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Food
Generations of forieng immigrants have brought their cuisines to New
York and it is easy to try a different style of cooking each day. Chinese
, Italian and Moroccan are all popular and good value; the more adventurous
can seek out Bravezilian, Russian and Columbian cuisine. If you' re
looking for something authentically New York, the best bet is one of
the delis which serve essentially Jewish food, such as doorstop-sized
pastrami sandwiches with pickles on the side. Another deli optiona and
a symbol of New York, is a toasted bagel spread with cream cheese and
lox (smoked salmon). Other Jewish classics are bialys (onion rolls from
Poland) and knishes (pastries filled with buckwheat, potato or cheese).
Some of New York's restaurants may leave a servere dent in your credit
card limit, but it is perfectly possible to eat both cheaply and well.
Pushcarts on every street coner sell bagels, pretzels and the ubiquitous
hotdogs. Look out, too, for dinners, serving huge portions of pea soup,
burgers and fries in unpretentious surroundings; fill up on a dinner
breakfast and you won' t need to eat again all day. Chinatown is full
cheap Asian eateries where a bowl of rice noodles will set you back
less than $5. Other good hunting grounds for inexpensive food include
Little India (centred on E. 6th St between 1st and 2 nd Aves), Harlem
and Greenwich Village.
For pinic food, pick up a sandwich to go and a ready-made salad from
one of Manhattan 's hight-class delicatessens. The best of these, like
Balducci's in Greenwich Village (424 6 th Ave) and Zabar's on the Upper
West Side (2245 Broadway), have mouthwatering displays of breads, cheese,
fresh pasta and ready - to - eat dishes. New Yokers use them when they
are giving a dinner party at home; it 's worth wandering in just to
look around, but remember that even snack food in these places does
not come cheap.
Shopping
People travel halfway around the world just
to do their Christmas shopping in New York. The fashion boutiques and
posh department stores ar apread out along Madison and Fifth Aves, but
it can be just as much fun to seek out the wacky, alternative shops
in areas like Greenwich Village, the Greenwich Village, the East Village
and the Upper West Side Also worth exploring are Manhattan's flea-markets,
such as the one that takes place in Soho on the corner of Broadway that
takes place in SoHo on the corner of Broadway and Grand St every Saturday
and Sunday - a good and Grand St every Saturday and Sunday - a good
place to pick up vintage America and second-hand clothes. For listings
of other markets and street fairs, look in Fridays's New York Times.
Nightlife
CBGB
CBGB is a New York institution showcasing up and coming punk, folk,
and rock bands. Described by some as a back alley with a roof, CBGB
is a true dive. When packed full, which is often the case, it's hard
to see and hard to move. The wall decor consists of layers of show flyers.
Although the bathrooms are scary, this classic punk dive does have one
of the best sound systems in New York, which just goes to show it's
all about the music.
313 Bowery • Tel 212.982.4052
Blue Note
Blue Note is where the big names in jazz like Herbie Hancock and Chick
Corea play. Blue Note is very large and very commercialized by jazz
club standards. It might not feel all that authentic to a club purist,
but the music is great.
131 West 3rd Street • Tel 212.475.8592
The Knitting Factory
The music lineup is primarily dominated by experimental jazz at the
Knitting Factory. However, many other types of acts regularly appear.
This is an upscale jazz club in the Tribeca neighborhood. It might lack
intimacy, but with three bars, good sightlines, and good seating it
more than makes up for it in comfort.
74 Leonard Street • Tel 212.219.3055
Caroline's On Broadway
Caroline's in one of New York's premier comedy clubs featuring nationally
known comedians. Entertainment is available every night of the week
at this club convenient located near Times Square. Reservations are
recommended.
49th and Broadway • Tel 212.757.4100
Exit
This giant club attempts to be all things to all clubgoers. It has four
large levels with different themes, decor, and space on each one. The
main dance floor is huge and different featured DJs spin tracks throughout
the week. If you're lucky enough you'll get to enjoy one of the many
VIP lounges that look out on the dancefloor below. The top floor is
an outdoor garden lounge.
610 West 56th Street • Tel 212.582.8282
The Bitter End
In operation since 1961, The Bitter End is New York's oldest rock club.
This Greenwich Village landmark helped to launch the careers of folk
artists including Bob Dylan. Nowadays it still is a stage for up and
coming artists. Being a landmark has made the Bitter End a little touristy,
but the music is still live and on any night you could see a great in
the making.
147 Bleecker Street • Tel 212.673.7030
The China Club
The China Club is exactly what you expect from a big New York nightclub.
The China Club has a huge dance floor, multiple bars, multiple lounges,
a hefty cover, a long line at the door, and celebrities inside. This
is the place to see and be seen in the New York club scene.
268 West 47th Street • Tel 212.398.3800
Le Bar Bat
Cavernous, multi-leveled, and crowded are all descriptive of Le Bar
Bat. There are so many things going on at this club at the same time
that it's difficult to pay attention to any one thing. There are four
bars, television lounges, a dance floor, and live entertainment. The
club also has a full service restaurant should you get hungry for something
more than a cocktail.
311 West 57th Street • Tel 212.307.7228
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