[Overpaid Slacker]

Lendaddy -

OK, a few thoughts. If they want to do the Central Park Thing ... go to the Museum of Natural History.

If the weather is nice, they should walk around the West Village for a few hours... lots of cool little boutiques/shops for all purposes. Broadway south of 20th or so is also a cool walk with lots of shops, etc.

They could stop at McSorely's -- 15 East 7th Street (just East of 5th Ave). The oldest bar in New York. You can get beer in two flavors -- light or dark. Great place for an afternoon abeeritif.

Dinner -- options galore (let me know if they have preferences), but top of my list, and a reason people still ask me where to go, is Volare. Which is on West 4th Street, just off of 6th Avenue. It's on the north side of 4th street, but it's subterranean, so you go downstairs to enter. IMHO better than all of Little Italy and at least as good as anything on Arthur Avenue.

For a couple of cool "would never know they're there" places, try "decibel" -- it's another subterranean (see a pattern?) place -- a sake bar. On 9th Street, just west of 2nd avenue. it's on the south side of the street, and if you're not looking for it, you'll walk right by. It's like they took a piece of Tokyo and brought it to NYC. Large groups might have trouble sitting together; and expect a little wait. they don't open until 9? maybe 10.

Veselka is across 2nd avenue, on 10th or 11th -- a great 24-hour Ukrainian diner. Get the borscht and the meat lover's plate.

Chez es Saada is a fantastic place, on 2nd street, just east of 2nd Ave. It's on the north side of the street. It has a bistro-style cafe on the ground floor, and then an awesome restaurant .... wait for it ... underground. North African/Mid-eastern cuisine that is simply amazing. On friday/saturday they have belly dancers and music too.

Just ask what they might be into, and if I can help, I will. I ate out 2 meals a day for 8 years in NYC, and was out boozing 6 nights a week. some of my intel might not be up-to-the-minute-current, but what I know is at your disposal.

Best,

JP