Destinations

I stayed at the Regency recently and wanted to pass the word around that it is really good value for New York.   I booked them a lot last year and was always able to get space at good rates (rates vary seasonally). Well located on Park and 61st.  It is a 4 star hotel and has the atmosphere of old Manhattan - very comfortable and relaxing.  I would stick with the deluxe rooms and on up from there.  Superior rooms are small and have small bathrooms.  There is a really nice lounge that serves meals/drinks all day long called The Library.  If people are used to the Four Seasons (at double the price), perhaps this is not the place for them.  But, for good value, great location, convenience and comfort,
it is great.
 
I should also add for anyone interested in cultural food tours in Manhattan, I can highly recommend www.foodsofny.com  .  They have great guides; you learn a lot and also get fed.

Went to NYC for a 5 day visit on New Years day with my teenaged son and his friend.  We had a wonderful time (as always). It was cold but we quickly acclimated with the aid of wool coats, mittens, scarfs.

We saw South Pacific at the Vivian Beumont theatre in Lincoln Center,beautiful show great on-line site for tkts:  www.broadwaybox.com
 
We stayed our first 2 nights at The Mercer in Soho.  Wonderful location and sort of 30s-40s film noire ambiance.  Around the corner from my son’s favorite store, UNIQLO which is a japanese equivalent of GAP but with I think better quality, style, etc.  The kids loved it and the after Xmas sales were the best (I even found something to fit me).
 
On our 2nd day in NYC it snowed a bit, we took the subway down to Battery Park to view the Statue of Liberty. Tip:  too cold (and lines were long) for the ferry so up to the 14th floor of the Ritz-Carlton Battery Park - their bar, RISE - has best views of lady liberty without the crowds and cold!
 
Our last 3 nights we spent at The London NYC - midtown - all suite property.  Also has Gordon Ramsay’s restaurants (1 fine, 1 more casual dining).  We had a lovely corner suite with magnificent views of the river and Central Park.  The location is perfect - right around the corner from the theatre district, the MOMA, 5th Ave shopping, Rockefeller Center, etc. etc.
 
We were all sad to leave but looking forward to our return…

Katz’s Deli, 205 E. Houston at Ludlow in the LES is probably one of the best delicatessens on any coast, with respect to the authentic and tasty Jewish-style food. Established in 1888, well before the invention of cholesterol the restaurant offers an overwhelming array of opportunities to gain a little weight. Not sure what you want when you stumble into this restaurant overflowing with locals and tourists? The gruff employees who work behind the counter will offer you a taste of anything you like. However, only under the condition that you don’t mind that the first taste is theirs before they hand that same piece of pastrami (what’s a little cholesterol between friends?). Potato latkes, matzo ball soup, corned beef sandwiches, knockwurst, frankfurters, knishes, Nova Scotia lox, egg-creams all in Flintstone sized portions at very good prices. All this as long as you have no objection to dreary cafeteria-style surroundings where you clean and “bus” your own table. But hey, it worked very well for “When Harry Met Sally” and you can be sure that you will not be disappointed if you mirror Sally’s order or anything else on the menu for that matter.

For a bit more ambiance consider the newly-relocated 2nd Avenue Deli (formerly at 156 Avenue in the East Village from 1954-2006). Now found at it’s new address 162 E. 33rd Street in Murray Hill (though the name remains 2nd Avenue Deli). Open 24/7, featuring excellent Kosher foods like brisket, chicken soup, chopped liver and complimentary gribenes (deep-fried chicken skins in chicken fat with onions).Which now accompany the kosher dill pickles on every table. Both restaurants are unique and offer a little something for everyone. I guarantee that you will not leave either establishment feeling like you need more to “nosh”.