(by 40 people)
Why Go?
The diversity, the energy, the attitude - all still available 24 hours a day
The superlative arts, architecture, cultural, shopping and restaurant scenes
Plush Manhattan hotels - conveniently located near that new urban hot spot, Brooklyn
What to skip:
Sweaty August - everyone is either out of town or in a cranky mood
Three Great Hotels
- Hôtel Plaza Athénée
- The quintessential Upper East Side residential nest, this collection of 150 rooms and suites is decorated with exquisite taste: think Asian and European silks in either a light blue and copper, or a sage green and silver color scheme, framed prints, and striped silk drapes...
- Soho Grand
- The first luxury hotel in Soho, and with the introduction of its 2000 square foot penthouse lofts, still the most dramatic...
- Hotel QT
- The space is modern but cozy, the rooms small but not claustrophobic, and there's a swimming pool in the lobby adjacent to the bar...
The Deli
Katz's Delicatessen
205 East Houston
Tel: 212 254 2246
Sure, it's tacky, noisy, and rushed. Sure, the Formica is worn, the service gruff, and the sandwiches way too big. But New York wouldn't be New York without this classic Jewish deli and its kosher-style corned beef, chopped liver, and pastrami. Remember When Harry Met Sally? This is where the "I'll have what she's having" scene was filmed. P.S. Don't forget to tip your carver.
Facade
Pastrami
Neon
Two Top Tables
- Per Se
- The space hints at California rusticity with a fireplace and wood oven, but the pricey, French-influenced menus ($125 for five courses, $150 for nine) are strictly big city...
- Bette
- Expect to see at least one or two boldfaced names (certainly from the fashion world, sometimes from the movies) while dining at this cozy brown-and-cream-colored spot...
Essential Activities
- The Museum of Modern Art
- The preeminent museum for contemporary art reopened in November 2004 on its original site but in a new building designed by architect Yoshio Taniguchi that extensively expanded its gallery space and added a soaring, light-filled 110 foot atrium...
- The Chrysler Building
- Automotive tycoon Walter Chrysler wanted to build the tallest building in the world, and when this stainless steel skyscraper opened in 1930, it was—at least for a few months...
- The Loeb Boathouse in Central Park
- If you ignore the tall buildings looming in the near distance, you can pretend you're out in the countryside at this lake deep inside Central Park...
