Mike's Papaya had(s) a drink called Papaya. Again, it's right in that area I mentioned before, except it's on Broadway. For that reason, the name Mike's papaya has merit. Those drinks they had were good as hell too.

[Edited by - Allanfan20 on 21-01-2008 4:43 PM]

How much do the hot dogs cost at Grays Papaya now? I remember when they were 50 cents. mmmm so good

Also Mars 2112 or 1221 (One of those) is cool (FOr the kid at heart thing) or if you have kids. You walk in and it looks like a regular front desk but then you go into an elevator and it feels like a space ship and when you go up, you get out and it's a place that really looks like Mars and it's cool as hell. It's a little past Time's Square I think, going uptown, but it's cool.

Mars2112

Go there for more info about it, including the address and I'm sure it has the menu and all that, but you can also play video games there, if you're into that. That's what it was like when I was there at least. I'm sure it's a lot better though, considering I was there like 10 years ago, as shocking as that is to me.

[Edited by - Allanfan20 on 21-01-2008 6:07 PM]

Thanks for the Pizza heads up Allan, I love pizza...Another spot is an Argentinian pizza place called Nina's on 92nd & 2nd...Try the mushroom pizza, they make it spicy..a little oily but one of the best...Also Patsy's on 116th and 1sth, You can eat a pie yourself, very thin and tasty..get the plain pizza...

Off pizza for a sec...You must visit Katz deli on Houston St...Seriously a must..Its where that scene was shot in "When Sally Met Harry", where she pretended to have an organism in the Deli...The best pastrami sandwich in the city, bar none...Add the mustard...It's like $13.00, but worth it...



[Edited by - holfresh on 01-21-2008 6:40 PM]

Posted by majorleads:

How much do the hot dogs cost at Grays Papaya now? I remember when they were 50 cents. mmmm so good

It's more expensive now. The recession special with 2 hot dogs and a papaya drink (all I usually get) is $3.25.

If we're going to outer boroughs, DiFara's in Brookylyn and Full Moon on Arthur Ave. in the Bronx are worth the pilgrimage for Pizza IMO.

Posted by holfresh:


More on Pizza, It you want to take a trip...Spumani Gardens in Brooklyn...They make a great pizza with the tomato sauce on top of a small amount of cheese...Good Stuff...

Dude, you are making me hungry with this pizza talk. Pizza is by far my favorite food haha.

Posted by holfresh:

Posted by nyk4ever:

Posted by holfresh:


More on Pizza, It you want to take a trip...Spumani Gardens in Brooklyn...They make a great pizza with the tomato sauce on top of a small amount of cheese...Good Stuff...

Dude, you are making me hungry with this pizza talk. Pizza is by far my favorite food haha.

Who woulda thought tomato sauce and cheese could be so good...

Haha seriously. I just can't say no to Buffalo Chicken pizza and theres a great place in Hoboken called Impesto's that makes the best slice you'll have. The other pizzas are great too.

KBY,

All your questions depend upon your tastes in food, decor, scene/crowd, and of course, budget, as well as a variety of other factors.

For food, there are SO MANY choices that it's just impossible to make an easy recommendation. Subjectivity, and the problem of great places putting out lesser quality meals/service from time to time affecting less frequent diners aside this is still a tough call to make.

However, there are a few long standing staples of quality food, places that used to be good masquerading as still so surviving as tourist traps and for B&T folk (Bridge and Tunnel: AKA locals who live outside of NYC, who are frequent "tourists" coming to Manhattan weekend nights and for NYC "snobs" indicate the end of a good spot), and new spots in the places most tourists stay, Manhattan, yet if you want to be a bit more adventurous other boroughs have developed scenes in immigrant communities away from the city's center, especially in Queens (which btw, is THE most ethnically diverse county in the United States).

For traditional NYC fare, the pizza culture has changed tremendously since I was growing up. To even think that we now have people ordering from Domino's and Papa John's (which my roomate from Hawaii does!) while other FAR better options exist says a lot about what's been happening to NYC in general. The slice is not as much a part of NYC life as it used to be as many places that offer slices in Manhattan have severely declined in quality, including the once legendary Ray's Pizza on 11th St. and 6th ave, which is still there. Joe's, which had to move up the street from the spot they had on the corner, and in 'Spider Man II' because of high rents, is good but I think it's also declined a bit.

If you go to a Knick game at MSG, there is a spot inside the Long Island Railroad station (forget the name) where they have these Sicilian slices with the sauce on top of the cheese (only thing I buy there) that I love. It's a hidden gem that other than LIRR riders no one would probably check for it (I learned about it from a friend of mine from Long Island who I go to Knick games with). However, I hear this place Di Fara out a bit in Brooklyn (Midwood) has great slices. In lower Manhattan I have also heard about Adrienne's Pizza Bar, but never been.

For the non-slice/brick oven/thin crust pizza which has dominated NYC's pizza culture as the "slice" has died, the most well known used to be John's on Bleecker Street. However, AVOID it as it is has become tourist trap with bad food, and even expanded into Times Square (lord help all those who suffer from most of the chain store food around there). They lost out because their ingredients were no longer fresh, while the others I am listing next do. Lombardi's is popular on Mulberry/Spring St., but not the best, and usually crowded. Grimaldi's had held the crown for a while, and it's a cool spot to go to because of it being right next to the Brooklyn Bridge so you can get a nice view from the BK side from the street, but some people say it's not the place anymore either, and prepare to wait on a line during prime time dining. In my neighborhood (Far Upper East Side), and in Queens, there is Nick's, which I frequent quite often, enjoying very much, and there is rarely a long wait which is great. Brooklyn also has several other spots that are well regarded too.

If you want a "good ol' American steak," even though it will practically break your bank, it is worth it to go to Peter Luger's at least one time in a life of visits to NYC. They have INCREDIBLE steaks that melt like butter in your mouth (if you are with people, "Steak for 2" or "Steak for 4" are the best deals, although the word "deal" is pushing it). It's also a cool place to see old school NYC restaurant culture, with all male wait staff in black and white outfits. While they are not friendly, they do have some pretty strong serving skills. The decor sucks, and you have to get a reservation, but it's the best steak I have had in my life (and I've eaten at some of the other "top" places).

Chinese food has since lost out as the former champ of NYC takeout to Japanese/Sushi spots, but there are still plenty of great places to get REAL Chinese (not the kind most American's are used to...i.e. Chicken and Broccoli, General Tso Chicken, etc.). The best part about Chinese food here is that even in NYC it's usually really cheap, even at places that have high quality food. Of course, part of that is because many Chinese spots could care less about decor, and spots like New Green Bo for Xiaolongbao/soup dumplings, or Big Wong, for roast duck and BBQ pork, are awesome cheap eats. I've heard of some other places in Manhattan like Oriental Garden (in Chinatown) Phoenix Garden and Tang Pavilion (midtown), but have yet to go.

Gray's Papaya is still dope for hotdogs, Katz's for pastrami, Carnegie Deli for cheesecake, Burger Joint (amongst others) for the obvious, H&H for Bagels (bagels are NOT supposed to be doughy on the outside!) although I've heard of a place called Absolute, Kum Gang San for Korean BBQ in K-Town near MSG too. There are a gazillion Italian restaurants, including those run by celebrity chefs that will put you in debt for a year, although I hear Mario Bitali's pizza spot, Otto, is good and it has opened somewhat recently. For another cool experience, although a bit expensive, yet far less than places like Babbo, go the the "real" little Italy now, Arthur Ave. in the Bronx and go to Roberto, which is very good.

I could go on forever, so let me stop, and I left out so many other types of food and your other questions.

For sneakers, just go to Soho and walk around Broadway and Spring Street and you'll find plenty of spots. There is also an Adidas Classic store (not the big one on Houston St.) nearby, and a Supreme on Lafayette which both can have rare releases from time to time. Most of the designer clothing stores are in that area too. If you want to shoot yourself for an attempt at a bargain, you can go to Century 21 near the WTC. If you do, go on a weekday and in the morning, which I suspect is the least busy time. If you like you can also go to Fulton St. in downtown Brooklyn, or Fordham Road in the Bronx for a change from Manhattan scenery and culture, although they won't have most of the designer stores, there is a variety of clothes and sneaker stores.

Peter Luger is tremendous. I agree if you come to NYC you have to go there at least once. It's out in Williamsburg and you have to pay cash though- fair warning. There are a few places like Wolfgang's that do the exact same steak as Luger in Manhattan (the owner weighted tables there for 30 years!), but its worth trying the original.

Posted by holfresh:


Hawaiian Tropic Zone is a must for food and drinks...I pass this place to and from work every day and they have to hottest waitresses donning full Bikini's...I have never been there mind you but I'm planning a trip...You can check out their website, they have a few live feeds from the bar and restaurant...

http://www.hawaiiantropiczone.com/

Veto. Go inside. It smells like a pool. The girls are decent at best. David Burke is overrated and the food is overpriced.

Top Moderately priced foods;

Sushi: Yama. Its in Union Square at Irving Place and 19th (in the basement of George Washington Irving's house).

Family Italian: Picolo Angolo. Order the meatballs.

Pizza: (sadly, all of the good brick oven places have turned tourist). Grimaldi's has the only coal oven in the five boroughs. Coal ovens are banned now, but theirs is grandfathered in. They cook a pie in 5 mins. Right across the BK bridge in Dumbo. Bring cash. You can walk over to Jacques Torres for a hot chocalate after (if it isnt too late).

Chinese: I am a fan of Shun Lee Palace at 155 East 55th Street. Overpriced though. Big Wong in chinatown is awesome, but it is a real local place.

Steak: Benjamin's (41st between Madison and Park). Simply ridiculous.

BBQ: I am a fan of Brother Jimmys. There is one on 31st and 8th right next to the garden.

Burger: Go to Corner Bistro. $5 burgers and $2 beers (Mcsorley's only beer served). Again bring cash. Awesome stuff.

Tapas: Alta -- 10th between 5th and 6th. Don't go without a date. Get the brussel sprouts (no joke).



Video Game places: check out "Barcade"... old school .25 games and beer. Too bad it is in Brooklyn.
You can also stop by NintendoWorld in Rockefeller for fun.


Shopping: Don't come to NYC to shop. Too much in taxes.







[Edited by - ewingsglass on 01-21-2008 11:52 PM]