Wife & I are doing US of A

[JohnK]

Peter Luger's is phenomenal, but if you don't want to schlepp all the way over to Brooklyn, Gallagher's, which is a block or two from your hotel, is great too - you walk past a glass enclosed aging room as you're entering. Then there's Sparks, a bit more upscale than Gallagher's and a little bit of a walk. But maybe that walk would be needed to keep off at least one kilo ? ;-)

[Doug Lax]

Originally Posted by Amfibius

Kev, when you are in NY don't forget to check out the best steakhouse in the world - Peter Luger's. Also go to Katz's Deli (scene from When Harry Met Sally) and order the Reuben burger.

Thanks for the plug for Katz and not a touristy deli !

[Doug Lax]

If you would like a little quiet time Mackinac Island In Northern Michigan is really beautifull this time of year


Welcome to America

[Amfibius]

Originally Posted by bzr

Righto, great suggestion guys, really appreciate the attention, apparently, so far, I'm there for 2 months at the last count in expeditions & I'll put on 15 kilos

After a 2 month loan to the USA, Michelangelo's David returns to Italy ...

[Volks]

LOL hahahahah

[VT Skier]

Peter Lugar's is very overrated. If you want steak, go to Keen's (atmosphere and history, and good steak, plus no tourists) or to Del Frisco's (just north of your hotel, much better steak, and get the lemon cake for dessert). And I agree that Gallagher's is better than PL's.

I always recommend seafood or ethnic food. Most people can get good steak anywhere. NYC has so many other choices.

But it all depends on what you want to do. If you want ethnic, try Koreatown (near Macy's) or Sunday Dim Sum (in Chinatown, if you're going there anyway). Skip Little Italy, which doesn't really exist anymore. The Italians moved to the other boroughs long ago.

And as far as Michelangelo, when I lived in NY there was a big to-do about a statue in the French embassy that experts suddenly decided might have been created by the master. I think it's at the Met now.

[jetblack]

Originally Posted by vintage_tube

Metropolitan Museum of Art

Kev,

I haven't visited this museum, but have heard it is a must see when visiting NYC.

I would also suggest the Blue Note Jazz Club.

Danny

The Metropolitan Museum of Art - Home

http://www.bluenote.net/newyork/index.shtml

[bzr]

Now that link to Bluenote really grabbed my attention, thanks.

[bzr]

Any good advice on hire cars. Once we are there we will just travel for 2-3 weeks & end up in L.A.

[JohnK]

Originally Posted by bzr

Any good advice on hire cars. Once we are there we will just travel for 2-3 weeks & end up in L.A.

Kev, you really won't need one while in NYC, so I wouldn't bother to get one until you are ready to leave. Even if you choose a one day excursion (Martin, or
the Hudson River Valley or others that were suggested) I'd rent one for the day
only and pickup and drop off in Manhattan, no need to keep the car overnight since parking is crazy expensive.

Other than that, look for one that has a no, low, or reasonable drop off charges since you'll be returning to place other than when you picked up.

I've had good luck with the (inter)national brands like Hertz and Avis. You might want to check into reserving while you're still in Oz and/or prepaying. More often than not, I get a better package doing that when we travel to Europe, so it might apply here too.

Most agencies have locations in Manhattan, so you can choose one closest to your hotel, or perhaps close to a bridge or tunnel to make your exit a little less chaotic (assuming you'd take a cab to the agency).