Goodbye Dallas - Hello NY…
I have a feeling that title may have gotten your attention. Perhaps you were thinking that the Bostonian turned Texan was going to be a New Yorker. No, I am not moving. But a friend of mine did.
My friend is a single female in her 40’s who doesn’t know much about New York. She lives with her little dog in the 30’s on the east side and is LOOKING FOR OUR HELP!
Since the holiday season is upon us, I thought we could start to build a list of recommendations from the readers of this blog to make sure she feels at home and starts to make a new life in the Big Apple.
- Steve, Matt, Joan — how about a few restaurant recommendations?
- Patty, John, Dale — how about a small park to walk her dog?
- Jon, AJ how about a sports bar or two?
- Does anyone know of a good dry cleaner in the area?
- Greg H — how about a good car service?
- Anyone got a tailor they love?
- What about someone to fix her heels that just broke on the sidewalk?
Remember when you moved to a new town and people gave you recommendations — now is the time to give something back and help someone.
How about a cute breakfast spot?
- Who has the best corn beef in town?
- Where is the best place to hear live music?
- What is the hottest club in town?
- Tiffany - where is the best place to buy chocolate?
- What about a single, nice guy? (sorry TA)
- Joan — what about a kosher deli?
- Steve what is the name of the falafel place near NYU?
- What’s the best museum to see?
- What Broadway play would you recommend?
Thank you in advance for your comments and recommendations. I know she will really appreciate it as well as I do.
Happy holidays!
December 12th, 2007 at 12:53 pm
Right up my alley…
Well, my first recommendation would to have not moved to the east 30’s (I’m one of those west side snobs).
However, recommendation #1 is to pick up a copy of Zagat for all the restaurant info she could want.
# How about a cute breakfast spot?
I don’t have anything in her neighborhood to recommend, but EJ’s Luncheonette (there’s a few) is solid.
# Who has the best corn beef in town?
Big debate - Ben’s (West 38th), Carnegie Deli or the Stage Deli are my favorites.
# Where is the best place to hear live music?
Rock club - Irving Plaza or BB Kings or Nokia.
Jazz - Village Vanguard, Blue Note or Birdland
# What is the hottest club in town?
Who cares? Why pay to stand on line to be overcharged for drinks. Adopt a neighborhood bar.
# where is the best place to buy chocolate?
Tons of great shops - I like Jacques Torres
# What about a single, nice guy? (sorry TA)
-This has gotten me into plenty of trouble - ask my fiance for a recommendation.
# what about a kosher deli?
See above for corned beef.
# what is the name of the falafel place near NYU?
Mamoun’s - it’s on MacDougal between Bleecker and W. 3rd
# What’s the best museum to see?
Not my bag baby.
# What Broadway play would you recommend?
Avenue Q (not for Republicans).
Lion King (even for adults)
December 13th, 2007 at 9:53 am
It wasn’t on Merrill’s list, but I’m sure it was just an oversight.
My personal favorite must-visit spot when I’m in NY isn’t too far from there…
Yankees Clubhouse Shop
Times Square
245 W. 42nd Street
New York, NY
…everything you need to get yourself the appropriate wardrobe and home decor can be found here.
December 13th, 2007 at 2:15 pm
I haven’t lived in the City for almost 20 years, so I hope all of this still applies:
6th Street on the East Side for some of the best Indian food in the City.
Brazil Brazil - Brazilian barbecue on There used to be a Brazilian Barbecue restaurant on 5W 46th and 8th Ave. Starve yourself before you go.
Chinatown - take your pick - just about any place with a duck hanging in the window.
Delis - Carnegie Deli, of course, but there are so many wonderful delis all over the city.
Jackson Hole - 35th & 3rd - the best hamburgers in the world.
Tavern on the Green - for dessert. When I got engaged we went to Chinatown for dinner (about $12 for two) and then to Tavern on the Green for dessert and coffee (about $100 and that was in 1992).
MOMA (Museum of Modern Art) for van Gogh’s “Starry Night”, the Guggenheim, Metropolitan Museum of Art - these are just the basics.
Take long walks when you don’t absolutely have to take a cab. I got more exercise when I lived in NY than I ever have since.
Shakespeare in the Park.
Free concerts in Central Park. When I was in grad school 27 years ago, I lived on campus at 66th and York. One day we walked across town to a friend’s home on the West Side. As we passed through the park, we started hearing music. It turned out to be Elton John. We passed through the crowd, stayed for a few songs and then continued on our way.
Chess in Washington Square Park, Greenwich Village. Even if you don’t play the game, it is fascinating to watch the experts playing one another.
The mimes in Central Park, SE corner by Park Ave and 59th Street.
This brings back so many memories. I better get back to work.
Steve
December 13th, 2007 at 2:59 pm
Try the Yankee Clubhouse. I’m sure everything is marked down to clearance prices and there will be no crowds.
Haven’t been to this place, but it sounds interesting:
“The Hairy Monk
337 3rd Ave. (@ 25th St)
212-532-2929
An Irish pub with Red Sox memorabilia displayed in the bar, the Hairy Monk shows all Red Sox games on their plasma screens and 8 foot projection screen. Best of all, the bar staff of Leanne, Pete & Ivan are not Yankees fans. ”
My favorite places in NY: St Andrews in the theater district (44th between 6th and 7th). Outstanding selection of single malt scotches and beers.
McSorley’s in the Village. Neighborhood’s a little rough, but it’s the oldest continuously operating pub in NY (Lincoln drank there) and has a one-of-a kind atmosphere. But go in the daytime.
December 15th, 2007 at 2:07 pm
The kosher deli’s everyone mentioned are “kosher” style which is probably just fine. But for the person who needs glat kosher it’s around as well. It’s always fun to see tourists ordering tuna fish in the Stage or Carnegie Deli. Makes me wonder what they tell their friends back home. My favorite restaurants vary a lot. And that’s the great thing about NYC — so many choices. Just to focus on the East 30’s will bring up wonderful options: El Grande on 38th for Mexican (probably won’t compare to Blue Mesa). There is Sip Sak on 2nd which is Turkish– hummus, shish ke bab, etc. The name conjures up the Sak of Suds from My Cousin Vinny, but no grits are served. On 32nd between Lexington and 3rd is a wonderful and very small French restaurant Cosette (reminiscent of Les Miserable — and with a happy ending) and between Park and Madison on 32nd, Artisinal –OMG if you really love cheese, it’s fantastic for brunch or any other meal….And so it goes in NYC, one good meal after another. I hope your friend enjoys living in NYC. Of course I’m still looking to introduce my daughters to “the guy” and haven’t found him and him, but having a dog probably guarantees a lot of interesting conversations — and that’s always a beginning.
December 17th, 2007 at 10:14 am
OK - since Matt is a great resource if you’re sticking to the West Side, and your friend is in Grammercy Park, perhaps I can chime in:
FOOD (my favorite thing):
Francisco’s Centro Vasco (W23rd between 6th and 7th)- best lobster in the city, Spanish food, GREAT SANGRIA
Angelo & Maxie’s (Park in the high teens, low 20’s)- good, consistent steak, with hip atmosphere - she can definitely meet people at the bar
Sushi Samba - also on Park - good sushi and cooked Japanese food with flair
Houston’s - also on Park - in the low-mid twenties - everyone loves Houston’s
H&H Bagels - not those imported versions you get all over the country, but the actual places where they are made - there’s one in the twenties on 2nd ave
Union Square - a few blocks down from here, but when the summer comes, she’ll like walking around there, with the bazaar’s and the restaurant’s and some of the shopping that borders all around
Shoot over to 5th Avenue for Bobby Flay’s Mesa Grill
Also, everyone likes comfort food. Check out SMAC NYC on E12th between first and second for the absolute best Mac-n-Cheese you’ve ever had. While you’re at it, Peanut Butter and Company is a staple in NYC - anything having to do with Peanut Butter they serve, including a Peanut Butter Pu Pu Platter (OH YEAH!), and the famous Elvis!
December 17th, 2007 at 10:41 am
Merrill,
New Yorkers have a special quality to their recommendations: you want to feel like you have revealed the best kept secret. and You want to make new New Yorkers feel welcome and to quickly come to realize that this is a honeycomb of small towns in the best of all possible big towns ever.
First, in any town, http://www.yelp.com is a phenomenal resource. All user generated content on everything from restaurants to bike shops.
Second, for car service Limo Res (www.limores.net) is reliable, competitively priced and so convenient for booking on line.
Third, why didn’t she talk to me first????? I would have told her the Upper West Side is THE place to be . . . no matter.
Fourth, http://www.theatermania.com has Broadway/Off Broadway tickets discounted all the time so not matter what she wants to see, she can see it at a bargain.
Of course the best Kept Secret in New York for performance is LaGuardia Arts! at 100 Amsterdam Ave. This is the high school that the movie “Fame!” was based on (full disclosure: my daughter is just finishing her senior year there”. Virtually every weekend there are choral and orchestral concerts, concerts, dance recitals, plays in the spring, jazz concerts, and all for between $15-20 a seat! http://www.laguardiahs.org/home.html Alums include Alicia Keyes, Al Pacino, Adrian Brody, Eartha Kitt and too many more notables to name. You will see energetic young people here that you KNOW you will see again only next time it will be on the runway for the Academy Awards, or the Tonys and you will be paying alot more to see them in person.
My favorite restaurant is Savoy on Crosby Street, but I just learned that for a real splurge go to Jean George in the Trump Tower at Columbus Circle, but go for lunch.
Most importantly, if this young lady is in the “business” tell her to join MRA New York, and the ARF. These are two of the greatest networking opportunities in the city.
That’s a start, and tell her WELCOME!
December 17th, 2007 at 11:15 am
This was 7 years ago, so in technology terms, almost a century, but I downloaded Vindigo for NYC on my palm, and it’s a GREAT way to find restaurants by vicinity, type of food, etc. Esp. when you’re trying to meet someone in a part of town with which you’re not familiar, you simply search on cross streets and it lists them from there.
I loved the Museum of Natural History, and the free movies in Bryant Park in the summer.
Meet people through associations and organizations that match her interest. Contact her alumni association local chapter. Go to doggie parks (probably the BEST way to meet folks).
Good luck to your friend!
December 18th, 2007 at 9:15 am
Hi Merrill,
Please tell our newest New Yorker that a great place for casual breakfast, lunch or dinner is the Guy and Gallard Cafe on the corner of 31st and Park. I will ask HN to log in for other suggestions and her favorite places for a drink after work.
Happy Holidays…atb
December 19th, 2007 at 5:15 pm
Thank you , thank you thank you - all great ideas!
Keep em coming!
Merrill
December 28th, 2007 at 11:11 am
First…your title certainly DID get my attention; particularly considering the prior article about how great you’re loving Dallas!
OK – I am clearly a West-Coaster; born and bred. However, I have grown to love NYC and do have some favorite “haunts”. Because I am blessed to know so many true New Yorkers, they have been gracious to me in finding “local” places I love to go every time I’m on the East Coast. (FYI – MY favorite area happens to be the Upper East Side, so I say to your friend…if the 30s makes YOU happy; that’s all that matters!)
My favorite place to grab brunch, located in the Upper West Side, is Sarabeth’s; 423 Amsterdam Ave, at 80th Street. While there are a total of 4 Sarabeth’s, I love this one because on a nice day, you can cross over to the park and walk down as far as you like. (GREAT preserves, food and atmosphere; very casual and warm/inviting.)
This is a funny one to me and has become a favorite of mine simply because of the location; about 200 feet from my dear friend’s front door! It’s a little café at 64th and Second (Upper East Side) and they have the best roasted chicken and stuffing! I love to spend a day in the city and then order take, but when I do “eat in”, the Russian waiter ALWAYS remembers me and says, “ah, the lady with the blue eyes is back”!
While I love Carnegie deli and make it a “tradition” for Broadway night, I FINALLY visited Katz’ deli on my last trip and have to say the food was out of this world good! Around the corner is the Tenement Museum; 90 Orchard Street, and while I’ve never been there myself, I’ve been told it’s a “must” by several people, including my good friend, Michael Mermelstein. (Speaking of museums, I personally like the smaller ones, so loved The Frick Collection, at the Fifth Avenue mansion of Henry Frick; this allows a more personal experience and kind of an “insiders view” of Fifth Avenue living! Many of my friends have also recommended The Museum of the City of New York; 1220 Fifth Avenue at 103rd Avenue - right off Central Park, but I have also yet to make it to this one. I also enjoyed ICP – the International College of Photography museum; lower West Midtown; near 43rd Street and 6th Ave; 1133 Avenue of the Americas at 43rd Street.)
Finally, for the best ramen noodles (at the cheapest price I’ve ever paid for anything in NYC), I love, love, love Sapporo; 152 W. 49th Street (between 6th and 7th Avenues). It’s a hole-in-the-wall place but is always packed and I can’t make a trip to NYC without a big bowl of their delicious soup - which I can eat about a quarter of!
December 28th, 2007 at 11:55 am
I can’t believe I forgot to mention one other place; Rosa Mexicano restaurant, for upscale Mexican food. While it is true that a beloved man in our profession happens to be a part-owner, I would never recommend something unless it was good! There are 2 locations; First Ave at 58th Street (haven’t been to), and at Lincoln Center; Columbus Ave at 62nd Street (have been to). For the BEST guacamole you’ll ever have; made at your table (to your liking) in a lava-rock mortar. Also, try their signature Frozen Pomegranate Margarita. Yummmmmy!