Posted by lazysundae on 2007-09-19 21:15:07
Post Subject:
non-touristy advice for you:
stay out of williamsburg for asian food - it's terrible! that said, there's this great nyc map called "mappetite" that unfolds in sections to list major landmarks, museums and restaurants - i'd definitely look into it because it's a great place to start.
in williamsburg, check out artists and fleas on n. 6th street between bedford and berry. great for independent clothes and jewelry makers, as well as vintage gear and books, etc. go to egg on n. 5th street for breakfast and have the eggs rothko. as mentioned in earlier posts, moto is another great spot. and down by the williamsburg bridge is pies n thighs, a great spot for southern cooking and outdoor dining. there's this one spot called cb i hate perfume gallery that is great, at wythe and n. 10th street. here is the website for more info http://www.cbihateperfume.com/ he has scents of everything, from play doh to grass to leather to smoke, and he mixes them and makes the best combinations.
favorite places of mine:
ino in the west village or inoteca in the lower east side. same owners. great italian wines and paninis. ino is smaller and only bruschettas/panini/tramezzini. inoteca boasts outdoor seating and a larger menu. definitely get the antipasti plates.
landmarc in tribeca for steaks. and their wine is not marked up at all.
the tasting room on elizabeth street
any of the blue ribbon restaurants
kum gang san in korea town
kam cheuh on bowery - the best, freshest seafood!
oyster bar at grand central - you have to stop at grand central, it's one of my favorite places in nyc.
you have to try at least 1 of these spots, part of nyc's cupcake boom:
the original magnolia bakery on bleecker (not the best)
sugar sweet sunshine on rivington (my personal fave)
buttercup bakeshop on 2nd avenue (my 2nd favorite)
billy's bakery on 9th avenue
if you venture out into brooklyn, there is a double decker tour bus that goes right through fort greene. great way to see the area, as brooklyn isn't as easily navigated as manhattan. spike lee's studio is nearby, there are tons of great restaurants and it is very close to downtown brooklyn. it's a very different vibe from manhattan and worth checking out.
if you do go to 34th street for shopping, check out korea town, which is around 30-32nd streets between 5th and 6th aves. tons of karaoke and great korean joints - dumplings, noodles, bbq - you name it!
museums, etc: the ny botanical gardens in the bronx. the orchid show will be in full bloom by april i think. also, the cloisters at fort tryon park are peaceful and beautiful. ps1 in queens (part of moma) is a great spot, it's a museum that is in an old school building - tons of little rooms with different exhibits. there is so much to see there. if you venture further into queens, the most diverse food is found off the 7 line - korean, filipino, chinese, mexican, etc. trust me, it is near impossible to find good/authentic mexican in nyc but queens has it.
great boutique shopping in nolita and noho (around mott/mulberry/lafayette/etc) and it's close to soho for all the name brand/designer stuff. in fact, soho on the weekends is great for street vendors selling handmade clothing and jewelry. while you are there, the young designers market on mulberry between houston and prince is a great place to shop. lots of stuff you can't find anywhere else, from jewelry to bags to clothes, etc.
