Guidebook for New York
Food Scene
There are three Thai places on every block in my neighborhood, but this one's the only one I go to. The decor is beautiful, the prices very reasonable, and the food delicious.
101 locals recommend
Room Service
690 9th AveThere are three Thai places on every block in my neighborhood, but this one's the only one I go to. The decor is beautiful, the prices very reasonable, and the food delicious.
Most satisfying cheat eat in the area. For $2.75 you can get 2 slices and a soda.
27 locals recommend
2 Bros Pizza
32 St Marks PlMost satisfying cheat eat in the area. For $2.75 you can get 2 slices and a soda.
Outdoor seating, $5 Margaritas, and the best Mexican food in the city. It's been discovered, so be prepared to wait.
29 locals recommend
Blockheads
322 W 50th StOutdoor seating, $5 Margaritas, and the best Mexican food in the city. It's been discovered, so be prepared to wait.
I like to come here on a Saturday morning, order a strong Cuban coffee and read a book.
90 locals recommend
Kahve
403 W 51st StI like to come here on a Saturday morning, order a strong Cuban coffee and read a book.
Galaxy Diner
665 9th AveLovely, intimate Ethiopian restaurant.
My favorite restaurant! I've been eating here before I was vegetarian. Zen Palate serves healthy vegetarian and vegan Asian fusion meals.
Zen Palate
663 9th AveMy favorite restaurant! I've been eating here before I was vegetarian. Zen Palate serves healthy vegetarian and vegan Asian fusion meals.
Hard-to-resist, American-style breakfast pastries, desserts, bread, and sandwiches. You can easily recognize this small bakery by the line outside. Don't worry, it moves quickly.
672 9th Ave
672 9th AvenueHard-to-resist, American-style breakfast pastries, desserts, bread, and sandwiches. You can easily recognize this small bakery by the line outside. Don't worry, it moves quickly.
Nice French restaurant for a special evening. The same owners have peppered New York with bistros focusing on regional French cuisine. More info at: tourdefrancenyc(dot)com.
31 locals recommend
Marseille
630 9th AveNice French restaurant for a special evening. The same owners have peppered New York with bistros focusing on regional French cuisine. More info at: tourdefrancenyc(dot)com.
Everything Else
Fabulous views of Manhattan while you're suspended over the east river for the price of a subway ride.
32 locals recommend
Roosevelt Island Tramway
300 E Main StFabulous views of Manhattan while you're suspended over the east river for the price of a subway ride.
Don't miss the view of Manhattan from the roof. Suggested donation admission: just give the cashier $1, smile, and ask for a ticket.
2653 locals recommend
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
1000 5th AveDon't miss the view of Manhattan from the roof. Suggested donation admission: just give the cashier $1, smile, and ask for a ticket.
Half mansion, half museum. Step inside the world of 19th century robber barons. Free on Sunday afternoons.
307 locals recommend
Frick Collection
1 E 70th StHalf mansion, half museum. Step inside the world of 19th century robber barons. Free on Sunday afternoons.
My alma mater! Pulizers are awarded at Low Memorial Library. Join the students and sit on the steps. Great neighborhood for restaurants.
539 locals recommend
Columbia University
116th and BroadwayMy alma mater! Pulizers are awarded at Low Memorial Library. Join the students and sit on the steps. Great neighborhood for restaurants.
Pier 84 Dog Run
353 West StHudson River Park is a great place to run outside.
Drop and fold laundry. I usually pay $10-$20 per load. You can drop off your laundry in the morning and pick it up in the afternoon.
Sheng Cleaners
404 W 46th StDrop and fold laundry. I usually pay $10-$20 per load. You can drop off your laundry in the morning and pick it up in the afternoon.
656 10th Ave
656 10th AvenueSelf-service laundromat.
Arts & Culture
Great architecture and interesting rotating exhibits. Free on Saturdays after 5:45.
10 locals recommend
1071 5th Ave
1071 5th AvenueGreat architecture and interesting rotating exhibits. Free on Saturdays after 5:45.
My favorite place in New York. Peaceful medieval courtyards in garden setting, small cafe, free tours. Branch of Metropolitan Museum, suggested donation admission.
707 locals recommend
The Met Cloisters
99 Margaret Corbin DrMy favorite place in New York. Peaceful medieval courtyards in garden setting, small cafe, free tours. Branch of Metropolitan Museum, suggested donation admission.
Buddhist and Hindu art from the Himalayan region. Great explanations - you'll learn a lot. Admission free after 7PM on Fridays, with a happy hour in their cafe.
106 locals recommend
Rubin Museum of Art
150 W 17th StBuddhist and Hindu art from the Himalayan region. Great explanations - you'll learn a lot. Admission free after 7PM on Fridays, with a happy hour in their cafe.
Drinks & Nightlife
Delicious tapas and wine with occasional live music. My favorite is the Russian eggplant spread. Balkanika's prices a lower and table availability is higher than other neighborhood wine bars.
7 locals recommend
Balkanika
691 9th AvenueDelicious tapas and wine with occasional live music. My favorite is the Russian eggplant spread. Balkanika's prices a lower and table availability is higher than other neighborhood wine bars.
Lovely South African wine bar. On the pricier side, but worth the splurge.
45 locals recommend
Aria Hell's Kitchen
369 W 51st StLovely South African wine bar. On the pricier side, but worth the splurge.
Essentials
The Time Warner Center is a destination in and of itself, but I usually come here to stock up on fancy ingredients at Whole Foods.
112 locals recommend
Time Warner Center
10 Columbus CirThe Time Warner Center is a destination in and of itself, but I usually come here to stock up on fancy ingredients at Whole Foods.
I think New York grocery stores are outrageous - I do my grocery shopping at TJ's on 72nd street. TJ has two more locations in Manhattan and one in Brooklyn.
420 locals recommend
Trader Joe's
715 River RdI think New York grocery stores are outrageous - I do my grocery shopping at TJ's on 72nd street. TJ has two more locations in Manhattan and one in Brooklyn.
Gourmet grocery store close to the apartment. It's pricey, so if you actually want to stock up for to cook a big dinner or get food for the week, I'd recommend making the trip to Trader Joe's.
197 locals recommend
Amish Market
731 9th AveGourmet grocery store close to the apartment. It's pricey, so if you actually want to stock up for to cook a big dinner or get food for the week, I'd recommend making the trip to Trader Joe's.
Convenient but expensive supermarket . good place for breakfast cereal and snacks, but if you want to cook meal meal go to Trader Joes (better quality, lower prices) or to Whole Foods (better quality)
11 locals recommend
452 W 43rd St
452 West 43rd StreetConvenient but expensive supermarket . good place for breakfast cereal and snacks, but if you want to cook meal meal go to Trader Joes (better quality, lower prices) or to Whole Foods (better quality)
Rock-bottom prices for fruits and vegetables. Open Monday-Saturday, 7 am - 6:30 pm.
7 locals recommend
Stiles Farmers Market
569 9th AvenueRock-bottom prices for fruits and vegetables. Open Monday-Saturday, 7 am - 6:30 pm.
317 9th Ave
317 9th AvenueFull service supermarket with low prices.
Sightseeing
I love this museum because it teaches you about the lives of immigrants who lived in apartments exactly like mine. My two hour discussion and tour included cookies.
103 Orchard St
103 Orchard StreetI love this museum because it teaches you about the lives of immigrants who lived in apartments exactly like mine. My two hour discussion and tour included cookies.
Reserve tickets for the ferry at statecruises(dot)com. Entrance to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island are free. Ellis Island is great for history buffs, and the statue is iconic.
1 Battery Pl
1 Battery PlaceReserve tickets for the ferry at statecruises(dot)com. Entrance to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island are free. Ellis Island is great for history buffs, and the statue is iconic.
Enormous battleship displays the Space Shuttle Discovery and fighter jets. On same street as apartment, walk west towards the river until you see the big ship.
6 locals recommend
Pier 86
Enormous battleship displays the Space Shuttle Discovery and fighter jets. On same street as apartment, walk west towards the river until you see the big ship.