Friday, March 30, 2012

Advice Needed

We have gone to NY for the last 3 years. This year, we may have to skip a year (budgetary reasons) But.. I do have points with Marriott. For this trip to work, I would need to stay at the Farifield by Marriott. It looks like the Fairfield properties are outside of Manhattan. Should I take advantage of rooms outside of Manhattan or wait and return in a couple of years? Any advice would be appreciated.





Thanks





Scott



Advice Needed


The nearest Fairfield properties are in Queens and in Jersey. There is one at Newark Airport, which I think is not very convenient. There is another at the Meadowlands, which would mean a bus to the Port Authority bus terminal. The one on Astoria Boulevard in Queens is about ten blocks (or a half mile) from the Astoria Blvd station of the N subway (although there is a bus down Astoria Blvd.) The N will take you in 6 stops to Bloomingdales, and 10 stops to Times Square.





The others I would just forget about...



Advice Needed


GWB, thanks for your help. How is the Astoria area? Is it a decent place to stay? I%26#39;ll give these options some thought as I explore all of my options.





Thanks for your help





Scott




He Scott...Astoria is generally known as %26#39;Little Athens'; or Greek Town as there are many wonderful restaurants/cafes with fab Greek specialties....great bakeries, too! Have a couple close friends who have lived there for years and wouldn%26#39;t think of moving! Quick commute to work in Manhattan as well as rent prices on the uprise here due to it%26#39;s close proximety and ease of getting into City! Enjoy!




That part of Astoria is not quite as Greek as others. Like most of the rest of Astoria, though, it is solidly middle class - you should have no problems day or night getting back and forth, whether you walk to the subway or take the bus.





As noted earlier, the N train runs as an elevated over 31st Street. The hyphneated addresses that you see in Queens tell you in the digits before the dash what the cross street is -- the address 45-20 tells you that this is at 45th Street. ';Boulevards'; in the Queens street naming practice are routes (usually old roads) that do not fit neatly and regularly into the grid, but at this point Astoria Boulevard is between 24th and 25th Avenues.





Up under the N train one stop towards Manhattan (the 30th Avenue stop) is a nice Czech restaurant that you might find amusing -- ';Zlata Praha';, or Golden Prague, at 28-48 31st Street. Excellent Czech and Slovak food, and not expensive at all.





http://www.zlatapraha.cc/main.htm




If you decide to take the place in Astoria, you%26#39;ll def have a typical ';NYC commuter'; experience. When scheduling your day, don%26#39;t forget to give yourself time to walk to the subway (and maybe buy a regular coffee, buttered roll and newspaper from a cart or newstand on the way.) ;o)




All on my way to El Cantinero for a pitcher of Sangria! Thanks QB!







Scott

Single mum with 2 teenage sons in New York

Hi Everyone! I%26#39;m hoping some single parent travellers might be able to help with our trip at the end of the year. (yes! I do lots of research before we go!) My sons will be 17 %26amp; 13 and we like to know all about a place before we go there so as to make sure we don%26#39;t miss anything. We%26#39;re going to a few places in the US and Canada before New York and then on to Europe. This is our %26#39;trip of a lifetime%26#39; so I want to make sure it%26#39;s great. If anyone can help out with tips on places to see, places to stay (is it better to stay in NJ rather than pay big bucks in NYC?) and places to eat (steakhouses!)etc it would be so much appreciated. Money will be pretty tight as we%26#39;re trying to see as much as we can in the 6-7 weeks we%26#39;re away. The kids are REALLY into ice hockey as well, so any tips on where we can see a game or anything to do with it would also be gratefully accepted. Thanks in advance! Sally.



Single mum with 2 teenage sons in New York


I would not stay ouside of the city since you will have to pay the fares to get back into the city to do the things you want, I think you should find a budget hotel in the city to make it easier on you. If you are going to times square, you shoudl go to the famous Carmines, which is in the theatre district (family style italian) but make a reservation before hand. You can go ice skating at rockefeller plaza, bryant park or central park. ou can catch an ice hockey game the Islanders at Nassau coliseum which is on long island just 25-30 minutes from the city you can get there by car or by train, also research beforehand.



Single mum with 2 teenage sons in New York


Hi Sally,



All I can say is ';I%26#39;m Jealous!'; 6-7 weeks travelling is going to be fab!! Your sons are very lucky!!





I%26#39;m sure you have this on your list but you simply have to go to Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, Empire State Building, Central Park and Time Square is unbelievable.





The Marriott Marquis in Times Square has a revolving restaurant which has great views of Times Square and over NYC. We also enjoyed a dinner cruise down the Hudson river, although I%26#39;m not that sure that two teenage boys would enjoy that sort of thing.





Although, I%26#39;m not sure about ice hockey maybe you could check out the New York Yankees site to see if there are any home games arranged for the time that you go. I%26#39;m english so I can%26#39;t say I really know a great deal about Baseball but it%26#39;s certainly something we%26#39;re going to do when we return to NYC this September. I think the experience and atmosphere would be fantastic and probably something your boys would enjoy. Their site shows seats for as little as 19$ each. Or perhaps the basketball at Madison Square Garden. Again, the boys might just enjoy it and even yourself!! lol





If you%26#39;re interested in seeing a Broadway show try the TCKTS booth in the middle of Times Square. You will be able to find cheaper tickets for shows, which may be better for your budget. (Don%26#39;t depend on it though, as not all shows are listed- due to the fact that they sell left over seats for shows later that same day)





We%26#39;ve just booked a suite in The Vinnci Avalon hotel on 32nd Street/5th Ave. We had a limited budget ourselves but the price was $239 prpn for a couple + $25 per extra person . The reviews on here have been good and so we decided to go for it. It%26#39;s 2 blocks from ESB and a 10 min walk to Times Sq. Try their site for photos and rates.





https:/鈥ndex.shtml





The above may not be a great deal of help but there maybe a few things to consider.





I%26#39;m visiting Oz next October for 6 weeks, Perth is our first stop for a week...I can%26#39;t wait!!!





Nikki




We%26#39;d love to help but you%26#39;ve really put too many questions all in the same post. You%26#39;ll have better luck (imo) if you separate out subjects like





where to stay



where to eat



what to see





For where to stay, you must give us an idea of how long you%26#39;ll be in NYC (some apts. would be great but may only rent for a week or more). There are endless discussions on the pros and cons of paying more and staying in Manhattan vs. commuting from elsewhere. In the end, no one can make the decision but you, but given the ';once in a lifetime'; nature of the trip, staying IN Manhattan would be better. If by end of the year you mean late Dec., prices on NYC hotels are not so bad after Dec. 18th but are very pricey on New Year%26#39;s eve. An apartment or an apt./hotel would probably be best option for you. Will the boys be willing to share a bed? That will make a difference on what kind of accomodation.





At the top of this section is a ';sticky'; with trip reports. They%26#39;re grouped together and there%26#39;s a section on those with teens that you should read.




Take a look at these trip reports written by families with teenagers. (More specific ones starting on page 2)





tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g60763-i5-k473200-鈥?/a> Collection_of_trip_reports_from_families_with_TEENAGERS-





Most are short trips by first timers. Go ahead and steal an itinerary! Congrats and have fun!




Thanks a lot everyone-some really great advice, as always from Trip Advisor travellers! Yes, I know I%26#39;ve left it open and asked so many questions-we haven%26#39;t quite refined all details yet, and the amount of time we spend in NYC depends a little bit on the cost of accommodation etc. We have a lot of time away with a lot of stops to consider as well, but we would like to have at least 4-5 days-perhaps Christmas or New Year as well.





Nikki-do you have all the info you need about Perth or could I return the favour and help out? Please let me know :-)

Coming to New York next Thursday

Hey everyone! I have a couple of questions...

Where might me and my husband find a good seafood restaurant that is reasonably priced... say $25 per person with drink... Is this possible :) We are staying in midtown, but anywhere that is easy to get to by subway is good for us... nothing ';out there'; just good fish and bread...

Also... I have been reading all the links that was posted on my question about moving to New York and someone posted something about looking at apartments and how you could look for Open Houses in the New York Times... well... Our lovely New York Times is the west coast edition... which plsses me off that we can%26#39;t get a REAL NYTimes... Any thoughts on when and where to look for open houses that will be happening Friday the 26 through the 28th of January?

Thanks again everyone!

Coming to New York next Thursday

Have you looked at the New York Times on line?

Coming to New York next Thursday

Are you talking about leasing/renting or buying an apartment? The Times charges a fee to owners/brokers who list and it is my experience that usually more expensive units are listed in the NYTimes. The ad fee is cheaper in the Village Voice and I think you%26#39;ll find cheaper listings. On the other hand, you should check Graiglist on line because there is no fee to list on Graigslist if the owner is not charging a fee. I think you%26#39;ll find more owners listing directly without a fee on Craigslist. Open houses are usually for coop or condo purchses and not as common for rentals.


$25/person with drink is difficult for any restaurant let alone a seafood. Depends on what kind of seafood you want too. Jubilee is a great little French bistro on East 54th st. that specializes in mussels. They have a $25 3 course dinner that includes option of mussels or salmon as the entree.

http://www.jubileeny.com/menu_ju.html

La Mediterranee and La Mangeoire are 2 other French restaurants in the same area (east 50%26#39;s) that have good value 3 course prix fixe dinners with some seafood entrees. Have a look at their menus on menupages.

If you want oysters, the Oyster bar in Grand Central is good, but not worth the price for other things. Pearl Oyster bar in the village is very good.

http://www.pearloysterbar.com/

If you want lobster, El Quijote (a Spanish place) has some of the best value lobster in the city. The place looks like a dive but it%26#39;s very good.

There are also lots of Italian places with good seafood dishes (seafood pastas), Spanish, tapas places.

As to the newspaper, get the Times when you arrive. Meantime look on their website (you have to register for free to get in). They have listings you can view. NY Magazine also has some.

nymetro.com/realestate

I found this info on the CitiHabitats website (one of the most well known rental agencies) and I think it%26#39;s helpful

http://citihabitats.com/renting.html

You can also look on their website (and other agents websites) for open houses.

Glenwood is a mgmt company that has apt. buildings

http://www.GlenwoodNYC.com

Here%26#39;s another URL that gives info (4 ways to find a no fee apt.) including names and addresses of a few more mgmt cos. www.theinsider.com/nyc/save/015NoFeeApts.htm


El Quixote is very amusing! Yes, the lobster is a steal, but the decor is more frozen in time than Gorton%26#39;s fish sticks!

Since you plan on moving here, you better get to know Brooklyn!

Check out The Chip Shop! Two locations of crispy, doughy, greasy fish-n-ship goodness!

http://www.chipshopnyc.com/


Thanks NYWIZ... I will look at the links... they will help a lot.

On to the seafood... thanks for those suggestions as well. We are really just looking for some simple fish. Salmon... halibut... mahi mahi... Not really lobster or shell fish.

Any other suggestions?


Queensblvd... you are too funny. Yes... planning on getting to know Brooklyn :) In fact, I wish it wasn%26#39;t going to be so dang cold next week... I really wanted to walk along the river across from South Street Seaport.. it looks like a great walk. We have no problem coming into Brooklyn to a good restaurant. Is there one that is easy by subway from midtown? Still looking for a good, reasonably priced fish place... no fried stuff though... my stomach can%26#39;t take it anymore.

Thanks again :)

El Quijote is listed as $$$$ on menu pages... It has some decent reviews though. Mostly we are just looking for fish, not lobster. But now I am curious about their Paella. That would be good too. I hate it that we only have 4 nights of dinners in New York this visit. I always come for AT LEAST a week, so this visit will be quick.

My husbands niece has just finished up a culinary school in Manhattan and has 3 interviews lined up this week for various restaurants. I hope we get to visit her as she makes her debut in a new career. She has been a high school chemistry teacher for 6 years in Hawaii... she was worried about coming to NYC, as she is a beach/surf girl and she has fallen in LOVE with it... she just signed a year lease on the UES this week.

I tried signing us up for a few restaurants for Restaurant Week for dinner... but Friday is the last night and it is the only night we could go... and I couldn%26#39;t find any more reservations. Sad sad...

Any more ideas??


So are you renting or buying an apartment?


We like Sevilla (www.sevillarestaurantandbar.com) much better than El Quijote. However, like El Quijote the lobster entrees are pricey but well worth, IMO. Take a look at Sevilla%26#39;s menu and see what you think.


We are planning on renting an apartment... sorry... At least for the first 2 years.

Thanks for the other seafood idea... I will look that up on menupages also.

  • rodents
  • Priceline bid accepted - got Washington Jefferson

    I was trying some bids. Quite liked the look of all 3 hotels in midtown west (Mansfield, Belvedere, Washington Jefferson), and I also like the look of the Midtown East (Courtyard by Marriot) all 2 1/2 star.





    This is for June 2-5th.





    So I tried:-



    A load of 4 star bids up to 拢95 with no luck!





    2 1/2 star



    Midtown West 拢70 - no



    Midtown East 拢70 - no



    Midtown East or West 拢75 - yes



    And I got Washington Jefferson.





    I%26#39;m really pleased as I%26#39;ve been looking this hotel up anyway!





    So we paid $527 including all taxes.



    Best available price $668 including taxes.





    So I think I did well!



    Priceline bid accepted - got Washington Jefferson


    The WJ is in a terrific location, but be prepared for a really tiny room, even by NYC standards.



    Priceline bid accepted - got Washington Jefferson


    You%26#39;ll like the WJ. I stayed there in February for 9 nights. The rooms are tiny, but if you are like me, you%26#39;ll only use them to shower and sleep in! The complimentary soap, shampoo etc is lovely, not the usual hotel crap.





    The location is great too. Close to Times Square and the theatre district and walking distance to everywhere else. It is reasonably quiet too.





    Hope you enjoy your stay.

    Times Square area to Orpheum Theater?

    I was planning on taking my 16 year old daughter to see the 10:30 Stomp performance. What is the best way to get from the Times Square area to the Orpheum Theater? Is it far? This will be our first trip to NYC. Any help would be greatly appreciated.



    Times Square area to Orpheum Theater?


    Sorry, Poppa, that is not correct. You found an address for a Loews movie theatre.





    The ORPHEUM Theatre is in the EAST VILLAGE, on Second Ave and 7th Street. STOMP has been playing there for about 12 years.





    Orpheum Theatre



    212-477-2477



    126 2nd Ave





    www.theatermania.com/content/show.cfm/show/39





    Easy to get there by subway. Basically, you can walk to the theatre easily from either of two subway stations.





    Take ether the R or W trains to 8th Street/Broadway or the #6 train to Astor Place.





    Therefore, you can take the R or W train directly from 42nd St/Times Square, or you can take (a) the Times Square Shuttle ';S'; train to Grand Central and change for the downtown #6, or (b) take the #7 train from Times Square to Grand Central and change for the downtown #6.





    (You%26#39;ll learn fast that there%26#39;s usually at least two ways from point A to point B by subway.)





    At any rate, once you get to the East Village, walk east on St. Mark%26#39;s Place. (8th Street turns into St. Mark%26#39;s Place east of Broadway).



    This street is full of punky, goth, irreverant, rebel t-shirts, tattoo parlors, buttons, hats, earrings and jewelry, etc. Check out the punk clothing store, Trash and Vaudeville, a NYC institution!! But , St. Mark%26#39;s also has some elements of ';the mainstream'; - a Chipotle and 2 Starbucks, for example.





    With a 16-y.o., I%26#39;d strongly reco going early to explore the entire nabe. This is NYU%26#39;s ';campus';. Lots of college kids. Lots of funky shopping on Broadway south of 8th Street In fact, I%26#39;d take the subway to 14th Street-Union Square and walk south, make an afternoon of it.





    You have your choice of good cheap eats in the East Village. One of my fave Indian places is Haveli, on 2nd Ave and 6th Street.





    East 6th Street itself is called Curry Row, because it is wall-to-wall Indian restaurants (the joke is, there%26#39;s really one giant shared kitchen in the back of all the restaurants...) I believe that Panna II was featured on $ex and the City.





    There%26#39;s also some good Thai places, diners, falafel, etc, etc on 2nd and 1st Aves Hard to go wrong. Thai Basil is very good.





    For cheap and decent Italian, check out Fruti di Mare (or Cucina de Pesce across the street) on East 4th Street and 1st Ave. Not the greatest Italian food by far, but cheap and fast, big portions of pasta, and both places have fun atmos.





    Look them up on Menupages (You can also search by nabe. Use ';East Village';).





    www.menupages.com





    For more subway help, check out Hopstop:





    www.hopstop.com



    Times Square area to Orpheum Theater?


    qb - and bizemom - my sincere apologies! I just rechecked my Google search and indeed the location I gave was a movie house.



    Have to be a bit more diligent in the future.



    Again, sorry for any inconvenience!



    Poppa




    Thank you so much queensboulevard!! I hope you realize what a huge help you are to everyone! I really appreciate you answering the question and then going above and beyond to give all the extra helpful tips.

    HELP! with hotel



    My husband and I are coming to NY for a weekend the end of February. In the past we have stayed at the Four Seasons, Muse, Rihga Royal and Gansevoort. We like to try differend hotels. Can anyone suggest a hotel in the $500-$600. We like to stay at hip spots, but nothing to pretentious. Thanks



    HELP! with hotel


    Have a look at the new London NYC, Trump International, Ritz Carlton Central Park or in Soho the Mercer.


  • skin
  • The London Bar

    I have booked a table for the London Bar(Gordon Ramsays place)...Was going to go the whole hog and book for his a la carte restaurant,but it appears a bit too stuffy(Jacket and tie etc)so decided on the Bar instaed...anybody got any info on the place....



    The London Bar


    Here%26#39;s the most recent lukewarm review - this one from Adam Platt of New York Magazine, arguably one of a small handful of very influential restaurant critics in this town. The London Bar has actually gotten more tepid reviews than the Ramsay 14 table interior space.





    Platt says about the London Bar - ';This confused operation is a gourmet small-plates restaurant masquerading as a hotel coffee shop masquerading as a fancy drinks bar.';





    Here%26#39;s the full review on both places . . .



    http://nymag.com/restaurants/reviews/26547/



    The London Bar


    It%26#39;s true, New Yorkers aren%26#39;t warming up to Gordon yet. But he has time to tweak his operations. In the meantime, with the rate of exchange, it%26#39;s an excellent opportunity for our British friends to sample his cuisine.





    I%26#39;d say if you really are interested in food go for the whole hog, it%26#39;s a good deal for you with the exchange rate.





    If you just want to say you%26#39;ve been there, go for the bar.