BBB is coming to NYC

the 2nd week in October, likely for 3 nights. A few questions:

1) I'm relatively set on eating at Buddakan and Strip House for 2 of the nights (3rd still undecided). I want to have drinks prior at a good cocktail place; I've see Pegu Club, Little Branch, Milk & Honey, PDT, Ava Lounge, etc. thrown around as good spots... I have yet to correlate addresses to see what's close by to those places. What is highly recommended and within walking distance? I was leaning towards Pegu and Little Branch based on what I've read, but the novelty of M&H or PDT could be fun to try. Definitely want to avoid anything too sceney/pretentious, does M&H/PDT fall into that category? Would be happy to meet up with any SFers for drinks.

2) Guggenheim or MoMA? Leaning towards the Guggenheim based the variety of periods represented, and I've always wanted to check out the building.

3) Are there any decent sales expected that week/month? I am unfortunately doubting it...

4) Anything going on that week event-wise worth checking out? I've been hitting the NYT/NYMag event calendar but don't see much so far.

5) Wanted to walk around some of the areas I haven't seen much before... Chinatown, LI, Greenwich, West Village, Washington Sq... since I can't devote but so much time to that, what would you recommend for perhaps 2 areas?

6) Thinking about walking the Brooklyn Bridge for lunch at Grimaldi's... but I keep reading it's really not worth it. Thoughts?

Are you trying to imply you've never set foot in the MoMA? If so go, even if you have to cancel your restaurant meal.

No... I've been to The Met but it's been a few years. Was thinking of going there and 1 of the 2 I listed.

Try 11 Madison Park for dinner on your other free night - its very very good! - enjoy your stay!

gramaldis really isnt worth it. If your staying on the island, hit up Una Pizza Neapolitan on 12 and 1. Just make sure you get there before the dough runs out

3) No.
6) I think it's fun...

5) Wash. sq park is currently under construction. You can see where it is, and see the arch, and the east side is accessible, but the "usual" scene is not there this summer. The way construction projects go in this town who knows if it will ever re-open (certainly not this year). But Bleecker/MacDougal area is still fun to see (right around the corner).

Walking the Brooklyn Bridge is great. Brooklyn Ice Cream factory, across from Grimaldi's, has excellent ice cream.

Pegu Club is nice and roomy. Little Branch is cozy and hip. Both have nice drinks. There's also a place in TriBeCa, can't remember the name, opened by the dude's who own Angel Share. It's very good for drinks and checking out hip hot Asian gals and dudes. The guy who owns Little Branch also opened an eastside clone; yet another name I can't remember, but the bar is nice; it's located on Essex St., a few doors south of Grand St. Stanton Social is also a very nice place, upstairs w/ a skylight and natural light. Of all them, I think Little Branch can get the most crowded on Thurs-Sat. nights, but if you get there at/before 8, it's fine.

All those hip drinking places are cool because they aren't sceney; they're kept under wraps, so the only people going are looking for a nice, chill place to get a tasty cocktail. So don't worry about that--it's like a particular genre of watering hole, with "not a scene" built in. I'm particular to Pegu Club simply because it's higher up, more spacious, and they serve excellent drinks. But they're all totally usable.

Do walk the Brooklyn Bridge, but try and go when it's lower tourist times. I actually ride my bike across their late at night--after midnight, sometimes--and I think that's one of the best times to be up there when the weather is nice. But daylight lets you see the beauty of the bridge's engineering, so you also might want to try early in the morning, or if the weather's a little crappy. It's not worth it when it's high traffic w/ tourists and high school kids.

I just got back from the PEGU club. Sat at the bar....went at 3AM, almost empty, all B&Ters/tourists gone (no offense), had a nice little chat with the bartender, comped my last drink, some honey infused champagne thing...awesome in every way, love that place. Sit at the bar, tell the bartender )I don't like the term "mixologist") The place Sartorian alludes to is likely B-Flat on Chambers St., I liked it a lot the one-time I was there, almost all Asian folks when I went.

Walking the Brooklyn Bridge is fun and Grimaldis/BK Ice Cream are great as is Jaques Torres chocolates right nearby. Also, check out the Brooklyn Museum on Clinton....never busy and the have the original 1955 Dodgers WS banner! For pizza in Manhattan, Lombardi's near Spring is really good! (Better than Patsy's by a lot IMHO) + there is a lot to see there. You can have a drink at B-Flat if you walk back.

The best part about the Guggenheim is the building itself...at least the last time I went. Met is the BEST museum, Brooklyn Museum is great though as well, you can go to Botanical Gardens while you are there.
MOMA is nice, but $$$ if I recall correctly.

Cent. 21 has some good prices on sport coats, Nick Hilton for like $100, nice Zegna's for $500, one random Brioni for $700 or so.

Lombardis is alright, its pretty good, but not as good as years past. If you want the real patsys, you have to venture out to spanish harlem. 118 and 1, they still have the original Coal Oven. Its worth the trip.

If Buddakan is just like it is in Philly (which it probably is, but bigger), I wouldn't waste my time if you're only in NYC for a few days.

Originally Posted by leftover_salmon

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If Buddakan is just like it is in Philly (which it probably is, but bigger), I wouldn't waste my time if you're only in NYC for a few days.

It's different. I wanted something over the top but with good food, and that fits the bill.

I'm going to try for Babbo for the 3rd night. The pasta tasting menu is right up our alley, assuming they don't mind changing/holding an ingredient or two (my wife is a picky eater). Anyone know if they change this tasting menu often? As is on their site would be perfect.

For lunch, I'm leaning towards some of these: Shake Shack, Market Table, USC, 24 Prince, Gray's Papaya, Beacon.

it changes often. the website menu is not really updated. for lunch i would recommend shake shack and usc. at beacon i'd recommend the kitchen counter (but that's only at dinner).