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AAA Destination Guide: Official AAA maps,
travel information and top picks
AAA Destination Guide: New York includes trip-planning information
covering AAA recommended attractions and restaurants, exclusive
member discounts, maps and more.
When visiting New York City, it’s just not
enough to see what’s right in front of you. Look
up at the magnificent skyscrapers, serving as
cavernous monoliths holding all that pulsating
energy within. Wander over to Times Square
and be mesmerized by the blinking, flashing,
glittering billboards as they command your
eyes upward to take notice.
Look down from the heights of the Empire
State Building to gain a true sense of how the
Big Apple’s slices meld together—gaze toward Lower Manhattan, home
of colorful Little Italy, bustling Chinatown and funky SoHo; turn around
and glance toward Upper Manhattan, where Harlem’s 1920s musical
renaissance electrified the country; and in the center of it all, glimpse the
rectangular forest of Central Park, playground for all cultures.
Look at the city from the outside in by taking a sightseeing boat tour.
Observe New Yorkers at labor and leisure milling about Chelsea Pier and
South Street Seaport, and experience from afar the quiet majesty of Wall
Street’s stone-and-steel towers. Surround yourself with a panorama like
no other as you cruise slowly past Ellis Island, with the glimmering
Manhattan skyline as a backdrop, to receive the ultimate reward: an
awesome, up-close encounter with Liberty Island’s graceful statue of the
Lady herself.
Essentials
Ride the elevator to the 102nd floor of the Empire State Building
Poke around in the eclectic shops and galleries of
for a
birds-eye view of the city. From the observation tower, you can see about
50 miles on a clear day.
SoHo
Take in a show at the
(south of
Houston Street). While you’re there, have lunch alfresco to people-watch
or have a cup of java in a quaint coffeehouse.
Broadway Theater District. If you’re flexible, visit
the Times Square
Do the museum hop. With all the world-class choices—
TKTS booth to save up to 50% on same-day
performances.
American
Museum of Natural History, Metropolitan Museum of Art and The
Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)
Treat yourself to Dim Sum in
to name a few—the city is bound to have
a collection that suits your fancy.
Chinatown.
Stroll along Fifth Avenue between 49th and 58th streets to experience a
true shopping mecca with the likes of Saks Fifth Avenue, Cartier,
Tiffany’s, FAO Schwarz and
Walk off your feast afterward by
strolling through the narrow streets chock full of colorful shops displaying
everything from Chinese lanterns and jade carvings to herbal remedies
and tasty baked goods.
Rockefeller Center.
Explore the trendy boutiques and elegant Greek Revival townhouses
tucked along tree-lined streets in
Even if you’re not a
shopper, the window displays are delightful.
Greenwich Village. Wander over to
Washington Square, where performers frequently entertain in the area
near Washington Arch.
Destination Guide: New York
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1.Empire State Building
350 Fifth Ave
New York, NY 10118
Phone: (212) 736-3100


2. SoHo
New York, NY 10012
SoHo, an acronym for “south of
Houston Street,” is 3 blocks south
of Washington Square Park.

3. Broadway Theater District
Broadway & Seventh Ave
New York, NY 10019


4. Times Square
Broadway & Seventh Ave
New York, NY 10036
Phone: (212) 869-1890


5. American Museum of Natural
History
Central Park West at 79th S.
New York, NY 10024
Phone: (212) 769-5100



6. Metropolitan Museum of Art
1000 Fifth Ave
New York, NY 10028
Phone: (212) 535-7710


7. The Museum of Modern Art
(MoMA)
11 W. 53rd St
New York, NY 10019
Phone: (212) 708-9400


8. Rockefeller Center
30 Rockefeller Plaza
New York, NY 10020
Phone: (212) 632-3975


9. Greenwich Village
38 Commerce St
New York, NY 10014

10. Washington Square
Fifth Ave & Washington Sq N
New York, NY 10003

11. Central Park
830 Fifth Ave
New York, NY 10021
Phone: (212) 310-6600



Do as New Yorkers do, and spend some quality daylight time in Central
Park.
Indulge in an Italian feast or sip a cappuccino at an outdoor café in
Circle the lake on winding paths, explore Shakespeare Garden’s
craggy hillside or climb the stairs to the top of Belvedere Castle for a
scenic overlook.
Little
Italy. Marvel at the assortment of cheeses, olives and fresh breads
Destination Guide: New York
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offered in neighborhood groceries. For designer fashion finds, head to
Nolita (“north of little Italy”).
Travel via ferry from Battery Park to the Statue of Liberty National
Monument and Ellis Island.
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Lady Liberty graciously welcomes visitors to
Liberty Island, while the same ferry ticket covers a stop at Ellis Island, site
of the Immigration Museum.
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12. Chinatown
New York, NY 10003


13. Little Italy
Grand St & Mulberry St
New York, NY 10013
14. Battery Park
26 Wall St
New York, NY 10005

15. Statue of Liberty National
Monument and Ellis Island
New York, NY 10005
Phone: (877) 523-9849


New York in 3 Days
Three days is barely enough time to get to know any major destination.
But AAA travel editors suggest these activities to make the most of your
time in New York City.
Day 1: Morning
No visit to the Big Apple is complete without seeing Central Park, so Day
1 takes in this urban oasis along with the world-renowned museums
bordering it. Get a jump-start on the crowds and arrive early at the
Metropolitan Museum of Art,
It may be a little aggressive to do two museums in one morning, but keep
in mind that with so much to do in close proximity you can mix and match
as you like, either choosing to spend hours in one museum or hopping
from one location to the next. The
on the park’s east side at Fifth Avenue.
(Pressed for time? You may not be able to explore the entire park, but at
the very least, indulge yourself by visiting this stellar art museum.) Trying
to navigate the Met’s collection of more than 2 million works can be a little
overwhelming, so take a guided or audio tour to make sure you hit the
highlights. At any rate, be sure to experience the American Wing’s
enticing Charles Engelhard Court, the mystique of the Egyptian galleries
and the European masterpieces created by Monet, Rembrandt, Renoir,
van Gogh, Vermeer and others.
Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum,


its
striking circular design a stark contrast to the other stately museum
facades, also is on the park’s east side opposite the Jacqueline Kennedy
Onassis Reservoir. Ride the elevator upstairs, then meander down the
spiral ramp past creations from such masters as Cezanne, Klee and
Picasso. When you’re at the base, look up to see the museum’s stunning
dome.
Destination Guide: New York 
4 
New York in 3 Days – Day 1 Map
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1. Central Park
830 Fifth Ave
New York, NY 10021
Phone: (212) 310-6600

2. Metropolitan Museum of Art
1000 Fifth Ave
New York, NY 10028
Phone: (212) 535-7710

3. Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum
1071 Fifth Ave
New York, NY 10029
Phone: (212) 423-3500


4. Tavern on the Green
CLOSED
5. American Museum of
Natural History
Central Park West at 79th St
New York, NY 10024
Phone: (212) 769-5100

6. The American Museum of Natural
History's Rose Center for Earth and
Space
W 81st Street and Central Park West
New York, NY 10024
Phone: (212) 769-5100


7. Cafe Sabarsky

1048 5th Ave
New York, NY 10028
Phone: (212) 288-0665
8. Neue Galerie Museum for
German and Austrian Art
1048 Fifth Ave
New York, NY 10028
Phone: (212) 628-6200
9. Lincoln Center for
the Performing Arts
70 Lincoln Center Plaza
New York, NY 10023
Phone: (212) 875-5350


10. Rosa Mexicano

61 Columbus Ave
New York, NY 10023
Phone: (212) 977-7700
11. Carnegie Hall
881 Seventh Ave
New York, NY 10019
Phone: (212) 247-7800
12. Carnegie Delicatessen
& Restaurant

854 7th Ave
New York, NY 10019
Phone: (212) 757-2245
13. Stage Deli

834 7th Ave
New York, NY 10019
Phone: (212) 245-7850
Destination Guide: New York
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Afternoon
Cross to the west side of Central Park. It’s lovely to stroll through this
peaceful green space, where you’ll encounter such points of interest as
Shakespeare Garden, Belvedere Castle and the John Lennon-inspired
Strawberry Fields. You can cover a lot of ground in the 843-acre park, so
if you get tired, hail a cab—or better yet—a horse-drawn carriage to
usher you about the premises.
Walk about a half-mile north along Central Park West to arrive at the
American Museum of Natural History. A fearsome dinosaur holds court in
the rotunda, inspiring you to learn more about him and his relatives. If
cosmic evolution captivates you, opt to spend the afternoon next door at
The American Museum of Natural History’s Rose Center for Earth and
Space,
Evening
At
where you can take a virtual trip through the Milky Way.
Café Sabarsky, in the Neue Galerie Museum for German and Austrian
Art bordering the park’s east side, you can feast on such Viennese
delights as goulash, spaetzle and to-die-for apple strudel; on Friday the
museum is open until 9 p.m. so you can catch dinner and see the
collection. Dozens of restaurants border the park’s south end, so choices
are plentiful and varied. If you’re heading to an event at the Lincoln
Center for the Performing Arts, try Rosa Mexicano, known for legendary
guacamole and innovative margaritas. While New Yorkers celebrate
Carnegie Hall for the perfect acoustics, they worship Carnegie
Delicatessen & Restaurant for its stellar corned beef on rye—but bring a
friend, because it usually takes two to conquer this mammoth sandwich.
Stage Deli
Day 2: Morning
Whether or not you arrive in the Midtown area via
has similarly decadent fare along with a cheesecake too sinful
to pass up.
Grand Central
Terminal, it’s worth a trip just to see this architectural gem. In addition to
serving thousands of commuters, the station boasts such design
elements as gleaming marble floors, arched windows, the chandeliered
Vanderbilt Hall and an astrological mural in addition to shops and
restaurants (the counter at the Oyster Bar
From this point on, you can walk, hop on the subway or take a cab
between the various points of interest described here.
is a great casual lunch spot).
For an unsurpassed birds-eye view of New York, head to the Art Deco
Empire State Building
Afterward, travel about eight blocks northwest to the triangle of 7th
Avenue, Broadway and 42nd Street. This is
at the intersection of 5th Avenue and E. 34th
Street. Do your best to arrive when the doors open at 8 a.m., as lines are
long. (Hint: Save time by buying tickets in advance online at
www.esbny.com.) After riding the elevators to the 102nd floor, you’ll
discover that the wait was worth it—on a clear day you can see nearly 50
miles in all directions. Have fun gaining a perspective of how Manhattan
is laid out and plotting your route from above.
Times Square, a real slice of
New York life and home to Broadway theaters, MTV Studios, comedy
clubs, street performers and souvenir shops galore. You’ll be
mesmerized by the energy and dazzled by blinking lights and flashing
billboards—it’s easy to see why this is the site of the annual Times
Square New Year’s Eve Celebration and Ball Drop.
Afternoon
For lunch, stop at one of the pizza or sub shops bordering the square.
Prime people-
watching opportunities abound.
Virgil’s Real Barbecue, just off the square, has down-home favorites like
cheese grits, pulled pork, tender brisket and sweet potato pie. Now that
you’ve refueled, venture east and take a left onto Fifth Avenue, where
you can fuss over the window displays of tony retailers. The power
shopping truly begins on the leg of Fifth near your next stop, Rockefeller
Center, with the likes of Bergdorf Goodman, Henri Bendel, Saks and
Tiffany’s. You’ll recognize the center (between 48th and 51st streets) by
the giant golden statue of Prometheus—you can take the Radio City
Music Hall Stage Door Tour, the NBC Studio Tours or the Rockefeller
Center Tour, which ushers you past the spot where “Today” show fans
congregate during broadcasts. If you feel like gazing rather than touring,
the Top of the Rock offers awesome city views. At 5th Avenue and 50th
Street, the Gothic-Revival style St. Patrick’s Cathedral, with its graceful
spires, stands in harmony with Midtown’s concrete-and-steel skyscrapers.
Destination Guide: New York 
6 
Wander inside the stoically beautiful structure to get a better look at the
stained-glass rose window and to view the pipe organ and marble
sculptures.

New York in 3 Days – Day 2 Map
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Evening
For a laid back experience that delivers good food and fun, you can’t go
wrong at Carmine’s. Waiters serve Southern Italian favorites family-style
on heaping platters, yet the restaurant does not sacrifice quality for
quantity.
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FYI – Provided as an information only service; has not yet been evaluated
1. Grand Central Terminal
42nd St. & Park Ave
New York, NY 10017
Phone: (212) 883-2420

2. Oyster Bar (FYI)
42nd St
New York, NY 10017
Phone: (212) 490-6650

3. Empire State Building
350 Fifth Ave
New York, NY 10118
Phone: (212) 736-3100


4. Times Square
Broadway & Seventh Ave
New York, NY 10036
Phone: (212) 869-1890


5. Virgil's Real Barbecue

152 W 44th St
New York, NY 10036
Phone: (212) 921-9494

6. Rockefeller Center
30 Rockefeller Plaza
New York, NY 10020
Phone: (212) 632-3975


7. Radio City Music Hall
Stage Door Tour
1260 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10020
Phone: (212) 247-4777


8. NBC Studio Tours
30 Rockefeller Plaza
New York, NY 10020
Phone: (212) 664-7174

9. Rockefeller Center Tour
30 Rockefeller Plaza
New York, NY 10012
Phone: (212) 664-3700

10. Top of the Rock
30 Rockefeller Plaza
New York, NY 10112
Phone: (212) 698-2000


11. St. Patrick's Cathedral
14 E 51st St
New York, NY 10022
Phone: (212) 753-2261


12. Carmine's

200 W 44th St
New York, NY 10036
Phone: (212) 221-3800

13. Broadway Theater District
Broadway & Seventh Ave
New York, NY 10019


14. Becco

355 W 46th St
New York, NY 10036
Phone: (212) 397-7597

15. Sardi's

234 W 44th St
New York, NY 10036
Phone: (212) 221-8440
Destination Guide: New York
7
For the ultimate New York experience, try to catch a show in the
Broadway Theater District. (You can visit the TKTS booth in Times
Square to get discounts on same-day performances.) If you’re attending
a play, you will probably want to dine beforehand. Restaurants lining the
streets of the district offer prix-fixe pre-theater dinners and are equipped
to get you out in time to make the 8 p.m. curtain. Good choices are Becco
for regional Italian in cozy quarters and Sardi’s
Day 3: Morning
Start your day by catching an early ferry from Battery Park to
for a taste of nostalgia
and potential celebrity sightings (both in-person and in the form of
caricatures lining the walls).
Statue of
Liberty National Monument and Ellis Island.
Your first stop will be Liberty Island, where you can take either a 45-
minute ranger-guided tour or a self-guiding audio tour. If you opt to go
solo, head to the 2nd floor inside the statue’s pedestal to view museum
exhibits and the original torch, then ride the elevator to the 10th floor
observatory for an up-close encounter with Lady Liberty and a panorama
of New York harbor.
Ferries run from Battery Park
on a frequent basis (about every 25 minutes), starting at 8:30 or 9:30
a.m. depending on the season. There also are frequent departures
between Liberty and Ellis islands and back to Battery Park, giving you the
freedom to spend as much time as you like in either spot. Expect long
lines and plenty of waiting during debarkation and boarding processes.
Next, board the ferry to Ellis Island and visit the Immigration Museum;
pick up a self-guiding tour brochure that allows you to navigate the
exhibits at your leisure. See the documentary "Island of Hope, Island of
Tears" and trace your ancestry or search ship manifests at the American
Family Immigration History Center.
Afternoon
Ride the ferry back to Battery Park, and take a cab or public
transportation to explore the Chinatown
You won’t have a problem grabbing a late lunch in Chinatown;
section of Lower Manhattan—
Canal Street will put you in the thick of things. You’ll have a grand time
just wandering about and taking in all the sights and sounds this slice of
the Orient has to offer. You’ll get caught up in the hustle and bustle, as
you shop for souvenirs and gape at store windows with exotic offerings
running the gamut from colorful silks and medicinal herbs to this
evening’s dinner.
NY Noodle
Town and Peking Duck House
Depending on your energy level, you can either take public transportation
or walk to
are open all day, as are many eateries.
For dessert, try one of the little bakeries lining the streets—the Chinese
almond cookies are a joy.
SoHo.
Evening
Stay put, as SoHo’s bistros and cafes present a full range of dinner
options, from casual to elegant. If you’re in the mood for French, try
Spring and Prince streets are good launching points
from which to branch out into the area’s twisting lanes. After a busy day
of sightseeing, this is the place to wind down and soak up the ambience.
Linger over a glass of wine or an espresso in one of the outdoor cafés as
you engage in first-rate people watching. Wander about and pop into hip
art galleries or boutiques touting chic fashions and every imaginable
accessory.
Balthazar, reminiscent of a Parisian brasserie (you also can grab lunch or
a post-dinner pastry at their delightful bakery). If it’s Italian fare you crave,
walking east on Spring Street will place you in NoLita (north of Little Italy.)
For a casual pizza and beer sort of night, Lombardi’s Coal Oven Pizzeria
on Spring Street fits the bill. For a high-end experience that promises to
impress, mosey over to rustic Peasant on Elizabeth Street for specialties
cooked over an open fire—you can practice your Italian, as the menu isn’t
in English.
Destination Guide: New York
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New York in 3 Days – Day 3 Map
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Restaurants
Our favorites include some of this destination’s best restaurants—from
fine dining to simple fare.
Known for wealthy neighborhoods and world-class museums, you also
can expect great dining options in Upper Manhattan. Folks say that the
food at Barney Greengrass, an Upper West Side delicatessen, is one of
the greatest gifts Jewish culture has brought to humanity since the Ten
Commandments. There have never been truer words spoken. Since
1908, Barney Greengrass, a.k.a. the sturgeon king, has been supplying
New Yorkers with the finest smoked fish, the best bagels and
quintessential deli fare, all of which is available to purchase at the retail
store. Gothamites line up around the block to get a table in the adjacent
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1. Statue of Liberty National
Monument and Ellis Island
New York, NY 10005
Phone: (877) 523-9849


2. Chinatown
New York, NY 10003


3. NY Noodle Town

28 1/2 Bowery
New York, NY 10013
Phone: (212) 349-2690

4. Peking Duck House

28 Mott St
New York, NY 10013
Phone: (212) 227-1810


5. SoHo
New York, NY 10012

6. Balthazar

80 Spring St
New York, NY 10012
Phone: (212) 965-1414

7. Little Italy
Grand St. & Mulberry St.
New York, NY 10013

8. Lombardi's Coal
Oven Pizzeria

32 Spring St
New York, NY 10012
Phone: (212) 941-7994

9. Peasant

194 Elizabeth St
New York, NY 10012
Phone: (212) 965-9511

dining room, where patrons kvell over scrambled eggs and lox, bountiful
blintzes, a stellar matzoh ball soup and hearty sandwiches piled high with
corned beef, pastrami or some of the city’s best chopped liver. The décor
(untouched since the Wilson administration) won’t win any awards, but
the laurels rest on the sturgeon king.
Some come to the Neue Galerie for the German and Austrian art, from
Klimt and Klee to Loos and the Bauhaus, but foodies in the know give the
masterpieces a cursory glance, then slip into the Upper East Side’s Cafe
Sabarsky, the museum’s homage to turn-of-the-20th-century Viennese
cafes. Apple strudel, opera cake and brioche are works of art in their own
right and the hot chocolate, served unsweetened on a silver tray, is a
very grown-up indulgence, as is the elderflower soda. In addition to the
sweets, there is a savory menu: highlights include a top-notch plate of
Destination Guide: New York 
9 
Viennese sausage paired with an anything-but-pedestrian potato salad;
smoked trout crepes with horseradish crème fraiche; and spicy eggs with
cornichons and paprika.
If you’re in the mood for an informal snack, Tom’s Restaurant on the
Upper West Side fits the bill. Their delicious burgers and fries tantalize
the taste buds, but it’s really the television series “Seinfeld” that made this
inexpensive coffee shop famous.
Chef, owner and founder of New American cuisine Charlie Palmer
continues to orchestrate a once-in-a-lifetime experience at Aureole. The
food is delectable, and the presentations are unmatched for their
distinctive style. Executed with impeccable precision, service does not
take a back seat.
Carmine’s is all about wonderful Southern Italian food served in
abundant, family-style portions; it’s about celebrating family and friends;
it’s about what makes New York great: the crowds, the hustle, the bustle
and the lights of the Great White Way. Everyone needs to experience
Carmine’s at least once, but some just can’t get enough—enough of the
lush pasta ragù, a tomato-based sauce loaded with pork braciole, beef
chuck roast, meatballs and sausage; of the linguine with clam sauce; or
the chicken Marsala, often listed as a top favorite. The portions
overwhelm even gavones: salads and appetizer plates heaped with
meats, veggies and cheeses; platters of mushrooms stuffed with sausage
(to die for); and the gooey, positively dreamy eggplant Parmesan.
Although the breadbasket, with an assortment of varieties, may tempt,
don’t give in (too much), or you’ll regret it when the tiramisu comes.
On the fringes of Midtown’s theater district, the legendary Carnegie
Delicatessen & Restaurant has been a Manhattan landmark since 1937
and is a must-see for anyone visiting or living in the city. Patrons can
expect tight, bustling quarters and lots of New York attitude. They cure,
pickle and smoke their own meats and many say the pastrami and
corned beef are the world’s best. Just the sight of the piled-high
sandwiches will make your taste buds come alive—consider sharing one,
because you shouldn’t miss their cheesecake.
Two words sum up the dining experience at
Midtown’s Rosa Mexicano: great guac! To the
uninitiated, that’s guacamole, and it’s
prepared tableside, and it is f-a-b-u-l-o-u-s.
The restaurant’s Lincoln Center locale makes
it a favorite among concert-goers, in no small
part because of its smooth and competent
service—even pre-theater diners will not feel rushed. Bright colors, a
beautiful wall fountain and lots of light emanating from the floor to ceiling
windows lend a cozy air to the bustling dining room. In addition to the
much-lauded guacamole, you’ll want to try the corn empanadas stuffed
with lump crab and served with peach pico de gallo; tender chunks of
pork slow-cooked in banana leaves; and grilled beef short ribs with
tomatillo chipotle sauce. The pomegranate margarita, the house
signature cocktail, is a revelation.
Patrons of the traditional American tavern room never had it so good as
at Gramercy Tavern, a rustic, yet first-class dining event sandwiched
between Union Square and Gramercy Park. Wooden floors, copper
enhancements, fresh flowers and trellised vines, coupled with the finest
ingredients, linens and tableware, evoke the atmosphere of old New
England with the best of New World refinement. This New York City
favorite bestows true hospitality as an accent to its flawless pioneering
approach to food.
Those who are easily intimidated should think twice about paying a visit
to Chelsea’s Grand Sichuan International. First, there’s the menu. While
the usual suspects are available, those with more adventurous palates
would be wise to try the doughy and delicious soup dumplings, the five-
spice beef or any of the dishes included under the heading “General
Mao’s Homecooking,” especially the positively beguiling vinegared
potatoes, the spicy and sour sea cucumber, the preserved Sichuan-style
turnip, and the chicken and loofah soup. The second hurdle to cross is
the service, or lack of it. Servers are notorious for clearing the dishes of
patrons while they’re still eating. So, be forewarned: put on your thickest
Destination Guide: New York 
10 
skin and prepare to deal with a gruff staff that won’t offer to help decipher
the menu and then will rush you out the door.
Since 1888, Katz’s Deli has been serving up classic Jewish-style fare in
its gritty Lower East Side digs. During World War II, the deli gained fame
with their catchy slogan, “Send a salami to your boy in the army.” OK,
poets they’re not, but they do know a thing or two about matzoh balls, so
light and airy that if the soup wasn’t anchoring them in the bowl, they’d up
and float away. Katz’s was the site of the “When Harry Met Sally” film
scene where Meg Ryan, uh, causes a scene. Let’s just say that she must
have reeaalllyy liked the kugel, but if you’d rather not noodle, try the belly-
busting three-meat platter, loaded with mounds of hand-sliced salami,
brisket and corned beef.
The Odeon, the legendary TriBeCa landmark of 1980s downtown
glamour and greed immortalized by Jay McInerney in his smash novel
“Bright Lights, Big City,” not only survives among all the Johnny-come-
lately’s, but still shines bright. Famous, infamous and regular folk stop in
all hours of the night and day for classic French-American bistro fare,
including a knockout frisee salad with lardons, Roquefort and truffled
poached egg; steak au poivre; homemade cavatelli with roasted
vegetables; and pan-roasted salmon with lemon risotto cake, fava beans
and sorrel. If it’s available, don’t pass up the passion fruit crème brûlée.
Not only is it an indulgent treat, but it also will give you reason to linger in
the Art Deco-inspired dining room and watch the world go by.
Folks line up outside Pearl Oyster Bar waiting for the doors to open at
noon and then file into the simple storefront, brimming with anticipation,
for the sea-shack fare that New Yorkers in the know have come to love.
Lobster rolls, overstuffed and oozing with great meaty chunks, are the
entrée of choice at this Greenwich Village institution, but frankly, you
can’t go wrong with anything on the menu. Try the divine steamed
mussels, out-of-this-world fried oysters or the smoky, New England-style
clam chowder. Check out the blackboard specials, too. Now that the
restaurant has expanded (at one time it just offered counter seating and a
single table), waiting patrons no longer need to give diners the evil eye to
hurry things along, making for a much more pleasant experience. Service
is super casual, but quite hospitable.
If you plan to dine in NoLita, everyone, it seems, has something to say
about Peasant, particularly that the Italian language menu is a little
annoying, even pretentious, forcing patrons who aren’t fluent to wait for a
server to translate. Some also have quipped that you’ll feel like a peasant
after you’ve paid the bill, but on the upside, you will have dined like a
king. Echoing the peasantry of former times, the focus at this cozy
trattoria is on the hearth and open-fire Tuscan cooking. Pastas, such as
the zuppa di pesce and the bucatini with langoustines, are amazing, as is
the rabbit with fava beans and the bistecca alla Fio. A young, chic crowd
gives this Peasant a hip sophistication and keeps it among the city’s
favorite Italian restaurants.
Union Square Cafe, Danny Meyer’s first venture, is still as fresh and
vibrant as it was the day its doors opened back in the mid-1980s, when
the Union Square area was a desolate place known only for its drug dens
and street crime. Now the neighborhood is one of the most enviable
addresses in the city, due, in no small part, to the success of the ever-
popular and much-beloved restaurant. USC is highly regarded for its
award-winning wine list, its cordial and accommodating staff and its
sophisticated yet accessible menu. Featured dishes include crispy lemon-
pepper duck with pear-apple chutney, faro and Swiss chard; the classic
roasted organic chicken with mustard-cognac sauce and roasted root
vegetables; and the tremendously gratifying lobster shepherd pie. One
can only hope that the celebrated banana tart with honey vanilla ice
cream and macadamia nut brittle is always on the menu. The best pizza
in town is actually outside of town in Brooklyn. At Grimaldi’s Pizzeria,
nestled under the Brooklyn Bridge, you’ll have to wait on a long line for a
long time before being ushered into the hallowed, albeit cramped space.
Like childbirth, you’ll soon forget the pain inflicted by the wait as you spy
the spectacular pies making their way out of the kitchen. Of course, the
mozzarella is fresh, the peppers roast daily in coal-fired ovens and the
jukebox plays plenty of Sinatra.