Posted January 7, 201312 yr Going back to the City, haven't been in many years. Hit me with your food recommendations - think Bouchon Bakery cafe price range or less (dives welcome). Need suggestions for all 3 meals for several days. I also intend to hit Eataly. I will be staying on the LES.
January 7, 201312 yr Check out this thread: http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php/topic,24290.0.html Not very many bad suggestions in there, at all.
January 7, 201312 yr Oy that thread was 8 pages long and mostly bitingly sarcastic back and forth :) Most of the places recommended are not what I would be looking for - too expensive, or beer-focused or seafood-focused, but I am compiling a list from foodie type friends as well. Just wanted to know what UOs had to suggest. But the suggestion for a weeklong Metro pass is a good one, will def. do that. I sure hope I can get tix to this dang concert, or else the trip is not happening.
January 7, 201312 yr I have such an exhaustive list now I will need to knock over a bank and get a 2nd stomach to be able to eat all these places. My foodie friends gave me a ton of recs. I know I should do something besides eat while I'm there, but I don't wanna!
January 7, 201312 yr I'd be curious to see the list they sent you if you're up for posting it. No worries if not, though. And if you see any gaps, you might get some good recs here if you make a more specific food type request. And in any case, good luck getting tix, and have a great trip!
January 7, 201312 yr I divided it into two parts, subject to more research over the next month (like adding address, website, researching to make sure I want to go there. The first list are places I'm strongly interested in visiting and will actively make destinations; these are recommendations largely from very "foodie" friends like chefs and food writers. The second list is sort of back-up for the first list parts, like if I happen to need to eat and am in the hood where one of those places are, I will know to go there, those suggestions are a combination of things I found on here and things that other friends have suggested. "A" list: Eataly Bar Boulud Rocking Horse Cafe The Meatball Shop Porchetta Mission Chinese Food Parm Pok Pok Ny No Name Bar Bobwhite Lunch & Supper Counter Please Don’t Tell (PDT) cocktail bar Shake Shack or Milk Burger Spotted Pig Le Pain Quotidien Tasty Dumpling "B" List: Locanda Torrisi Gari 46 Aureole Becco Blue Water Grill, Da Marino, Eleven Madison Park, The Modern Perry Street Ajna Bar Joel Robuchon Townhouse by David Burke Scalini Fedeli El Faro Blue Ribbon Agua Grill Shabu Shabu Ethos (greek) Keen’s steak Red Rooster (Harlem – marcus samuellson) Osteria Morini
January 7, 201312 yr I definitely don't have any gaps. I have more than enough places, I just need to get relevant information on where each one is. I will confess I am completely intimidated by trying to figure out how to get around by subway. I don't know how you look at an address for a place and figure out what subway to take to it. I am nearly completely unfamiliar with areas and neighborhoods and the layout of the city, having spent the bulk of my time there in Midtown or the UES for work-related meetings and most of that in hotels. When I've visited friends before, they just take me to wherever we are going and I go along. But I've never been in the city alone before. While I will see my friends for dinners, they will be working during the day and I will have to figure out what to do with myself.
January 7, 201312 yr BTW if any NYC UOers want to get together while I am in the city, let me know, I would love to meet up if I can!
January 7, 201312 yr I would suggest you create a google map of places that you want to go. If you hover over the top right map icon a list of options will come down. You can click on "transit" and see where all of the different lines go. That is my best advice for getting used to the system. Also, if you have a smart phone, you can use direction to travel to your next destination by transit.
January 7, 201312 yr What is direction? I have a droid. Is that an iphone app? The problem with creating a map ahead of time is I won't know where I am starting and ending each time. It's not like I'm going to be at my friend's place and then go to place A and back to my friend's, and then to place B and back to my friend's. I will be out and about and need to know how to get different places from wherever I am.
January 7, 201312 yr You can get directions on your google maps app from your current location (I have android too). While your google maps app is open, just select the menu button on your phone and select the "directions" option. Your phone will automatically detect where you are and it will say "my location" in the first space. You can also select that space and type in an address if you want to start your search from another location. Then type your desired destination in the second line (eg. Blue Water Grill). You can then click on the bus icon, and below that select "subway" instead of "any transit mode" and it will give you the best route by subway to your desired location.
January 7, 201312 yr I don't have the google maps app. I guess I will have to download that too. I have no use for it as the droid comes with a GPS program that's very good called Navigator. I will get that too I guess. Thanks.
January 7, 201312 yr Should I still get a weekly unlimited pass even though I'm only going to be there for like 30 hours?
January 7, 201312 yr sorry, my math sucks. I will be there for 2.5 days. Maybe 53 hours. Still worth it?
January 7, 201312 yr I wish I could stay longer. If the train didn't get in at such an ungodly hour that it would be impossible for me to go to work that day, I would stay Sunday night and come back on Monday instead of coming back on Sunday and then taking monday off to sleep. What to do, what to do.
January 8, 201312 yr sorry, my math sucks. I will be there for 2.5 days. Maybe 53 hours. Still worth it? That thread linked to above was mine, and I may have baited MTS into going off. Sometimes its fun to poke the bear. When we went we were there for 4 days, arrived Friday left Monday, the unlimited pass was def worth it. As you are going to be there for a shorter amount of time I'm not sure. At $29 for an unlimited and $2.25 a ride you would need over 13 rides to save money. Its probably going to be a good idea to at least put together a tentative itinerary in order to see what would make more sense. Also, there are standalone transit maps available (at least there were 3 years ago when we went). These are good to have as there is no cell signal in the subways, underground and what not. I wish I could stay longer. If the train didn't get in at such an ungodly hour that it would be impossible for me to go to work that day, I would stay Sunday night and come back on Monday instead of coming back on Sunday and then taking monday off to sleep. What to do, what to do. Are you taking Amtrak from CLE to NYC? Quite the journey.
January 8, 201312 yr Planning on it, yes. Flying is $500 now and the train is $150. And if you were to imagine someone with the worst fear of flying you can imagine, I am probably worse than that. Each flight is a little more of my brain left behind, as I grip the armrest in terror during the entire flight, alternating between crying and shrieking every time the plane jumps. It is mental and physical torture to me and each flight is worse than the last for me. I hope to get to a point someday where I can say I will never fly again, honestly. I know it cuts out a lot of destinations travel-wise, but it's just the worst experience for me. I don't want to take drugs or get drunk in order to get through it, as then I will be terrified but in a funk and probably punking or passed out and not even able to call my family to say goodbye as the plane is crashing. I don't really have an itinerary and am not sure how to design one since most of my destinations will be restaurants and the rest of the time I just want to hang out and not do much, other than the night I hopefully am going to the concert. I'm not going to any museums or shows and definitely not doing anything touristy like top of the rock or whatever. I will just enjoy not having a toddler hang on me and having a few days to do whatever I want and people-watch. I guess I could organize the restaurants into neighborhoods but it's not like I'm going to visit 5 restaurants in one day so I'm not sure that makes sense either. Good tip on the stand-alone transit map, thank you.
January 8, 201312 yr ^Not to dissuade you from the train, but if you're still open to flying, make sure you also check flights from CAK, and in all cases, check flights to "NYC," which should cover all three NYC-area airports. Flights to JFK can be cheaper than to LGA, for example. Also, for transit, if you don't end up getting an unlimited metro card, a great way to save $ for travel within Manhattan is to take advantage of the free transfers b/w subway and bus. It's a lot slower, but if you're headed from midtown to the village, for example, and it's within two hours of your last subway swipe, it's free and easy to hop on the 5th Avenue bus. If you're not too time constrained, it's a very pleasant way to travel and to see the streetscape.
January 8, 201312 yr I checked CAK as well but really, really, really hate flying. I probably will get the unlimited metro pass. I don't want to have to worry about how many times I've ridden on a particular day or whatever.
January 8, 201312 yr I'm helping the lady with the train info. So back off! I referred her to info already posted at: http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php/topic,2068.msg638959.html#msg638959 "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
January 8, 201312 yr Indeed! Don't make me second guess just when I'm starting to look forward to it! As the mother of a toddler, it sounds like HEAVEN to me to have 12-13 hours where I can sleep, read, play on my phone, listen to music and stare out the window, getting up to use the potty or get some food (or drinks!) whenever I want. Honestly, that sounds like a vacation to me, completely opposite what I feel when faced with flying somewhere. The journey is part of the trip for me, not a necessary evil. What a concept! I mean, I know I could be on board next to someone who farts or smells or eats sardines or what have you, but honestly, those long stretches of time on the train sound quite appealing to me. All that's missing is a gym.
January 8, 201312 yr I may have to bring the laptop after all, because this would be such a great opportunity to get some writing done. And I won't be able to use my ipad at all on the train so...hmm.
January 8, 201312 yr I took the Amtrak from CLE-NYC with my wife and 3 yr old kid back in November. Ungodly CLE departure and arrival hours aside, it was glorious. The Lakeshore limited has a nice, fully restored vintage dining car and comfortable lounge cars that nobody seemed to use. Plenty of time and space to chill out, watch movies, play games, read, and watch the scenery go by (sit on the right side of the train eastbound for the good Hudson River views). Arrives in Penn Station, where you are just a subway ride from wherever you need to go. No lines, no security hassles, etc. etc. If you can spare a day of travelling, it's a great way to go.
January 8, 201312 yr Indeed! Don't make me second guess just when I'm starting to look forward to it! As the mother of a toddler, it sounds like HEAVEN to me to have 12-13 hours where I can sleep, read, play on my phone, listen to music and stare out the window, getting up to use the potty or get some food (or drinks!) whenever I want. Honestly, that sounds like a vacation to me, completely opposite what I feel when faced with flying somewhere. The journey is part of the trip for me, not a necessary evil. What a concept! I mean, I know I could be on board next to someone who farts or smells or eats sardines or what have you, but honestly, those long stretches of time on the train sound quite appealing to me. All that's missing is a gym. I was just interested that that was your mode of travel. I have a friend whose father hates flying as well, and he lives in Las Vegas. Train trips to Cleveland from Las Vegas make your trip sound easy. TripAdvisor can help somewhat with trying to find some more out of the way things. Also, on every trip I have taken I've done some kind of walking tour, whether with a guide or just self guided, and I found them enjoyable. Obviously the guided ones will have touristy people, but I don't think many bite. I may have to bring the laptop after all, because this would be such a great opportunity to get some writing done. And I won't be able to use my ipad at all on the train so...hmm. You can use the ipad without it being connected to WiFi. That portion is just disabled. The wife recently began flying back and forth from San Diego and has downloaded shows to the ipad and watched them on the plane. Granted a lot of what is done on the ipad would need WiFi to be really useful and neither train from Cleveland has WiFi capabilities.
January 8, 201312 yr I'm a cheapskate, and I don't download things illegally, so I don't really know what I would download that I could watch on the train. I'd like to watch some movies but don't see a way to do that. I don't think my laptop has the capability to play DVDs or I'd just bring the LOTR box set and nerd out watching the commentary tracks, which I am only about halfway through on the 2nd movie.
January 8, 201312 yr What sucks is that the train from Cleveland to New York is the only one without WiFi. East of Buffalo, there are more trains available, and they all have WiFi. If you want more trains, more WiFi, better departure times, then join All Aboard Ohio! ;) @ www.allaboardohio.org Also check out our Facebook and Twitter accounts for up-to-the-minute info on news, trip info, discounts, etc. AAO is the best place for news and info -- and Chicago - Toledo - Cleveland - New York service expansion is our top priority right now because it doesn't involve having to work with the State of Ohio. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
January 8, 201312 yr Pretty sure Amtrak wifi doesn't support media streaming anyway. Often it barely supports email. R&R, I don't download illegally either, and I too am reluctant to purchase video content that I know I won't re-watch, but FWIW, I found it worth buying some stuff for the iPad for my own frequent train travel. You can get the whole first season of Homeland, for example, for about $20 through iTunes. You might decide it's well worth it to make some purchases on iTunes to help break up the trip.
January 9, 201312 yr You can rent movies through iTunes and have them downloaded onto your computer before you leave.
January 9, 201312 yr I'm a cheapskate, and I don't download things illegally, so I don't really know what I would download that I could watch on the train. I'd like to watch some movies but don't see a way to do that. I don't think my laptop has the capability to play DVDs or I'd just bring the LOTR box set and nerd out watching the commentary tracks, which I am only about halfway through on the 2nd movie. Also, a sort of legal option that the movie industry doesn't like is to convert movies you own (DVD, blu-ray) to a file on your computer. As long as you convert the file to a version that is playable on your iPad you can have them available. It is a time consuming process, but the availability is nice. Here is some more information MPAA doesn't like this as it then is rather simple to then illeagaly share the media. However as you paid for the property (in this case the movie) you should be able to enjoy said property anywhere.
January 9, 201312 yr I don't buy movies so that's not really an option, but thx. Other than the LOTR box set, which was a gift, most of the DVDs we have are children's movies/shows. I have a couple of concert films my DH has gotten me that I haven't watched but I'm probably not going to want to watch those on the train.
January 9, 201312 yr hey there -- im busy at work lately but will get back with this soon. im not a fan, but my spouse has gone to the allman beacon thing, you will be able to get tix no worries as long as you are flexible. in the meantime, make sure you stock up on the most useful free local apps: for transit get nyc kick-lite for the subway. also hopstop for point to point, mta weekender for service change notices and lastly i have downloaded the 5 borough bus maps from the mta website, they are pdf files. at least grab the manhattan bus map if you can. for food get menupages for menus, info, gps maps and remarks and that is all you need, it is great, not 100% inclusive, but has all your choices at least. additionally you will want the village voice, timeout ny and brooklyn L magazine for events (food too). i use new york magazine's website a lot too, not sure if they have an app.
January 10, 201312 yr oh look i just came across this in the post today - these links are to a list and some chatter about upcoming 2013 restaurant openings: http://m.nypost.com/p/entertainment/food/more_openings_xTV5rliYhNKkuBZKsEEV9K http://m.nypost.com/p/entertainment/food/swine_dining_zw9WNu97dSEt0Q4ABKrK2K
January 11, 201312 yr Was in NYC for New Years. Friends turned me on to Hop Stop...an app for smart phones http://www.hopstop.com/?action=mobile_android definitely worth the cost FREE.. Put in your destination and it will step by step you to the right subway and where to change, and walking directions at either end. AND it works for Cleveland RTA and other major international cities such as London.
January 13, 201312 yr "A" list: Eataly - a must do, overwhelming to the senses & wallet, i get a lot of italian imports at half of eataly prices in the chelsea market. Bar Boulud - before the beacon i take? i like cafe luxembourg as its more lively, but of course the food is better at boulud. Rocking Horse Cafe - ha my hood & my bklyn/cleve friend's old college roomate's family owns this. lively, good drinks & stacked-tower style mex. honestly, we go to suenos across the street instead or ofrenda in the village (my fav & owner/chef started in ny bussing tables). The Meatball Shop - good but u will need a nap. Porchetta - i only peeked at this place, looks good but i go to faicco's for this. Mission Chinese Food - i would love to tell you but there is always a line of 20-somethings down the block! dont waste time for that (although orchard is interesting to see & plenty to do nearby). Parm - as good as anything along mulberry st. will be fun at the least. Pok Pok Ny - no. do not go to out of yr way brooklyn for this. if you want the best thai and have half a day to burn on a short trip go to shripraphai in queens instead, the train is right there as is the united nations of food that is along roosevelt ave. No Name Bar - omg no. you are from cleveland. do not go hours and hours way out of your way to greenpoint the cle of nyc. time is your enemy. have some ramen in the east village at ippudo or if thats mobbed setagaya. or soba ya for soba. all are awesome. if you are around grand central or go to gari make sure to go to sakagura izakaya afterward, very very cool place and good. it has a more youthful sister izakaya in the east village called decibel you would love too. Bobwhite Lunch & Supper Counter - what is it with this place? i just brought my bro out for xmas and he was asking about it too (we didnt go we went to obscura antiques instead). i peeked in its clean and modern with homestyle food. eh. seems like hype. if you go do report. i like esperanto on ave c. Please Don’t Tell (PDT) cocktail bar - fun. be sure to have a crif dog they are excellent. there are craft drinks bars in every nabe these days. we have employees only and my fav little branch. Shake Shack or Milk Burger - who doesnt like a burger n shake? beware ss is no in n out. Spotted Pig - my hood again. gnudi or that burger? cant lose. the rest is hit or miss. clubby, cute and fun. definately go and only sit downstairs. Le Pain Quotidien - its a chain from belgium. ok but not go out of your way special. have some challah or matzoh ball soup at the b&h diner counter and order a egg cream at the gem spa newsstand. thats an old school evdon approved breakfast (although no doubt he has complaints lol!) Tasty Dumpling - two thumbs up. across the st from chinatown park. there are two dried beef jerky shops nearby i like too. get some for the ride home. but you can get dumplings anyplace. there is a decent dumpling joint in the ev next to the physical graffiti apt bldg. ps -- if its a saturday go to jin fong for dim sum, its good and fun. or dim sum go go if u want made to order instead of the carts. ps -- you might want to visit the cleveland chefs at locanda verde and tremont restaurants!
January 13, 201312 yr Tim Bando left Tremont and is back in Cleveland cooking at Deagan's. Thx for all this other very valuable knowledge, helps me pare and focus my list quite a bit.
January 21, 201312 yr * good tohear. well, there is still this new place: Yesterday The Cleveland opened on (yup, you guessed it!) Cleveland Place. The new Soho restaurant features American favorites like rubbed skirt steak, roasted chicken, and sautéed kale. Owners Paul Shaked and Hudson Solomon hope to begin lunch service in a few months. 25 Cleveland Pl.
February 1, 201312 yr Le Pain Quotidien - its a chain from belgium. ok but not go out of your way special. have some challah or matzoh ball soup at the b&h diner counter and order a egg cream at the gem spa newsstand. thats an old school evdon approved breakfast (although no doubt he has complaints lol!) ha ha...I haven't been in b&h in ages. Is it still there?? I didn't know Le Pain Quotidian was from Belgium. The Cobb Salad is good, but I wouldn't go out of my way to eat there. It's just that they're everywhere and convenient (and not expensive). Likewise for Shake Shack--it's overrated. You can probably get better burgers in Cleveland, which undoubtedly has its share of "upscale" burger joints by now, as well as in New York. Also there's a restaurant in the E. Village called Calliope that the foodie set has been raving about for the past year (I hardly ever eat out anymore!)-- http://www.calliopenyc.com/ http://www.mainstreetpainesville.org/
Create an account or sign in to comment