Out and about in NYC

[Marge_Simpson]

I've seen the Paul Taylor Dance company twice this weekend, and if you've never seen them, you should. I remain undecided on whether Taylor is a creative genius or seriously deranged, but his pieces are never boring. The new one, "To Make Crops Grow" is a fabulous and spooky take on "The Lottery" (you all read that in high school, right? )
Info here, and there is a discount if you buy 2 or more tickets:
http://www.ptdc.org/nyc

Incidentally, DustPuppy: you have gotten me hooked on Myzel's (the caramel truffle is my current favorite) and on Saturday evening I corrupted Ioanna and her 2 friends as well.

[DustPuppyOI]

I've seen the Paul Taylor Dance company twice this weekend, and if you've never seen them, you should. I remain undecided on whether Taylor is a creative genius or seriously deranged, but his pieces are never boring. The new one, "To Make Crops Grow" is a fabulous and spooky take on "The Lottery" (you all read that in high school, right? )
Info here, and there is a discount if you buy 2 or more tickets:
http://www.ptdc.org/nyc

I saw Paul Taylor in their inaugural season at Lincoln Center. The range and styles of his works is impressive. I finally saw Esplanade after reading so much about it and well... It certainly is an exuberant take on Bach. It works but never thought that kind of aesthetic would work. I want to see his Company B - I presume Paul Taylor dancers perform it better than ABT?

Incidentally, DustPuppy: you have gotten me hooked on Myzel's (the caramel truffle is my current favorite) and on Saturday evening I corrupted Ioanna and her 2 friends as well.

Yay!!!! Awesome places should be shared!

Also finally got to Stand Burger (http://www.standburger.com/) and Num Pang (http://www.numpangnyc.com/) last weekend.
- For Stand Burger, tried a mini toasted marshmallow milkshake (tasty but pretty sweet), burger (yum), and was disappointed about the onion rings. I do plan to go back though and try the other milkshakes and try their hand cut fries. I definitely won't be spending money on the Tater Tots though.
- Tried the Pulled Duroc Pork at Num Pang. Pretty good sandwich but I still like my Banh Mi from http://www.banhmisaigonnyc.com/

[Marge_Simpson]

I saw Paul Taylor in their inaugural season at Lincoln Center. The range and styles of his works is impressive. I finally saw Esplanade after reading so much about it and well... It certainly is an exuberant take on Bach. It works but never thought that kind of aesthetic would work. I want to see his Company B - I presume Paul Taylor dancers perform it better than ABT? http://www.banhmisaigonnyc.com/

YES! No question. Although Carlos Lopez always did it for me in "Oh Johnny"

[Wyliefan]

Was up in NYC last weekend and finally had a chance to visit the Strand bookstore ("18 Miles of New, Used & Rare Books"), which is something I've long been wanting to do. Oh my gosh, it was HEAVEN. I could live in that place.

[Marge_Simpson]

I totally lose track of time in the Strand. I'll think I've been in there 10 minutes or so, then I look at my watch and realize it's been an hour and a half.

Has anyone ever been to the NY art expo? My coworker was babbling about it and telling me to go, I could pick up some really nice stuff at reasonable prices. I checked the website, but I'm undecided, because of the $20 admission fee. Info here:
http://artexponewyork.com/attendees/show-dates-hours/

I just discovered that NYC has a museum that's housed in an elevator. No, I didn't make that up. As it's free, I'll have to investigate:
http://hyperallergic.com/51978/the-m...orlandt-alley/

There is a really fun (and free) exhibit at Madison Square Park, "Topsy Turvy". It's only on view until April 5th, so if you're near the park, go have a look.
http://www.madisonsquarepark.org/art

If you're near the park, I recommend a stop at Hill Country Chicken, just a few blocks away. I've never tried their chicken, but I can personally vouch for the pies.
http://www.hillcountrychicken.com/

[Marge_Simpson]

I was on the lookout for a new place to eat last evening, and came across the Candle Café. The food was really good, and I would strongly suggest trying the apple-rhubarb crumb pie (you know I can't resist desserts)


http://www.candlecafe.com/east/index.html


I went to the "Eating With King Arthur" thing at the Y, which turned out to be great fun. The lecturer, who has written several cookbooks, was filled with all sorts of strange and interesting information about what people ate at banquets in the Middle Ages
Like meatballs shaped like pears and stewed cockscombs.
She mentioned a great place to get historical (as well as current) cookbooks, Kitchen Arts and Letters. I had no idea we had a bookstore that only sold cookbooks. The shop was closed by the time the lecture finished, but I've added it to my bucket list:

http://www.kitchenartsandletters.com/

She also recommended Kalustyan's as a great place to buy spices:
http://www.kalustyans.com/default.asp

[kedrin]

Has anyone ever been to the NY art expo? My coworker was babbling about it and telling me to go, I could pick up some really nice stuff at reasonable prices. I checked the website, but I'm undecided, because of the $20 admission fee. Info here:
http://artexponewyork.com/attendees/show-dates-hours/

Hey Marge- I'm going to New York Art Expo. A friend from my gallery in California is exhibiting, so I have a pass- I may be able to get you one, too. Let me know if you are interested.

[Marge_Simpson]

Definitely! But even if you can't manage it, let me know who your friend is, so I can check out his or her work.

[Marge_Simpson]

Walking through GCS this evening, I got very excited when I saw a huge banner announcing Nick Cave. As my musical tastes are trapped in the eighties, I of course thought of this particular Nick Cave:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MQL5zdEy-3k (yes, that's the song Harry and Hermione danced to in Deathly Hallows)
But it was another Nick Cave:
http://creativetime.org/projects/
The exhibit starts on Monday, but they were in the middle of setting up for it and I hung around to watch - it looks like great fun. Though I wonder if the dance students who are going to put on the horse suits and trot around the station feel the same way.

The Art Expo was fabulous, and to Kedrin and her friend Robin for getting me a pass.
It was like visiting a huge museum with every sort of artistic style that exists.

I checked out Kalustyan on Saturday and went completely berserk buying spices and all sorts of exotic things. There is a most enticing aroma in there, and the clerks are super helpful. If you are a cook looking for ingredients that you can't find in your grocery store, or you enjoy trying foreign foods, get thee to this store ASAP.

[taf2002]

Marge, I may never get to NYC again but I love this thread & I love the fact that you put links into your posts. It makes me feel as though I'm familiar with all the places you post about. Thanks for sharing all this info.

[Bailey_]

Seems like the perfect thread to post a question because there are so many knowledgeable people in this discussion...

I'm planning a trip with a friend - we will be in New York July 3-7/2013. I'm most interested in hotel recommendations... would love to stay in Manhattan near Times Square/Broadway or Midtown/Central Park area. I'm looking for a clean, bed bug free, reasonably priced hotel. Does anyone have any thoughts... any good suggestions come to mind? Also interested in hearing from native New Yorkers - what do we need to know about being in the city that weekend? Would we be better to travel to the city on the 3rd in the evening or the 4th in the morning (we may drive in or we may take the train). Is there anything we should do for the holiday or anything we should be aware of/avoid?

Thanks so much for any thoughts or suggestions.

[kedrin]

If you drive in on the 4th, be aware that there will be street closures on the west side due to the fireworks. As for hotels, I have never actually stayed in a hotel in the city, so I can't recommend any, but one thing to check out might be people who rent out their apartments as B&Bs. My friend did that while she was in town for Art Expo.

Here's a link:

https://www.airbnb.com/?af=1922719&c...FYqf4AodrDgA_g

As for Art Expo- it was great to see Marge- I'm glad you had a good time! It was a good introduction for me to the New York art world. (I wonder if I should exhibit my figure skater paintings there? )

[Marge_Simpson]

I can't help with hotels, either. Sorry about that. I can relate to the bug thing, though - the first thing I do in a hotel room is to strip the bed and check for bedbugs. And I check the bedbug registry before I reserve a room.Is anyone interested in a get-together that weekend? I t looks like we'll have at least 2 FSU people visiting from out of town. I'm working on the 6th and 7th, but I'm at your disposal on Friday the 5th.

Luna Park in Coney Island has just reopened. If you have never ridden on the Cyclone, you are not a true New Yorker.

http://www.lunaparknyc.com/

And speaking of Coney Island: if you have never gone to see the Mermaid parade, you must! This year's is on Saturday June 22nd. It's great fun, totally demented, and one of those "only in NYC" type of things. Go see it! Just arrive early to get a good spot, and wear your sunscreen.

http://www.coneyisland.com/mermaid.shtml

Tartan Week is coming up! If you like men in kilts, the tartan parade is not-to-be-missed.
http://www.tartanweek.com/events/#Ne...tan_Day_Parade

[pp55]

I'm planning a trip with a friend - we will be in New York July 3-7/2013. I'm most interested in hotel recommendations... would love to stay in Manhattan near Times Square/Broadway or Midtown/Central Park area. I'm looking for a clean, bed bug free, reasonably priced hotel. Does anyone have any thoughts... any good suggestions come to mind?

Not sure if this can help. Here is the Toronto Star article "Travel New York City: Visiting NYC on a budget is possible for family of four":
http://www.thestar.com/life/travel/2...y_of_four.html

[taf2002]

It sounds like this writer didn't tip anyone. For example, a $7 taxi ride for 4 people from Upper East to Times Square? I've sure never gotten deals like that.

[Marge_Simpson]

That article mentions Dylan's Candy Bar. I went there once and would never return. The place was swarming with hyperactive, screeching children.
http://www.dylanscandybar.com/

The author also said they "splurged at the Olive Garden." Um, okay.

[UMBS Go Blue]

I've been to Dylan's many times since it first opened back when I lived in NYC. What time of day were you there?

To the extent it's still open in the evenings, it's a cool pre-/post-dinner place to hang out with friends or to peruse while on a date. I'd imagine less hyperactive children at a later hour. Helps that Serendipity 3 is right down the block.

[Marge_Simpson]

Well, maybe I need to give it a second chance. But I had the same sort of reaction that I have in FAO Schwartz: OMG, get me out of here ASAP.
http://www.fao.com/home/index.jsp

I've never been to Serendipity, do I need to put it on my bucket list?
http://www.serendipity3.com/index.htm

[DustPuppyOI]

Dylan's, Serendipity, and Bloomingdale's (and tram to Roosevelt Island) are all within blocks of each other in midtown East. Dylan's has been pretty popular for my out of town guests. They also have a shelf of celebrity jelly bean mixes on the basement floor.

Every time I go by Serendipity, lines are incredibly long. Apparently they're famous for their frozen hot chocolates and popularized by Sex in the City. Lines start before opening but the last half hour of the day might be more viable? I'd guess this place is one of those tourist trap places that you should go at least once.

If you're in the area, I'd actually recommend going to Patsy's (http://www.orderpatsys.com/) for a decent thin crust. There are two movie theaters in the area too: Cinema 1 2 3 (http://www.fandango.com/citycinemas1...cb/theaterpage) and Big Cinema (http://us.bigcinemas.com/loc_manhattan.asp), the latter on 239 E 59th St has the occasional Opera/Ballet in Cinema along with South Asian films.

If you do go to FAO Schwarz (has the keyboard from the Tom Hanks Big movie), it's not too far to get to the Apple Retail Store (http://www.apple.com/retail/fifthavenue/) which had some initial headlines of having to frost the glass steps going down to the basement store level. (See through glass steps not so awesome for those wearing skirts and kilts.)

[Rob]

My friends worked at Serendipity in the 70s, used to smuggle us home frozen hot chocolates. It was so crowded even back then that I only went a couple of times.