pre-trip report for August 27-September 5

[BUTTERHEAD1]

Okay I know the hotel. I have had a few drinks in hotel bar prior to hockey games at Madison Square Garden which is acroos the street from your hotel. I grew up less than a mile from your hotel. In terms of places to eat I will give you few of my favorites.

Mexican- there are 2 places I go for Mexican, the first is Maryanns which is on the corner of 16th street and 8th avenue and the the other is Tequilas which is on 23rd street just east of 9th avenue. Both places have good food and great drinks for decent prices.

Chinese. My favorite is Grand Sichuan(? spelling) it is on the corner of 24th street and 9th avenue. It has great food decent prices the service is so so but the food is so good that I dont mind the so so service. The 2nd place is The Ginger House which is on 7th avenue between 28th and 29 th street. Just 2 blocks south of your hotel.

Pizza= By far my favorit pizza is John's pizza, there are 3 locations in the city. The closest one to you is in the times square area. It is on 44th street between 8th avenue and Broadway. If you like sausage get a pie with sausage. If you are in the village and want a good slice of pizza there is a place called joe's on 6th avenue just north of Bleecker street- great slice.

Italian- Carmines is great and their portions are big enough for 3-4 people. There are 2 carmines one is on 44th street and Broadway(very touristy-long lines) the other is on Broadway and 90th street,this is the one we go to. Another Italian place we go to is Andreas which is on 3rd avenue and 23rd street.

Burgers-The Shake Shack in Madison Park is very popular. The lines are crazy long but worth the wait. The park is at 23rd street and 5th avenue. Another great burger is in the Corner Bistro which is on west 4th street and 8th avenue

Spanish food- If you like Paella there is a restaurant called El Quijote which is right next to the Chelsea Hotel 23rd street 7th-8th avenue.

If there is anything else that you are interested in eating let me know and I will give you my suggestions.

[arkvilla]

Thank you so much

I have copied and pasted onto a word document and we'll let you know how we get on.

How funny that you grew up so close to where we are staying. Have you heard anything about the hotel? We don't often stay in hotels.

Thanks

Sandra

[BUTTERHEAD1]

Sorry to say that I dont know much about the hotels in NYC as I have never needed one. I can say that from the outside and from the hotel bar it seems like a nice hotel. I have to imagine that would so much to do you wont be int e hotel much anyway.

[MarkE]

Hi Butterhead,

We're staying at the Amsterdam Court (looks like an average hotel opposite the Gershwin theatre, West 50th and 8th) - are there any nearby bars you can recommend? I imagine the people I'm travelling with will want to eat in Deli's and named chain restraunts as they're fussy eaters, but drinking (beer and cocktails) will also be a popular way to end the evenings!

Thanks,

Mark

[BUTTERHEAD1]

What kind of bar( sports,cheap drinks,live music,young crowd) are you looking for? . Are you looking for something near the hotel?

[MarkE]

Not necessarily near the hotel, but a reasonable walking distance (10 minutes maybe). If theres a sports bar that shows english football that'd be great, otherwise cheap drinks and cocktails!!

Its really hard to say about music and stuff - I'd like it, but I'm not sure about the others!

[BUTTERHEAD1]

If you are looking for cheaper drinks I would head towards 9th avenue. Mc Coys is on 9th avenue and 51st street, it has cheap drinks and has a bunch of TVs. Then there is Rudy's Bar which is always crowded and has cheap drinks. Rusys is on 43rd street and 9th avenue.

[arkvilla]

Hi Butterhead,

just to let you know we ate at The Ginger House - it was gorgeous - thank you so much and we also ate at the Shake Shack - didn't realise it was outside only, we went one evening and it was raining so we didn't stay but we went back the next day for lunch and it was great.

Sandra

[BUTTERHEAD1]

I just looked at your photos, they are great. I hope you enjoyed your time in New York. Sorry about not mentioning that the Shake Shack is outside.

[arkvilla]

No worries, we popped back next day anyway.

Loved NY

Sandra