Hi, Gang!

I need a little bit of help from you.

My brother, who is now living in Connecticut, invited me this weekend to go to New York for a Joe Satriani concert(!!!) :cool: at Beacon Theater. I'll be arriving in CT Friday night and we'll drive to NY and spend the whole next day/evening there (I'll be coming back home on Sunday).

My brother asked me if I wanted to go anywhere in NY (Manhattan, specifically) before the show. I was thinking of going to either the Guggenheim or Metropolitan museums. I visited NY in '96 and went to the latter and, obviously, wouldn't mind doing it again, but maybe any of you could provide some other suggestions --off-beat places to go to.

(Or, if anybody knows of record or book stores in Manhattan that are not the Virgin mega-store, Barnes & Noble, Borders, that might have a wide array of music [Jazz, Prog Rock, Indie] or used/out of print books [especially untranslated French or Latin American literature], and could provide me with an address, would be greatly appreciated.)

Thanks!!

[ October 11, 2004, 10:23 PM: Message edited by: noumenon ]

On one trip to New York I went to the Museum of Televsion and Radio and enjoyed it. Besides the special exhibits and presentations (and they just had one that I'm sorry I missed, about superheroes on TV) you can use their library and watch or listen to classic programs, news broadcasts, etc. Link to website

You have to hit The Strand Bookstore at 12th and Broadway for your book needs. It's overwhelmingly large. If the weather stays nice in the city, I suggesst rowing in Central Park. Rent boats for 10.00 an hour and row around the lake near the 72nd Street entrance--not at the boat pond, but further up the hill there at the Boathouse. It's really a beautiful way to pass an hour or two, even with your brother. (I subjected my brother and his wife to this endeavor many years ago, and they still speak of it.)

Going to the top of the Empire State building at night is incredible.

Normally I'd say avoid the Met on a Saturday, but it doesn't have a big exhibit right now, so there won't be big crowds. Shore's got good suggestions. If you don't have a lot of time, instead of doing something specific, you may be better off wandering around in neighborhoods you like, and just hanging out (looking in stores, having coffee, etc.).

I'd like to see the refurbished MOMA. Does anyone know if it's worth it? I'm as curious about the remodelling as the exhibits.

Tom, I'm with you on exploring the neighborhoods. My partner is in NYC 4 or 5 times a year on business and I join him a couple of those times. We stay on 7th and 31st which is pretty central. Our favorite thing to do is simply walk, look and explore. We especially enjoy walking through Chelsea down to SoHo and wandering through there and finding a new place to eat each time we are there. Get off the beaten path, take streets you normally wouldn't. This past June, we went to see the new Time Warner Center (that Whole Foods is incredible) and rather than walking back on 7th, we decided to use 8th. It's simply amazing the dramatic difference one city block can make. Also, while we were there, they were closing the former Ritz and getting ready to make condos. They were having a furniture and fixture sale (literally selling the marble vanities, marble surrounds on the elevator, etc. We were able to go the one of the top floors and had a superb view of central park while having an adventure.

I know the tourist attractions are great, but I find real life in NYC to be much more exciting and eye opening.

I'd vote for you visiting the Metropolitan Museum at Central Park. I know you've been there before, but it's my favorite. It's huge and there are so many different variety of art, you always find something. And the way it's set up, you feel like you're walking from one era to another. I always discover something each time I visit.

And if you want old books at a unique place, I echo Strand Books, it's an institution in New York.

Sigh, New York in autumn. Lucky you.

First, I'd say leave the car in CT and train in. MUCH more manageable and economical in terms of time, stress, parking, etc. You'll never use it once in Manhattan.

Once you're there, enjoying the excellent Fall weather, check out the Museum of the City of NY, up on Central Park West. It's got a great collection of paintings and make sure you see the "Portrait of an American Naval Officer" up on the 3rd floor - he's a real stud! IF MOMA's reopened, go there too. For a really cool, if not entirely legal, walk thru - above, actually, Chelsea - try The High Line. Finally, if you're a swimmer and looking for a place to work out, try Asphalt Green up on the East Side! Enjoy the JS concert too; he's one of my favorites! :cool:

For music, try Other Music on E.4th just off of Broadway (near Tower Records), or Rebel Rebel on Bleecker Street in the West Village (just off 7th Avenue, south of Christopher St.) Don't sell the Virgin Megastore short on their indie and jazz selection...this is New York, after all, and once you wade past the chart stuff, there is still a lot of diversity there---particularly the store at Union Square.

If the weather is nice, walk, bike, rollerblade or run down along the Hudson River from Chelsea Piers or thereabouts to the tip of lower Manhattan and just dive into any neighborhood along the way.

Aubie's got some good walking places. Soho's sardine traffic on Saturdays; if you're a fast walker like me, it's torture trying to navigate through the hordes. Don't go to the Strand determined to find something particular. You're much better off just browsing and being surprised. There's so much dirt cheap stuff. Don't be shy about asking for where something may be. Don't avoid the Virgin megastore (which is just two blocks away from the Strand) just because it's a megastore--it's good. Other Music used to be good, but they're overpriced and their stock's uneven. There's a Shakespeare & Co near it on Broadway that's decent. Blah, blah. Or just go out and have a good meal--you're spoiled for choice (and not always expensive). There's an awesome restaurant near the Strand called Terra 47--it's on 12th St. between Broadway and University Place. And it's not expensive.

NYC in the Fall? Nice sunny day?

GET AN EARLY START - New Yorkers do... Walk and enjoy THE CITY.

Try a Greyline quick tour around the city, then

Try my all time favorite museum ...

The Cloisters Fort Tryon Park – You'll need to take a train to 191st Street.

Tuesday–Sunday
9:30 a.m.–4:45 p.m. (November–February)
9:30 a.m.–5:15 p.m. (March–October)

http://www.metmuseum.org/Works_Of_Art/depa...tment.asp?dep=7

Medieval Art in one of the most beautiful and tranquil settings in the city. One of the worlds finest collections. Highlights Tours are
offered Tuesdays through Fridays at 3:00 p.m. and Sundays at noon, these tours of the collection are free with Museum admission for individual visitors. No reservations are required.

For a blend of museums, try the Museum Mile which refers to 5th Avenue from the Museum of the City of New York at 103rd Street to the Frick Collection at 70th Street (in typical New York fashion Museum Mile is almost 2 miles long).

The Frick Collection – 5th Avenue and 70th Street. Has a breathtaking collection of “Old Masters” including Rembrandt, Renoir, Goya and El Greco.

or mix and match...

For a great Lunch like you've never had before try

Katz's Deli
205 E Houston St at Ludlow St
New York, NY 10002-1098

Grab a ticket on the way in for counter service, or seat yourself at a table to be waited on. Authentic NY Deli the way it should be. My advice - grab a bagel wid a schmeer, a cuppa, and lunch to go - then head to the Cloisters for the morning...

For Books, Music, and gifts without the "BIG CHAIN FEEL" head over to ...

Shakespeare & Co.--Greenwich Village
716 Broadway
New York, NY 10003-9517
Phone: (212) 529-1330

Plucky mini-chain Shakespeare & Co keeps the independent bookstore flag flying at six locations in Manhattan and Brooklyn. While covering all general-interest bases, the selection and the displays are oriented towards hipsters and students. In other words, you'll find a well-stocked philosophy--rather than new age and self-help--section here. Furthermore, the staff are friendlier than at most independent bookstores.

Shakespeare & Co. is big enough to offer a little of everything yet small enough to make finding titles fairly easy. Hardcovers are always 10% off and branches near colleges buy and sell textbooks. Each store is suited to the tastes of its neighborhood, so head to the upper east side for trendy, hardcover fiction and literary classics or downtown for play scripts and alternative fiction. As for the store's namesake, the Bard is well-stocked at all locations.

After a good concert I'm just ready to start the evening so...

If you like jazz... head over to

Jazz Standard
116 E 27th St between Lexington and Park
New York, NY 10016

$15 - 30 depending on who is playing...

then for some late night food...

Empire Diner
210 10TH Ave
New York, NY 10011-4711
Cross Street: 22nd Street

This late-night landmark is a low-key, after-hours favorite with everyone from club-hoppers to drag queens to investment bankers. The kitchen cranks out a steady roster of embellished diner fare like omelets, club sandwiches, and burgers. At night this just might be the only candlelit diner in town.

NYC in the Fall is perrenial favorite and a fantastic experience - a beautifull, vibrant city with a million things to do.

It is almost as much fun as Boston.

Rob

[ October 12, 2004, 02:11 PM: Message edited by: ITJock ]

Gotta get a cupcake from Magnolia Bakery on Bleeker Street. I think its 4th and Bleeker. To-die-for!!! Famous people have been arrested trying to break in for them after closing, I Swear.

Now, we did try a new place that was written up in Food and Wine in July, 2004 I think. It's Schiller's Bistro in the East Village (don't know address). We went on a Thursday night, had dinner at the Bar and the atmosphere was wonderful. On the suggestion of one of my partner's business associates, we went to 66 and I wasn't that impressed. It was downtown and a little to "in" for my taste (community table, NO BAR-just a lounge area, and foo-foo food.)

I just love NYC. If not for the partner's family business, I would love to live for a few years at least.

Schillers is a bit hipster-f**ky, although that's probably died down by now. I've ended up there twice, and I was drunk both times for some reason (which makes places like that more bearable). They have a good grilled cheese made with welsh rarebit. Don't get the cheap wine (you get wine by cheap, moderate and pricey or something, three set categories, and the cheap really is cheap). If you're only here for a few hours, don't bother with the East Village. It's my hood and I'm down on it lately. It's nice if you're tired of the rest of NY, but if you're not, there are better places. I keep meaning to start a New York restaurants thread.

Tom, do that thread, I would love to have that list so we can try at least 2 new places each time I'm there.

I second the suggestion of a walk down Museum Mile. The choices are endless; the Frick is my favorite - it's absolutely beautiful; you can't turn around in there without seeing another breathtaking example of fine art. The Whitney is also an important stop. The advice to walk around and find an off-the-beaten-path restaurant is excellent. There are many hidden gems and that's the only way to find them. Please stay away from the Empire Diner, though. I live down the street and I can tell you it's full of non-New Yorkers and the food is awful. Magnolia was good, but it's been overrun; a late-night alternative for dessert is Billy's Bakery, run by the former Magnolia manager, on Ninth Avenue between 21st and 22nd Streets. Enjoy your visit. New York is my hometown; I've traveled all around the world and I still consider the greatest city in the world.

I was just in NYC a few weeks ago for in the first time in 12 years for a wedding. The Greyline tour was okay. I got to see parts of the city i hadn't seen, but it was really crowded on a Saturday and it was impossible to hop on and off with any ease.

Times Square, as touristy as it is, was really amazing, although once was enough. Look for the drag queen dressed like Wonder Woman driving a six-person bicycle around for a hysterical little tour. Almost being hit by a bus was never so much fun.

Like some of the others above, i'd spend more time in Soho/Greenwich wandering around.

Wow! So many replies! I didn't expect that many. And so much to choose from. You guys are great! Thank you, really.

I think we have only about 7 or 8 hours to spend (or invest ) before the concert, so it's a shame I won't be able to do all the things I would love to do while there. Also, I realize I won't be by myself, so we'd both have to compromise re: where we're going.

My bro e-mailed me about Brooklyn Aquarium at Coney Island, saying he was told it was "out of the ordinary." Is it worth it? I asked my Dad, who used to live in New York, and he told me it's about 40 minutes from Manhattan by train, but that he didn't recommend going there on a Saturday to then go back to Manhattan to attend a concert and then get back to CT.


Yeah. When my brother told me we were going by car, I asked myself \"Wouldn't it be easier by train, considering it's New York?\" I'll ask him about that. Maybe he plans on leaving the car at some parking lot and then take the subway train to wherever place(s) we end up going to.


Thank you!


OK, this must be the same street Joni Mitchell talks about in some of her songs. Right?:

There's a gypsy down on Bleeker Street
I went in to see her as a kind of joke
And she lit a candle for my love luck
And eighteen bucks went up in smoke. Song for Sharon

In a Bleeker Street cafe
I found someone to love today. Tin Angel

It's funny sometimes how one can mythologize a place from hearing songs, or reading novels or poetry...


Yeah, it must be beautiful. I guess I'll feel like Audrey Hepburn in "Breakfast at Tiffany's."

-------------

I'll write down all your recommendations.

And if any of you plan on visiting Puerto Rico, don't hesitate to ask for suggestions. I can't promise to be your guide, though.

Noumenon, I wouldn't bother on going to Coney Island when you only have a few hours in New York. The subway train ride takes forever and it's not always the best and newest trains. I think you actually have to take an alphabet train, those are the worst for timeliness. Stick with Manhattan, there's so much to do. However, if you do go to Brooklyn, the Brooklyn Museum of Art recently had a redesign of its facade that is supposed to be fantastic, and it's easier to get to the Brooklyn Museum of Art because you can catch the numbered trains (2 or 3) from Manhattan and get off at the subway stop for the museum, which is right after the Grand Army Plaza station. That'll be about a 20-30 minute ride from Manhattan.

Forget about Katz's Deli. It sucks. Ya gotta go to Carnegie Deli and get the matzo ball soup. (I like mine with kreplach too) No comparison. and no credit cards. so take cash.

Love the Virgin Mega store. The only reason I walk down to Times Square and deal with all the tourists.

Go to the corner of 80th and Broadway. The best bagels in town, "H & H Bagels" is open and baking 24 hours a day. Fresh hot supple bagels at midnight is awesome. There's a midtown location too. But it's dangerous and I was sure my blood ridled body would be found in the morning.

at the same corner of 80th and bway, there's mymecca, "Zabar's". Forget Whole Foods and all that fancy schmancy stuff at Time Warner center (right next to em by the way But I refuse to go to the Walmart of Manhattan grocery shopping)

Zabar's has everything you could possibly want gourmet in a non-pretentious old world feeling market. It's crowded, it's noisy. It's dangerous. It's all about New York.

Don't forget to get a nice meal worthy of the NYC name. It doesn't have to be at Vong or Le Cirque2000. Try "Patsy's" (sinatra's old hangout), "Fiorellos" across from Lincoln Center (great outdoor seating), Bice at midtown or just have some food in Central Park watching softball or lounging at Sheeps Meadow.

I constantly hear NY'ers debating Katz's vs Carnegie - both are products of the late 70's - both claim to be 'all that'... but the only thing I have EVER heard a Carnegie fan rave about is the Matzo soup ... truth is both are very good, but its a matter of personal preference...

Looking for the real deal? I almost forgot about one of my favorites - the 2nd Avenue Deli;156 Second Avenue at 10th Street New York, NY 10003 Consistantly a NYT and Zagat #1 pick; It's been around since the 50's and the menu hasn't changed since I was a kid- My favorite - #3 Triple decker - Corned Beef, Tongue, and Salami. (Hint - Buy one and share)

The one thing you will not ever get is two New Yorkers to agree about 'the best restaurant' - they are passionate about food, and the city has such a wealth of good places that they constantly try to outdo each other...

BEWARE - KNOW WHERE YOU ARE GOING - because of the 'landmark' rest's and the crowds of tourists - there are a dozen 'sound like' copy cats all over town that are just cheap - and not so cheap - tourist rip offs. The original 'Lindy's'- a new york institution world famous for their cheese cake, across from the Radio city Music Hall, closed more than a decade ago - but there are at least a dozen 'real lindy's' within six blocks - not one of whom even comes close.

[ October 14, 2004, 05:13 AM: Message edited by: ITJock ]

Thanks!


Bro wrote back saying we weren't going there, so no Coney Island. Thanks for the advice!

**************

Well, I'm off to CT in a few hours and then head to NY on Saturday. Thank you all for recommendations, addresses, and advice! Really appreciate it.

The drone of flying engines
Is a song so wild and blue
It scrambles time and seasons
If it gets through to you
Then your life becomes a travelogue
Of picture-postcard charms... "Amelia," Joni Mitchell

I just hope it's not a false alarm. wink

Well, I'm back from CT/NY!

I'm really tired. We walked and walked...and walked. I had a great time, though.

First off, autumn in Connecticut is beautiful. My brother, his wife and her son live ten minutes from Yale University and they drove me "through" it.

We had six hours in NY before the concert. We first ate at Terra 47 which was a great recommendation (thanks, TomFord ), as the food was delicious. (When we walked in, PJ Harvey's "You Said Something" was appropriately --mutatis mutandis-- coming out of the speakers: "On a rooftop in Brooklyn/At one in the morning/Watching the lights flash/In Manhattan/I see five bridges/The Empire State Building[...]".) Then, we hit Strand Books, which was heaven to me! (Thanks shore and batboy.) It gave me vertigo, I didn't know where to start. I bought only one book that I'd been looking for for a long time, and it was there at more than 50% off the retail price. They have a site, so I'll be ordering books from there, though nothing can replace actually being in the bookstore.

We also went to Grand Central Station, as my bro wanted me to see it, and it was beautiful. No museum visits this time, though (but, isn't New York itself a museum?). We went walking, as cold as it was --plus, drizzling--, ended up going to the Virgin Megastore (yeah, I know I asked for alternatives... ) and bought some CDs, and then headed off to see Satriani (we walked from Times Square to 73 St and Broadway!! But I didn't mind. I loved watching the city at night!)

Satriani was incredible, of course. His guitars didn't cum 'cause they weren't penises... eek! He abused them to death! I couldn't take my eyes off the fretboard, he made me remember the reason why I got frustrated playing guitar . The show lasted three hours, approximately, with a fifteen-minute intermission after the first hour.

We took the subway back to Times Square and ate at ESPN Zone (not my choice ), where they were showing the Yankess/Red Sox game, and watched the last two innings while eating.

You all are going to kill me for this, but I have to confess that the first time I visited New York, I wasn't that impressed. I mean, at the time, I saw its greatness, but I just found it too "corporate" and Disney-fied, too "clean," too "sterilized." That turned me off. The only thing I loved was going to a Salsa club in The Bronx, where I felt a sense of community among Nuyoricans. But this time, I LOVED it!! I felt alive! I don't know why was that, and I won't rack my brain to find out.

Thanks again to all the posters for the help!

PS: Starf**k...I mean, stargazing episode in NY.
This happened in a five-second timespan, me in one corner, the other guy in the other, while crossing E 14th St and 3rd Avenue:

(All in my head)
1st second: "Wow! That guy is hot!"
2nd: "Wait, I think I've seen him before..."
3rd (coming closer to each other): "Where have I seen him?"
4th (even closer): "He can't be..."
5th (going past each other): "Oh my God! That's Carlos Morales, the porn star!!!" eek!

He looked at me from the corner of his eye, as if noticing that he had been recognized (I think). He looks way better in person, as if that were possible.

I once had a similar experience with pornstar Jake Andrews only it was Eighth Ave. near Times Square. Ah, New York!

That's what's cool about New York, you see the stars just out and about walking or picking up take out. They're not in their limos (only if they're on their way to a red carpet event at Radio City) or driving down Rodeo drive because driving is hell in Manhattan. As for pornstars, yeah, they're everywhere but the challenge is bumping into your favorite one.

Hey noumenon, glad to hear you liked terra 47!

My partner's invited to attend the launch of the refurbished MOMA and leaves for New York next week. I am so Pee'd off that I can't also attend because of my work commitments. Oh well, just have to live vicariously, and I'll be putting to him some of the suggestions from this post. However, I have said to him that I want a little New York momento (the more expensive the better ), something that can be easily transported back to Melbourne, I'm thinking either clothes or accessories. What are some good shopping suggestions?