New York

[Rudey]

Originally posted by russellwarshay
I was born and raised in Brooklyn, and live in Manhattan. The best bagels are from H&H, which is in Manhattan. The best Pastrami sandwich (I grew up in the deli business) is from Katz's. Every 10th Katz's sandwich is off, but for those 9 other times, its the best on the planet.

Stromboli, in the Village, has great pizza the by the slice. If you want great pizza that's different, try Two Boots (maps of Italy and Louisiana look like boots) for pizza with a cajun twist.

That is wrong. You basically named a bunch of tourist spots that you think are great. Brooklyn and Queens have the best spots unless you totally didn't go out looking for them. Katz is not great - 2nd avenue deli which is another tourist spot is even better. Next you'll say Carnegie deli is great.

And a slice should cost no more than $1.50 and 1.25 is more reasonable.

-Rudey

[PhiPsiRuss]

Originally posted by Rudey
That is wrong. You basically named a bunch of tourist spots that you think are great. Brooklyn and Queens have the best spots unless you totally didn't go out looking for them. Katz is not great - 2nd avenue deli which is another tourist spot is even better. Next you'll say Carnegie deli is great.

And a slice should cost no more than $1.50 and 1.25 is more reasonable.

-Rudey

You can't find a slice of pizza for that price anymore, anywhere in NYC. Name a spot better than Strombolis.

The pastrami at Katz's is better than the 2nd Avenue Deli's. The Carnegie used to have the best corned beef, until the guy who ran it died.

My father and grandfather used to cure there own pastarmi and corned beef in the family deli in Brighton Beach. We once had our corned beef voted the best in all of Brooklyn. I know my deli.

[Rudey]

Originally posted by russellwarshay
You can't find a slice of pizza for that price anymore, anywhere in NYC. Name a spot better than Strombolis.

The pastrami at Katz's is better than the 2nd Avenue Deli's. The Carnegie used to have the best corned beef, until the guy who ran it died.

My father and grandfather used to cure there own pastarmi and corned beef in the family deli in Brighton Beach. We once had our corned beef voted the best in all of Brooklyn. I know my deli.

The best delis and bagel spots are in Queens. I would put the best pizza in Brooklyn or Queens...probably Brooklyn. And that price is the going price in Queens - not in tourist Manhattan. I love Rosas in Queens and for a bit more than a slice, Grimaldis in Brooklyn.

-Rudey

[sairose]

Hey guys,

Thanks for all the ideas! It certainly helps. Only thing is it seems as if there are too many things to do, and not nearly enough time. *sigh*

What about Broadway shows? I LOVE musical theater. I'm not familiar with any of the more recent shows but I'm open for recommendations!

[tunatartare]

My vote for the best pizza in New York has to be without a doubt Famous Famiglias. They have a couple of them in the city. They are so good.

[Peaches-n-Cream]

Well I guess it depends on what sairose wants to do. Does she want to do touristy things or do the things native New Yorkers do?

Carnegie Hall is a good location, 57th Street and Seventh Avenue. A few blocks away from Lincoln Center, Central Park, and the 'new' Columbus Circle. I haven't been there yet since they just had their grand opening. Rockefeller Center isn't too far. St. Patrick's Cathedral shouldn't be missed.

For shopping 57th Street is great. Bergdorf Goodman, Chanel, and Tiffany & Co. Hard Rock Cafe is there, if that's something you want to experience. Bloomingdale's is few blocks away at 59th and Lexington. I think that FAO Schwarz is closed.

Personally, I like the Circle Line tour and have taken a few visitors on it. I think that the Statue of Liberty is closed. Ellis Island is historically relevant. I also suggest you go to the top of the Empire State Building. On a clear day, you can see forever.

Some of the best restaurants in the world are in New York City. The Russian Tea Room has been closed for a while now, but there a dozens of great places.

My favorite is Fifth Avenue. From 59th Street, it lines Central Park. There are museums galore: the Metropolitan, the Guggenheim, Cooper-Hewitt National Museum of Design, The Frick Collection, etc. If you are interested in that, here is a list of the museums in NYC.

I like John's Pizza which is were I met lifesaver when he visited from Texas. Ray's is good too.

There are tons of thngs to do in NYC. It depends on your personal preferences as well as your budget.

[FeeFee]

Originally posted by Rudey
I love Rosas in Queens and for a bit more than a slice, Grimaldis in Brooklyn.

-Rudey

Grimaldis is a great spot.

[DolphinChicaDDD]

Originally posted by sairose
Hey guys,

Thanks for all the ideas! It certainly helps. Only thing is it seems as if there are too many things to do, and not nearly enough time. *sigh*

What about Broadway shows? I LOVE musical theater. I'm not familiar with any of the more recent shows but I'm open for recommendations!

I'll say it again...

WICKED

GO SEE WICKED!!!!! I don't know if your familiar with Broadway people, but KRISTIN CHENOWETH(Glinda) and IDINA MENZEL(Elphaba, aka Wicked Witch of the West) are still in it, who are both great performers. Joel Gray is in it too, but I was not impressed with him as the Wizard. I saw Tye Diggs as Fiyero, and he was wonderful. I didn't know he could sing. I think he is eventually taking over the role.
But I would really really really try to get tickets to Wicked, I think it is going to be up for quite a few Tonys.

[xo_kathy]

Originally posted by Peaches-n-Cream
Some of the best restaurants in the world are in New York City.

Thank you P-n-C! Please, please, please do NOT go to TGI Fridays or Olive Garden when you are here!!!! I hear of so many tourists who say "Wow, the Chicken Ceasar at the NYC TGI Fridays was so expensive!" You should NOT come to NYC and eat at the same places you can eat at in your own town!

In fact, that website that was posted earlier - the NYC visitor's guide - has a list of restaurants participating in 'Restaurant Week' which is when restaurants offer a prix fixe meal (an apprtizer, entree and dessert for a set amount). The official week is over today, but many of the restaurants are continuing to offer their lunch prix fixe for only $20.04. That's a great deal for lunch in one of these "fancy" places. Make sure to take advantage of those deals or the places that have 'pre-theatre' menus!

[Anchorgirl]

Originally posted by sairose
Hey guys,

Thanks for all the ideas! It certainly helps. Only thing is it seems as if there are too many things to do, and not nearly enough time. *sigh*

What about Broadway shows? I LOVE musical theater. I'm not familiar with any of the more recent shows but I'm open for recommendations!

Typically any show is going to be great, but there are some classics that I can recommend to you. Also, stay away from Taboo - that is Rosie O'Donnell's show starring Boy George and it has been plagued with bad reviews. I have seen (and recommend) the following shows:

Hairspray - awesome!
Aida - currently starring Michelle Williams (of Destiny's Child)
Wicked - per the other poster, it is suppose to be great!
Les Miserables - don't know if this is still on Broadway but it is great
Saturday Night Fever - wonderful music!
Beauty and the Beast - typical Disney, but very good

[Taualumna]

Les Miz closed a while back, but yeah, Aida's great! Go to TKTS for discounts!

[aabby757]

If you like toys go to the Toys R Us in Times Square. It has a ferris wheel in the store, it's amazing.

Regarding Broadway shows, Producers is amazing but tickets are impossibl. Wicked, yes, definitely, same with Hairspray and MamaMia. Taboo wasn't that bad, I didn't think but it closes this Sunday.

Avenue Q is HYSTRICAL but not for prudes.

The Disney shows are, well, too Disney for me but sweet. Lion King is amazing and Rent is good too if you haven't already seen it.

Chicago now that Melanie Griffith is gone is back to it's perfection state.

I'm still a sucker for 42nd Street -- it's so visual and you can get second row seats at TKTS.

You can also see Hugh Jackman in the Boy From Oz and YOU CANNOT take your eyes off him. He has such charisma on stage. It's unbelievable.

Movin Out is so so.

If you want to see a play Cat on a Hot Tin Roof is so so too, read the play which is fantastic but the actors are so so. Which is too bad since I am a fan of all of them.

Thouroughly Modern Millie is cute and lead, who won a Tony is leaving soon so you may want to check her out before she moves on.

I could go on and on and on since I see everything there, good or bad because I love the theater.

[ZTAMich]

Originally posted by FeeFee
Grimaldis is a great spot.

the one in Hoboken, NJ is good too

[AlphaSigOU]

Over in Elmhurst, Queens, by the LIRR station... Singa's Pizza! Best pizza in all o' Queens!

[honeychile]

Originally posted by xo_kathy
Thank you P-n-C! Please, please, please do NOT go to TGI Fridays or Olive Garden when you are here!!!! I hear of so many tourists who say "Wow, the Chicken Ceasar at the NYC TGI Fridays was so expensive!" You should NOT come to NYC and eat at the same places you can eat at in your own town!

In fact, that website that was posted earlier - the NYC visitor's guide - has a list of restaurants participating in 'Restaurant Week' which is when restaurants offer a prix fixe meal (an apprtizer, entree and dessert for a set amount). The official week is over today, but many of the restaurants are continuing to offer their lunch prix fixe for only $20.04. That's a great deal for lunch in one of these "fancy" places. Make sure to take advantage of those deals or the places that have 'pre-theatre' menus!

This advice is so good, I'm going to repeat it!! You're in New York - don't do the chains while you're there!! Explore, enjoy! There are so many little quirks (like the doggie basin on one of the Avenues Third? I forget!), and I only wish you were going when the weather was a bit better.

Katz's is in almost every Woody Allen movie, if you're a fan. Stop at the goofier looking places that real New Yorkers go to, and learn what a cheese danish is supposed to taste like!

This might sound hokey, but fully discuss where you'd like to go with the people you're more apt to spend time with NOW! Don't wait until you're in Times Square and say, "well, now what?" At the same time, be ready to try something that wasn't on the list, should the opportunity arise. TCKTS is great for saving money, but it also takes a lot of time (in my experience).