Any familiarity with NYC?

[DOPEYLUVER]

On Tuesday I'm driving from Massachusetts to NYC to take a couple of guys out to lunch. They are in their early 20's. One is from Australia and has never been to NYC. I think the other has been to NYC but only as the port of origin for a cruise.

Does anyone have any ideas of where I can take them for lunch and/or something fun to do. They will be there for several days so I don't need to show them the whole city. I was thinking of taking them to some major touristy place but can't even think of a place.

Thank you in advance for any help.

 

[MonorailMan]

I highly recommend going to the Carnegie Deli for lunch. It's the epitome of a "real NY lunch experience": It's fairly touristy, but there are still tons of locals who go because they know this Jewish deli makes delicious sandwiches! (They're beyond sandwiches because most of the time you need a knife and fork to eat them.) There are tons of celebrity photos on the walls and it feels a bit kitschy, but to me that's what makes it fun. It's a little pricey, but the portions are insanely huge. It can also get a bit noisy with all the hustle and bustle, but that's part of what makes it feel like NY. It's just a fun environment where it's likely that you're going to wind up talking to the people at the next table since they're pushed fairly close together. Plus.....you get their complimentary infamous dill pickles!! How can you beat that??? My only tip would be to NOT go during the normal lunch hours. Go after 1:30 or else you might be waiting for a table for a while.

 

[DOPEYLUVER]

Thank you soooooo much. My aunt and uncle live a bit out of NY, but my uncle worked in Grand Central Station for years. My aunt recommended the same place.

One of the guys is from Ohio, so I'll be sure to let him know a fellow Ohioian suggested it.

 

[jlewisinsyr]

Tourist things to see/do:

Times Square
Empire State Building
Central Park Zoo
The Village
Macy's (it's an experience)
Fifth Ave (upper end)
Statue of Liberty
Freedom Tower/Twin Towers
China Town (Got to love "Coach" and "Gucci" items at bargain prices - hahaha)

As for food, there's a great street cart on 6th and 52nd. You have Lucky Cheng's for dinner (drag queen show and dinner all wrapped up into a comedic event) or Lips.

Two of my favorite restuarants are Tao and BLT Steak (I tend to like the East Side for restaurants more then anywhere else).

 

[DOPEYLUVER]

I love the idea of Lucky Cheng's, but I do have a concern.

Do you think a gay 22 year old who is not comfortable with his sexuality would be uncomfortable with this show. More importantly would he think I was making fun of him. I'll leave it with we have a somewhat odd friendship.

 

[jlewisinsyr]

I love the idea of Lucky Cheng's, but I do have a concern.

Do you think a gay 22 year old who is not comfortable with his sexuality would be uncomfortable with this show. More importantly would he think I was making fun of him. I'll leave it with we have a somewhat odd friendship.

Hm...if he's uncomfortable, they may make him very uncomfortable, so I would say pass on that. Trust me, at either Lucky Cheng's or Lips, there is a lot of undertone and just flat out obnoxious comments said (I had a drag queen do a lap dance on me that culminated with her putting her head between my legs and doing a head stand with her crotch in my face - and this was a dinner with my co-workers).

 

[DOPEYLUVER]

Thank you. Maybe I'll wait 5 or 10 years and take him then. It does sound like a lot of fun.

 

[JoeyAnyc]

Wow, I hope they are ready for the cold!

Here's a couple suggestions:

There's "The Diner" on the corner of 9th Ave and 14th street,
right across from the huge Apple store. Very good food
and great for people watching. Plus a look through the
Apple store is always fun.
http://www.thedinernyc.com/

Times Square in general is amazing, but at night it's
spectacular. Just walking through there is amazing
for anyone that's never been to NYC. There's lot's of
shops to go in. Don't forget the Hershey store.

Now if they're into cool exhibits, there is the Tim Burton
exhibit at MoMA. I've been hearing great things about it
and going to head there myself.
http://www.moma.org/interactives/exhibitions/2009/timburton/

If I think of anything else, I'll post tonight.
Good luck and have fun.

 

[carouselgirl]

I say Katz's Deli...it is a little pricey, but totally worth it. It is one of the must dos when we go home to visit.....

 

[jackdis]

Was just at Katz's recently. Very good!
We always like Virgil's BBQ...near the theaters.
And Ellen's Stardust Diner is so much fun!!!

http://www.ellensstardustdiner.com/

They sing to you! It's entertaining and in a central location.

 

[jackdis]

One more recommendation:
Patsy's....AMAZING Italian food!!! A little pricey but worth it, without a doubt. Was one of Sinatra's favorite places. We were there and met the owner. What a great experience. Can't wait to go back!!

 

[LuluLovesDisney]

Bobby Flay's Cafe Americain- located conveniently within walking distance of the diamond district as well

I second Katz's Deli- my grandfather used to eat lunch there and it is a family tradition! The pickles are the best. And the retro signage.