Quick NYC Jaunt this Weekend: What to do?

February 17, 2013 4:22 PM

I use to work in nyc in mid-town by the MoMA but that was more than a few years ago and I am out of practice getting around/what to do in nyc but I've been put in charge.

We're heading into the city from CT points north on metro north early o'clock this coming Friday with a relative who works downtown. Looks like we arrive Central Station. We need to head to Brooklyn to take care of some paperwork sometime in the morning, but wanted to know what might be a good place to get some bagels between here and there?

We'll be looking for lunch on the other side of the Brooklyn Bridge to go to our second paperwork destination and then we will be free. Not sure what might be the best use of our time until the evening. I had thought about going to the MoMA/ICP, we're staying at the Gansevoort Park Avenue that night and were hoping to see the Book of Mormon, but appears to be sold out.

Would love to hear any suggestions on what we might do. We're foodies from Boston and we don't get to nyc much, but would like to stick to casual attired restaurants. We're open to do anything interesting and fun! Thanks in advance for any suggestions you might have!

posted by Carialle to travel & transportation around New York, NY (2 answers total)

What neighborhood in Brooklyn do you need to go to?
posted by mlle valentine at 7:45 PM on February 17

We're heading into the city from CT points north on metro north early o'clock this coming Friday with a relative who works downtown. Looks like we arrive Central Station. We need to head to Brooklyn to take care of some paperwork sometime in the morning, but wanted to know what might be a good place to get some bagels between here and there?

Your question is lacking some crucial details...

If you arrive at Grand Central Terminal, getting from Metro North to the MTA subway system is fairly straightforward. You don't need to leave GCT and there are some food shops inside. I'm not sure what you mean by "on the way" -- did you mean within GCT and the subway system? Without knowing where you destination is in Brooklyn and how you're getting there (the 4/5 trains?), it's difficult to make a recommendation.

However, if you want to go outside for some bagels, there is a new location of Zucker's nearby (it's on the pricey side for bagels & I've heard that they're a little slow). There is also a Bagel Express, which is less well regarded. It's not exactly the best part of town for bagels. If you are willing to go out of your way, you can walk to Ess-a-Bagel on 51st and 3rd Avenue.

We'll be looking for lunch on the other side of the Brooklyn Bridge to go to our second paperwork destination and then we will be free. Not sure what might be the best use of our time until the evening.

Do you mean the Manhattan side of the Brooklyn Bridge or the Brookyn side? The "other" side can mean something different to someone who lives in Brooklyn.

If you mean the Brooklyn side, have lunch at Juliana's. New pizza joint from legend Patsy Grimaldi, Patsy Grimaldi is the original owner of Grimaldi's Pizza. He sold it some time ago, and immediately regretted selling, and has been looking to get back into the pizza game ever since. Drama ensued. Now he's finally back, essentially next door to his old joint.

If you mean the Manhattan side, you're really close to all of Manhattan Chinatown. For something you can't find in Boston, I would recommend Xian Foods on 67 Bayard St. They serve Shaanxi style Chinese food. Excellent cumin lamb "burgers" and spicy cumin lamb hand-pulled noodles. (Note: the East Broadway location is closed, go to the Bayard St one instead). Casual, cheap, delicious.

I had thought about going to the MoMA/ICP, we're staying at the Gansevoort Park Avenue that night and were hoping to see the Book of Mormon, but appears to be sold out.

Target Free Fridays at the MoMA are from 4-8pm and it often gets pretty crowded. Just keep that in mind.

Book of Mormon sells out far in advance these days (they have tickets on sale up to February 2014 at the moment). However, they do have partial view tickets, standing room only tickets, and a lottery:

GET PARTIAL VIEW OR STANDING ROOM: You can get in sooner if you purchase a "partial view" seat or a "standing room" location. "Partial view" seats are available anywhere tickets are sold and a limited number of "standing room" locations are sold at the box office one hour before each performance. People start lining up early so be prepared.
TICKET LOTTERY: A limited number of tickets for each performance will be sold through the lottery. Entries will be accepted at the box office beginning two and a half hours prior to each performance for up to two tickets.
Two hours before curtain, names will be drawn at random for a limited number of tickets priced at $32 each. Only one entry is allowed per person. Cards are checked for duplication prior to drawing. Winners must be present at the time of the drawing and show valid ID to purchase tickets. Limit one entry per person and two tickets per winner. Tickets may be purchased in cash or with a valid credit card. Tickets are subject to availability.

You could also stay in the area near your hotel (29th and Park Ave S) and go to the newly opened Museum of Mathematics. And/or go explore Eataly, which is fun on a weekday afternoon when it's way less crowded. You could also have dinner there. All the restaurants there are casual except for Manzo. The rooftop beer garden, Birreria, is also open right now.
posted by kathryn at 6:35 AM on February 18 [2 favorites]