Trip to NYC

Echo the endorsements for Gramercy Tavern, Nobu, Union Square Cafe and Otto. At Gramercy, you can also have a great meal in the Tavern part (as opposed to the dining room) as well. It's a little more casual and less pricey.

I also like Batali's Po. It's teeny, though.

If you like lobster rolls, get yourself to Pearl or Mary's Fish Camp in the West Village. The other seafood on the menus is great, too, but the lobster rolls are amazing. Again, both are small and they don't take reservations.

 

Me love lobster...

 

All the love for Central Park here, which is nice, but I am still partial to Prospect Park. Same designers, but its a bit smaller, less crowds. You can walk through the Endale Arch and feel as if you are in a different world. The Botanical garden is right nearby, as is a Farmers market (at least on the weekend). From that area, take a subway to downtown Brooklyn and get a slice of Cheesecake at Juniors (you can even order one and have one sent home frozen--good times). But if its your first time in NY, you might want to just take in Manhattan first.

 

To echo one cougs listed already, Stout in Manhattan. Went there twice with Mrs. Oz during the honeymoon weeks ago. Great atmosphere, great music -- 90s rap and alternative blasting while TVs showed baseball everywhere. Or if you want to get away from the bar area in the front, you can be seated at a table in the back. I liked the red meat better than the seafood there, FWIW.

Also, if you're a sushi fan, there's Todai on East 32nd Street. For $25 weekdays and $27 weekends, Todai has all you can eat sushi and seafood. Never seen a place like that before.

 

If you're going to be in the Times Square area, get over to Bryant Park, too. It's adjacent to the library on 42nd St. and offers a great combination of relaxation and people watching. It has sort of a European feel with lots of little bistro tables. Great spot for a bag lunch or a little picnic prior to a show because the theaters are in close proximity. If you want to sit down and eat, the Bryant Park Grill has a nice menu, too.

 

A good museum is the Frick, on the east side of the Park around 58th or abouts.
Besides the art, what's interesting is it's housed in the home of someone who had a lot of money at the turn of the previous century and it's fascinating to see how someone lived back then. The house is beautiful.

 

One If By Land, Two If My Sea----went there for my 21st birthday.

 

Thanks again for all the suggestions. I am going for only a couple of days, but with all the suggestions, I would need at least a couple of weeks to a month.

I appreciate all the help and suggestions.

 

Romantic eh? Well, now if that doesn't sell me to go there, I am not sure what will. ;D

 

I'll drive if you want to save cab fare.

I am a bit old fashioned, and admittedly, the sites are touristy, but there is still something chilling about Lady Liberty at sunset, the bleakness of Ellis Island, and Central and Prospect Parks are great if the leaves have started to change.

 

Thanks again to everyone who posted here. I have almost finalized my plans and leave on Friday.
You guys and gals gave me more than enough....enough to take a second trip in a couple months' time.

This was so appreciated. When I do get back, I will fill you all in on what I did.