A Touch of Disney!!!

[njdisneyfreak]

I'm going to see The Lion King on Broadway for my birthday!!! My birthday is in September and falls on a Sunday. We live about an hour from NYC, so my DH got us tickets!!! I've wanted to see that show since it started and my DH has never really been to the city, so we're going to spend the day there. A touch of Disney three months before the trip. Too cool!!!

 

[Schucraig]

Have fun!

 

[njdisneyfreak]

Thanks!

 

[Tinkified]

The show is FABULOUS. We saw it back in 2000. Enjoy.
Aisle seats are the best....any chance you scored some of them? The characters all go down the aisle. Either way, it is very exciting. I know you will enjoy it.

PS CARMINE'S for dinner or lunch...Fabulous as well.

 

[njdisneyfreak]

The show is FABULOUS. We saw it back in 2000. Enjoy.
Aisle seats are the best....any chance you scored some of them? The characters all go down the aisle. Either way, it is very exciting. I know you will enjoy it.

PS CARMINE'S for dinner or lunch...Fabulous as well.

We actually did get aisle seats!!! We didn't even know that would be a good thing for the show; we normally try to get aisle seats. How cool that the characters come through the aisles!

As for CARMINE'S, we were considering going there, because we have heard the food is great. But, it is just my DH and me, and it looked like the servings were family style. Is it possible to just eat by ourselves and get individual portions? How does it work? Should we also make reservations? We'd love to try it.

 

[Tinkified]

Congrats on the aisle seats. The show is fabulous and having the characters come right next to you makes the experience much more intense! You are going to love it.

Yes, Carmines is family style and yes it is a lot of food. My husband and I have gone, we have each ordered what we wanted and took a "doggie bag" home! If you have similar tastes/desires you could just order one dish and share if you wanted. Reservations ARE A MUST!

I don't know your ages; and not that it matters, and your tastes, but if you are into a trendy touristy spot/trap I would also recommend Jekyll and Hyde's in Midtown http://www.jekyllandhydeclub.com/home.htm . We had a fun time and good food...I had pumpkin ravioli it was to die for...and no pun intended. Or Mars 2112 is a fun themed place too...if you go make sure you ride the transporter to Mars...don't take the walkway!

If you need any more suggestions or ideas, I will be happy to help you!

 

[njdisneyfreak]

Congrats on the aisle seats. The show is fabulous and having the characters come right next to you makes the experience much more intense! You are going to love it.

Yes, Carmines is family style and yes it is a lot of food. My husband and I have gone, we have each ordered what we wanted and took a "doggie bag" home! If you have similar tastes/desires you could just order one dish and share if you wanted. Reservations ARE A MUST!

I don't know your ages; and not that it matters, and your tastes, but if you are into a trendy touristy spot/trap I would also recommend Jekyll and Hyde's in Midtown http://www.jekyllandhydeclub.com/home.htm . We had a fun time and good food...I had pumpkin ravioli it was to die for...and no pun intended. Or Mars 2112 is a fun themed place too...if you go make sure you ride the transporter to Mars...don't take the walkway!

If you need any more suggestions or ideas, I will be happy to help you!

They would have no problem us sharing one dish? That would work for us. We're in our 30s. I appreciate the recommendations for those two places to eat. They are definitely different!

What other places are near there and might be good for lunch? Theme is fine, but not necessary. Any other not to miss places that we should visit while we spend the day in that area?

We live in NJ and plan on taking the train to Penn Station. Do you know if it's worth walking all those blocks to Times Square or should we just take a cab? My DH doesn't want to attempt the subway system just yet.

Have you been to the huge Hershey store or Virgin Megastore in Time Square? Are they worth going to?

I'm just so excited and it's not coming for a little while yet.

 

[TimeforMe]

Carmine's does not take reservations. Yes, you can order one dinner for two. While Carmine's is good food and a good value, it's much better for a large group so that you can try different things, etc. The food is good, but nothing special. There are so many great restaurants in New York to choose from. Let me think about it awhile and see if I can remember names.

Do you like steak? They have some great steakhouses as well.

The Hershey Store is actually not that big inside, but the outside is really cool and makes for a good photo op. Worth a look. Virgin Megastore is fun, too.

The Lion King is awesome--we saw it twice. Have fun!

 

[njdisneyfreak]

Carmine's does not take reservations. Yes, you can order one dinner for two. While Carmine's is good food and a good value, it's much better for a large group so that you can try different things, etc. The food is good, but nothing special. There are so many great restaurants in New York to choose from. Let me think about it awhile and see if I can remember names.

Do you like steak? They have some great steakhouses as well.

The Hershey Store is actually not that big inside, but the outside is really cool and makes for a good photo op. Worth a look. Virgin Megastore is fun, too.

The Lion King is awesome--we saw it twice. Have fun!

My DH and I are thinking of just going and making a choice of where to eat when we see a place we like, but we would like to know about various options before heading down. We're not going till September, so we hae plenty of time. We do love good steaks. As long as the restaurant is in Times Square, not overly expensive and decent food, we're happy. We will go in the Hershey Store, because we love Hershey. Just to check it out. The outside definitely does look cool. Do you know if the Virgin Megastore is like the one in Downtown Disney?

Wow! The Lion King must be awesome if you saw it two times. Thanks. I think it will be fun.

If you can think of any other restaurant choices or places to just see in that area, let me know. I appreciate it.

 

[Tinkified]

Carmine's DOES take reservations. www.carminesnyc.com They do not take reservations on-line, but do by phone. And yes you can order one dish and share.

Some other places to consider...you have time...explore them on-line..we have had excellent experiences and good food at all these places..When we venture in to the city, we like to try some place different each time. I tried to include in this list a variety of options...chinese, seafood, diner, barb'bque, Italian etc

Virgil's real bar'bque
Sardies
Bubba Gump Shrimp CO
Simply Pasta
Ellen's Stardust Diner
Ruby Foo's
Heartland Brewery
Frankie and Johnnies
Carnegie Deli
Simply Pasta
Manhattan Chili Co
Ruth Chris Steakhouse
and of course the ones I have mentioned before...Mars 2112, Jekyll and Hyde Club, ESPN Zone and the like, such as Planet Hollywood, Hard Rock Cafe etc

We have gone to Hershey Store, Virgin, Toys r Us (ferris wheel inside store), Disney, American Girl Store (we have a dd), FAO Schwartz, NBC studios (tours), Rockafeller Plaza, Radio City Music Hall, St. Patrick's Cathedral, Tiffanys, Cartier, Macy's Herald Square, The Plaza Hotel, Bryant Park, Central Park (zoo there) and we have even scored a photo op with the Naked Cowboy in right in Times Square...some are a little north and south of the theater district, but not too terribly far. I haven't done the Virgin Mega in DTD so I don't have anything to compare the NYC location to.

We usually drive in, park for the day, walk or take a cab as necessary. I haven't done the subway system since I was a girl..it kind of creeps me out. Grand Central has been refurbished beautifully and that may be an option instead of Penn Station. There are some nice shops, restaurants and of course the Gelato stand that was made famous by the Apprentice back when it was in it's first or second season! YUMMY!

Well, I have rambled. I hope I have helped you. Good luck and have fun..September is right around the corner. Happy Birthday too!
Michelle

 

[njdisneyfreak]

Carmine's DOES take reservations. www.carminesnyc.com They do not take reservations on-line, but do by phone. And yes you can order one dish and share.

Some other places to consider...you have time...explore them on-line..we have had excellent experiences and good food at all these places..When we venture in to the city, we like to try some place different each time. I tried to include in this list a variety of options...chinese, seafood, diner, barb'bque, Italian etc

Virgil's real bar'bque
Sardies
Bubba Gump Shrimp CO
Simply Pasta
Ellen's Stardust Diner
Ruby Foo's
Heartland Brewery
Frankie and Johnnies
Carnegie Deli
Simply Pasta
Manhattan Chili Co
Ruth Chris Steakhouse
and of course the ones I have mentioned before...Mars 2112, Jekyll and Hyde Club, ESPN Zone and the like, such as Planet Hollywood, Hard Rock Cafe etc

We have gone to Hershey Store, Virgin, Toys r Us (ferris wheel inside store), Disney, American Girl Store (we have a dd), FAO Schwartz, NBC studios (tours), Rockafeller Plaza, Radio City Music Hall, St. Patrick's Cathedral, Tiffanys, Cartier, Macy's Herald Square, The Plaza Hotel, Bryant Park, Central Park (zoo there) and we have even scored a photo op with the Naked Cowboy in right in Times Square...some are a little north and south of the theater district, but not too terribly far. I haven't done the Virgin Mega in DTD so I don't have anything to compare the NYC location to.

We usually drive in, park for the day, walk or take a cab as necessary. I haven't done the subway system since I was a girl..it kind of creeps me out. Grand Central has been refurbished beautifully and that may be an option instead of Penn Station. There are some nice shops, restaurants and of course the Gelato stand that was made famous by the Apprentice back when it was in it's first or second season! YUMMY!

Well, I have rambled. I hope I have helped you. Good luck and have fun..September is right around the corner. Happy Birthday too!
Michelle

Wow! Thank you so much for giving me so much information to think over. Making decisions is going to be tough. We actually are leaning towards Planet Hollywood for lunch, but I'm going to look into some of the ones you just mentioned that I didn't even know about.

How far would you say are the Disney store, Cartier and FAO Schwartz to the theater the Lion King is in or compared to where Planet Hollywood is? Got a glimpse of the famous Naked Cowboy in late May when we took our 8th graders (I'm a teacher.) to see Beauty and the Beast and we waited to get inside Planet Hollywood. Not the best time for the Naked Cowboy to show up, let me tell you! We had to keep blocking our kids' cell phone cameras!

Anyway, thanks for everything. Like the others who have been posting here, you've been such a help.

 

[TimeforMe]

Carmine's DOES take reservations. [!
Michelle

I don't mean to be argumentative but we have tried to make reservations by phone many times to no avail. We were told they only took them for large parties--I think 8 or more. Maybe they changed their policy, but they never took them before.

 

[njdisneyfreak]

I don't mean to be argumentative but we have tried to make reservations by phone many times to no avail. We were told they only took them for large parties--I think 8 or more. Maybe they changed their policy, but they never took them before.

Either way, we are thinking of trying Carmine's another time. Thanks for the info, though.

 

[Tinkified]

Timeforme: no problem. My most recent visits have been in a group...last time it was just my dh and myself was before my daughter was born and she is 6 1/2...so maybe small party reservation policy has changed. I did check their website before my previous post and it just said no on-line ressies...just phone, I don't recall if it had party size specifics.

No Worries!
Michelle

 

[njdisneyfreak]

Does anyone know if Planet Hollywood is on the same street as The Lion King?