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Introduction
Since I've been a New Yorker for almost five years now, I thought I'd kick off my MacWorld coverage with a few tips for out-of-town visitors. As much as I hope MacWorld attendees will explore the city, I know that a lot of you won't have the time or inclination to leave midtown. So my guide is a bit skewed for that area. But remember, the more adventurous you are, the more New York has to offer.
We're not as bad as you've seen in the movies. In fact, most New Yorkers are pretty friendly and love to show off their town (shock!). If you're lost, ask someone on the street for help. If you don't get the directions you need the first time, ask again. (Although you might want to avoid the guy carrying 5,000 aluminum cans in plastic bags.)
Restaurants
Skip the franchise restaurants in Times Square and the overpriced ones on Restaurant Row and walk over to Hell's Kitchen (the neighborhood west of 8th Avenue between 42nd and 59th Streets.) On 9th Avenue between 42nd and 52nd Streets you can choose from dozens of great, affordable restaurants offering almost any kind of cuisine you want. A few of my Hell's Kitchen picks include:
- Cara Mia (212-262-6767, 654 Ninth Ave between 45/46 Streets) affordable, fantastic Italian with lots of fresh pastas;
- Zen Palette (212-582-1669, 663 9th Ave) creative vegetarian cuisine;
- Julian's Mediterranean Cafe (212-262-4800, 802 9th Ave between 53/54 Streets) great food, great service, great decor; and
- Mike's American Bar & Grill (212-246-4115, 650 10th Avenue at 46th Street) just what it says, American food you can sink your teeth into.
A few other picks include:
- Gascogne Restaurant (212-675-6564, 158 8th Avenue between 17/18 Streets) excellent French food served with a French attitude, a bit expensive. If you need to get to bed early or want to spend less try the prix fix menu earlier in the evening. A reservation is strongly recommended.
- [Royal Canadian Pancake House has closed.]
See also critic Jim Leff's New York Restaurant Tips
Art and Theatre
For classic art there's the Metropolitan Museum. For modern art there's the Museum of Modern Art, The Whitney and the amazing spiral-shaped Guggenheim. The Museum of Television and Radio (212-621-6600, 25 West 52nd Street) offers tens of thousands of historic shows including everything from FDR's inaugural address to old Monty Python shows. Make your selections and head to the private viewing booths.
The TKTS Booths offer same day tickets at 25- or 50-percent off to Broadway and Off Broadway shows. They accept cash and traveler's checks only. Arrive early for the best selection, have several choices in mind and be prepared to stand in line for up to an hour. Be sure to read the hours carefully; the window of opportunity for tickets at your desired time is sometimes only a few hours long. There are two booths. If you're willing to schlep all the way down town, the one at the World Trade Center always has much shorter lines than the one in Times Square. (You can always go shopping or see the Statue of Liberty while you're down there.)
I recommend: "Stomp," a loud "percussion sensation" musical show where the performers rip it up, banging on everything including metal garbage cans; and "Snake Bit," a funny yet poignant drama about long-term friendships.
Tickets to Off-Off Broadway shows are often available the day of the show directly from the theater by phone. See the Village Voice or Time Out for listings (below). I've had a lot of fun at some "Off-Off" shows, but remember, "Ya pays yer money and ya takes yer chances."
I also highly recommend stand-up comedy in New York. Smaller clubs like Gotham Comedy, Stand-Up NY and Boston Comedy offer shows that are just as good as big-name joints like Caroline's, but for a lot less money. Again, see the Village Voice or Time Out for listings.
Shopping
Visitors who are still upset about MacWorld leaving Boston may want to check out the South Street Sea Port. It offers shopping, food and historic attractions ... all with a touch of a Bostonian atmosphere.
Bargin hunters who still like labels should check out Century 21 Department Store (212-227-9092, 22 Cortlandt Street at the intersection of Broadway and Church Street) where name-brand clothing is available at K-Mart prices. For trinkets, boutiques and gorgeous little things, have a walk through Soho, the neighborhood immediately south of Houston street. It's full of shops, cafes and art galleries. (By the way, we New Yorkers pronounce "Houston" not like the city in Texas, but as "HOW-STUN". Why? Because we can.)
Nightlife
If you don't sample the nightlife, you haven't been to New York. The lobby of the Royalton Hotel, (212-869-4400, 44 West 44 Street between 5/6 Avenues), 212-869-4400) is an upscale cocktail lounge with stunning interior design by Philippe Stark. The decor is modern, the people are beautiful and the drinks pricey. Don't miss the martini bar tucked away on the right as you enter.
For a bit less attitude than the famed Rainbow Room (which is closed for renovations until September), try Revolution (212-489-8451, 611 9th Avenue at 43rd Street) a great local bar and restaurant.
For cabaret try Rosie Too! (212-245-9566, 640 10th Avenue at 44th Street) or Don't Tell Mama (212-757-0788, 343 West 46th Street between 8/9 Avenues).
The Village Voice offers everything you need to know about New York nightlife. It's free at Manhattan new stands. (Don't let them charge you.)
Gay and Lesbian travelers can find nightlife in HX Magazine. I recommend "g" lounge in Chelsea for well-dressed yuppies and "Boiler Room" in the East Village for low-attitude, eclectic locals.
High Tech Stores & Service
Over 30 hours of MacWorld and you still can't get enough? You need help! Here it is ...
Tekserve, The Old Reliable Mac Shop (212-463-0795, 155 West 23rd Street, 4th Floor between 6/7 Avenues) If you drop your PowerBook or need some weird adapter they can help.
B & H Photo (420 Ninth Avenue between 33/34 Streets) A two-minute walk from the Javits Center will fill any and every photographic need you could possibly have, moving or still, analog or digital.
There are three CompUSA stores in Manhattan. The one at 420 5th Avenue (37th Street), 212-764-6224, has a decent selection of Macintosh hardware and software. Don't expect good service on the phone. You won't get it.
A modest selection of Mac software is also available at the Virgin Megastore in Times Square at 46th Street on Broadway. Don't expect the staff to have a clue ... about anything.
Weather
Prepare to swelter. This week's forecast is sunny and partly cloudy, humid with temperatures in the high 80s.
For listings of all 50,000 things happening in New York this week, there's Time Out New York (available on news stands everywhere). And finally, for everything I've missed there's NY Yahoo.
Disclaimer - Please be sure to call and verify hours and locations before making any plans.
By Dale Sorenson
July 19, 1999
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