Never Spend Just Two Days In New York

"We won’t have much time," I warned. A friend and I were planning two days of meetings in our headquarters office in Long Island. "We will have only the evenings to explore Manhattan, and only two evenings at that." So armed with an impossible task with absolutely no clue, we hopped aboard the Long Island Railroad (LIRR) the night we arrived, and rode off to the City.

New York City, or the City as locals call it, holds entirely too much for only two nights of exploration. However, this journal will show how we insanely attempted to find the best Italian food, tried to look nonchalant as we strolled the streets of Manhattan, only to succumb to the pressures of looking like a tourist and found a gem of an experience on Broadway, all in the matter of two days and two nights.

Quick Tips:

Wear good walking shoes. I know that TV shows depict people in NYC as chic and in order to fit in, we might have to wear our Manolo Blahniks while we chase down a bus. Not the real world, people. Wear the Nikes and the Reeboks. Carry the backpacks like all of the students do. In the short time we visited, we never saw the latest spring collection on the backs of New Yorkers. They did not strut through the subway as if on a catwalk.

Have no plans. Ask a local about their favorite place and take a chance. We found a good restaurant oozing with Manhattan charm that we would have never found in the guidebooks.

While you’re in front of the theatre, check for tickets. You never know what might be available. That’s how we found ourselves watching one of the most popular plays on Broadway. Matinees usually play on Wednesday afternoons.

Look out for celebrities. Unlike Los Angeles, where I live, the celebrities do not drive in NYC. They have to walk like everyone else. Hang around Broadway or off Broadway before curtain times.

Check the weather but realize that for some reason, the City stays warmer than Long Island and other surrounding areas. It may have been 50 degrees on Long Island but in the City, we found ourselves in a toasty 70 degree environment. I looked like an idiot carrying around a parka.

I hear the best times to visit the City are on long weekends like Memorial Day and Labor Day. This is because the City empties out on long weekends, allowing the tourists to come in and enjoy the empty streets and take advantage of thinner crowds. Of course, Independence Day does not apply due to the fireworks displays. And don’t forget that the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade will clog up any city with those balloons.

Take a wide angle lens with your camera. Sometimes the sights are so big, they overwhelm not only your eyes but your lens. And here’s another thing you may not believe. New Yorkers will stop in the middle of the street and allow you to take pictures. My friend struggled with her new camera and I uncomfortably watched the locals stop and allow her to finish her shot before moving in front of her.

And that’s what New York City is really like.

Best Way To Get Around:

First, don’t bother renting a car. Driving in New York City has long been the topic of sitcoms and movies. Finding a parking space can rank as one of the impossible dreams. So to avoid this frustration and maximize your time, take the trains and subways. Contrary to popular culture, New York City is safer than what you might see in the movies. Even at 11:30pm, the subway stations crawl with business people trying to get home after a long day at the office. The police patrol the streets, the subway stations and even park themselves and their horses outside the Broadway theatres. Ask for directions should you get lost. Again, contrary to the silver screen, New York City denizens do not spout foul language at every turn, nor do they turn their backs on people who need help. We only found one mean man at the subway station office.

The Long Island Railroad is a separate system from the New York subway system so it requires separate fares. Most of the time, passengers need to change trains at Jamaica Station, but if you are not sure, find someone to ask. The LIRR ends at Penn Station in Manhattan. But be forewarned. Penn Station is huge and confusing. Before you start off, get a free copy of The Map (available at subway station entrances), which shows the different subway lines, the streets on the surface, the stops and much more. Check www.mta.info.

The New York subway requires a Metro Card to ride. Pick up one at a kiosk that either gives you a round trip or buy five rides and get a sixth free. Remember before you go through the turnstile, figure out which direction you need to travel and then which direction the train in front of you is traveling. Should you get stuck on the wrong side of the train going the opposite direction, throw yourself on the mercy of the subway workers and see if they will let you through on the right side. Show them your Metro Card to prove that you went through the wrong turnstile and they might let you through the gate without swiping your Metro Card again.

The Metro Card also works on the bus system on the surface. But truly, the best way to get around Manhattan is to walk. Feel free to gawk like a tourist. Everyone else does.

When staying on Long Island for business, our company almost always sends its employees to the Garden City Hotel in Garden City, NY. The hotel’s proximity to our office, to the shops and restaurants in Garden City, and the Long Island Railroad makes it a choice place for visitors.

The Garden City Hotel received a five star rating in 2004. For the most part, the hotel has lived up to its designation. I checked in for a stay for the second time. The first time I stayed at the hotel, I had a room on the second floor with a miserable view of the parking lot. So my first experience did not impress me. However, the second visit helped to improve my impression.

I stayed in a room on the fifth floor with a broad view of the front of the hotel. I had a bird’s eye view of the train station across the road. However, I became very acquainted with the train’s schedule, whose last train stops in Garden City at 1:30am. The train’s horns resounded in my head.

The room’s furnishings reminded me of a grandmother’s parlor but in a cozy way. My room had two full-sized beds, plenty of seating, a refrigerator with mini-bar, a bureau of drawers and a desk. Turn down service every night left me a milk chocolate square. Every morning, the hotel left me The New York Times to keep up with the world.

The hotel is older, which explains the older bathroom fixtures. My bathroom sink leaked profusely. Each room features an in-window air-conditioning unit, which I ran to help clear up the musty smell in the room. My spacious bathroom had Sandalwood toiletries. The closet provided a laptop-sized safe and two plush, terry cloth robes.

The hotel’s front desk staff provided tremendous service, bending over backwards to help me figure out where to eat and when to catch a cab. There was some confusion with catching a cab one morning when the bell services employee told me that a cab would be at the hotel within five minutes. Thirty minutes later, the cab arrived but I was very late for a morning meeting. The hotel can arrange for taxicab rides and charge the cost to the room via voucher.

The hotel features a small gift shop, an exercise center which consists of a small pool, surrounded by exercise equipment, and a business center. The hotel also can accommodate special events in its ballroom. The bar and grill, Rein, serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

I paid $162 per night. Considering the hotel’s designation as a five-star hotel, the price provides a substantial savings. However, as compared to other five-star hotels, the Garden City Hotel does not seem to compare. The value of the hotel lies in its location, its character, and its service. With the exception of the taxi situation, the hotel’s staff would go the extra mile to make my stay more pleasant.

When a friend of ours suggested that we pick up some sandwiches for a quick lunch and get back to the office, I felt skeptical that we would experience anything truly unique from such a quick trip. And, as usual, my first impressions betrayed me as we stepped into Iavarone Brothers delicatessen.

“This is an Italian deli,” our friend explained, “rather than a Jewish deli.” The cured meats and other delicacies began to cause my mouth to water. Crowded and noisy, this not so little deli seemed to strike a chord with the locals. And I am always up for a trip to a locals’ spot.

A long counter of refrigerated products lined the wall where customers could order. Prepared salads, sandwiches and take home treats filled the refrigerator at the back of the store. The front of the store featured baked goods. If you wanted to order a freshly-made sandwich or needed a measured amount of prepared food, you had to take a number and wait. I found a hero special, complete with Italian meats, Provolone cheese, tomato, sweet peppers, and pickles. Just the fact that the sandwich weighed something like a pound in my hands was enough to convince me that I was having quite the meal. At $6, how could I possibly complain?

I added a salad of mesclun greens for $1.99 and picked up some dressing, just to satisfy my conscience, which screamed that I had zero green, leafy vegetables for the past two days. For dessert, a package of pecan butterscotch cookies would do nicely for $3.99.

But that didn’t stop me from roaming around the store for more finds. A whole loaf of pound cake would entice my father, who had been nagging me to bake him a pound cake. I’m sure that this one would do much more justice to his taste buds than anything I could concoct.

I was disappointed to find a rather small selection of potato chips, something that I truly expected in abundance at a deli. No matter, the morsels I did purchase managed to fill my stomach up nicely. Sadly, I had to leave the deli, even after some surly checkout service. The employees could stand to smile a bit. If I had more time, I would have gladly returned to spend more time peeking into the cases and displays for more treasures.

Some of my co-workers who also traveled to Long Island for business, suggested that I visit Luigi’s for lunch one day. Accompanied by two friends, we strolled into the nondescript restaurant. Note that parking is scarce. If cars already occupy the metered parking in front of the restaurant, park across the street for free.

We sat in a plush booth. I noticed that the restaurant did not have much light, but that contributed to the cozy, family atmosphere. We started with crusty bread, which I dipped in an olive oil mixture containing basil and a bit of garlic. I would have preferred more garlic in the dip, like what Pasta Pomodoro makes. I ordered the Spaghetti with Shrimp Scampi for $10.95.

The spaghetti arrived quickly, steaming hot. Heavily doused in a tomato-based sauce, loaded with garlic, the spaghetti contained about 5 shrimp. The amount of garlic did not overpower me but I am not accustomed to eating a scampi dish in so much tomato sauce. Usually, scampi comes in garlic butter or a white wine sauce.

The portion size did not overwhelm me and left me with enough room for dessert. I ordered the crème brûlée, which arrived in no time. The large surface area of the wide but shallow dish allowed for more caramelized sugar topping, which, for me, is the best part of the dish.

Our server quickly and efficiently took and brought our orders, but without much friendliness. Still, the prices on the menu were reasonable, as the scampi is the most expensive pasta entrée. Desserts averaged a cost of about $5.

For lunch, this little restaurant will satisfy hungry customers. However, my search for the best Italian food in New York still rages on.

At the Garden City Hotel, the Rein Bar & Grill serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Our company had negotiated a deal where all employees receive 50% off their bill, which made it very attractive to dine there. However, without this discount, the tab can overwhelm guests.

The dark atmosphere of the restaurant helps to highlight the artwork on the walls. A full bar lines the back of the room. Behind the bar, two murals of celebrity caricatures attending a racetrack race attract the eye. The racetrack tipped me off as to why the restaurant bears the name Rein. Flat panel televisions surround diners.

After a late night of exploring Manhattan, I stopped by Rein for a drink. I settled on a dish of sorbets instead, with coconut, cantaloupe, and mixed berry flavors. The menu price for this refreshing treat was $8.50. While I ate, I watched the hockey game on the televisions, allowing me to cap my night perfectly.

The next morning, I had a three-pancake breakfast at Rein. Powdered sugar covered the pancakes, which accompanied fresh blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, and blackberries. At $15, the price seemed steep, especially when one of the pancakes had a liquid center. The undercooked meal made me lose my appetite.

My final morning at the hotel, I ordered the Apricot-Stuffed French Toast. Because this dish takes about 15 minutes to prepare, I called down to the restaurant while still in my room to pre-order. The restaurant did a superb job of having my breakfast ready in time.

Dusted in powdered sugar, the ample portion of French toast had large apricots and melted cream cheese oozing from the middle. A large swirl of raspberry coulis added more flavor to the dish. The amount of apricot in the French toast overwhelmed me and while the dish was creamy and filling, I felt the $17 price tag to be a bit steep.

I should make a note regarding the service at Rein. By the second morning, the staff recognized me by name, provided friendly and prompt service, and quickly served my orders. However, despite the impeccable service, I do not feel that the food quality warrants the high prices and would advise potential diners to try finding restaurants in the neighboring village within walking distance.

While taking the train to Manhattan, my friend and I chatted with a man who lived in the West Village. We mentioned to him that we wanted to find good, authentic Italian food. He recommended an Argentinean-Italian restaurant in the West Village, which, he said, would impress us.

As we exited the subway, we found ourselves in the heart of the West Village. We followed our new friend down the street, where he pointed out a tiny little patio, sandwiched between two buildings. A small sign hung off the patio’s gate, which alerted us that we had arrived.

As we walked up, we noticed that no one was going to seat us. So we meandered around the tiny tables and walked in the hidden restaurant behind the patio. Four tables inside the restaurant provide indoor seating to patrons. Outside, about six tables accommodate diners. The patio area is crammed and some will sit on a wooden bench surrounding a tree. But the atmosphere is decidedly New York, like something right out of a movie.

Our server took our order and brought bread with garlic olive oil for dipping. The solid garlic slices provided enough flavor for the olive oil. We started with a bruschetta appetizer, which arrived promptly. Tomatoes, garlic, and basil topped the four slices of grilled bread. Somehow, I felt the bruschetta lacked punch and flavor.

For my entrée, I ordered the Risotto with Lump Crab Meat for $20. My friend ordered the Lasagne for $17. Our friend on the train suggested that we order from the specials menu, which we did. After quite a while, our dinner finally arrived. Apparently, the risotto took awhile to prepare. But as a result, my friend’s lasagne needed another round under a heater. Her lasagna seemed rather bland and not terribly spectacular. My risotto, however, lived up to the hype.

After I polished off the small portion of risotto, my stomach still needed filling. I ordered the calamari fritti appetizer for $9. The plate arrived after a little while, dotted with small pieces of calamari and a dish of spicy pomodoro sauce. Note that the spiciness referred to spices, not heat. The calamari disappointed and merely filled my stomach, rather than impressed my tastebuds.

While we enjoyed our dinner experience, overall, I felt the food quality did not justify the prices, with the exception of the risotto. But even the risotto disappointed me because its size did not fill me up.

With two servers, the service slowed to a snail’s pace at times. Service was generally friendly, if not saucy. The patio featured strings of white lights to add a touch of romance to the outdoor atmosphere. The ground rumbled from time to time as the subway beneath us raced to its next destination. For atmosphere and experience, Tanti Baci will impress any first time visitor to Manhattan.

No offense to anyone who hails from the Windy City but I have to side with the New Yorkers who claim that their thin crust pizza is the best. Not to mention the absence of excess carbohydrates, the thin crust pizza satisfies my need for crunch in my food, and allows me to savor the toppings.

Enough of the philosophical musings on pizza. During this trip, my friend Asha took me to Papa Ciro’s Pizza and Pasta for lunch. Apparently a popular local place, Papa Ciro’s is divided into two sections. On the left, patrons order from the take out counter. On the right, a more relaxed, sit-down atmosphere affords diners table service. We chose the left side, where the ordering got rather confusing. If it were not for Asha, I would have been beaten to a pulp for not knowing what I was doing.

The right side of the take out counter provides sandwiches, pasta, and prepared salads. The left side of the counter fronts the pizza operation. Note that the lines form from the center of the counter, fanning outward. So if you end up standing on the wrong side of the line, you get chewed out.

I warily stood behind my friend and ordered whatever she was having. The pizza slid out and the slice I had ordered, “a regular slice,” turned out to be a slice of cheese pizza. Now, normally, I need more sustenance than just cheese. But fearful of going through the whole rigmarole of sending it back, I humbly took the pizza and sat down, forgetting to order a drink. I had to get back up and get in line. Fortunately, we arrived at 11:30am, which kept us ahead of the lunch rush, which arrived somewhere around 12:15.

Note that when this narrow shop gets crowded, there is barely enough room to stand. So get there early, order everything at once and find a seat. At one point, I had trays swoop over my head as people edged past our table to get by.

But all of the elements that made me uneasy melted away as I ate. Who knew a slice of cheese pizza could be that good? For $2, I wasn’t complaining. Add a bottled Snapple for $1.50, and this turned out to be the most inexpensive meal I had on the trip. After eating, I got back in line, this time on the other side of the counter, for a sandwich to go. The Turkey Club turned out to be a 12 inch long sandwich, loaded with meat and fixings. I ate half of it on the plane and the other half the next day. For $8.50, this meal packed a wallop.

Note to self, upon my next visit, I will have more toppings on my slice of pizza for 50 cents for each additional topping. And it was really good New York pizza.

During our last evening in New York, we decided to explore more of Manhattan. After taking the Long Island Railroad back into the City, we found ourselves on 42nd Street, on our way to Times Square. While everyone advises a visitor to Manhattan, to not look up because gawking at the sights will always indicate a tourist, we could not help but stare at the glitz and larger-than-life sights along 42nd.

We strolled from 8th to 7th, passing theatre after theatre. On the corner of 7th and 42nd, the glare from the huge screens above lit up the street. Across the street, we spied the New Amsterdam Theatre, which received so much attention a few years ago when The Walt Disney Company invested in its restoration. It struck us that we should check to see if the theatre still had tickets to its new play, Mary Poppins. As a former Disney Cast Member, I would be remiss to miss out on the opportunity to see it.

We arrived on a Tuesday evening and the theatre still had tickets. We purchased two tickets for the 8pm performance for $80 each. Our seats, on the upper mezzanine, gave us a terrific view of the stage. Later, my husband told me that our seats were selling for $140 online.

We arrived slightly earlier than curtain time so we could explore this restored gem. Downstairs, we found an oval room where a bar provided refreshments. The details lining the staircases and walls impressed me greatly. Finally, when we sat down in our seats, I gazed at the balcony boxes perched at either side of the stage. The ceiling featured ornate carvings, painted in subtle colors. Unlike theatres such as the El Capitan and the Pantages in Los Angeles, the New Amsterdam did not use much gold leafing, which appealed to me more since the subtlety did not overwhelm me.

When the show started, it became apparent that the sets would be a major contributor to this play. The unique sets made great utilization of space, the area above the performers, and wowed the audience. Ashley Brown’s entrance as Mary Poppins, breathed life into the play after a somewhat slower start. As the first act proceeded, I felt restless. I did not recognize the first few musical numbers, nor did I follow the storyline. Where was the music from The Sherman Brothers? Where was the storyline from Disney’s Oscar-winner?

During the intermission, I read the background on the play and how Cameron MacIntosh developed it according to Pamela Travers’ book. The added scenes required additional musical numbers, which explained the differences from the film. In addition, the Sherman Brothers’ musical numbers featured additional lyrics. After I realized this, I became more comfortable with the play and began to enjoy it more.

By the end of the second act, I stood with the rest of the audience to participate in a standing ovation.

The most common route from Southern California to New York’s JFK Airport is serviced by JetBlue. JetBlue bills its service as cooler, hipper, and boasts the most legroom in coach. They sport Direct TV at each leather-covered seat, complete with a choice of three $5 movies. And they supposedly have the friendliest flight attendants in the business.

What’s my take on JetBlue? Well, they are pretty much correct on all of their assertions, with the exception of a surly ground crew member at JFK. On top of these well-publicized claims as to what passengers receive on board, I also found that JetBlue’s signature snack is the Terra Blue Potato Chips.

JetBlue does not provide meal service. However, they are generous with providing snacks which include the aforementioned blue chips, Doritos Munchies, biscotti, chocolate chip cookies, animal crackers and cashews. Drink service, as well as another water service makes the rounds.

It is no wonder that JetBlue has experienced success in a tough market and an even tougher industry. With rising gas prices, JetBlue still offers some of the most affordable fares, as long as you book at least 14 days in advance. Book 21 days in advance and save even more.

I did struggle with seat assignments during this last trip. Three days before my flight, I could not find a window or aisle seat anywhere. However, the day before my flight, while I was checking in, I just happened to come across several openings all over the plane. Apparently, many seats are released right before flight time. Either that or many people will cancel last minute. Nevertheless, make sure you check in online and check the last minute seat assignment availability. An online map of the plane’s interior shows which seat offer the most legroom and most pitch for seat incline.

I’ve gotten to be more of a pro at flying this route now that I go to New York more often. I bring a sandwich with me so that I don’t starve after the five to six hour flight. With the Direct TV (with complimentary headsets) and fun snacks, as well as a comfortable seat with a lot of legroom, I usually find the time “flies” by. No pun intended.

My only complaints? The True Blue program, JetBlue’s frequent flyer program, does not give much time to accumulate miles before they expire. Members must use their points within a year. I just don’t travel that much, thankfully, so I cannot reap any rewards for my loyalty.

Also, the lack of meal service on a five to six hour flight can be considered cruel and unusual punishment. The first time I flew this route, I ended up lightheaded from the lack of sustenance. Never again! Now I pack a hearty sandwich. But for those unsuspecting travelers, beware.