Tell me about New York City

[Reynolds Woodcock 5065]

4 hours ago, locodos said:

Need a safety related opinion.   I'm thinking about going to see a show at Brooklyn Steel (In Williamsburg)  Is this the sort of place to be ubering to and from or is it ok to walk ?  In a city I don't know I prefer to walk a bit but I don't want to blithely walk into a place I shouldn't.  When I say walk, I mean from the nearest bus/train stop or to a bar(s) afterwards.

You can walk to and from the Graham street L stop. I’ve done it probably a hundred times. The venue itself is directly across from a large housing project; I’ve never felt unsafe after a show (particularly given the large number of people leaving). Once you get west of Kingsland you are basically back in prime Williamsburg.

Nothing special about it, but I often stop at Harefield Road for a night cap before hopping back on the L. 

[Your Mom 4964]

What’s the best Hilton property in Manhattan?  I’m sending the girlfriend and her daughter up there for 3 nights.  I’ll probably join them for part of the trip and leave them alone for the rest.  I have a free night  and enough points for 2 more at any property up there.  They are seeing a concert at Barclays in Brooklyn one night but doing typical Manhattan shit the others.  Restaurants, a Broadway show, one of the museums, Central Park…  I’m sure they’ll walk thru Times Square but they don’t want to stay there, nor would I.

Hilton Midtown on 53rd?  Any better options? I thought there was a Conrad Midtown but I’m only seeing one downtown now.  We’re all pretty content with Doubletrees and Hamptons on most trips but I’d hate to waste a free night on that.  

[parkavenueguy 15]

Here is my list of activities to do in NYC since I have no where else to share it:

Cheap & Fun:

• Central Park
• The MET
• Natural History Museum

Restaurants (my personal favorites, first things that come to mind):

• Le Relais de Venise L'Entrecôte Midtown East (they only serve steak and frites, that's it. like $35 for a full course including salad, two servings of steak, and two servings of fries.)
• Minetta Tavern (good burger)
• Pastis (great burger)
• Cafe Reggio (nice cafe, open late)
• Lucien (French food, decent spot, trendy though so annoying people go to eat there)
• Raku (the one on MacDougal)
• uluh (good Sichuan spot)
• Spot Dessert Bar (dessert bar on St. Marks)
• Little Poland (beef goulash is great)

Bars (barely go out anymore but these places are fun):

• Sake Bar Decibal (underground Japanese bar)
• Studio 151 (Japanese jazz bar, $20 cover)
• Generally can go out anywhere in the LES or East Village, but those two came to mind as places I enjoy the most.

Would try and avoid midtown / Times Square area, but understand people like to visit just to see it. Personally biased to the Upper East Side, but I'm boring. Enjoy and be safe!

[The Ace of Aces 5374]

On 11/7/2024 at 8:25 AM, SimonBolivar said:

Yellow Face any good? Looking to add another performance to our trip the week before Thanksgiving.

It is 

[locodos 5590]

Welp looks like it's going to be pissing down rain when I'm in town... Guess I'll be buying an umbrella.  In the UK I usually carry a back pack with a rain jacket, phone bank, and a water bottle.   I was hoping to avoid carrying one, because I figured it might be a pain at restaurants, on public transportation, etc.   

1. Any advice re the rain/backpack?
2. I'm tempted to wear waterproof hiking boots... am I going to get hassled about footwear?  Not planning on going anywhere super fancy, but I have seen dress codes posted for some places (aka No sneakers)  

[stc 1500]

2 hours ago, locodos said:

Welp looks like it's going to be pissing down rain when I'm in town... Guess I'll be buying an umbrella.  In the UK I usually carry a back pack with a rain jacket, phone bank, and a water bottle.   I was hoping to avoid carrying one, because I figured it might be a pain at restaurants, on public transportation, etc.   

1. Any advice re the rain/backpack?
2. I'm tempted to wear waterproof hiking boots... am I going to get hassled about footwear?  Not planning on going anywhere super fancy, but I have seen dress codes posted for some places (aka No sneakers)  

wore hiking boots when i was there last month and had no issues, even ate at a few fancyish places. no one seemed to care about dress code. 

[The Ace of Aces 5374]

FUCKING HELL

Landry’s has purchased Keen’s. There goes that iconic restaurant. This is devastating. 

[Gale Snoats 246]

FUCKING HELL
Landry’s has purchased Keen’s. There goes that iconic restaurant. This is devastating. 

Oh no!! My son’s favorite and we’re going there this weekend. Hopefully they haven’t fucked it up yet. Maybe they won’t fuck it up. Vic and Anthony’s isn’t bad.

On another note we get in town tomorrow morning and are staying at the Carlyle. Is there a fun place to watch the tx game close by? Will have our 11 and 13 yr olds.

[PenelopeWitherspoon 19280]

Well, I guess I have been to Keens for the last time. Fuck Fertitta.

I just got back from Los Angeles and London. Glad to be back in NYC.

[The Ace of Aces 5374]

On 11/23/2024 at 9:55 AM, PenelopeWitherspoon said:

Well, I guess I have been to Keens for the last time. Fuck Fertitta.

I just got back from Los Angeles and London. Glad to be back in NYC.

I tried to get reservations next Friday night but no dice. If you have an in, dinner on me and my wife. 

Edited November 25 by The Ace of Aces

[SimonBolivar 11062]

Just got back last night and had a wonderful trip as always. It was a rainy trip with about 36ish hours straight of drizzle but we made it work Low key favorite meal was the Lomo Saltado at the Flor de Mayo location on Amsterdam and 83rd after the Children's Museum.

Blue Note/Birdland > Broadway still especially at the price point but A Wonderful World was really good too. James Monroe Iglehart is talented as fuck.

[Gale Snoats 246]

Any thoughts on best pizza on upper east side?

[locodos 5590]

On 11/25/2024 at 11:40 AM, SimonBolivar said:

Just got back last night and had a wonderful trip as always. It was a rainy trip with about 36ish hours straight of drizzle but we made it work 

Got back Sunday, but yeah cold and rainy Thurs & Friday

Restaurants:

• Nom Wah Tea Parlor:   Dim Sum...  It's just ok, chances are it's not better (or possibly as good) as places you might have at home.  But it feels old and authentic and hit the spot after flying in early.  I was the only gringo in the joint.
• Foul Witch:  Really good 8/10  Focaccia & cultured butter with the Testa...  fucking great.  Scallops also great.  Skip the Lobster Linguini, would have had the Pork Collar but pine nuts fuck me up and I didn't want to risk it.  Arrived a bit early so pregamed at the The Library next door.  Would do that again too.
• The Mansion (diner):  Nice place to sit and easy to hit before The Met.  Pricey for diner fare, clean bathrooms, and relaxed vibe. Sinatra XM playlist was a bit on the nose.
• Il Passatore (Brooklyn):   Felt a little dumpy and thought I'd made a mistake.  But, the staff are all Italian from Italy and I relied on them to guide us a bit.  Best bang for the buck.    Suppli Al Telephono not as good as in Rome, but this is the first place I've seen it in the States.  Ravioli di burrata was very good.  Had some sort of Pepper Gelato and it was great.   Awesome place to hit before heading over to Brooklyn Steel
• Sake Bar Decibel:  Food is ok/good, but made better by the Sake.   Cool vibe.  I would recommend this place to anyone who likes grungy but authentic.  You have to look for this place, you'd never just stumble onto it.  But you should go IMO

One other note, I was a bit worried about dress code.  We were packing light and the weather was crap.  It wasn't close to an issue anywhere we went, but as you can see above, we didn't go anywhere fancy. ymmv

Also big shout out to the folks (plural) walking around rainy cold streets in socks and Crocs...  

 

Edited November 26 by locodos

[PenelopeWitherspoon 19280]

17 hours ago, Gale Snoats said:

Any thoughts on best pizza on upper east side?

San Matteo.  There is one at 81st and 2nd. The other is at 89th and 2nd. Both are Neopolitan style. Both really good.  I think I prefer the one on 89th slightly, but both are absolutely solid.

I also like Patsy's. One at 69th and 1st and one near Bloomingdale's on E 60th (just east of the store actually between 3rd and 2nd). I do not think I have ever had a bad pie from there (those are where I usually order from as they are both close to my house).

On 11/24/2024 at 7:43 PM, The Ace of Aces said:

I tried to get reservations next Friday night but no dice. If you have an in, dinner on me and my wife. 

I used to (colleague knew the guy who keeps the book).  Best thing I can tell you is to try and go after a show. They stay open late, and I have definitely called them and walked right in.

[Gale Snoats 246]

I used to (colleague knew the guy who keeps the book).  Best thing I can tell you is to try and go after a show. They stay open late, and I have definitely called them and walked right in.

Great rec - we went to San Matteo’s and it was awesome.

Re Keens - we called several times bf the trip and they said they were full. We got the concierge to call once we arrived and got a table for 12 at 9:30 one night so maybe go through your hotel. Or as PW said shoot for a later time as they stay open pretty late.

[The Ace of Aces 5374]

We had a super mediocre dinner at Bar Boulud Mindy’s night. 

[PenelopeWitherspoon 19280]

Rainy Thanksgiving AM here in Manhattan. I had to head to the LES to pick up a pie, but I detoured to 5th Ave first. 

 

[UpperWestside 6268]

Never get tired of seeing this every year at The Met. Went to see it one last time before I leave in a couple of days.

[SimonBolivar 11062]

2 hours ago, UpperWestside said:

Never get tired of seeing this every year at The Met. Went to see it one last time before I leave in a couple of days.

I love the background music they have piped into that room. 

[PenelopeWitherspoon 19280]

I am supposed to attend a Christmas Party at the Met tonight, so this hits close to home.  I am probably going to give it a skip though.  Still at the office. Sigh.

 

[UpperWestside 6268]

On 12/4/2024 at 5:58 PM, PenelopeWitherspoon said:

I am supposed to attend a Christmas Party at the Met tonight, so this hits close to home.  I am probably going to give it a skip though.  Still at the office. Sigh.

 

I hope you will go through there again at some point during the holidays. I drive out in the morning to stop for three days in Lampasas. Last time I will ever set foot there. Want to meet my almost three year old nephew before I fly out and see my almost 6 year old niece for the first time in three years.

New York has been good to me and I learned a lot from so many people from all around the world. Time to learn about new cultures and explore new parts of the world and blend in all over again. It was really nice to have met you Penelope. You’re a really good person. Keep on traveling and making the world a better place. Keep doing you and being the coolest Texan I know! 

[The Ace of Aces 5374]

I’ve never seen the city as packed as it this Saturday. It’s a wall of humans. 

We had dinner at Twin Tails last night - new place by the Quality Meats team. It was damn good.  

I’ll recap our Broadway shows Monday. 

[UpperWestside 6268]

On 12/7/2024 at 5:51 PM, The Ace of Aces said:

I’ve never seen the city as packed as it this Saturday. It’s a wall of humans. 

We had dinner at Twin Tails last night - new place by the Quality Meats team. It was damn good.  

I’ll recap our Broadway shows Monday. 

It’s about that time for the city to be super crowded for about three and a half weeks. 

[The Ace of Aces 5374]

22 minutes ago, UpperWestside said:

It’s about that time for the city to be super crowded for about three and a half weeks. 

Our hotel concierge said Saturday was the city’s biggest hotel capacity night in since 2019, and highest rates ever. They expected it to be the busiest day of the rest of the year given the shirt time between holidays 

[The Ace of Aces 5374]

Theater recap.

Sunset was spectacular. Every part of it was brilliant. I'll be floored if it doesn't win best revival and Nicole best actress and Tom best actor. The technical aspect is out of this world crazy impressive. 

Saturday afternoon we saw Death Becomes Her. What a fun romp of a campy show. It's not breaking barriers, but it's fun as hell. Megan Hilty is so good (as always). 

Saturday night we saw Gypsy. It ... is missing something. Joy Woods is a bit lacking in her character I feel. Aurda did great but is miscast imo, and Danny Bernstein as always was a pro. But it just felt stale and ... there. Not bad by any stretch, but lacked some pizazz I was hoping to see.

Sunday we saw Eureka Day. A brilliant newish play at MTC. It's great - funny as hell and on point. Probably the best work I've seen MTC do in a while. And the last line might be the funniest line ever written for theater. 

[6th Street 6658]

19 hours ago, The Ace of Aces said:

Our hotel concierge said Saturday was the city’s biggest hotel capacity night in since 2019, and highest rates ever. They expected it to be the busiest day of the rest of the year given the shirt time between holidays 

I paid $815/night at the Bowery last wkend which was insane.

Watched the SEC ccg at Off the Wagon in Greenwich Village. Great time

Dinners at Cosmo and Striphouse

[Cap33 407]

Death Becomes Her is on our list simply because of Megan Hilty.

Anyone have thoughts on The Dominick Hotel?

[The Ace of Aces 5374]

Michelin stars announced last night. Notably Daniel lost a star (2 down to 1). Hirohisa,, Le Jardinier, Sushi Yasuda, and Vestry all lost their star.

Here’s the new additions:

New 3 Stars- 1 new.

Jungsik (2* --> 3*, also the first 3 Star Korean Michelin spot outside of South Korea)

New 2 Stars- 3 new

César (Contemporary Seafood, South Village)

Chef's Table at Brooklyn Fare (French/Japanese, Hell's Kitchen)

Sushi Sho (Omakase, Midtown East)

New 1 Star- 8 new

Bar Miller ("Local" Omakase, the East Village)

Café Boulud (French, Upper East Side)

Corima (Mexican, Lower East Side/Chinatown)

Joo Ok (Korean, Koreatown/Herald Square)

La Bastide by Andrea Calstier (French, North Salem, Westchester, NY)

Nōksu (Korean Seafood, Herald Square)

Shota Omakase (Omakase, South Williamsburg, Brooklyn)

Yingtao (Chinese, Hell's Kitchen)

New Green Star- 1 new

One White Street (New American, Tribeca, had a standard 1 star prior)

New Bib Gourmand- 16 new

Bayon (Cambodian, Upper East Side)

Bonnie's (Cantonese-American, North Williamsburg, Brooklyn)

Bungalow (Indian, the East Village)

Cecily (Spanish wine bar, Greenpoint, Brooklyn)

Cervo's (Spanish/Portuguese, Lower East Side/Chinatown)

CheLi (Shanghainese, specifically the St. Mark's Place location in the East Village)

Coqodaq (Korean fried chicken, Flatiron)

Falansai (Vietnamese, East Williamsburg/Bushwick, Brooklyn)

Ishq (Indian, Alphabet City)

Little Myanmar (Burmese, Alphabet City)

LORE (Indian, South Slope/Park Slope, Brooklyn)

Lungi (Sri Lankan, Upper East Side)

Odre (Korean, the East Village)

Tha Phraya (Thai, Upper East Side)

Tolo (Chinese/Wine Bar, Lower East Side/Chinatown)

Untable (Thai, Carroll Gardens/Cobble Hill, Brooklyn [my area woo])

Other awards-

Bangkok Supper Club (Thai, the West Village-) Exceptional Cocktails (Suwincha “ChaCha” Singsuwan)

Penny- (American Seafood, the East Village,) Best Sommelier (Chase Sinzer and Ellis Srubas-Giammanco

Eulalie (French, Tribeca-) Exceptional Service (Tina Vaughn)

Jean-Georges (French, Upper West Side-) Young Chef Award (Joseph Ree)

 

https://ny.eater.com/2024/12/9/24317566/michelin-restaurants-nyc-stars-2024

[Reynolds Woodcock 5065]

4 hours ago, Cap33 said:

Death Becomes Her is on our list simply because of Megan Hilty.

Anyone have thoughts on The Dominick Hotel?

My in laws typically stay at the Dominick when they visit us. It’s a nice hotel. It’s kind of in between 3 neighborhoods (proper Soho to the east, West Village north, tribeca south), so it’s a good launching point for downtown stuff. Maybe not as good if you are spending all your time in midtown/uptown.

It’s fairly commercial in the immediate vicinity (and the holland tunnel is right there, so a fair amount of traffic), so don’t expect to walk out into a quaint little neighborhood, but good stuff is not far away.

If you do stay there, you’ll be right by two of my favorite restaurants, Altro Paradiso and King. Frenchette is also like a 10 minute walk downtown.

 

[PenelopeWitherspoon 19280]

On 12/10/2024 at 5:46 PM, Cap33 said:

Death Becomes Her is on our list simply because of Megan Hilty.

Anyone have thoughts on The Dominick Hotel?

Going to see Death Becomes Her tomorrow night. Heard good things. Will revert here.

No idea on that hotel.

[PenelopeWitherspoon 19280]

On 12/10/2024 at 7:14 PM, The Ace of Aces said:

Michelin stars announced last night. Notably Daniel lost a star (2 down to 1). Hirohisa,, Le Jardinier, Sushi Yasuda, and Vestry all lost their star.

Here’s the new additions:

New 3 Stars- 1 new.

Jungsik (2* --> 3*, also the first 3 Star Korean Michelin spot outside of South Korea) - On my List

New 2 Stars- 3 new

César (Contemporary Seafood, South Village)

Chef's Table at Brooklyn Fare (French/Japanese, Hell's Kitchen)  - On my List

Sushi Sho (Omakase, Midtown East) - On my List

New 1 Star- 8 new

Bar Miller ("Local" Omakase, the East Village)

Café Boulud (French, Upper East Side)

Corima (Mexican, Lower East Side/Chinatown)

Joo Ok (Korean, Koreatown/Herald Square)

La Bastide by Andrea Calstier (French, North Salem, Westchester, NY)

Nōksu (Korean Seafood, Herald Square)

Shota Omakase (Omakase, South Williamsburg, Brooklyn)

Yingtao (Chinese, Hell's Kitchen)

New Green Star- 1 new

One White Street (New American, Tribeca, had a standard 1 star prior) - One of my go tos in NYC.

New Bib Gourmand- 16 new

Bayon (Cambodian, Upper East Side) - Replaced Angkor. Same location, same owner.

Bonnie's (Cantonese-American, North Williamsburg, Brooklyn)

Bungalow (Indian, the East Village) - On my list.

Cecily (Spanish wine bar, Greenpoint, Brooklyn)

Cervo's (Spanish/Portuguese, Lower East Side/Chinatown) - On my list.

CheLi (Shanghainese, specifically the St. Mark's Place location in the East Village)

Coqodaq (Korean fried chicken, Flatiron)

Falansai (Vietnamese, East Williamsburg/Bushwick, Brooklyn)

Ishq (Indian, Alphabet City)

Little Myanmar (Burmese, Alphabet City)

LORE (Indian, South Slope/Park Slope, Brooklyn)

Lungi (Sri Lankan, Upper East Side)

Odre (Korean, the East Village)

Tha Phraya (Thai, Upper East Side)

Tolo (Chinese/Wine Bar, Lower East Side/Chinatown)

Untable (Thai, Carroll Gardens/Cobble Hill, Brooklyn [my area woo])

Other awards-

Bangkok Supper Club (Thai, the West Village-) Exceptional Cocktails (Suwincha “ChaCha” Singsuwan) -  So good.

Penny- (American Seafood, the East Village,) Best Sommelier (Chase Sinzer and Ellis Srubas-Giammanco

Eulalie (French, Tribeca-) Exceptional Service (Tina Vaughn)

Jean-Georges (French, Upper West Side-) Young Chef Award (Joseph Ree)

 

https://ny.eater.com/2024/12/9/24317566/michelin-restaurants-nyc-stars-2024

Still missing Le Veau D'Or. It is outstanding.

On 12/10/2024 at 5:26 PM, 6th Street said:

I paid $815/night at the Bowery last wkend which was insane.

Watched the SEC ccg at Off the Wagon in Greenwich Village. Great time

Dinners at Cosmo and Striphouse

Off the Wagon is a legit sports bar.

[SimonBolivar 11062]

On 12/10/2024 at 9:15 PM, Reynolds Woodcock said:

My in laws typically stay at the Dominick when they visit us. It’s a nice hotel. It’s kind of in between 3 neighborhoods (proper Soho to the east, West Village north, tribeca south), so it’s a good launching point for downtown stuff. Maybe not as good if you are spending all your time in midtown/uptown.

We always stay in Tribeca right by the Chambers St Station which is similar to the Dominick which is near the C and the E at Spring Street. We find it to be the perfect spot for hitting up midtown and then just taking the train back to a "quieter" (relatively by Manhattan standards) neighborhood at night. It is a slog getting up to the UES though for sure.

[PenelopeWitherspoon 19280]

Go see Death Becomes Her.  It is excellent.

[mchookem 16764]

i enjoyed the movie a lot lol

☹️ Bruce

[PenelopeWitherspoon 19280]

The musical is funnier that the movie.  And the performances of the three leads is absolutely outstanding.  I feel like Megan Hilty and Jennifer Simard are just outdivaing each other.  I went in expecting it to be good, and it was much better than I expected.  I might go see it again, it was that good.

I have tickets to Our Town tomorrow night.

[The Ace of Aces 5374]

Gymkhana will be opening in Nomad in Q4 2025. JKS’ first foray into the US. I am so stoked.