[KingOfJericho]

Wow, not too many actual New Yorkers chiming in... I've been working full time or part time in NYC for the last 8 years and can give some good info.

Steak houses in the city are phenomenal. Sparks is my favorite, period. Peter Lugers is excellent but the cash only thing is just annoying in 2011 and it's in Brooklyn which makes it slightly more difficult to get to - I'm not saying it's not an amazing steak house, the food is excellent but the logistics make it a slight annoyance. Smith & Wollensky follows that and the person who said it's the IHOP of steak couldn't be more wrong. DelFriscos is alright as well but I was only there once so don't take it as gospel.

Burgers are also solid in NY. My favorite place is burger joint in the Parker Meridian and Rare is also quite good.

For TexMex food I would go to El Rio Grande. The food is quite good but I go because they also have the strongest and IMO the best margaritas in the city. I still go to that place several times a year. Los Feliz has the best Mexican food in my experience but be $$ prepared - it ain't taco bell.

I'm shocked I haven't heard much about PIZZA in this thread. Little Italy on 43rd and Madison is great and there is another place of the same name on 45th between 5th and 6th that is also great - definitely walkable from Times Sq.

The bottom line on NYC food is that if you're waiting on an hour long line to get into a TGI Fridays or Olive Garden with the rest of the hayseeds just go home because you're doing it wrong.

Times Sq is definitely a trap for rubes - take one walk through but spend your time elsewhere. You could also save yourself a bundle by staying elsewhere but it's actually a nicely centralized location with respect to subway access.

Things to see:
Museums - Definitely hit the Met and the Frick is also pretty nice for just paintings but having been to the Guggenheim 3 times, I would recommend just skipping it.
Spend an afternoon walking around the financial district - it's the oldest part of the city and there's a tremendous amount of history tucked between the faceless Wall St facades (Trinity Church, Faunces Tavern, etc).
SoHo is a great neighborhood for shopping and someone already mentioned that Bleecker St is nice for the bar scene at night. Another solid bar area is Bedford St in Williamsburg Brooklyn.

I can go on and on but I'll cut it here... have fun and remember that your primary objective each morning should be to stay far away from Times Sq.

[BTM]

Originally Posted by NYCGP

Before you say anything, prepare to shut the fuck up.

/thread

Never said Luger's was bad, just not my style. The logistics post above nailed it. A PITA for not much additional reward.

[NYCGP]

Originally Posted by BTM

Never said Luger's was bad, just not my style. The logistics post above nailed it. A PITA for not much additional reward.

never leave home without it.




My office is also like a 5 min drive from the place..

[BTM]

CSV

[KingOfJericho]

Originally Posted by NYCGP

never leave home without it.




My office is also like a 5 min drive from the place..

Yes, for you it might make total sense but for someone from out of town trying to go out for a nice dinner they'll have to jump through hoops to find an ATM that will shell out $500-1,000 then walk around NYC with that massive wad of cash. It's great food but it's definitely not convenient for infrequent customers. With Sparks right in midtown and happily accepting credit/debit cards you're hard pressed to find a real reason to make the trip.

[Dave]

Originally Posted by KingOfJericho

For TexMex food I would go to El Rio Grande. The food is quite good but I go because they also have the strongest and IMO the best margaritas in the city. I still go to that place several times a year. Los Feliz has the best Mexican food in my experience but be $$ prepared - it ain't taco bell.
.

If you have the margaritas on the rocks during happy hour be prepared to not remember the rest of your night!

Me and lots of current and ex collegues always celebrate promotions here...and 3 of those things will knock a big guy off his feet.

[Dave]

Also can we all agree luger Tomatoe and onions is def. not worth it?! Even with the steak sauce on it...

I go back soley for the bacon

[NYCGP]

Originally Posted by comeback1

Also can we all agree luger Tomatoe and onions is def. not worth it?! Even with the steak sauce on it...

I go back soley for the bacon

[Quick6EF]

Originally Posted by BTM

Places I never fail to have a good time at:

smith & wollensky
ultimate pizza
ryan's daughter
dorian's

I was at Dorians Sat. night

[NYCGP]

Originally Posted by Quick6EF

I was at Dorians Sat. night

Hahah.. Dorian's is such a shit show. Should have said you were in town. I would have had a beer with you.

[Quick6EF]

Dude we were all soo blacked out it would have been a sick night if we combined crews.

Shit show to say the least haha

[BTM]

edit: shit show...not shit now...yea definitely some hazy recollections...

[F30.N54.lol]

Originally Posted by NYCGP

God damn you read my mind! First of if hes visitng NYC going to brooklyn isnt a logistic nightmare at all , second lugers is right off the williamsburg bridge and third there is plenty to see there and enjoy

[Nutballa]

Originally Posted by KingOfJericho

Wow, not too many actual New Yorkers chiming in... I've been working full time or part time in NYC for the last 8 years and can give some good info.

Steak houses in the city are phenomenal. Sparks is my favorite, period. Peter Lugers is excellent but the cash only thing is just annoying in 2011 and it's in Brooklyn which makes it slightly more difficult to get to - I'm not saying it's not an amazing steak house, the food is excellent but the logistics make it a slight annoyance. Smith & Wollensky follows that and the person who said it's the IHOP of steak couldn't be more wrong. DelFriscos is alright as well but I was only there once so don't take it as gospel.

Burgers are also solid in NY. My favorite place is burger joint in the Parker Meridian and Rare is also quite good.

For TexMex food I would go to El Rio Grande. The food is quite good but I go because they also have the strongest and IMO the best margaritas in the city. I still go to that place several times a year. Los Feliz has the best Mexican food in my experience but be $$ prepared - it ain't taco bell.

I'm shocked I haven't heard much about PIZZA in this thread. Little Italy on 43rd and Madison is great and there is another place of the same name on 45th between 5th and 6th that is also great - definitely walkable from Times Sq.

The bottom line on NYC food is that if you're waiting on an hour long line to get into a TGI Fridays or Olive Garden with the rest of the hayseeds just go home because you're doing it wrong.

Times Sq is definitely a trap for rubes - take one walk through but spend your time elsewhere. You could also save yourself a bundle by staying elsewhere but it's actually a nicely centralized location with respect to subway access.

Things to see:
Museums - Definitely hit the Met and the Frick is also pretty nice for just paintings but having been to the Guggenheim 3 times, I would recommend just skipping it.
Spend an afternoon walking around the financial district - it's the oldest part of the city and there's a tremendous amount of history tucked between the faceless Wall St facades (Trinity Church, Faunces Tavern, etc).
SoHo is a great neighborhood for shopping and someone already mentioned that Bleecker St is nice for the bar scene at night. Another solid bar area is Bedford St in Williamsburg Brooklyn.

I can go on and on but I'll cut it here... have fun and remember that your primary objective each morning should be to stay far away from Times Sq.

Great! Thanks for the tips of what to possibly try.

[infinitekidM2C]

I might go to NY for the first time on my birthday in October. Weather should be mild right New Yorkers? I can check the almanac or whatever but some local op would be nice.

[BTM]

Weather should be temperate in October.

[NYCGP]

September and October are the two best months in NYC. 2nd half of Oct is a crap shoot though. Might be cold, might be raining. September is my favorite month here.

[BTM]

Yea, I was there in late Oct a couple years ago and it was like 50s but that's how I like it cuz I'M CHICAGO TOUGH

[infinitekidM2C]

I was in Chicago for my last birthday..been there a few times to your awesome city..and yeah it was pretty freakin cold..the first day...then just cool

Another newbie question..if im staying in Manhattan should i use la guardia or jfk?

[NYCGP]

Originally Posted by infinitekid2002

I was in Chicago for my last birthday..been there a few times to your awesome city..and yeah it was pretty freakin cold..the first day...then just cool

Another newbie question..if im staying in Manhattan should i use la guardia or jfk?

Newark... Lol..

Nah, it doesn't really matter. Imho, LaGuardia is closer but JFK allows you more Airline options.

[infinitekidM2C]

Originally Posted by NYCGP

Newark... Lol..

Nah, it doesn't really matter. Imho, LaGuardia is closer but JFK allows you more Airline options.

Ok i think ill use JFK cause its seems like the transport options are better...

[NYC6]

Originally Posted by infinitekid2002

I might go to NY for the first time on my birthday in October. Weather should be mild right New Yorkers? I can check the almanac or whatever but some local op would be nice.

As mentioned already the weather is usually nice in Oct. Days are very light jacket and a nice chill in the air evenings. Not cold but enough to let you know the season is changing. If you can try to be here on Halloween. The City is electric that night. The West Village Halloween Parade should not be missed. Mardi Gras New York style!