I can 2nd that Dell'Anima is very good.

Additionally, if you are going for the blowout with a college age daughter, La Bernadin is probably the oldest and stuffiest of the really nice places.

I have heard the great things about Jean Georges, Bouley, Robuchon and Daniel, but only been to Per Se and La Bernadin myself. Both were spectacular. The place I want to go the most of the four listed above is Jean Georges as that is the one I have heard the best things about.

Any tips for finding vacation accommodation in New York for a month? I'm travelling with a friend between 27 March and 23 April. Trying to do it on a budget and I'd kind of just been planning on staying at fleabag hotels, but someone suggested I look into getting an apartment. Is that an option at this late date?

Also not sure what neighborhood to shoot for. I was really just planning on playing the trip by ear, but obviously do all the cultural **** as well as check out the bar scene and see some live music etc. Basically I just want to spend a month wandering around New York, but not waste money on accom... Any advice appreciated!

yeah renting or subletting or something along those lines would probably be better if you can swing it but you don't have a lot of time. check out craigslist and see what's out there. if you're on a budget i would guess that some of the less trendy neighborhoods in brooklyn or queens would be your best bet.

Cheers!

We've just found a place in Harlem which the real estate agent told us we could have right near the City University of NY. At the risk of a racist ban, how does that rate safety-wise for a couple of white tourists

forgetting about safety issues there's nothing to do up there imo, stick below 14th st if you are two guys under 30 and want to go out

stating the obvious.. subletting a furnished apartment for a month off craigslist without seeing it first is risky

also i moved to NY from syd 4 months ago and if you are single and have an accent it's money!

it's fine. i wouldn't go swinging your iphone around your head at night screaming "i'm drunk, white and unarmed!" but i have lived / worked in the harlem & washington heights area for years without any problem.

the problem, as above poster mentioned, is it's not the most convenient as far as getting to the more in-demand neighborhoods, but you could do worse. "near CUNY" isn't really a big selling point unless you happen to go to CUNY or something.

Thanks for the recommendations, guys! We did go to Dell'Anima the second night we were there and it was great; went there at 11PM and were seated quickly. Apps were good (daughter had a salad, I had the fegatini which was excellent). Daughter had the Trofie for her main course which was outstanding; my risotto was very, very tasty though surprisingly al dente rather than creamy.

We went to Grand Sichuan the first night - very good food, very crappy service - and Les Halles the last night (we've both read Kitchen Confidential, though recognize that Bourdain hasn't been there in quite a while) - excellent food and shockingly decent service.

I will try to return the favor by recommending that if you like theater, go see "Time Stands Still" ASAP - it's a limited run and only plays through the end of March. Great story, a phenomenal cast (Laura Linney, Brian D'Arcy James, Alicia Silverstone and Eric Bogosian, who coincidentally is an Anthony Bourdain look and especially sound-alike) who act their asses off, just a great production. I wouldn't be surprised at all if it took 4+ Tony awards.

Blowout dinner will be after next weekend's audition - the last one! - in Chicago at L20.

A wee bit off topic but people seem to be looking for places to stay.

Although I've only used it once, I strongly recommend airbnb for accomodation, especially if you want to 'live like a new yorker', and dislike hotels.

There is a ton of quality, reasonably priced accomodation in every part of the city, ranging from entire apartments, to sharing a room.

I stayed on 116th st Harlem for a week and felt safe but my girlfriend wasn't comfortable walking around by herself at night.

It was kinda weird and cool being the minority in the neighbourhood and I didn't pick up any bad vibes being a whitey staying in a black area.

I am pretty cynical when it comes to tourist attractions but the ferry ride to the statue of liberty/ellis island was particularly memorable - awesome perspective of downtown.

I also loved the Irish-American bars. Every afternoon, around 3pm I'd get the holiday thirst, and regardless of where I was in the city there would be a chilled out bar where there would be some sports on the tv, guiness on tap, and you'd usually be served by the owner.

starting to think ahead a bit for places to have a birthday party this year. any recommendations for places in lower manhattan or north brooklyn? probably be a mid-to-late 20's crowd, 10 to 20 people, bar people not club people. so a bar or a good restaurant where we can drink heavily would be great.

we did my wife's bday this year at brooklyn bowl, and actually had a really good time despite all the hipsters

Big fan of Brooklyn Bowl, love the food.

How far downtown are you looking?

i would say anywhere below 14th would be best, but would go a bit further north if need be... slightly prefer stuff near the L or JMZ but don't care that much

You could go to Inoteca its a really nice wine & cheese bar with good melts and other food. I think there's one on the LES (on the JMZ line) as well as 24th/3rd gets really busy on weekends so you would need to book

If you want somewhere on the L line id suggest meatpacking district theres a few good restaurants and bars there (and a lot of clubs).. i've been to spice market its good thai food, a bit pricey but good atmosphere

hamonrye,

i'd pass on inoteca for a birthday crowd. it can't really seat 15 people and drinking heavily there will end up with a massive bill.

east village:

d.b.a.
drop off service
grape and grain
zum sheinders
bourgeois pig
death and co - after party cocktails
sing sing karaoke - open till 4?

LES:

freemans
barrio chino
east side company - smaller group
living room - live music
milk and honey - future ref for great drinks
pianos - dj upstairs
stanton social - upstairs has really good cocktails but drinking heavily there is $$

the only place that passes muster with me for mexican food is El Mole. Allen, south of Houston. West side.

Drinks at DBGB while you wait or across the street at this new agesish pizza place that has ok cocktails.

howzit, great recs, thanks, by random chance i just had lunch at freeman's last weekend for the first time and really, really liked it.

Me and my family rented bikes at Bike Rental Central Park last October and were very pleased to discover that you can do the whole entire Central Park in less then three hours. The bike rental place was very neat and conveniently located couple of blocks away from the park. The bikes were great. We booked online and got the 50% off. their website is http://www.bikerentalcentralpark.com and their phone number is 212-664-9600. I definitely recommend this activity to people who dont have much time and want to see the whole Central Park.
by John.

I have a question about The Elephant Walk -- the only reference I can find says Monday March 22 2010 at midnight. Does that mean Sunday night to Monday or Monday to Tuesday?

Also anyone who has been what are crowds like, do you need to show up early, are there any places that are better for viewing?

No one would want to come here with weather like this. The winds are scaring the hell out of me. helppp

http://mommypoppins.com/ny-kids/circ...anhattan-march

looks like it's monday night

The closer you get to 34th & 3rd the earlier you'll need to show up. They have barriers that families and people start lining up at least 30 min prior. If you are taller or can squeeze into spots easily then show up a bit later. I think I got there around ~11:40 last year and it was fine. The whole thing lasts <3 min or so, they really move.

Any recommendations for a restaurant with phenomenal chicken? Trying to organize a bachelor party and the groom doesn't like steak or anything too fancy. We're in our mid-20's but money is not an issue, I'm willing to pay extra to make sure it's great food, drinks, and atmosphere.

The best place in town for fried chicken is Bonchon (I think they now go by Mad for Chicken, since the corporate Bonchon is now building in the US). It is a place where you go in what looks like an apartment building entrance in K-Town and then go to the 2nd floor where they have a nice lounge/restaurant with literally the best fried chicken I have ever had. I actually think it would be a pretty cool place for a dinner for bachelor party as it is kinda off of the beaten path. There are some pretty good pictures of the interior on Yelp.

http://www.madforchicken.com/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/mad-for-chicken-new-york-2

pio pio in the UES. great chicken but kind of lame atmosphere.

i think DBGB might fit the bill. great steak for all you guys, somewhat low key, pretty decent atmosphere, above average cocktails. right in the EV or LES to go drinking later. beer list is off the chain. i think they do chicken but i'm not 100% sure on that. look it up and check out their menu.

a friend just had brunch at DBGB for his birthday and said it was tits. sounded like a good place for a no-frills guy as well as people who, you know, like food.

MASA in Columbus Circle. Set sushi menu with sake pairings. YUM