Here it is…..a
complete list of all the suggestions we got about our trip to New York City.
These are reproduced exactly
as we received them, except we removed all names from the emails.
Hi Cheryl,
I hear that you and Thomas are heading to New York for the first time and that
you’ll be staying at the Mayflower. We’ll be there too
– it’s rep central in May and December.
John said you might like some restaurant and theatre recommendations.
I’ll pass along some recommendations in the neighborhood (upper
We’re really fond of:
Rosa Mexicano –
La Boite en Bois –
La Bonne Soupe –
Chez Napolean –
Becco
–
Zen Palate –
These are just a few suggestions. If you’re interested in a
particular cuisine or want to have a major blow-out dinner let me know and
I’ll send them along.
For theatre, I recently saw “Noises Off”, which was hilarious and
“Elaine Stritch Live at
Hope you have a lovely time and we’ll see you there.
……………………….
Hi
Ya'll,
My name is A.F. and I have been dropping by your store every time I'm
in town to visit my kid brother (unfortunately, only about twice a year)
since back in the days when you were downtown. I've always loved your
store
so much, especially your section on local and Southern writers, and enjoy
reading the e-mails I receive from being on your mailing list.
I'm writing to you because, though I was born in Alabama and have family in
Montgomery and Birmingham, I presently live in New York City and have for
the past 21 years. I read your e-mail regarding your coming to the City
and
read many of the suggestions from others about places to stay and sights to
see. I hope you will permit me to make a few suggestions as well, perhaps
some of which might be a bit more practical.
The first thing I would tell you is to wear comfortable shoes. Nothing
else
I say will be as important as this. Unless you plan on subsidizing the
taxicab industry, (and even if you take a lot of cabs, you eventually have
to get back on your feet) you are going to be doing more walking than you
ever have, and all of that walking is on hard concrete. So do yourself a
favor and be sweet to your feet.
For safety's sake, put your wallet in your front pant's pocket. If
someone
wants to try and steal it from there, let 'em. Maybe you'll make a new
friend.
I have no way of knowing when you are coming but February and March can be
cold up here. This being an island, the wind is constantly blowing.
March
can be a particularly raw month. (I took my sister on the ferry to see
the
Statue of Liberty one March a few years ago and am still trying to thaw
out.) By the way, on the ferry ride out to see Lady Liberty, you'll want
to
be on the right side, upper deck, for the best pictures. Anyway, hats and
gloves and scarves are advised.
Contrary to what the Today Show once said about pickpockets stealing stuff
out of backpacks, I recommend having at least one between you. 21 years
here and I've never had anything stolen from my backpack while I was wearing
it yet. (My apartment was broken into three times over the years, but
that's another story.) Backpacks are great for carrying all the things
you
are tired of schlepping around town, like those jackets and scarves,
mittens, etc., I just mentioned. It's also a good place to keep maps, the
occasional souvenier and that gawky camera that identifies you as a tourist.
Buy a metrocard. Depending on how long you are going to be in town, an
unlimited weekly pass should do you. You can ride the subway with them as
well as the bus. The subways are not hard to figure out. The
hardest thing
to remember is whether you're going uptown or downtown. Subway doors
close
quickly so don't dawdle.
The person who recommended you buy the City Pass is right. It's a bargain
and can get you into a few museums, the Empire State Building, etc. -
cheaper than if you paid full price at each place.
Speaking of Empires, do it. Day or night, it doesn't matter. It's
the
tallest building we've got left and the views are great. The lines are
long
though so bring a bit of patience. Treat yourself to desert afterwards.
Grab a cab and head to the Empire Diner for a "Brownie all the
way." The
Empire Diner is in Chelsea, 10th Avenue and 22nd Street. This is a must
in
my book, highly recommended. This is not some run down diner. All
the food
is great, it's moderately priced, and the Empire Diner is the shiniest place
you'll visit this side of the Chrysler Building.
You need an almond croissant from Patisserie Claude on West Fourth Street in
the Village, Just off of Sheridan Square. Trust me. A nice little
nook of
a breakfast place that will leave you smiling for years to come.
I won't prattle on. There is so much for you to do here. Get
yourself a
guidebook and suit your fancy. All the many restaurants others have
recommended I'm sure you'll enjoy. If you get lonesome for some southern
cooking, let me know. I can hook you up. (By the way, the Carnegie
Deli is
on 7th Avenue, not 8th, at 55th Street. Have a cardiologist on call.)
One more thing that is hard to forget. If you choose to see the WTC site,
you'll need to get a ticket. You can get them at the South Street
Seaport.
Find Fulton Street and walk until you just about get your feet wet from the
East River.
I'm no expert on hotels, having always livied in apartments during my years
here. I do know they are all expensive. My brother stayed at the
Algonquin
the last time he was in town and enjoyed it very much. Nice literary
history, centrally located, a block from Times Square, etc.
I love this city and I hope you will too. If I can be of help to you
while
you're in town, give me a call. It's the least I can do for the people
who
helped me get a signed copy of Harper Lee's "To Kill A
Mockingbird." A
gift I will always treasure.
Have a great visit!
……………………….
A good buddy
in bama sent me your link here in Florida, thinking I might have some good
suggestions for you.
Foremost, having lived in that wonderful city for the first 33 years of my
life, I wanted to advise you, that while you are looking in wonderment at all
there is to see, keep the wonderment, wide, starry eyed look and the head
pointing up to a minimum. Its a wonderful city, but there are still the element
that will take advantage of the sightseer. I avoided much trouble and made
myself less of a target when I lived there by constantly being aware of my
surroundings and who was about me. As you ride those busses and trains,
you may find yourself fitting in like a sardine. Protect your valuables and
pockets. Wear a waist bag instead of a purse. Dont carry all your money and
dont wear all your good jewelry.
By all means have fun and enjoy. Do go to Grenwich
Village and sit at an outdoor cafe if weather permits and just people watch.
Go to the South Steet Seaport Museum on the lower West side. Go to China
Town, Mott St (The heart). Go all the way down the block on Mott st. and go
downstairs to the chinese resturant. Not too fancy, but real good chinese food.
Check out the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens. Take a cab or car and park close to
an entrance. Surrounding area not so good, but inside is a treasure and very
safe. Take that ferry ride either to staten island or ellis island, the statue
is closed right now. Turn around and take it back. Cheapest thrill you will
find in New York. The Empire State building, what a view, so art deco, remember
An Affair to Remember? Do walk alot in the lower part of the city. Go to
the Central Park Zoo. Try Coney Island, the boardwalk and the Verrazano's
Bridge. The museum of natural history always stays in my mind and the met a! s
well. Great museums. Go to downtown Brooklyn and view the city at night from
the promonade, that area is going thru a transition. Very chic and has a flavor
all its own.
Best regards
……………………..
The Cloisters is a must! The original Unicorn
Tapestries are there plus
much more. Take the A Train to get there. Ignore any other
directions. Don't take a
cab; it's too far up on the west side. The A Train literally puts you at
the gate to the Cloisters.
The Algonquin is a great nostalgia stay. You can feel Dorothy
Parker and
her friends there.
………………..
I second Veselka. It's great
and I remember it as tourist-free...
………………………
#1 suggestion - Stay in a
hotel that makes you feel rich and spoiled (don't
worry that later you'll feel poor) because the memory of a bad hotel lingers
much longer than the memory of any amount of money you spent.
Walk down Canal Street and the surrounding blocks, and go into some of the
industrial junk stores. It's amazing.
Try a restaurant, Veselka, for breakfast. Look first in the phone book to
see if it still exists.
Go to the Gug. and walk from top to bottom, enter the Met but just spend an
hour or two there. I like the armor (as in knights in shining...) room, and
you'll see some cool stuff on your way there. It's too big to see it all
anyway. Both can be done in a few hours and you can walk between them.
Pack your most comfortable walking shoes, and wear them all the time.
Buy a subway pass for a week, and use it for long trips such as the
Cloisters or to Brooklyn, but walking and the occasional taxi are the best
means of travel. Walking mostly will allow you to find the cool places you
don't expect. If you see some place you want to go into, do it then and
don't fool yourself by saying you'll get back there...you probably won't.
With all the suggestions you are receiving, you'd better get a map you don't
mind marking up. Highlight locations of places you want to go, and group
your in-city adventures accordingly. Take a taxi or subway quickly to the
general area, then walk, walk, walk.
There's the greatest Farmer's market on Union square (maybe Tuesdays) that
you shouldn't miss.
The lower East side could be fun...or maybe a little scary...
Walk in Times Square at night.
Brooklyn and Williamsburg are also happening. It's fun to see the NY skyline
at night from across the water.
Finally, wash your hair every night before sleeping.
……………………………………….
Hi, Thomas and Cheryl!
You know NYC is one of my favorite places to
visit -- primarily because I love theatre and try to see six or seven plays
in three or four days! Even if THE PRODUCERS, or whatever is the
"hit" show
of the moment, is sold out for weeks, go to the box office an hour or two
before the show starts and stand in the "Cancellation" line.
You can almost
always get tickets for anything that way. Now that I've given our secret
away, we may never get theatre tickets again. Look at the NY TIMES, read
the reviews of the current Broadway and off-Broadway plays, see who is
acting in them, and rank your choices before you go.
We always try to stay in the vicinity of the theatre district (the Times
Square area); however, I usually make reservations by calling
1-800-ME-SUITE. This is a group of all-suite hotels in various parts of
the
city with reasonable rates (by NYC standards). All of the rooms have a
bedroom and bathroom as well as a sitting room with stove, refrigerator,
etc. We sometimes sleep late and have a warm bagel and coffee in the room
for breakfast, but enjoy the wonderful variety of restaurants for lunch and
dinner.
For NY's sake, do some of the "touristy" things -- shop (or look) at
all the
places on Fifth Ave. as well as Sixth (Ave. of the Americas). Go inside
Trump Tower and shop, the Steuben Glass store, St. Patrick's Cathedral, etc.
Have tea one afternoon at the Plaza on Central Park South, and another
afternoon at the Algonquin. Go to Sardi's, Lindy's, Mama Leone's and
Tavern
on the Green where you may spot some stars; however, you can also spot
several stars just walking on the streets. Take the early ferry to Ellis
Island and return by the same ferry after you have looked around. I don't
know if the Statue of Liberty is open; however, don't waste a day standing
in line to actually climb up to the top -- it's a major disappointment. I
used to tell everyone to go to the World Trade Center towers for the BEST
view of NYC; however, you will miss that joyful experience. You can get a
good view from the Empire State Building, and you can find some unique gifts
at the United Nations' Building shops -- I'm not sure how they are handling
tourists there after Sept. 11.
You may want to orient yourself to NYC with one of the bus tours of the City
or the Circle Line boat tour; however, the real way to see NYC is to take
the public buses. You can buy a bus pass which eliminates the need for
correct change every time you get on. Learn to read the bus schedule and
map posted at each stop and you can go anywhere CHEAPLY. The most fun
trip
I ever took by bus was from the Metropolitan Museum of Art up to the
Cloisters Museum. The bus took us through several ethnic neighborhoods,
and
it was a REAL CULTURAL EXPERIENCE.
All of the museums are wonderful -- you could spend two or three days at the
Metropolitan; therefore, you need to decide which area you wish to view, and
tour it thoroughly. The Museum of Modern Art (MOMA) is also a treat;
however, many of the smaller museums are quite good, too. Once we took a
tour of the NY Public Library, and thought it was fascinating.
It will be easy to find taxis UNLESS IT IS RAINING, UNLESS THE THEATRE HAS
JUST ENDED, or UNLESS IT'S GOING TO/FROM WORK TIME. You will have to
actually walk to the edge of the street and put your hand up and whistle
(???) to hail a cab oftentimes (just watch the natives and copy them).
The
cab drivers are MUCH friendlier now than they used to be -- thanks to Mayor
Guilianni's "niceness" program.
The city never sleeps; therefore, you can find entertainment until the wee
hours. I don't recommend your walking around late at night -- the two of
you look too innocent! While the street crime is less now than it used to
be, you still must keep your valuables out of sight and well-guarded.
You've already been told about the Strand and other book places; however,
Virgin Records has a HUGE store in the Times Square area -- you can find
ANYTHING there.
I'll send you some more restaurant recommendations as soon as my friend jogs
my memory with their names. I wrote her and said, "What is the
restaurant
with all the birds painted on the wall?" "What's the famous
steak
restaurant North of Times Square which has the meat hanging in the
window?"
The hotels can usually tell you what the "hot" spots in eating
are. NYC is
like every other large city -- some restaurants are extremely popular for a
short time and then fade!
We ride the subways when we can't get somewhere by bus; however, we prefer
the bus. The bus drivers are very helpful when you ask them questions,
and
many New Yorkers are also very helpful to tourists.
Please don't put this on your website -- it's too long and gives away too
many of our secrets - Ha!
…………………………
Dear Thomas and Cheryl,
I can't claim to be an NYC'er of any great experience.
If and when I get there for a vacation, however, I want to take several of the
guided walking tours offered by Big Onion Tours, whose website is www.bigonion.com . Please check it
out. These are thematic tours lasting about two hours each, rather than
surveys or just one museum or site. For example, they offer tours of
Little Italy, ethnic grocery stores and restaurants, literary character
hangouts.
If you should take any of their tours, please let me know
about them. I'm curious about whether they are as good as they
sound. Have a great trip!
……………………….
Thomas & Cheryl: You really should let my
husband(native son) tell you about
NYC, however, I consider myself pretty informed about the City as well.
Bookstores - The Strand and The Gotham. Both are almost as good as
Capitol
Book! Spain in the Village is a small, inexpensive (by NYC standards)
restaurant that has the most wonderful Mediterranean/Spanish food. Their
Paella is exquisite. Go the Metropolitan Museum, you could never see them
all in one trip so go to the motherlode. Suspend reality and be prepared
to
open your wallet. It is a very pricey city but well worth it when
visiting,
spend what you want and enjoy. (The Rainbow Room is no longer open to the
public; catered events only.) Ellis Island is certainly a most do if the
weather is nice. The Statute of Liberty Park is now re-opened but the
Statute itself is not so I would go straight on out to Ellis Island.
Plays,
music, food, people, crowds, traffic, grid-lock, ped-lock! You have to
love
it. Have a wonderful time. Tell my husband’s Mom hi!
(There is a neat little
eatery near her (2nd Ave. and apprx 25th St (check cross street) called
Pete's Tavern where O.Henry used to hang out, but then that is NY!)
……………
Hi Thomas and Cheryl,
Years ago - I stayed at The Fitzpatrick - a great smaller in size Irish
hotel that I believe is in midtown - has a great Irish Bar next door that is
wonderful too. Also, The Millenium on Broadway is a great hotel right
near
(obviously) Broadway. None of the hotels are cheap so get ready for major
sticker shock.
For food - I love the NY delis. Stage Deli and Carnegie Deli are both hot
spots and worth checking out to get the largest Pastrami on
ever want. There are a ton of great restaurants that I have been to - but
I
can't ever remember the names of them. Let me know if you want and I can
poll our cookbook marketing person to get some really good ideas.
When's the trip?
……..
Be sure to take advantage of the current "Paint
the Town Red, White and
Blue" tourism promo going on right now. I'll send you website address for
more info from home.
………
Oh, go and have a wonderful time. I lived at
and used to go every year. Once, I saw five plays in three
days. I never
go now, but know you'll have a wonderful time. Please spend some time
walking and just looking.
My favorite museum is the MOMA. I had a canoli at a bakery in Little
same perfection. I'll let someone who has been in ten years tell you
where
to stay and what to eat now!
…………….
Check "www.redwhiteandblue.com"
for great package deals that include hotel,
a broadway show, and meals for a price that generally beats what you would
pay for a hotel on expedia.com. This is a special promotion that the city
of NY is running to get people to come and help the tourism economy. My
wife and I did this in December and stayed at the Helmsley Park Lane on
Central Park South, ate at a very good (and expensive) Italian restaurant,
and saw the revival of Caberet at the former Studio 54, all for less than
we thought we would have to pay to stay at a lesser hotel.
You need to have lunch at the Carnegie Deli (on 8th Avenue near Carnegie
Hall)-- great corned beef sandwiches and save room for the cheesecake.
The
Rainbow Room at the top of
cocktail before dinner. We ate at a Greek restaurant that was also quite
fabulous. I'll get you the name of the place and send you another email.
………..
Yippee!!! You're finally taking a vacation, and to
that great city. Here
are my recommendations:
WALK!!! Up and down
you're a tourist because you're looking up, but so what. Don't miss the
Steuben Glass shop; it's as good as a museum.
get off there. Save your precious time for
boat out in the morning, spend a couple of hours there, then work your way
back up the island.
MOMA and the Metropolitan and the Guggenheim and the Forbes Magazine
galleries (do this on your way back from
More museums: http://www.theinsider.com/nyc/museums/museums.htm
Eat lunch at the Plaza and think of
opera.
Enjoy!
………………..
One more thing:
It's expensive (what isn't in NY?), but you must stay at the Algonquin
http://www.thealgonquin.net/algonquin_home.html
……………..
I have been fortunate to visit NYC twice in the past
year and have a few
suggestions:
1) We stayed at the Helmsely Windsor - great location around the corner
from the Plaza at the corner of 58th and 6th - Plaza location but
suggest you log on to Expedia.com to make sure you are getting best prices
anywhere you choose. Even if you decide to book a reservation the
conventional way, log on the week before your trip and you may be able to
buy the same room at a cheaper rate and cancel your other reservations -
hey, it's a competitive world. Great bagel place called "pick a
bagel"
around the corner at 57th and 7th which is where we had breakfast daily.
2) Becco for great Italian food in the theater district - this place is
packed at
reservation well in advance when you get your theater tickets. Our
favorite
fare was a variety of fresh hot pasta that they serve you at your table.
Also, they have an extensive Italian wine list and EVERY bottle is priced at
$20 - hard to find in NYC.
3) The Independent for a nice dinner down in Tribeca - this joint is
just blocks away from ground zero and we made a point to try and eat down
there because tourism has suffered. We actually ate Thanksgiving dinner
there and it was divine. It has an atmosphere like the Vintage Year bar
but
more funky.
4) Definitely buy a
it pays for itself quickly. I was not excited about the
so glad - go at night.
4) Finally for a cheap but wonderful lunch or dinner you MUST go to the
best pizza in NY at John's in
for tax school still dream about it. No reservations and there may be a
line out the door but it moves quickly. Beer on tap and the perfect thin
crust stuff (we love the sliced meatball topping).
Have fun (at least as much as I had writing this when I should be working).
………………
I just received your latest email communique, and
respond here to news that you're traveling shortly to
DON'T stay in midtown or confine yourself to the offerings you'll find there.
NYC is rich in interesting neighborhoods where real folk live. My own beat is
the Upper West Side, home to interesting restaurants and shops (Columbus and
Amsterdam Aves.), a few museums (take in the new planetarium at the American
Museum of Natural History on W. 77th and Central Park West -- or at least pause
to look from the outside at its astonishing new home). I don't imagine you need
hotel recommendations, but I have several less-expensive ones to recommend in
this area.
Other ideas would be to enjoy Indian cuisine on
SoHo and Greenwich Village are fun to explore, too, especially if the weather
is nice. Plan on walking, of course -- it's the only way to go. You'll enjoy
the turn-of-the-century row houses which are a distinctive part of town down
there. And there are antique shops aplenty, none especially expensive, and good
coffee and dining experiences everywhere.
A quick hit you can make on the
The one touristic thing I'd absolutely recommend if you have the time for it is
to visit
I could go on. I'd tell you to go to Little Odessa in Coney Island, where
street vendors sell pierogies and other eastern European treats, to Astoria, in
nearby Queens, which I've been told is more populous than Athens with Greek
immigrants.
If you need more information or want clarification on any of the above, please
call. If not, enjoy every moment of your trip. It's safe to say that even
without pointers about where to go or what to see, you will find
…………………
Two Hemsley Hotels that are beautifully located, and
relatively cheap
are The Windsor, and The Wyndamn. The
Have a great time.
…………………….
Check out radiocityapartments.com
…………
(My son’s) godfather & my college roomie,
who is also a reader & a swell guy
without being cloying or overly earnest (i.e., loves beer) has been
living
in The Village for these past 20 years. A Banker. We go as often as possible
(every five years maybe?) and completely depend on him for not only his free
pad in the Village (he goes to stay with his English Major Iranian
girlfriend) but also great eats for good prices. We took (my son) last time to
the
Cauldfiled's dug-out canoe etc).
I swear. I hate politically correct earnest people, but don't much like
close minded rednecked Alabamians either. This guy is an in betweener. I
know you'd dig hooking up for a cold one and getting a Viallage dining night
out. I would NOT say this if I didn;t want to put you in touch and you to
have some fun with an
I mean it. Let me know
…………….
Youse guys have GOT TO STAY at the ALGONQUIN HOTEL, a
literary landmark,
home of the famous "Roundtable" of New York wits (Dorothy Parker,
Peter
Benchley, James Thurber, Heywood Hale Broun, etc., I forget who else) in
the 1930's. I'm no regular
went, I fulfilled a dream by staying at the Algonquin. Not the cheapest
ticket in town, but far from the highest. Mid-level, I suppose, by NYC
standards. Find them on the Internet, or let me know and I'll pop around
with address, phone number, brochures, etc. To this country boy, it's
swank and reeks of literary atmosphere.
Second choice (and the next place I'll stay, I think, if I get back
there) is the
Village
Not sure about price either. I want to visit there because it's where
Dylan Thomas stayed when in NYC and where he was when he went into his
final alcoholic coma. I'm a great Thomas fan and have written about his
work and so on, and so I'd like to see the place.
The Algonquin, however, is much more central to everything, as far as my
poor understanding of NYC geography seems to tell me.
Have a great trip!
……………
Don't take the subway. Walk and gawk.
Museums: The Metropolitan is too large and frustrating. Go to small
museums. To us the gems are The Cloisters, The Museum of the American Indian in
the Old Customs House, the Guggenheim,
Smile a lot and talk Southern!
…………..
To stay: I recommend the Broadway Bed and Breakffast
Inn, corner of 8th Ave. and 46th St., one block from Times Square and the TKTS
1/2 price ticket booth for plays (would recommend "Proof"--you should
be able to get 1/2 price tix at the booth; also, the line appears daunting, but
moves fast--1/2 hour--, and you meet interesting people in the line). To eat:
the best deal in town, quality for price, is Uncle Nick's, 747 9th Ave, a Greek
restaurant. The moussaka, pastichio, and spanakopita are terrific, come with
greek salad, rice or greek roasted potatoes, and good bread, and are only
around $10 each. We usually get two dishes and share, and always have a good
meal there. For fun: if you go to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, be sure and
go up to the Cantor Roof Garden, an open air sculpture garden on the roof of
the museum. It has a terrific view of the city skyline and
…………
While in
named, the treat to order is the canoli (as in "holy canoli!"). but
they
have other yummy Italian pastries as well. Also, Katz's is the venerable
Jewish deli where you need to go and order a hot pastrami on rye but, for
Jehovah's sake, don't ask for it with Swiss or any thing else dairy or
you'll probably get a "212 personality" lecture about kosher dietary
rules!
Wish I were going with you, but #1 son is making noises about wanting to
move there, so who knows? I may have a real good excuse to return to
the sights, so maybe he's trying to sell her on the idea as well.
Oh! I almost forgot! The
you've died and gone to readers' heaven.
……….
re:
We go frequently since my daughter lives there - I also lived there for a year.
Enjoy - Enjoy - But don't dare miss some performance at
……..
If you have time for a "gospel brunch" on
sunday,
there is a great little place called "lola's". They
have two times for the brunch (
believe). It's a cool place, holds about 50-60 people
and the food and music are great!
Have fun.
……………
Terrific that you're heading up there!
One cheap (by NYC standards) place to stay (provided the 9-11 incident hasn't
damaged it) is the Cosmopolitan Hotel in Tribeca. I liked it because it
was
downtown near subway stops, which might not work too well for you for a first
trip. I think it cost about $99-$129 per night. Also, it might be
grim down
there these days, but it used to be wonderful.
Another option that friends who are alums may help with is the Yale Club
(right next to Grand Central in midtown). Not glamorous digs, but great
price and great location. I think most hotels are pretty expensive
otherwise.
46th???) is a must. It's a real book store, and the old lady who used to
run
it was quite extraordinary.
Of course, my view of NYC is probably not the same as those
who fly up for the weekend. I am generally working when I am in
NYC. So I
try to figure the cheapest way possible to do things.
If you are flying into the city, it costs just a little extra to hire a car
service (Express Car Service, I think, is one), but the cost will save you
the headache of trying to get a cab and/or getting a cab with a driver who
speaks little or no English and who takes you on a detour of Brooklyn.
The
drivers at Express will meet you inside the airport and help you carry your
bags out.
Let me know when you're traveling and how long you plan to stay. There
are
so many things to see/do. Circle Line Tour around the island is a good
way
to see it.
…………..
In the
named Chumley's. It's near Barrow and
corner, but there are no signs, no indication on the outside that it is a
public building. Through a courtyard and through an unmarked door there is a
dark crowded place with sawdust on the floor, good food and on the walls the
paper covers of all sorts of books from the 30's.
I went there with my daughter who was an editor at the New Yorker at the
time. I hope you can find someone who can bring you to Chumley's also.
Do ride the subways, check out the markets on the
through
the
building, go back in and ride it right back. There are great views of the
Statue of
…………
A writer friend has his reading last year at The Half
King, a bar and
restaurant owned by Sebastian Junger. It's located at
For more info, look at www.thehalfking.com.
nights....
……………
The name of the fabulous Greek restaurant is Molyvos
and it is on
Avenue
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Almost forgot -- Favorite
It's in the midst of the diamond district and is a hangout for some of
interesting and famous writers and readers. Most of all, though it's just a spiffy
book
store. If you don't see what you want, ask and they'll amaze you with things
that they
have tucked away upstairs. Great place for first editions or autographed books.
They
know their stuff. And, they're reasonable. On your way out, stop in at one of
the
diamond shops for a bauble or two.
Favorite restaurant: The
area of the west Village --
lower than in the restaurants on the tourist path. The
street level. It dates back to the 1920s. Maybe, before. I don't remember. The
last time
I was there, Charles Kuralt stopped in for dinner -- reading glasses on his
nose and a
book tucked under his arm. He died some weeks after that. I really don't think
it had
anything to do with the meal, though.
……….
Folks --
Re: your trip to
ago you could get a room for two with use of a kitchen and bathroom down the
hall for
around $100 a night -- cheap for
number is 212/989-9333.
………….
Hi Thomas & Cheryl,
You're gonna love NYC, I ga-ron-tee!
A couple years ago, (my wife) and I stayed at Loew's Hotel, at
…………….
Dear Upchurches,
Last Spring, when (my husband) and I were in NYC, we saw "Contact" at
Beaumont, so even the cheap seats (like we had) give you a good
view, and the sound system is superb. I don't know if it is still
playing,
but I highly recommend it.
I didn't tell (my husband) it was a musical because he probably would not have
been inclined to see it. But he loved it! Actually, it doesn't fit
the usual
format of a musical, but there is lots of music, wonderful dancing of all
kinds, and very little dialogue. It is wildly amusing, in a sophisticated
sort of way, and has many unexpected turns. One of those
productions that your mind comes back to the next few days with other
insights.
Oh, if you are into flea markets, the
morning is the mother of all flea markets. Wonderful entertainment, if
nothing else. My daughters found it on one of their visits and told me
about it.
Have a great trip!
