My window seat at Cafe Lalo.
I love NYC so much! I know I am not alone. I love traveling and get an itch for a trip quite frequently. I have been wanting to get back to NYC lately (always). Although I can't get up there this year I am always planning a trip in my mind. My next NYC goal is to get up there for Thanksgiving. I always go in the summer due to my work schedule but I must make it up there to enjoy the city when it isn't boiling. Since I can't get up there now, the closest thing for me is to share my favorite places. This might be a long post.
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This is one of my hubby's favorite places. If you are a beer fan, the
Brooklyn Brewery is a great place to visit. They do tours and have a tap room. There is also a great thrift shop across the street.
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The original
Shake Shack in Madison Square Park. Everyone has heard of the Shack at this point but I had to share because this is literally the first place we go when we drop our luggage at the hotel.
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Another burger stop -
Burger Joint is tucked away in the lobby of the Le Parker Meridien in midtown. Burger joint is low key, loud, dive-ish and amazing! It is also interesting stepping from the grand marble lobby of the Le Parker Meridian into what you see below. The burgers are inexpensive and perfectly cooked which is why this has landed on best burger lists for years.
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Cafe Lalo is in the UWS and is quaint and lovely. I have been twice and ordered the cinnamon waffle each time (for dinner). The desert case is to die for and the ambiance is one of a kind. I absolutely love this place!
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For a glimpse of old NY do a Monday night at the
Village Vanguard. The house jazz band (Vanguard Jazz Orchestra) plays on Saturday night and they are great. As of the last time I went, there is no food and they only walk around to take drink orders before and between sets (so order 2). Once you enter the doors of the VV you walk downstairs to the main room. It is dark, tight and full of history. If those walls could talk! One of my favorite things about my visit here was listening to the VJO and feeling/hearing a nearby subway passing by. Quintessential New York City!
Image from thejazzpost.com
Image from npr.org
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A little off the beaten path is a novelty spot I like to stop by with a cup of coffee or, during my last visit, a McDonald's cheeseburger. Septuagesimo Uno is the smallest park in NYC. Located in the UWS on 71st btw Amsterdam and Broadway. I first heard about it in the precious movie
Little Manhattan and it has been on my must see list ever since.
Image from wikimapia.org
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There is nothing like the original
Magnolia Bakery on Bleeker. I (hand to God) have reoccurring dreams about going to NY and trying to get to Magnolia on Bleeker and I never get there. So weird. Anyway, the neighborhood is charming. It is fun to get a cupcake, a coffee and sit in the park across the street or just walk up the legendary Bleeker and people watch. There used to be a great bookstore across the street but I think that has gone the way of The Shop Around The Corner. Can't wait to get back to the city and get one of these sweet treats.
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After you leave Magnolia you and stroll up the street to one of two great pizza joints.
Bleeker Street Pizza and
Johns of Bleeker are both tied in my book for best pizza. Try both and choose your favorite of these to amazing spots.
Image from thepizzasnob.net
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Oh, Balthazar. How I love my breakfast at
Balthazar. I have been here when it was slammed and I have been here on rainy mornings where we had our run of the place. I can't leave NY without Balthazar fix. I will eventually try their lunch or dinner but I am currently hooked on my morning meal with a bellini and coffee. Divine!
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A cocktail isn't just a cocktail at the
King Cole Bar. It is a VERY EXPENSIVE cocktail. No big deal but I would have preferred to know in advance that a glass of champagne (one glass) and a Macallan (again, one drink) for the hubs would somehow be $50. So, this is your heads up, it is expensive. It is worth it though. Even if just for A drink.
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As much as I like going out to eat, after a few days traveling and eating breakfast, lunch and dinner out, I am ready to just grab something fresh to go.
Gourmet Garage is the place to do it in SoHo. I love going to local grocery/specialty stores to check out their locally made products. This is at Broome and Mercer across from another one of my favorite stops, the Kate Spade store.
Image from pbase.com
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This is where I always stay in NY, the
Park Central. There are many great places but this is the one I stick with. Close to everything and I have actually had a corner room with a view of Carnegie Hall and an actual park view. A very slight park view but I still count it.
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This post as inspired me to plan a trip! I might have to do another post of placed I haven't been but want to go in NYC! There are a bunch!
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