Metropolitan Museum of Art a/k/a The Met – www.metmuseum.org – 5th Avenue and E. 84th St.
3. Grand Central Terminal
4. Ride the subways – get unlimited ride pass for all transit
5. Rockefeller center / Plaza / Apple Store / FAO Schwartz (all in same area)
6. Like Seinfeld – goto the Upper West side – see Seinfeld Diner, Columbia University, St John the Divine (world’s largest cathedral)
7. Walk around in the Village / SOHO
8. Shop
Macys
Strand (if you like books)
High-end shops on 5th Avenue
Electronics – best is B&H near Times Square http://www.bhphotovideo.com/ (closed Saturdays)
Parks
Central Park – many free events too http://www.centralpark.com/
Visit Chelsea Market – www.chelseamarket.com
INDIAN:
Indus Valley – Broadway and W. 100th
ITALIAN:
3 different Italian restaurants. 3 different scenes.
Genaro – Popular w/ the locals and with Kevin Bacon-Kira Sedgwick (also locals but I just had to name drop) on Amsterdam and W. 93rd
Acqua – Italian on Amsterdam and W. 95th http://www.acquanyc.com/
Carmine’s – family style Italian on Broadway and W. 91st. Always crowded but also always good. http://www.carminesnyc.com/
PERUVIAN:
Pio Pio – Amsterdam and W. 94th http://www.piopionyc.com
JAPANESE:
AsiaKan – Amsterdam and W. 94th http://asiakannyc.com/
SEAFOOD:
Well beyond the moderate price range but good for seafood.
Ocean Grille – Columbus and W. 78th (turn left out of apt. and walk south until 79th street then turn left onto W. 79th, cross over Amsterdam and follow W. 79th to Columbus. turn right onto Columbus and walk 1 block to Ocean Grille) http://www.brguestrestaurants.
GOOD SPOTS FOR A DRINK ON THE UWS:
Dive Bar: Not really a true dive (there’s a slightly aquatic theme) but my favorite spot in the city for a good beer and veggie burger. Amsterdam and W. 96th. http://www.divebarnyc.com/
Unwined: Wine bar on W. 95th between Broadway and West End Avenue. (Turn right out of my apt. and make a left onto W. 95th. It will be attached to Symphony Space on W. 95th)
http://www.unwinednyc.com/
Cleopatra’s Needle : Live jazz plus big screen TVs with sports every night. Broadway and W. 93rd. http://www.cleopatrasneedleny.
BRUNCH:
Isabella’s – NY doesn’t serve alcohol until noon on Sundays so, if you want the complimentary champagne, Bloody Mary or Bellini with your meal, arrive at Isabella’s around 11-ish on a Sunday, put your name in for a table and then kill some time across the street at Greenflea flea market. http://www.brguestrestaurants.
DELI:
Artie’s – Broadway and W. 83rd http://arties.com/
PRICEY BUT EXCELLENT:
With the exception of Telepan, none of these are on the Upper West Side.
Telepan – Seasonal, local, organic cuisine near Lincoln Center. When I want to eat well but don’t want to blow too much money, I just order apps here. The egg in a hole appetizer is delicious as is the sticky toffee pudding dessert. W. 69th and Columbus.
http://www.telepan-ny.com/
Red Cat – Generous portions of creative, wholesome New American cuisine in Chelsea. 10th Ave. and W. 23rd. http://www.theredcat.com/
Tabla – New Indian overlooking Madison Square Park. E. 25th and Madison. www.tablany.com
Cafe Cluny – Fresh French/Mediterranean-
Union Square Cafe – A NY institution near Union Square. We usually order dinner at the bar as this is more casual than the main dining area. Also, if you enjoy white wine, splash out on a glass of Sancerre. E. 16th between Union Square and 5th Ave. www.unionsquarecafe.com/
