a zillion humerous but not real useful responses).

Honestly, how rude! Didn't know we were obligated to answer every post on here. Would you prefer we made up some places for you to go? I think you've gotten plenty of nice replies and you need to seriously consider your expectations and the nature of your request to begin with.

Just for kicks, let's see if we can get to 53 replies on this one.

I'll say it again, if you want music in a diner, it will have to come from a jukebox. Try Johnny Rockets in Hoboken, NJ or I think there may be a location in the Time Square area. I'm not recommending you eat there, but just telling you where you can find music in an age appropriate restaurant for your 11 year old.

You may have to re-think your expectations. We can't give you something that doesn't exist.

By the way, many places with live music start at a late hour and may only be on weekends (TH, F, S) - usually bar type places...

Because you failed to put the location you wanted in the subject line and many people that might have been able to help didn't know you were asking about New York.

Don't worry, you will learn how to particpate in this community in a few months.

Keith

I'd be curious to know if there are quick turnaround type casual dining restaurants in the UK with live music all the time. Are there any Janjack?

Ha, now there's more than 20 replies - funny! I do think the problem is that people can't recommend places that don't exist. Or the few that fit your requirements have already been mentioned to you.

I know I'm beating a dead horse, but...
Janjack, this is a volunteer board--that's all the explanation there will ever be for why some threads live forever and others die an untimely death.
I sympathisize with your frustration; I, too, have asked questions that were important to me but that received few responses. That's the way the cookie crumbles here.
But, I can assure you, if you suggest that you're entitled to an answer, you will get none.

I finally read the thread in question--hadn't before b/c I don't know NYC well--and wow, there are really good suggestions there, some that hit your request for ribs/burgers with musical accompaniment square on the nose. What's the problem??

Well that told me thankyou thankyou thankyou to all those suggestions. I have been taking my son who is well behaved to 'nice' restaurants since he was 8 months old and in a high chair. No i can't think of restaurants with music in London because i live 50 miles away. But we used to have a Jazz Cafe that had a Jazz ensemble playing music every sunday. The reason i asked the original question was because although there are books you can buy that suggest places there is nothing like a recommendation rather than an advert. I will check all your recommended web sites.
Thanks again.

You know, in my short time here on this tiny blue sphere we call Earth - I've learned that seeking advice is a bit similar to fishing. One needs to cast a wide net, and needs to wait sometimes only a moment, and sometimes - for a great deal longer.

It could also be that the few people who visit this board AND who possess the knowledge you seek, are traveling and will answer the question upon their return.

where can you find biscuits and gravy in London/Dublin/sydney?

The same place you can buy those cosmetics????

And please don't tell us there are more men than women who post on this board.

Janjack, another reason you didn't get many replies initially (at least it's the reason you didn't get one from me) is you didn't select "new york" when posting. I visit this site almost daily and will always check New York posts to see if I can help. Yours doesn't show up when searching that way. I will give a few more thoughts on your original string. I'll add your question's a bit ambiguous. Are you looking for music for the 11 yr old or yourselves?

Agreed that the reason you got few replies is that you're asking for something that doesn;t exist. Diners (of which there are few in NYC - what you'll find is mostly coffee shops) don't have music - because their purpose is a quick breakfast or lunch - not a long lingering meal. They have to turn over tables quickly to make a profit.

The only place I can think of that's even close is Ellen's Stardust Diner - the performing wait staff is a hoot for kids - but for adults the food isn;t that great.

Other than that places with music (often only certain nights per week) are either primarily bars (not rally suitable for an 11 year old) or actual restaurants. And although some may have burgers - most tend to be less casual and much more expensive than would be a diner/coffee shop. And music won;t start til later in the evening - again perhaps not appropos for an 11 year old.

Agree to check out Timeout New York for restaurants with music.

But a diner with jazz - no such thing.,