One night in Manhattan - what to do?

Don Plumley · Don Plumley's Garage

I'm stopping through Manhattan Monday night (don't ask what rooms are going for...).

Might have some client stuff to do Monday night, but on the off chance I end up with a free evening, what would you do in one short night in Manhattan in December?

(I've been before, just looking for new ideas, or old ones that I've forgotten about)

928ram · 12-01-2006, 08:00 PM

Let's see..it's been a few years....several blocks south of Penn Station, enter the door under the Mustang Sally's sign, stumble back hours later...

Hugh R · 12-01-2006, 08:07 PM

Go to Times Square, they've really cleaned it up. The lights are very cool. Get hold of Vinman and have a few at the ESPN bar in Times Square, you can't go wrong.

K. Roman · K. Roman's Garage

Go out to the west village. There is a restaurant called the Spotted Pig. It's website is http://www.thespottedpig.com/

Here is the address:

314 W. 11th Street
@ Greenwich Street
New York, NY 10014

I went there about 5 times while I stayed in the area. It's a great little cafe with a bar and a really unique menu. There is also a pretty well rounded wine list. While I was there I saw Helena Christensen with Michael Stipe. I think a lot of celebs hang there. Great spot though.

Joeaksa · 12-01-2006, 08:20 PM

Don,

Not to feel bad, was just in New Delhi India. "ONLY" $900 a night for rooms, four required for the crew. And it was not a 5 star either.

Nothing like being screwed on hotels and not even getting kissed afterwards.

Make sure that you go to Katz's deli while there. You will not go away hungry and some of the best food in the world there!

Joe

dtw · 12-01-2006, 08:49 PM

I've got business in NY soon, am already looking forward to it. Will probably stay at the Renaissance Times Square again.

One night? I had the same dilemma earlier this year when a 2-week business trip got cut to one day - I agonized briefly but decided to go to one of NY's outstanding steakhouses with a colleague. There are so many restaurants in NY - but for one night I think you'd cheat yourself without getting a steak. Best steakhouses in the country in my book.

Late night - agree w/Katz's deli, I also love Maxie's, since it is across the street from my hotel - best cheesecake I've ever had.

RoninLB · 12-01-2006, 09:15 PM

Last night they lit the x-mas tree. Nice holiday backdrop for some pics.

Oldest pizza joint in US is on Spring street and it's not your routine pizza parlor. Place called Lombardi's. Same as on History channel. Weekends is probably long waiting lines. No problem weekdays.

Hanging at a real oriental movie house daytimes with all orientals for a .5 or 1hr movie will keep you entertained after lunch.

The carrier Intrepid may still be available for day tours. Navy and A Eng's have been trying to move it across river for maintenance.

Downtown Wall St area for lunch weekdays is also another trip. Even the bar where they planned the revolution is still around. 11.30am+ guys come in, hammer 1 or 2 down, sip the next while eating, out the door in 15-20min.

Forbes mag publishes a quick comment list of interesting NYC restaurants right after Steve's "Fact and Comment" section. They do a couple of sentences on 3or4 rest's. It's an encyclopedia.

Joeaksa · 12-01-2006, 09:21 PM

Don,

Get together with Ron (above) and he will show you the places to go. Might get in a bit of trouble but you will have a smile on your face the next day!

HardDrive · 12-01-2006, 11:02 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Joeaksa
Don,

Not to feel bad, was just in New Delhi India. "ONLY" $900 a night for rooms, four required for the crew. And it was not a 5 star either.

Nothing like being screwed on hotels and not even getting kissed afterwards.

Make sure that you go to Katz's deli while there. You will not go away hungry and some of the best food in the world there!

Joe

WTF!!!!! Where the hell were you staying? We stayed in the Grand Hyatt for about $150 a couple years back, and it would easily make 4 stars, if not 5.

Of course I did have my Indian wife with me, and she is a hard ass when it comes to negotiating prices.

speeder · speeder's Garage

Couple of hookers and an 8-ball?

Big Ed · 12-02-2006, 04:24 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by speeder
Couple of hookers and an 8-ball?

Is Manhattan the correct borough for that?

widgeon13 · 12-02-2006, 07:16 AM

Broadway show, can't go wrong with that.

Dottore · 12-02-2006, 07:21 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by HardDrive
WTF!!!!! Where the hell were you staying? We stayed in the Grand Hyatt for about $150 a couple years back, and it would easily make 4 stars, if not 5.

Of course I did have my Indian wife with me, and she is a hard ass when it comes to negotiating prices.

I can believe it. Supply and demand. There are countless foreign businessmen scouring India today for the opportunities they think they missed in China and only so many good hotels to go around. I paid $600 for a very average Holiday Inn type room in the Taj in Mumbai last year.

dan79brooklyn · 12-02-2006, 08:37 AM

Midtown for the sights. East Village for real NYC vibe.
Rockefeller Center (the tree is lit)
Times Square
Diamond District (47th Street)
56th Street (between 5/6) Inexpensive and tasty places to eat. Ramen Noodle place and Joes Shanghai (soup dumplings!) on that block.
Movie at Ziegfields (huge old Theater)
Museum of Modern Art (53rd Street)
Window and people watching on Madison Ave
Niketown (57th Street)
Central Park
Hard to see everything in one night.
But if you stick to Midtown there's plenty to see and do more commercial than downtown though.

Joeaksa · 12-02-2006, 08:57 AM

HD,

No, it was the Grand and there was a business convention in town, so everything was full.

Denis, no hookers and no 8 ball either. Do not need the hookers and cannot do the party stuff either so have to enjoy my Wild Turkey instead.

svandamme · svandamme's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by Big Ed
Is Manhattan the correct borough for that?

duh

cool_chick · 12-02-2006, 09:38 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by dan79brooklyn
Midtown for the sights. East Village for real NYC vibe.
Rockefeller Center (the tree is lit)
Times Square
Diamond District (47th Street)
56th Street (between 5/6) Inexpensive and tasty places to eat. Ramen Noodle place and Joes Shanghai (soup dumplings!) on that block.
Movie at Ziegfields (huge old Theater)
Museum of Modern Art (53rd Street)
Window and people watching on Madison Ave
Niketown (57th Street)
Central Park
Hard to see everything in one night.
But if you stick to Midtown there's plenty to see and do more commercial than downtown though.

Downtown's a ghost town anymore......hell, it pretty much closed up after hours when the WTC was there, but now it's downright eerie after hours..... (after hours meaning after the business day closes)

dan79brooklyn · 12-02-2006, 09:39 AM

I consider Downtown anything below 34th Street.

cool_chick · 12-02-2006, 09:43 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by dan79brooklyn
I consider Downtown anything below 34th Street.

Ahhhh, gotcha.

Village is below 34th though, isn't it?

Could be that's not considered downtown...I dunno. Sorry, not a native NYer, just lots of business travel there thru the years.......

I was last there in August...if I remembered Vinman lived there, I'd have made his ass meet me for a drink... LOL

91S2 · 01:00 PM

+1 for the tree at rockefeller center
If it's a short night just stick around midtown, it's touristy but you only have one night.
maybe get some tickets for "A christmas spectacular" and check out the rocketts. I think the shows are at 8
-I think the Knicks are in town also, tickets are easy to come by these days... I may have a link for cheap tix