Escape From Suh-bore-bia: My Mecca Beckons

"Every true New Yorker believes with all his heart that when a New Yorker is tired of New York, he is tired of life." -Robert Moses

Well, it's that time again. New York City, here I come! I'm as giddy as a kid on Christmas Eve who's going to Disney World the next day.

I'm so ready for this.

I need this! I've been waiting too long to go on a vacation. I will definitely not miss Suh-Bore-Bia, that's for sure! A buddy of mine is going with me, and I want to show him a piece of as many Manhattan neighborhoods as I can. I suppose I'll share the itinerary, which is quite robust. Yes, there's a lot, but honestly, the last time I had just as much to do, and did almost all of it.

The real itinerary is more specific and itemized by day, but here's another version of our plans/options, which is broken out by neighborhood:

Upper East Side

• Central Park, The Mall and Literary Walk, Olmsted Flower Bed Mid-Park (from 66th to 72nd Streets)

• Conservatory Gardens, (open 10:00 am - 5:00 pm) At the Charles A. Dana Discovery Center (Upper East Side top of the Park, Inside the Park at 110th Street between Fifth and Lenox Avenues) http://www.centralparknyc.org/site/PageServer?pagename=virtualpark_southend_themall

• Guggenheim Museum (close to Central Park)

• Daniel French Cuisine, 60 E 65 Street, can reserve online too, 212-288-0033 4 star rating (Upper East Side by Central Park and Guggenheim), http://danielnyc.com/daniel.html

• Cigar Inn Lounge, 1314 1st Ave, New York, NY 10021 (212) 717-7403

Upper West Side

• Lunch at The Boathouse in Central Park http://www.thecentralparkboathouse.com/sections/home.htm

• Davidoff of Geneva (cigar lounge), Time Warner Center, 10 Columbus Cir., New York, NY 10019 at 59th St., 212-823-6383, http://nymag.com/listings/stores/davidoff_of_geneva02/

• DE LA CONCHA 1390 Avenue of the Americas Bet 56th and 57th Sts (just south of central park, central north mid-town) New York City, NY 10019 Tel 212.757.3167

• Le Bernardin Restaurant, reservations mandatory, 155 W 51st St New York, NY 10019 (212) 554-1515

• Broadway Comedy Club 318 W 53 Street (NorthWest Mid-Town, just south west of Central Park) : http://www.broadwaycomedyclub.com/

• Riverside Park on Riverside Drive. Gorgeous waterfront park stretched 4 miles alongside the Hudson River. http://www.nycgovparks.org/sub_your_park/vt_riverside_park/vt_riverside_park.html
• Terrace in the Sky Restaurant: view of the city while eating/drinking: http://www.terraceinthesky.com/

Mid Town

• Rockefeller Center, Top of ’The Rock’ the city’s only crystal-clear, 360° view of the city. Sunset at 6:56 PM that day. http://www.rockefellercenter.com/home.html (47th to 51st Streets between Fifth and Sixth Avenues). $18.00 buy tickets online: http://www.topoftherocknyc.com/tickets_landing.aspx

• ESB - At 6PM go to watch the sunset (btwn 6:55-6:59 PM that week) on the Empire State Building 350 5th Ave (between 33rd & 34th) (212) 736-3100. Observatory open 8AM - 2AM, 7 days a week, $17.61 + tax. http://esbnyc.com/index2.cfm

• Ayza Wine & Chocolate Bar 11 West 31st Street (very close to ESB): http://www.ayzanyc.com/

• Sunday September 13th Tudor City Festival (East side of Mid Town) on Lexington Avenue from 42nd - 57th

• Nat Sherman Cigars, Johnson Club Room (close to Bryant Park), 12 E 42nd St New York, NY 10017-6901 (212) 764-5000, http://www.natsherman.com/events.cfm?CFID=3605205&CFTOKEN=cc11351330d5bbc9-99E81DC3-19B9-F18B-2289D0671650915C

• Charlie Palmer’s Aureole, 42nd Street between Avenue of the Americas and Broadway, (by Bryant Park) http://www.charliepalmer.com/Properties/Aureole/NY/

• Beekman Bar & Books, 889 1st Ave New York@ 50th Street, NY 10022 (east side of mid-town, close to east river) (212) 758-6600, http://www.barandbooks.cz/

• Le Veau D'Or‎ (Upper East side, close to central park, parallel to SE corner of park), 129 E 60th St, New York, NY‎ - (212) 838-8133‎

Mid Town South

• Eisenberg Sandwich Shop (mid-town South Central by Madison Square Park) close to Flatiron building, 174 5th Ave, New York, NY‎ - (212) 675-5096‎

• Anthony Bourdain’s Les Halles Midtown, 411 Park Ave South New York, NY 10016 (East Mid-Town just East of Madison Square Park) http://www.leshalles.net/ny_park.php

• MetroCafe & Wine Bar 32 E 21st St (close to Madison Square Park): http://www.metrocafenyc.com/index2.htm

• Blue Smoke (BBQ Ribs, Chicken, etc) 116 E 27th St (Mid-town Central, close to Madison Square Park between Park & Lexington)

• Eleven Madison Park (Wine & Dining) 11 Madison Ave (Mid Town Central by Madison Sqaure Park on 24th & Madison)

• Keen’s Steakhouse (central mid-town, few blocks south of Bryant park), 72 W 36th St, New York, NY‎ - (212) 947-3636‎

• 230 5th Rooftop Garden: eat, drink with breathtaking views of the Empire State Building, the Chrysler Building and the Manhattan skyline. All guests must have valid id. Dress Code for Men: no shorts, baggy/torn or very worn out jeans, tank tops, sleeve less shirts. General Dress Code: no t-shirts with logos or pictures, sports jerseys, athletic wear, sandals, flip-flops and baseball caps/hats of any kind. 230 5th Ave (Mid Town Central, just North of Madison Square Park(212) 725-4300 http://www.230-fifth.com/

West Village/Meat Packing District

• The Highline. Visit the Highline and the park on it (Meatpacking District/West Village). The first portion of the three-section High Line, which runs near the Hudson River from Gansevoort Street to West 20th Street, will be open daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. There are entrances at Gansevoort Street (stairs) and at 16th Street (elevator); exits are located every few blocks. Newly opened park, was once a railway system: http://www.thehighline.org/, http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/22/nyregion/22highline.html?_r=1&ref=travel

• BAR AND BOOKS 636 Hudson Street @ Horatio Street, New York 10014 Tel.: 212 229 2642 Open daily 5.00 pm - 4.00 a.m

• Perry St., 176 Perry St. (Perry & Bleecker), 212-352-1900 (West Village by the Ports).

• One if by Land, Two if by Sea, 17 Barrow St, New York, NY‎ - (212) 255-8649‎, (West Village close to hotel) http://nymag.com/bestofny/food/2006/steak/

• John's Pizza in the Village, 278 Bleeker St. between 6th & 7th Ave's (West Village, close to hotel), (cash only)

• Perilla 9 (close to hotel), 9 Jones St, New York, NY‎ - (212) 929-6868 (West Village, very close to hotel)‎, http://www.perillanyc.com/

• Florent Bistro: French bistro open 24 hours on weekends, 331 W 4th St, Jane St/8th Ave, 212-242-9502. http://cornerbistro.citysearch.com

• Sunset Cruise: http://www.zerve.com/SailNYC/ManSun

• Greenwich Village Comedy Club: Comedy Cellar, 117 MacDougal St & W 3rd/Bleecker St, 212-254-3480 (very close to hotel): http://comedycellar.com

• Magnolia Bakery 401 Bleecker St at W 11th St, New York, NY‎ - (212) 462-2572 (West Village, slightly north)‎, http://www.magnoliacupcakes.com/

Lower East Side/Downtown/Brooklyn

• Katz Deli, 205 E. Houston at Ludlow, tel. 212-254-2246, www.katzdeli.com.

• Bodies: The Exhibition (very close to the Brooklyn Bridge) 11 Fulton Street, New York, NY 10038: http://www.museumtix.com/venue/program.asp?pvt=&vid=741&pid=1394402&code=

• Walk across the Brooklyn Bridge. http://www.destination360.com/north-america/us/new-york/nyc/brooklyn-bridge.php

• Red Hook Lobster Pound: We do not sell Lobster Rolls yet at 284 Van Brunt St. We only sell lobster rolls at this time at the Brooklyn Flea in Ft Greene on Saturday from 11-5 and the Brooklyn Flea under the Brooklyn Bridge on Sundays from 11 to 6 WEATHER PERMITTING. If the weather is iffy, call 646 326 7650 and check and see if we are at the Flea. Also, we usually but not always, run out before 6. http://www.yelp.com/biz/red-hook-lobster-pound-brooklyn

Street Fairs:

• Saturday September 12th Gramercy Park Neighborhood Festival (on 3rd Avenue from 14th - 23rd Street)

• Sunday September 13th Tudor City Festival (on Lexington Avenue from 42nd - 57th)

• September 10-20, 2009 Indoor and outdoor dining at 35 of Little Italy's most famous Italian restaurants. More than 300 licensed street vendors selling international foods, official Feast of San Gennaro, New York City and Little Italy souvenirs. Every Parade will begin on Mulberry Street between Canal and Bayard Streets (One block south of Canal Street), and will proceed north along Mulberry Street to Houston Street, east along Houston for one block to Mott Street, south on Mott to Grand Street, and west on Grand to Baxter Street. http://www.sangennaro.org/event.htm

• Saturday, September 12, 2 PM -- Grand Procession with the Statue of San Gennaro will be carried from its permanent home in The Most Precious Blood Church through the streets of Little Italy. Street)

Photo Lesson/Tour:

• New York City Photo Walking Tours: Photo Walk-abouts are guided walking tours that focus on teaching participants to take better photos. After a brief lesson on photography, your guide will escort the group along the route, giving historical background on the sights along the way. All public tours are $20; cash only; No reservations are required; simply show up at the designated meeting location; Tours last approximately 2.5 hours; No reservations are required; Tours do not start and end in the same location; Tours run rain or shine (you can get some great photos in the rain) - call 917.557.3693 in the case of inclement weather: http://gonyc.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?zi=1/XJ/Ya&sdn=gonyc&zu=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.photowalkabouts.com%2F\

o Greenwich Village - 10 am Saturdays, Meet Father Demo Square at 6th Ave and Bleecker: http://www.photowalkabouts.com/greenwich.html
o Central Park - 2 pm Fridays Meet General Sherman Statue at 5th Ave and 59th Street: http://www.photowalkabouts.com/central.html
o Financial District - 2 pm Saturdays Meet Trinity Church at Broadway and Wall Street: http://www.photowalkabouts.com/financial.html

Other Wine/Beer/Liquor Tasting Events:

Sep 10

• (Thu) Whisky Tasting & Dinner Cruise - Feauturing over 100 Single, New York, | Whisky On The Hudson - Spirit of New York | $85
• (Thu) French Wine & Cheese: An Exploration of Terroir, New York | Tasting World | $75
• (Thu) The Elements of Saké at Astor Center, New York | Astor Center | $65
• (Thu) Viva Italiano - A Taste of the Boot!, New York | Chelsea Wine Vault | $35
• (Thu) L'Chaim! To Life! Kosher Wine Tasting, New York | Bacchus Wine Made Simple | $15
• (Thu) September 10, White Burgundy (CLS091009), New York | Morrell Wine Store | $70 per person or $125 for two people.
• (Thu) NFL Kick-Off Party, New York | Black Bear Lodge | FREE
• (Thu) Brewer-Clifton and Palmina Tasting with Chrystal Clifton, New York | City Winery | $65.00
• (Thu) Seth Walker & Clarence Bucaro, New York | City Winery | $15.00
• (Thu) Free Tasting - End of Summer Wines at Pour, New York | Pour | Free

Sep 11

• (Fri) Market Basket Cooking from the Union Square Greenmarket at A, New York | Astor Center | $125
• (Fri) Tasting Wine Like a Master: The Art of Blind Tasting Red Win, New York | Astor Center | $55
• (Fri) Matthew Sweet and Susanna Hoffs, New York | City Winery | Bar Stools $20.00 / Reserved Tables $25.00
• (Fri) NEW - NY Craft Beer Week, New York | New York City | Beer Passport $35
• (Fri) NEW - New York Craft Beer Week - Gotham Cask Ale Festival, New York | Rattle N' Hum, Swift Hibernian Lounge, & Jimmy's N | Pay as you go
• Free Tasting - End of Summer Wines at Pour, New York | Pour | Free

Sep 12

• (Sat) North Fork Long Island Wine Tours from Manhattan, Greenport | North Fork Wine Tours | $149pp all inclusive 10% discount for 6 or more.
• (Sat) One-Day Wine Immersion, New York | Tasting World | $95
• (Sat) Wine 101, New York | Tasting World | $75
• (Sat) Wine 101 One Night, New York | NYC wine company | 90
• (Sat) Hudson Valley Food & Wine Fest with Grape Getaways, New York | Bus leaves from midtown Manhattan | Regular: $80; Early Sign Up (before 8/20): $75; G
• (Sat) Aromatic Wines with Exotic Flavors paired with Spicy, Savory, New York | The Classic Harbor Line /Yacht Manhattan | $85, use code wine09 for 10% savings on 2 or more
• (Sat) The International Culinary Center's Fall Pastry Courses, New York | The International Culinary Center at The French Cu | $195-$785
• (Sat) David Broza, New York | City Winery | Bar Stools $25.00 / Reserved Tables $32.00
• Awards Dinner, Staten Island | PIAZZA BROTHERS WINE ROOM | $45.00
• (Sat) Hudson Valley Wine and Food Fest with Grape Getaways, New York | Bus leaves for Dutchess County Fairgrounds from mi | $80 per person ($70 pp forn groups of 4 or more)
• Discover the Legend of Glenmorangie at our ‘Scotch’ Brun, Chelsea Wine Vault $50
• (Sat) Free Tasting - End of Summer Wines at Pour, New York | Pour | Free
• (Sat) Great Winemakers of Europe – 3-6pm, NYC | Le Du's Wines | Free

Guide to All NYC Museums

http://thenyknow.com/2009/08/a-guide-to-nyc-museums/