Be sure to go in the early morning or just before dusk. Otherwise there are too many tourists (ugh!) and the hot sun will be beating down on you.
My friend Andrew says, "I'm not big on the Met. I'd take a quiet hour at The Morgan instead."
Gothamist says, "Fits in seamlessly with Chelsea's galleries and fancy stroller shops. They specialize in four distinct fields—literary fiction, art, children's books, and translated works." Read more.
Gothamist says, "Once immortalized on an Adrian Tomine New Yorker cover, Unnameable Books became the scrappy David to Amazon's big, bad Goliath. Cramped shelves and comfy chairs." Read more.
Gothamist says, "Can feel like the lodestar of Brooklyn's literary firmament. One of the few bookstores with a backyard for outdoor reading in the summer." Read more.
Gothamist says, "Both stores' selections (one on Broadway, the other on 112th street) run the gamut from dependable academic bookstore to whimsical children's bookshop." Read more.
Gothamist says, "Gorgeous store... stellar reading series and impeccable stationary selection." AND THEY ARE RIGHT. Read more.
Gothamist says, "The small store always has the latest best-sellers and sleeper hits, and its event calendar hosts everyone from local authors to Pulitzer-winners." Staff was lovely. Not a must-visit. Read more.
Gothamist says, "With its sprawling selection and glorious children's section, it's the oasis the neighborhood had long yearned for. Don't miss their yearly soiree during the Brooklyn Book Festival." Read more.
Gothamist praises its "bevy of book clubs and writing groups, wonderfully homey readings (usually with donuts from the nearby Peter Pan Bakery), and "Between the Covers" Book Matchmaking service." Read more.
My friend Andrew says, "Get drunk and go to grey's papaya for a dog and a papaya shake."
Gothamist says, "This uptown joint is the new neighborhood king, selling crispy-skinned, light and chewy bagels. Individual bagels run about $1... consume them ASAP. Cash only." Read more.
"Bagel Hole's goods are always fresh, dense and chewy, enveloped by the necessary salty, crispy skin... Eat with cream cheese, whitefish, lox or nothing." Read more.
Gothamist says, "Best when doused with a healthy serving of house-made flavored cream cheese or sandwiching sliced turkey and mustard. No need to get them toasted... head out to nearby Prospect Park." Read more.
Gothamist says, "Some claim Ess-A-Bagel's offerings are too big. We beg to differ, and will indulge in a crispy, colossal everything bagel loaded with scallion cream cheese, lox and tomato." Read more.
Gothamist says, "Though some turn their noses up at Murray's' no-toast policy, fresh bagels should never be toasted. Get a non-toasted everything bagel with lox spread." Read more.
Gothamist says, "Spectacular hand-rolled doughy bagels, appropriately crispy-skinned and accompanied by what seems like thousands of spreads and proteins. They have a flavor-of-the-week cream cheese." Read more.
Classic; read Up in the Old Hotel first. My friend Kylie says, "Before anything else, McSorley's."
My friend Adam says, "Katz’s is iconic, but the food there is second fiddle in my opinion. 2nd Ave for the classics, like Matzoh Ball Soup, Blintzes, Potato Pancakes, Pastrami Sandwich."
My friend Adam says, "For fish and bagels (lox, whitefish salad and kippered salmon)." Get the kippered salmon bagel and a beet-lemon shrub juice. Amazing. Bagels themselves could be softer.
My friend Adam says, "Veal meatballs... So damn good. They also have them on a pizza. Get both."
My friend Adam says, "Their all-beef meatball is like mama used to make. Inspiring."
My absolute favorite bar. They mix the drinks in the old style using different size ice cubes and raw eggs. Bartenders are very experienced and awesome. -Susie Brunet, Launch My Line
Arrive early at this best bar for birthdays to claim to prime barside real estate, and order a round of original cocktails mixed by rascally, white-jacketed gents. Read more.
One of the pizza places in New York that I really liked, and a favorite of Victor's as well.
This subterranean spot's only marked by a small plaque & doorbell you must ring to be admitted. Inside you'll find perfectly prepared, fresh-juiced, hand-stirred or shaken classic cocktails & punches. Read more.
One of our ten best Manhattan bars-The bartender will whittle you a perfectly spherical ice ball for your Old Fashioned right before your eyes. A jazz trio keeps the place hopping.
Yes, Mr. Campbell once lived here; and you are invited to come up and have a cocktail in his 1923 Florentine-style living room. The gifted mixologist behind the bar crafts a marvelous martini.
Recommended: Pig’s trotter roulade; pickled eggs; polenta with baked eggs; corned beef hash; kale salad with cheddar, squash and almonds; mushroom sandwich; pear-and-frangipane tart; apple pie. Read more.
Sushi Nakazawa is the 10-seat omakase restaurant from former Jiro Ono-apprentice Daisuke Nakazawa. Sushi Nakazawa serves omakase tastings paired with sake, but plans to introduce an expanded menu.
Simple seasonal food palatable pleasure. The creeper closes the meal well. How can you resist sweet cream ice cream w/salt & pine nuts? Service was stellar not sure what all the complaining is about.
Huckleberry Bar boasts one of the nicest backyards in the East Williamsburg area. Catch a nice breeze in the early evening while you sip something super fancy.
Look for the door marked "bar". Walk in to a roomy speakeasy with good music and quality cocktails. The quiet, intimate vibe also makes it one of the best date bars in Brooklyn.
From every pensive movie scene ever. Be sure to check out the new waterfront park below. Each pier has been turned into a mini park of its own theme.
Recommended enthusiastically by a waitress in Brooklyn. "All the jazz cats are there."
Recommended by my friend Sophia R., who lives in the neighborhood and would certainly know. She says "It's the only place in the Village that hasn't been discovered yet."
A NYC brunch must! Finding and walking into this restaurant is half of the experience. Order the artichoke dip, the poached eggs with cheese grits and any of the delicious cocktails! You're welcome!
"Top-notch pizza, but don’t sleep on the rest of the menu either. Salt cod croquettes, slow cooked leeks with grilled salame, pasta or maybe polenta with shrimp, shelling beans, and chilies." Read more.
My friends Kylie, Victor, and Adam all like this place. Lovely brunch, but very reminiscent of San Francisco, so it wasn't particularly novel. They did serve the best carrots I have ever had.
Back patio + warm afternoon + great margherita pizza + well-chosen beer selection = bliss. In a sketchy area that is quickly gentrifying.
The first time I had this it was a dream. Second time it wasn't quite as good, but I'd still go back.
From Ryan Sutton's 2 star review: "Orkin slays you with shio or shoyu ramen just as much as with that garlic mazemen, a flavor so distinctive it should have the same trademark protection as a Cronut." Read more.
Dave Arnold joins the Momofuku team to transform Bar Bar into a lounge slinging perfectly pre-batched Manhattans, drinks made with hot pokers, plenty of liquid nitrogen, and a pork-heavy snack menu.
The best spot to discover your new favorite hobby gives you an up-close view of its artisans-in-residence during its daily open studio. Interactive workshops offer hands-on training from the experts. Read more.
This small shop offers a mix of locally made and vintage men's accessories and odds/ends, including everything from ties (standard and bow) to pomade to literature. Solid addition to the neighborhood.
Small space with a cool vibe. Leave your inhibitions at home and order a tropical cocktail. Or, ask the bartender to make you a proper Aviation, with gin and crème de violette.
Tex-Mex invokes visions of nachos and queso, which are certainly delicious at this new Gramercy spot, but the frozen avocado margaritas are a thing of splendor. Read more.
“Attaboy has no menu; you suggest a mood or a flavor and the bartenders improvise, which they do proudly or gruffly.” Read more.
"Décor is as classic as its cocktail list, which changes seasonally yet pays homage to the staple sips - classic Martinis and Sours. The Manhattan and variations thereof is a mainstay here." Read more.
Call the number at 3:00 PM sharp on the day of and make a reservation. Watch your dates face when you bring her to a hot dog stand.
The 19th-century bar is neither pretentious nor stuffy. Try the Clover Club Cocktail - an old Philadelphia concoction made from gin, vermouth, lemon juice, raspberry syrup and egg whites. Read more.
Try the house gin and tonic, a complex cocktail with little in common with your garden-variety G&T. It’s one of our #100best dishes and drinks of 2011. Read more.
"Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux's triumphant 1867 follow-up to Central Park in Manhattan." -NYT 36 Hours in Brooklyn
16-lane bowling alley, 600-capacity performance venue with live music 7 nights a week. The food is by Blue Ribbon and the fried chicken is NOT to be missed! Home of Lebowski fest! The Dude Abides.
It's open 'till 2am, so one night when you've been working reaaaaaaally late hop in a cab, head to Blue Ribbon Sushi, and order up some toro. You deserve it.
Prepare to dance the night away at this Williamsburg staple. Drinks are reasonably priced; a DJ rocks the inside, while the taco stand and picnic benches out back offer a repose. - Green Guide Editor
The place you go to watch elegant men, wearing burnt sienna slacks, eating fish tacos.
Visit the graves of Jean-Michel Basquiat, Leonard Bernstein and Mae West; and check out the 1911 chapel designed by the same firm behind Grand Central Terminal.
“Even the fiercest brunch hater will have a hard time arguing with the weekend midday menu at Greenpoint Fish, which changes with the season and the catch.” Read more.
Atmosphere is worth the price. You smell the vegetation as you step off the elevator. Atmospheric attention to detail. Food is good enough. Service is acceptable. Period music sets tone. Sunset. A+
Risen from the ashes of PKNY, this place carries the mantle of handcrafted tiki drinks in NY
"This Staten Island place is only open from Wednesday-Sunday, and each night they’ve got a different Italian Grandmother in the kitchen cooking up what she does best -this is unquestionably amazing." Read more.
"Tough to get a spot, but you can occasionally grab a seat at the bar without a reservation and enjoy a bowl of chianti-stained pappardelle with wild boar ragu or fennel-dusted sweetbreads." Read more.
"The pizza is amazing, as is everything else, like the orecchiette with pig tail ragu, ’nduja, and Pecorino Pepato; duck prosciutto; and spaghetti alla chitarra with broccoli rabe and Bianco Sardo." Read more.
"Classic and classy Queens spot delivering fresh pastas (get the Tagliarini L'Incontro: fresh spaghetti w/ asparagus and peas, wrapped in prosciutto), seafood, and other standards done the right way." Read more.
"Show up early or expect to wait in line. One of the best spots in the country for Italian food. Braised rabbit with creamy polenta and black olives, saltimbocca alla Romana, or tagliatelle al ragu." Read more.
I love their Navy Bean soup. They also have one of the best meatball sandwiches in the City. Do not forget to order the "Duck Fat Fries".
Don't miss the gift shop housed in Andrew Carnegie's former office. Great selection of design books and objects.
Walk through the cellular shop to this restaurant, tucked away behind another door in the back. Feel mysterious.
Grand Central is one of the oldest US train stations still standing. Unequivocal beauty and amazing architecture. Even if you're not going anywhere go inside and just look around!
