Out and about in NYC

[Marge_Simpson]

Ask someone how many ballet companies there are in NYC, and they will usually say 2 - NYCB and ABT. But we actually have 3.
New York Theatre Ballet is mostly aimed at kids, but the dancers are actually pretty decent, and some of their programs appeal to adults as well as kids. Info here:

http://www.nytb.org/

Do you like cheese? then check out Murray's, in Greenwich Village. You should check them out even if you don't like cheese, they sell all sorts of other goodies like sausages and breads and sweets. They make their own ring-dings which are delicious and nothing like those horrid Hostess ones you ate as a kid. And they give cheese-making classes.
http://www.murrayscheese.com/

[Sylvia]

There will be a FREE show at the Bryant Park ice rink tomorrow (Saturday, Jan.5) from 5-6 pm - more info in GSD: http://www.fsuniverse.net/forum/show...Jan-5th-5-6-pm

[JeffClair1979]

I am so late to this party, but I'm glad you took our suggestion!!! Love the ideas of stuff to do! Now if only it would warm up so I can do them!

[Rob]

Ask someone how many ballet companies there are in NYC, and they will usually say 2 - NYCB and ABT. But we actually have 3.
New York Theatre Ballet is mostly aimed at kids, but the dancers are actually pretty decent, and some of their programs appeal to adults as well as kids. Info here:

http://www.nytb.org/

And Dance Theatre of Harlem is back too I read.

[meighanu]

http://www.alicesteacup.com/ is one of my favorite bakery's!

[Marge_Simpson]

My favorite 24-hr eatery in NYC is L'Express:
http://www.lexpressnyc.com/
Excellent food and atmosphere anytime of day or night! I don't drink coffee, but I'm told by all my friends I go with that the espresso is excellent. I usually go out dancing in the city, and it's nice to know that I can leave a club at 3am and have a better option than fast food.

I ate dinner here tonight with my friend and her husband, and all 3 of us gave it 2 thumbs up. Delicious food and we liked the atmosphere. None of us tried the espresso but I can report that the Irish coffee is quite potent. And the almond tart was divine. Thanks for recommending!

On our way there we passed a rare book store called "the Complete Traveler", on Madison and 35th, which I had never noticed before. Since I can't pass a bookstore without taking a peek, I dragged my friends inside. I saw some fabulous things but the others were anxious to eat and cut my browsing short. But I'm definitiley coming back here.
http://www.ctrarebooks.com/?page=shop/index

[JeffClair1979]

Marge, we must get together soon!! I'll leave you up to the ideas though!!

[Marge_Simpson]

If you leave it up to me we'll end up doing a dessert tour.

[BigB08822]

Well when we come back to NYC next year I would like to meet up with as many of you as possible. I wont have any friends or family to worry about and no wedding to prepare for so I would love to get together!

[oleada]

If you leave it up to me we'll end up doing a dessert tour.

You say that like it's a bad thing.

[DustPuppyOI]

Just coming back to this thread in a while... You're welcome, Marge. The best thing about Myzel's is that you can probably scoot over there during intermission of City Centre programs too (or pocket a couple of cookies before shows).

Also, next time someone heads to Greenwich Village, with the aforementioned Tea and Sympathy, A Salt and Battery, and south of High Line Park (where NY Export: Opus Jazz was filmed - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HE5JL71elgk - the abandoned parts of the park anyways), check out Li-Lac Chocolates (http://www.li-lacchocolates.com/) and though not NY exclusive, Two Boots Pizza has a location in the neighbourhood (http://www.twoboots.com/TW2008/West08/West08.html).

Also, for those passing through Washington Square Park, don't forget to check out the 2007 Vendy Award winning tiny food card of Thiru Kumar and his dosas: http://www.nyindia.us/new-york-vendy-awards.html
http://www.yelp.com/biz/ny-dosas-new-york
My Sri Lankan friend approves.

Sticking to that neighbourhood, I'd add as locations on my to visit list:
* Peanut Butter & Co http://ilovepeanutbutter.com/
* Stand4 http://www.standburger.com/, apparently famous for its Toasted Marshmallow milkshakes

Oh and for those mentioning a dessert tour , affogato: http://nymag.com/restaurants/features/48916/
I got hooked on affogato from the now sadly closed Nina's Argentinian Pizzeria. *sniff*

Oh and anyone going to La Bonne Soupe better get the soupe à l'oignon (French onion soup) - the gruyère quality is to die for.

[Marge_Simpson]

I've added all your suggestions to my bucket list.
Back in October I went to Top of the Rock and enjoyed it very much; I don't care if something is "touristy". I'm right here and I'm going to check everything out.
When I was there I stopped off in the gift shop to buy postcards for some friends, and the perky young clerk asked if I was enjoying my visit to New York. She looked gobsmacked when I told her I live here. Anyway, info here:
http://www.topoftherocknyc.com/

[JeffClair1979]

Although I put a thread in the US Nationals forum, it's oh-so-relevant here too

NYC Not Going to Nationals Party will be on January 27 for the Men's FS, 3:00-5:30 PM at Mr. Dennehy's again! Hoping we can get as many people (if not more) than we had at last year's fabulous Worlds party!

I just ask that those who would like to come relpy to the US nationals thread so I can get an approximate head count. The more the merrier, so bring any friends/family along who you think is strong enough to handle a room full of FSU-ers!!

[Jenny]

Just jumping in here as I see mention of Tea & Sympathy and Alice's Tea Cup. If you are a fan of afternoon tea - and I certainly am! - then you must save up your pennies and go to The Pierre.

Simply the best afternoon tea I've ever had, and that includes many very fancy hotel teas and shops in NY and other cities, including the ground zero of tea, London. Cozy setting, great service, and a VERY generous stand of sandwiches and cakes - double what one usually expects. And best of all, totally fresh - too many hotels churn out tea on an assembly line it seems, resulting in sandwiches that taste like the refrigerator, and scones that are dry and tasteless.

I was supposed to be in NY for a conference when Superstorm Sandy struck and cancelled the event - I was that I didn't get to indulge in my planned perfect afternoon of wandering the Met by myself, followed by tea at The Pierre with a juicy book I had been saving for the occasion. (With apologies to those truly affected by Sandy - I know my loss is miniscule in comparison.)

[Marge_Simpson]

One more item for my bucket list - I will check out The Pierre. I'm planning to re-vist Lady Mendl's in the next week or so, so I'll see which is best.

[KHenry14]

Quick question.....BrokenAnkle and I are taking our family East this summer, and NYC is a big part of that trip. Since I haven't been there since 1973, things have changed a lot since then, and I've got a few concerns. Mainly, I'm concerned about getting around town. We will be using a rental, but I have a feeling that driving around town isn't a good idea. So, is using the subway still a good idea? Or will we be using a lot of cabs? Based upon the locations we intend to see, looks like we will be all over Manhattan. So any suggestions about getting around would be very much appreciated.

BTW, thanks for the tip about the Pickle Guys. Definately going there!

[emason]

Subway - it's the fastest way to get around by far.

[BigB08822]

Subway! It's a little intimidating at first, especially if you don't live somewhere that has them, but once you get the hang of it you will be glad you did it. So much faster for the most part and if you are with a big group you don't have to worry about splitting up.

[Jenny]

Subway for sure. When traffic is better (not rush hour, not when it's raining) cabs can be a good option if taking the subway would involve two or three trains; compared to other cities, the cost is reasonable, especially if you are piling in several people - might even cost less than the subway.

And there's walking - what may look like a long distance on a map might actually be easily walked. Going north-south for example, you can estimate approximately one minute per block. One of the best things about NY is simply walking, when you can really get a feel for it, enjoy the sites at leisure instead of our a car window, discover shops and restaurants you might not have seen, etc.

But whatever you do, don't drive. It's hard to get around, plus parking - if you can find it - is going to cost you a mint.

[DustPuppyOI]

Always joked that the "best deal in town" is an unlimited subway/bus pass, also includes the Roosevelt Island Tram.
http://mta.info/mta/fares/mc_value.htm

You definitely don't want to drive (though I understand you're forced to learn quickly to deal with NY-driving... no choice) and also deal with parking woes. Only thing to warn you are the construction schedules but I hear there are a lot of apps now to make it more navigable.

Also, if I see an old lady heading home from Lincoln Center close to midnight, I'd say you should be pretty comfortable in terms of safety, especially in the main tourist areas too.