Nickel and Dime in the Big Apple

The highlight of this trip was our hotel! As a frequent visitor to New York, I have been a victim of the extremely high prices of the hotels in Manhattan. It was so refreshing to find a reasonably priced and clean place in the center of town! We also really enjoyed our birthday dinner at Rio Grande. The staff worked extra hard to make it a special event.

Quick Tips:

These days, New York security is very tight, so be prepared for an increased police presence and the National Guard. Ninety-nine percent of the time they won't be doing anything other than ensuring safety. However, there are ocassional delays of traffic and closures. Plan on getting to the airport with extra time--even more than in other cities. If you're wanting to get Broadway tickets, keep TKTS in mind. While you can't be guaranteed tickets for a specific show, you will get tickets cheap. When looking for a place to eat, keep in mind that restaurants near major tourist centers (Times Square and Rockefeller Plaza come to mind) will charge at least double the equivalent fare back home. Your best bet is to time your meals so that you are away from these areas, if at all possible. Ditto for shopping. NYC sales tax is 8%. If it's something you can get at home, keep that in mind!

Best Way To Get Around:

New York is a public transport town. The money that you might save by staying in the suburbs (New Jersey, for example) will be eaten up in parking, cab, and bus fees. You're much better off finding a moderately priced hotel in the center (check Hotel 31) and walking and using the subway. If you are in a position where you must drive, aim for late weekends or evenings. Traffic can, and will, blow any time schedule you might have. There are ample parking garages immediately upon entering the city from New Jersey (just past the Lincoln Tunnel). Park as soon as you find a reasonably priced lot and use public transport! You will do a lot of walking in New York. Make sure you're wearing comfortable shoes and have suitable raingear and outerwear.

Very comfortable European-style accommodations. Hotel 31 has rooms with baths ensuite and rooms with bathrooms in the hall. We opted for the latter, as we were on a budget. Our room was on the 4th floor and cost $65 a night--a steal in New York. It was small, but well appointed and had a sink and mirror in the room for personal grooming. The bathroom (in our case) was directly next door and quite clean. The hotel has a small elevator, so it was not necessary to walk up. The lobby is small, but inviting, and the staff was extremely friendly. One of the best advantages to Hotel 31 is its proximity to Midtown and the very nice neighborhood. Unlike other "budget" New York accommodations, Hotel 31 is in a very nice and central area. Some of the rooms even have views of the Empire State Building. Definitely recommended!

Club Quarters is a chain of business class hotels catering to the long-term business traveler. Usually, you must be a member of their club in order to stay at one of their properties. However, they have wisely deduced that weekends are a slow time in their market and have begun offering their rooms through discount brokers such as Priceline. It was via Priceline that I was able to book a room at their Wall Street location for the unbelievable price of $100 a night, especially given the Labor Day weekend!

The location of Club Quarters Downtown is very central to Battery Park, the Financial District and the Seaport. It is hell and gone from Midtown, so if you are doing much sightseeing in that area you will need to take the subway. Luckily, the 2/3 line stops 1 block from the hotel (Wall Street) and it’s only a 20 minute ride. The Financial District has always been a dead spot for nightlife and post 9/11, this has only gotten worse. For example, the hotel restaurant is closed on weekends and there are few places in the neighborhood for breakfast. Luckily, you are close to TriBeCa and the nightlife and eating establishments there.

As for the accommodations themselves, the rooms are small. Even by New York standards. Our room had a small double bed, a chair and a desk. There was not much extra room, but I will say the room was well-appointed. We had a mini-fridge and an armoire for hanging clothing. The bed was comfortable and the room was very clean. The bathroom was my only complaint. It was unforgivably small and was shower-only. The toilet was put in at a strange angle, which required clever maneuvering of the knees.

The amenities were strictly business class. There is a third floor exercise room and, according to the literature provided, you can request that a treadmill be brought to your room. The only vending was on the third floor as well, which can make for a hike if you are on the 18th floor as we were. The hotel has a small sitting area adjacent to the lobby where newspapers are provided.

Overall, I found Club Quarters to be a very reasonable place to hang one's hat at the end of a New York day. If you are in the market for a moderately priced, clean, and convenient bed then you will not be disappointed.

Holy Cramped Quarters, Batman! I have never stayed in a smaller room than I was assigned at the Hotel 41. The entire room was possibly 14x7' and that included the bathroom. My experience with this hotel was, thus, filtered through the fact that the room kicked off bouts of chlostrophobia.

The main attraction for this boutique property is its location: directly next to the Nederlander Theater (where Rent is currently playing) and a few blocks from the heart of Times Square. You are also just a block away from the Port Authority and its connections throughout the tri-state area. Where once this was a very questionable neighborhood, it is now home to many restaurants (Applebees, Chevy's Red Lobster), theaters, and shopping. It really is in a great location.

Hotel 41 is a 'boutique' hotel, which is supposed to mean a more modern style and lots of little amenities. I will say the lobby and entrance were very smartly decorated and the modern rock music filtering out from the bar was a nice touch. The upscale amenities in our room were limited to the Aveda toiletries. The free bottle of mineral water and plush bathrobes never materialized. I can't say for sure whether the bed linens were linen as stated, but I know we had to track down a cable to use the free internet.

There was a free DVD/CD player (the hotel has a lending library) with the TV. Both were in the closet, which was the only place they could be held.

For my money (which I spent quite a bit of to stay here), no amount of frou-frou perks can make up for the fact that our bed did not have room to walk on either side of it and the desk chair could not be pulled back without abutting the end of the bed. Let me state that I am used to small rooms in NYC and this was *by far* the smallest I have ever seen. It was not helped by the fact that the 1 window looked onto a shaft which received no appreciable light. The size of the room made temperature control a nightmare. With the a/c on, it quickly got cold. With the air-conditioning off, it quickly got hot. Needless to say, neither my husband or I got a good night's sleep.

Given my experience here, I cannot recommend it to other travelers unless you are willing to upgrade to larger rooms. I will say that the staff was quite friendly and helpful. The problem here is not one of service or style; I simply feel that it is inappropriate to put people in rooms of such a size. For the same price ($150) that they are selling these rooms, you can look for much better bargains in the city. I got this room via Priceline. Be aware that if you bid a 2.5 room in Midtown South, you may end up in the same place.

The Rio Grande has acquired something of a reputation in certain circles in New York for being the place to obtain highly powerful margaritas on the cheap. Being somewhat skeptical of these claims--especially given the rather upscale location--I felt it necessary to investigate this for myself. El Rio Grande is divided into two sections: Mexico and Texas. The border is the kitchen area. Rumour has it waiters can escort you with a passport between the two sides, but this was not tested by my group. Both sides feature the same typical Tex-Mex decor and a small, but diverse menu.

The obligatory chips and salsa were abundant and very well-received. The Rio Grande serves up a selection of salsa dip for all tastes. The entrées are pallatable and reasonably priced for NYC, but the patrons come here mostly for the drinks. Margaritas, served in large containers, come in a dozen flavors and are all highly potent. Average drink prices range around $10, which is quite a bargain for Midtown. Even for the professional drinkers at the party I attended, drinking any more than two was deadly.

The clientele at El Rio Grande is mostly young urban types, given the restaurant's prime Midtown location. However, there were a few families and the restaurant is noisy enough to accommodate young children. The service at the Rio Grande was great. We had a group of 12 and were comfortably seated and given excellent attention by the entire staff. I would highly recommend a night "on the border" for those seeking fun and cheap margaritas in the city.

Bubby's tries really hard to be the quiet, neighborhood secret. The decor is low-key and the restaurant caters to families, which is an anomoly here in NY. The problem is that the secret is out, the service is iffy and the prices reflect a more significantly upscale establishment. Bubby's has become a famous stop on the tourist itinerary for Sunday Brunch, but it's open for other meals as well. Before you trod off with 5,000 others for brunch, be forewarned.

The focus at Bubby's is on 2 mainstays of an unhealthy diet: alcohol and pie. For both, Bubby's certainly earns its reputation. The pies are all homemade and delicious and the drink menu is comprehensive. Meals at Bubby's begin with homemade biscuits with butter and homemade jam. These are very tasty!The food menu for their famous brunch offers up many types of pancakes, egg dishes and unique selections such as chicken sausage. The lunch and dinner menu is full of typical American fare: sandwiches, pasta and meat dishes. All the entrees are huge, so be prepared!

Okay, so you know about the great pie and drinks. Now, the downside. The food, honestly, is just so-so. The quantity is certainly merit-worthy, but I was not impressed by the quality either time I have eaten there. Bubby's is swamped. Always. Especially at brunch time, but even at night when local families use it as a hang-out. The service is spotty. You may get great service, but both times I have dined there we were lucky to see our server every 30 minutes. Finally, the prices are obscene. Brunch for my husband and I was over $60 and that was with *1* drink. Even by New York standards, that's a lot for pancakes and eggs. Given the above, I cannot in good conscience recommend Bubby's as anything other than a spot for pie and a drink. For that, it excels.

The Garment District is awash in Korean Restaurants. It's hard to pick and choose those that are better from the average. One restaurant, however, has long stood out above the others: Kum Gang San. Located conveniently on 32nd Street between Broadway and Park, this establishment serves top-notch Korean food in an atmosphere that is neither too fancy nor too rustic.

Kum Gang San has 2 levels. The better seating is on the 2nd floor, where you can look over the entrance and a very large water fountain, pool, and grand piano. On the tables, you will notice the traditional cooking plates for Korean barbeque (Bul Go Ki), which can be ordered and then cooked tableside. Bul Go Ki is my favorite Korean dish. It's marinated, sliced steak that comes with many smaller garnish side dishes (such as ginger, garlic, and the very spicy Kim Chee) and lettuce leaves. You wrap the steak pieces with the garnishes and rice in the lettuce. Very tasty!

All the traditional Korean dishes are available here, such as Be Bim Bop and Kalbi. Kum Gang San also has Japanese dishes and Sushi. For a great appetizer, try the Japanese Yakitori. They're like Teriyaki shish-ka-babs. The menu at Kum Gang San is meat heavy. There are many fish dishes, but not a great number of offerings for pure vegetarians. The vegetable side dishes themselves can make a meal, if you enjoy them.

Service at Kum Gang San has always been good for me. I first found this restaurant in 1999 when my friend and I were searching for good food at 3am (they are open 24 hours a day!). At that late hour, we were almost alone and our server was an older Korean woman who insisted on showing us how to authentically roll our Bul Go Ki. It was great! And Bul Go Ki at 3am! I love New York!

The only downside is the pricing. It's definitely a 'treat' for a budget hound like myself. The tab per person can easily break $30, especially if you are drinking OB Korean beer (which you should -- it's quite good). On many weekend nights, there can be a wait for a table. I recommend making reservations in this case, or if you have a larger party. Otherwise, you can usually find a seat somewhere.

If you haven't experienced Korean food, this is a great place to start!!

The original Brick Lane is a London street renowned for its' curry shops. In New York, Brick Lane Curry House is on Sixth Street between Second and Third Avenues in the East Village. Along this street there are a slew of Indian restaurants, giving the street the local nickname 'curry row'. Many of these restaurants offer similar marginal fare in shabby environments. Brick Lane Curry House is a step up in both food and atmosphere, but luckily for bargarin hunters, not in price. Brick Lane is perhaps best known for its phaal. Phaal is an incredibly hot curry dish that comes with a warning. "We will require you to state a verbal disclaimer not holding us liable for any physical or emotional damage after eating this curry". The main ingredient in phaal is very hot chilis. These chilis are pureed into the sauce and then diced and added dried as it cooks. It's pretty much solid chili. Should you choose to sample phaal, it is available on chicken, vegetables, lamb, squid, fish, or shrimp. The rest of the Brick Lane menu is curry based, with your choice of entree selections as above. Vegan dishes are cooked seperate from the meat dishes and there are a number of side dishes such as naan and pakoras. There is a bar, which is nice as many of the Sixth Street restaurants do not have a liquor license, but do allow patrons to bring their own alcohol at no charge. Main dishes run between $10-$17, with seafood being on the upper end of the scale. The food at Brick Lane is quite simply amazing. The naan (which comes in plain, onion, garlic, or ginger) melts in your mouth. The chicken tikka masala (my dish) was subtly spiced with a thick, rich sauce. It was not too heavy or too greasy. The phaal itself, which I sampled a TINY bit of, is enough to burn your nasal passages from across the table. My tongue went numb from a speck on a piece of rice. It's serious business folks, and truly for the brave. My dinner partner did have the phaal and I have included pictures of the look on his face. Please take them into advisement before sampling phaal! Service at Brick Lane was quite attentive. We were there during a slow time and the server was neither absent nor hovering. There is a buffet during the weekend for lunch. It runs until 3pm and offers you a chance to sample many dishes from their selection. If you are a fan of Indian food and in New York, I would highly recommend Brick Lane Curry House over some of the bigger names like Diwan and Tabla. The food is better for half the price!

Albion Batcave is the grandfather of Gothic-Industrial Nightclubs in New York. It's promoters are scene veterans and the event is one of the most stable of its kind in the country. Held every Saturday in the club Downtime, Batcave attracts a loyal following of Gothic kids in black, Cyber kids in PVC, and the ocassional tourist in jeans. There are three levels. The bottom level features a bar and stage where bands perform, usually beginning around 9:30pm and ending around midnight. Depending on the band, cover ranges from $10 and up. Discounts are usually available by printing out a flyer from the website. The middle level has limited seating, vending, and restroom facilities. The upper level features two seperate bars and dance floors. The upper level is usually opened up later in the night, as the bands are ending. The music is as follows: pure gothic and old-school 80s in the rear, smaller space, and synthpop and newer goth in the larger space (near the coat check). Industrial and trance can be heard on the bottom floor after the bands have finished. The Batcave is open late and starts to get crowded around midnight, unless a popular band is playing.

Ellis Island was the entry point for millions of soon-to-be Americans in the late 1900s and early 20th century. It has a fabled place in American History as the landing spot for people from all over the world -- but especially Eastern and Western Europe. The museum itself is located in the original building, rebuilt after a fire, with amazing views of downtown New York and Hoboken and Jersey City, New Jersey. It is a very popular destination for visitors to New York and the lines for the ferry on Holidays and weekends can easily exceed 1 hour. Plan to go early in the day if you are traveling during a peak time.

Newly renovated, the Ellis Island museum accurately reflects the experience that many immigrants had in coming to America, while providing a great deal of statistical information through audio tours, displays and interactive exhibits, as well as offering visitors a chance to do some genealogy research. While at Ellis Island, you can also purchase a plaque for the American Immigrant Wall of honor. Facilities on the Island are basic, there are restrooms and snacks available. You can also picnic on either Liberty or Ellis Island.

Let me first say that I think the Ellis Island museum is very well done. It kept my attention throughout the 3 hours I was there. However, the material is a bit dry and we saw a number of younger children clearly chomping at the bit from boredom. If you will be coming as a family, keep that in mind. There are guided tours which may be more appropriate for families with younger children. The exhibits are roughly divided into 3 areas: the Ellis Island experience (which replicates the process newly arrived immigrants went through), the films, and the genealogy project (which has an additional $5 fee).

Getting to Ellis Island requires taking the ferry from either Battery Park (the southernmost part of Manhattan) or Jersey City. The Circle Ferry line runs these ferries and they cost $10, which includes your admission to the museum and also to Liberty Island. Audio Tours are an additional fee. From Manhattan, Ellis Island is the second stop. The first stop will be Liberty Island where you can see (but not go inside) the statue. Sit on the right side of the ferry and you will get great views of the statue for picture taking. On the return trip, you are brought directly back to New York.

There are two types of bars in Manhattan. The first kind is a place where beers are $8, the service is snotty, and you are surrounded by tourists and chi-chi locals. The second kind offers $3 beers, dingy decor, and gibbering drunk locals. Bellevue is firmly in the latter camp. The name alone should clue you in, though this bar terms itself an 'alcohol abuse center' rather than a psych ward. Long a favorite of Hell's Kitchen locals, Bellevue's recent accolades as one of the city's best dive bars have won it new fans. The interior of Bellevue is dark and that's just the way patrons want it. Ragged furniture and bar stools hold you up as the waitresses serve drinks for ridiculously low prices. An average mixed drink (rum and coke) will run you around $4. Every so often, they'll thrown one in for free if you're in it for the long haul. The decor is in the early heavy metal style. Posters all over the walls and ceiling attest to Bellevue's fame. Try to catch the script where Rob Zombie hosted Headbanger's Ball live from Bellevue. The lights are red and dim. Thrown in some 'borrowed' signs from long-gone businesses, an Ozzy bobblehead doll, Betty Page videos on the TV, and other assorted weirdness, and you've got Bellevue. Aside from the cheap beer and laid-back atmosphere, people come here for the music. The jukebox has consistenly rated tops in the city. The selection is superb if your taste runs toward metal and goth. Bellevue is the only place *I* know in the city where I can program Sisters of Mercy and Korn in the same set. The clientele reflects the diversity of music, with everyone from pierced punkers to local hobos calling Bellevue home. This is certainly not the bar to visit if you're in the mood for some classy entertainment. It is the place to stop if you need a quick drink (or three) on your way back to New Jersey, as the Port Authority is right across the street, allowing for a quick getaway.