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Museums of Lower Manhattan www.lowermanhattan.info/nystartshere/index.htm Get off the beaten path and visit some of these interesting museums: Jewish Heritage New York City Fire Museum Museum of American Financial History National Museum of the American Indian New York City Police Museum South Street Seaport
The Frick Collection 1 East 70th Street (corner of 5th Ave) Tel. 212.288.0700 www.frick.org Henry Clay Frick lived in one of Manhattan's most magnifient mansions. When he died he bequeathed the entire home and it's priceless art collection to the city of New York. Everything from its grand rooms with their exquisite decor of the period to the lush gardens can be viewed.
American Museum of Natural History Central Park West & 79th Street Tel. 212.769.5100 www.amnh.org This vast and extensive museum is one that you can easily spend a day at. The permanent exhibits which are outstanding are accompanied by seasonal special shows that even impresses jaded New Yorkers. Bring the kids! They'll never forget it and neither will you.
The Metropolitan Opera Lincoln Center www.metopera.org "The Metropolitan Opera is a vibrant home for the most creative and talented artists working in the multidisciplinary field of opera, including singers, conductors, composers, orchestra musicians, stage directors, designers, visual artists, choreographers, and dancers from around the world. Known as a venue for the world’s great voices for well over a century, since 1976 the Met has been under the musical direction of James Levine, who has created one of opera’s finest orchestras and choruses. Peter Gelb, the Met’s general manager, has embarked on a program to significantly increase the number of new productions, which will feature the Met debuts of the world’s most imaginative directors, to further elevate the company’s theatrical standards and to secure increased commitments from the world’s greatest singers." It's no wonder that more than 800,000 people attend each season.
New York Public Library (Room 117) The Lionel Pincus and Princess Firyal Map Division Fifth Avenue (between 40th & 42nd Streets) Tel.212.340.0849 www.nypl.org/research/chss/map/map.html This spectacular 7000-square-foot space in the New York Public Library is home to the largest map collection of any public library in the world. This beautiful room, a hidden treasure in Manhattan, houses maps that show how human beings from one era to another across different cultures come to an understanding of themselves and the universe. There are almost 420,000 maps, atlases and cartographic books accessable from wired tables for laptop plugins. Few New Yorkers even know about this room.
Central Park Zoo 64th Street at Fifth Avenue Tel. 212.439.6500 www.centralparkzoo.com Not just for kids, this cageless animal park is a treat in any weather, and in any season. Take a break from Fifth Ave's bustle and watch the snow monkeys, polar bears, and sea lions play in winter. Inside, roam a tropical paradise filled with birds and other critters. The penguins have their own temperature-controlled space where you can enjoy their antics on land and underwater.
Chelsea Piers 23rd Street and the West Side Highway Tel. 212.336.6666 www.chelseapiers.com 1.7 million-square-foot Chelsea Piers has come a long way from its historic beginning in 1910 as the launching point for such ocean liners as the Lusitania. Today it’s the place to play for New Yorkers and tourists alike, offering year-round ice skating, bowling, golf, rock climbing, sailing, kayaking and more. There’s even a spa to rejuvenate after visitors have tired themselves out.
Metropolitan Museum of Art 1000 Fifth Avenue (82nd Street) Tel. 212.535.7710 www.metmuseum.org The "Met" is one of the great museums of the world. Its collections are varied and always impressive, not only because of their content but in the way they are presented. Spending time in this museum is probably one of the grandest ways to enjoy the civilized city of New York.
New York Waterway Pershing Road Weehawkin, New Jersey Tel. 201 902 8711 www.nywaterway.com If you're traveling New York City in the summer, this company has leisurely day cruises on the Hudson River. Shortly after leaving one of Manhattan's west-side piers, you'll get an unlikely perspective of New York City from the river known as "America's Rhine."
Liberty Helicopter Sightseeing Tours One Block North of VIP Heliport West 30th Street & 12th Ave Tel. 800-542-9933 http://libertyhelicopters.com/ Take an unique 15 minute tour that flies OVER Central Park, Empire State Building, United Nations, and around the Statue of Liberty, so close you can can almost reach out and touch her. Plus many more captivating sights throughout Manhattan.
Eataly (moderate $) 200 Fifth Avenue (Between 23rd & 24th Street) Tel. 212.229.2560 www.eataly.com This food hall is 42,500 square feet and contains every aspect of Italian cuisine. Italy has nothing like this. From its Pizzeria Rossopomodoro—run by two men from Naples—down to the ovens used to prepare the foods (the Hall’s two wood-fired pizza ovens were imported from Italy). Other foodie-pleasing features include Lidia Bastianich’s on-site cooking school, “La Scuola,” a Lavazza coffee shop that opens at 7am for early birds, a gelateria and a paninoteca. Michael Toscano’s swanky Italian steakhouse, Il Manzo, is the only one of Eataly’s seven restaurants to accept reservations. One place to shop for Italian delicacies is no better anywhere (in the world)
Adour Alain Ducasse (very expensive $) 2 East 55th Street Tel. 212.710.2277 www.adour-stregis.com This beautiful and refined Alain Ducasse restaurant has been given 3 stars by New York Time's food critic Frank Bruni. However, the real star goes to pastry chef Sandro Micheli. Desserts are sublime and reason enough to dine at this New York gem.
Benoit (moderate $) 60 West 55th Street Tel. 646.943.7376 www.benoitny.com French Bistro or New York comfort food as we call it here! If you like French onion soup, escargot or roast chicken as good as in Paris then make sure to head to this mid-town very chic brasserie. Another Alain Ducasse hit! Manager, Leticia Pinson.
Marea (very expensive $) 240 Central Park South Tel. 212.582.5100 www.marea-nyc.com The location (on Central Park) and ambiance is wonderful. The Italian food subllime. If you ever had a thought that there was a recession in New York this place will dispell it immediately along with the emptying of your wallet.
Masa (very expensive $) 10 Columbus Circle (Time Warner Center) Tel. 212.823.9800 www.masanyc.com Pristine plates of sushi and sashimi approach gallery presentation at this Zen-like sanctuary next to Central Park. New Yorkers refresh and re-attune themselves to the world at this restaurant where every cup, plate bowl and soft wooden piece of furniture is a perfect representation of shibui-- simple, subtle, unobtrusive beauty.
Babbo (expensive $) 110 Waverly Place Tel. 212.777.0303 www.babbonyc.com With a list of critical accolades as long is its lines to get in, Babbo is the place to dine in New York for tourists and locals alike. Delicious ingredients are both fresh and bold, innovative and comforting. Sit back and enjoy rich flavors and knowledgeable, friendly service.
Daniel (very expensive $) 60 East 65th Street Tel. 212.288.0033 www.danielnyc.com Food is a celebration of life. No American chef is bent on making sure this celebration is always unique and original more than Daniel Boulud. The fusion cuisine concept reaches its apex here. Choose from a seasonal menu fraught with delicious seafood in the summer, and hearty fare in the winter. Daniel is walking distance from the finest hotels in the city.
The Modern (expensive $) 9 West 53rd Street (Museum of Modern Art) Tel. 212.333.1220 www.themodernnyc.com When you’re done feasting your eyes on the best modern art in the world, feast on delectable dishes at The Modern, located at the Museum of Modern Art. This is not your typical museum café. Chef Gabriel Kreuther digs into his Alsatian roots for inspiration with appetizers like buckwheat soup with aged goat cheese and boskop apple ravioli as well as entrees like spice-crusted sturgeon braised in pink grapefruit juice with caramelized endive and fennel. The Modern is a creative, seafood-loving Epicurean’s delight.
A Voce (moderate $) 41 Madison Avenue Tel. 212.545.8555 www.avocerestaurant.com Andrew Carmellini, who developed a following as the surrogate head chef at the French restaurant Boulud, debuts independently with A Voce, which means “word of mouth” in Italian. Leather swivel chairs and tabletops provide a stylish yet unpretentious setting for his hearty and irresistible dishes. Duck is utilized far more than in standard Italian fare, with duck-foie gras-pork meatballs on the appetizer list, for example. 2nd location on Columbus Circle in Time Warner Center.
Le Bernardin (very expensive $) 155 W. 51st St.between Sixth and Seventh Aves. Tel. 212.554.1515 http://le-bernardin.com/ "Le Bernardin" noun. French for "perfection." There is nothing like Le Bernardin. Casually elegant, impeccable service. No wonder it has recently been awarded the Michelin Guide's coveted 3-stars. It has maintained its international acclaim as one of the world's top seafood restaurants. Owner/Chef Eric Ripert continues to set unsurpassed standards and unlike other Hollywood-ized chefs, he tends to stay in his kitchen and, you know...cook.
Buddakan (moderate $) 75 9th Avenue Tel. 212.989.6699 www.buddakannyc.com The concept of huge space is certainly not new, but the impact is never-the-less still impressive, even without taking into account the reputed $13,000,000 cost. This 16,000-square-foot room designed by world-famous Christian Liaigre blurs the line between restaurant and theater, providing a place to simultaneously party, dine and drink. The later your reservation, the more hip this downtown locale will be.
WD-50 (expensive $) 50 Clinton Street (Rivington & Stanton Sts..) Tel. 212.477.2900 www.wd-50.com The energy not spent on WD-50's interior only indicates the care taken with an ambitious choreography of form and flavor in each dish. Delve into roasted foie gras-passion fruit with saltine purée or hangar tartare with peaches, amaro and béarnaise ice cream. Restaurant Chef Wylie Dufresne also offers up a spin on a deli sandwich with fried mayonnaise, which is then cut into cubes, resulting in a savory melt that's brown and crisp on the outside, oozy inside. He also gives new form to lemon yogurt which he squeezes on top of hot cocoa dashi to make plump yogurt noodles. Make reservations at least a week in advance.
Chinatown Brasserie (moderate $) 380 Lafayette Street Tel. 212.533.7000 www.chinatownbrasserie.com As soon as you enter you know that it's all about theatre! The ambiance is great fun so this is definitely one of New York's new "in" places to go to with friends or to get a taste of New York trendy.
Pastis (moderate $) 9 9th Ave. (at Little W. 12th St.) Tel. 212.929.4844 www.pastisny.com Keith McNally's impeccable replica of a Parisian brasserie made the Meatpacking District what it is today. The drug models love. The simple, tiled interior is simply gorgeous. Permanently crowded and lively. Great eggs for brunch, savory onion soup and pommes frites, with Gitanes Blondes for dessert. Pastis still stands out among its new hifalutin' neighbors and continues to be the late-night food destination of choice. Reservations a must.
Oceana (expensive $) 55 East 54th Street Tel. 212.759.5941 www.oceanarestaurant.com Oceana has recieved 3 stars from New York Times. This busy midtown location is great and while some say it is very staid and quiet others go their exactly for that. The decor is suppose to transport you to an ocean-liner. How cool!
Sushi Yasuda (expensive $) 204 East 43rd Street (between 2nd and 3rd Ave) Tel: 212.972.1001 www.sushiyasuda.com This place is not for posers. Number 2 in Zagat's Top Food Spot in New, Sushi Yasuda is the highest-ranking Japanese restaurant in the history of the NYC survey. The fish is first-rate and there are few other places in the city where you can find the sheer variety of fish that Sushi Yasuda offers. Service is very attentive, pleasant and helpful. The sushi list highlights chef recommendations, so even if you don't sit at a table, you can benefit from Yasuda's suggestions. Each piece is more delicious than the last.
L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon (very expensive $) Four Seasons New York 57 East 57th Street Tel. 212.758.5700 http://www.fourseasons.com/newyorkfs/dining.html Legendary chef Joël Robuchon brings his breathtaking cuisine to the Four Seasons Hotel New York at "L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon" With renowned sister restaurants in Paris, Tokyo and Las Vegas, the New York location boasts an intimate and dynamic atmosphere. Because there are just 20 seats at the pearwood counter (considered the most desirable, with their view of the kitchen) and only 26 more at individual tables, reservations are required and accepted 30 days in advance.
Sant Ambroeus (moderate $) 259 W. 4th St. at Perry St. Tel. 212.604.9254 http://www.santambroeus.com/ This Milanese style espresso bar is a gelato shop, pastries counter, breakfast meeting spot and posh, new celeb hangout and comfortable dining room all in one.
Here are New Times Food Critic Frank Bruni's choice of the most attractive restaurants in New York. Click on the links to see if you agree or not!
Amaridian 31 Howard St. (nr. Crosby) Tel. 917-463-3719 www.amaridianusa.com Amaridian is a gallery that exclusively platforms design talent from South Africa. Unique handmade home décor.
Aedes de Venustas 9 Christopher Street (Greenwich Village) Tel. 212.206.8674 http://www.aedes.com/press.php This store may just lure you back into the world of candles and home fragrances. Check out their signature, eponymous candle that everyone seems to love. It is said that one of the things that make a women happy is finding their scent. Problem is it can take half a lifetime. You can certainly cut down on that time by coming here!
Brioni 55 East 52nd Street Tel. 212.355.1940 www.brioni.com No man should leave New York without a custom-made suit from Brioni. Contact Alfredo Pecora for the latest fabric arrivals and to schedule a private appointment.
Carolina Herrera New York 954 Madison Ave. New York, NY 10021 Tel. 212.249.6552 www.carolinaherrera.com Refined and elegant, with a selection that draws the elite of uptown society, this boutique has fabulous women's suits, evening gowns, and cocktail dresses. For the ultimate personal shopping experience contact store manager [email protected]
Turnbull & Asser 42 East 57th Street Tel. 212.752.5700 www.turnbullandasser.com One of London's more famous mens store has an impressive shop in Manhattan. For custorm shirts contact Felix Berrios and for suits, Louis Verde.
Jacques Torres Chocolate Haven 350 Hudson Street (King Street) Tel. 212.414.2462 www.mrchocolate.com Paris has La Maison du Chocolate. London has Charbonnel et Walker. In New York we have Jacques Torres. This shop is not only a haven for the best chocolates in New York, but also a place to watch the production which is visible from the street. Seasoned New Yorkers know Jacques's genius from when he was pastry chef at the legendary Le Cirque restraurant; now Jacques is Mr. Chocolate.
Tom Ford 845 Madison Ave. Tel. 212.359.0300 http://www.tomford.com/en/ For the first time in New york, Tom Ford has opened his flagship men's store on Madison Ave. Make sure you get the most out of your time by calling ahead and book a private appointment with our favorite salesperson Juan Rodriguez.
Diane Von Furstenberg 444 West 14th Street 646.486.4800 http://dvf.com/ Fashion designer Diane von Furstenberg rocketed to fame and fortune in the early 1970s with her jersey wrap dress. It's back, and so is she, impressing a new generation with simple elegance.
J Mendel 723 Madison Ave. nr. 64th St. Tel. 212.832.5830 http://www.jmendel.com/ Though the name won’t mean anything to your provincial cousins and maybe never will, J.Mendel is a fashionistas’ firm favorite and one of the half dozen most important collections in NY right now.
Barney's NYC 660 Madison Avenue @ 61st Tel. 212.826.8900 http://www.barneys.com Barney's New York is taste, luxury, and humor. A fashion mecca and celebrity hangout since 1923, the store is an emporium of style and gorgeous product. When visiting the store, schedule an appointment with a personal shopper for the ultimate one-on-one wardrobe consultation. Their complimentary personal shopping service is designed to pamper you. They'll guide you through the latest in European and American collections. To schedule an appointment please call: Men’s personal shopper: David Brignoni 212.833.2665 ([email protected]) Women’s personal shopper: Domenica Ellison 212.833.2535 ([email protected])
Bergdorf Goodman 754 5th Avenue @ 58th Street 212.753.7300 www.bergdorfgoodman.com Bergdorf Goodman offers a wide selection of furs and clothing for both men and women. It is a museum of haute couture. They cater to a generally conservative and very sophisticated clientele. Located in the heart of the midtown tourist and shopping district, the store is a block away from the Trump Tower shopping center and the world famous Plaza Hotel.
Stella McCartney 429 W. 14th St. nr. Ninth Ave. Tel. 212.255.1556 http://www.stellamccartney.com/ McCartney's line blends frilly elements like pastel silks and ribbons with street-worthy rocker accents, like slasher-tees and industrial zippers. All clothes are animal-free, including the shoes, which are outfitted from a leather-like plant derivative.
Ralph Lauren 867 Madison Ave @ 72nd Street Tel. 212.606.2100 www.polo.com Ralph Lauren's casual preppy styles embody the spirit of American aristocracy. For his Spring collection, he has again chosen Polo to reflect the hertiage looks of Americana. Ralph Lauren’s Madison Avenue flagship is the prototype for all the other Lauren boutiques and Fall/winter and spring/summer sales are usually held twice a year.
Scoop 430 W. 14th St., nr. Washington St. Tel. 212.929.1244 www.scoopnyc.com If there is a store that screams Manhattan youthful chic, then its Scoop. Self-proclaimed "The Ultimate Closet," Scoop is located in classically trendy West Village. The boutique is all about the sexy denim, trendy skirts and gold stilettos. They love designer brands as much as you do. Expect to find the captains: Michael Kors, Marc Jacobs, Alice+Olivia,etc. THE place for women's jeans.
Jeffrey 449 West 14th Street nr. 10th Ave Tel. 212.206.1272 http://www.jeffreynewyork.com/ A swank mini-department store in the Meatpacking district. Complete with a spinning DJ and minimal harrassing sales people, Jeffrey's combines all of your favorite luxury brands in a much more trendily luxurious environment.
Yves Saint Laurent 3 East 57th Street Tel. 212.980.2970 www.ysl.comFor your next red-carpet gown or a suit to wear at your next charity luncheon, ask for Carlo Pisapia.
Everyone knows Manhattan's fantastic Central Park. However the park is so vast that it has it's own special gardens within. One is named after William Shakespeare and here is the link and also more links to other lesser known but special Manhattan parks.
www.centralparknyc.org/visit/things-to-see/great-lawn/shakespeare-garden.html www.jeffersonmarketgarden.org www.westsidecommunitygarden.org www.bpcparks.org www.merchantshouse.com/
Babysitters’ Guild 60 East 42nd Street Tel. 212.682.0227 www.babysittersguild.com Licensed, bonded, and in business over 50 years, New York babysitting service is a great resource. The cost is reasonable, is based on age and number of children and includes a four-hour minimum plus travel costs. An additional charge finds you a babysitter fluent in one of 16 different languages or one with a nursing background. The service will try to accommodate same-day requests, but to be on the safe side, call this busy Manhattan babysitting service a day in advance. They also accept travelers’ checks.
Elegant Tightwad Shopping Excursions Tel. 631.841.2111, 800.808.4614 www.theeleganttightwad.com Join Pamela Parisi to shop private showrooms and the hottest sample sales for current season designer duds at wholesale prices and below. Learn her tactics for getting the best for less. Consignment tours, accessory tours and personal couture showroom shopping available too.
MUG www.manhattanusersguide.com This Internet city guide is fast becoming the New Yorker's online bible and includes Art & Entertainment, Food & Wine, General Info, Leisure & Sports, Services, and Shopping. Subscribe to updates so you'll never be out of the loop on Manhattan happenings.
Discover New York 60 East 42nd Street Tel. 212.370.1463 www.dnykg.com Kitt Garrett, Founder & CEO of New York, is not only our Virtuoso partner but our recommended travel desk for New York City. Custom designed your trip to New York City….starting with just two people! Tell Kit your budget and she’ll create a package that is custom designed for each couple to include: transfers, welcome gifts, tickets to sold out shows with backstage access with a cast member to see the wigs, costumes and props and walk across the stage, dinner in the hot restaurants with meet the chef opportunities and a special behind the scene access to their choice of activity.
New York Times Insider Guide Times Everything from events to restaurants and apps that can be downloaded to your iphone
Juliet Supper Club 539 West 21st Street Tel. 212.929.2400 www.julietsupperclub.com A very cool supper club til midnight. Then very quickly it turns into a dance club attracting an international crowd that likes to party hard. Sunday night is particularly good when there is even a caberet show.
PDT 113 St. Marks Tel. 212.614.0386 www.pdtnyc.com This is the place for cocktails that are the best! Jim Meehan's team of mixologists/bartenders are always inventing new and improving standards. Look for a hot dog place at this address and then enter the phone booth on the left. Pickup the phone and wait to be let in.
Kiss & Fly 409 West 13th Street Tel. 212.255.1933 www.kissandflyclub.com The circular shaped night club plays house music (no hip hop) that attracts a dance crowd that one might see in Ibiza. Downstairs there are plush couches to lounge in,
Pacha NYC 618 West 46th Street Tel. 212.209.7500 www.pachanyc.com Manhattan's newest mega dance club has opened. This 30,000-square-foot venue, spread over four floors, is a New York offshoot of a European night club chain. There are VIP rooms off of VIP rooms here. Table service is $150 per person.
The Box 189 Chrystie St 212 982-9301 www.theboxnyc.com THE BOX is a new destination on the Lower East Side for fine dining and theater. One of New York’s most difficult doors to crack, but if you get in you’ll be guaranteed a great time.
Open House 244 East Houston Street Tel. 212.982.3532 www.openhouse-nyc.com Open House is tucked away behind a weathered wood façade. Nightlife guru Steve Lewis designed the venue to create an elegant setting in New York's East Village neighborhood. A columnist for Blackbook, Lewis also designed Marquee and The Darby and formerly managed the Tunnel and Limelight. David Davis was also commissioned to assist with the art installation of the drawers. Fashionably worn antique furnishings intermingle with chic modern accents, creating a luxurious ambiance.With innovative interiors, skilled DJs and expert mixologists ZARKO. Open House provides a perfect backdrop—all in the comfort of a welcoming and cozy house setting.
Marquee 289 Tenth Avenue (Between 26th & 27th St.) Tel. 646.473.0202 www.marqueeny.com Fine interiors and a consistently great crowd make it difficult to get in on occasion, but the steady, sophisticated music makes it worth a try. Whether you're dancing or watching you'll spend a memorable night at this high-octane, elite New Yorker hangout.
Les Scandal Cabaret 19 West 24th St. (between 5th & 6h Avenue) Tel. 212.388.2988 www.lescandal.com Indulge your passions for the bizarre and risqué. This cabaret features classic burlesque, torch-singing fan dancers and even sword swallowers. Provocative performance art will stop you in your tracks. Reservations absolutely necessary.
Columbus72 246 Columbus Ave. (72nd St.) Tel. 212.362.6244 www.columbus72.com Check out this new 7,500-square-foot dance club, the first venue of its kind in the upper west side.
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