Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with nyc and manhattan

NYC broadway birthday brunch on short notice

Oktober — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 07:05:33 -0800

Looking for a good place to have a birthday brunch for my mom in midtown manhattan before a matinee at 3. There's six of us and we're leaving in an hour or so.

Finger Licking Good

Anonymous — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 15:17:38 -0800

What are the best BBQ restaurants in Manhattan? Bonus points if it is Texas themed in someway. Cost is not an issue. I had a great first date with a girl I met from Texas. She recently moved to NYC and is feeling a little homesick. She also loves steak, ribs and good Texas eating, so I thought it would be a cute idea to take her to a great NYC BBQ place for our second date. Any ideas?

Cost is not an issue. One of us is lives midtown and the other the east village, but anywhere in Manhattan is fine.

So far, I am thinking about Blue Smoke as a good option.

Also, any other Texas themed things I am missing that may be fun to show her in NYC?

Sunrise in the New York City?

exhilaration — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 05:31:09 -0800

Where's the best place to watch the sunrise in New York City, preferably Manhattan? Since this is for my honeymoon, the more romantic the location, the better. :)

Karaoke in NYC

Conrad Cornelius o'Donald o'Dell — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 20:54:22 -0800

NYC KaraokeFilter: Looking for a great karaoke place in Manhattan to hold a birthday party for about 20 or so people. We'd like to rent a private room. A big English songlist is a must, and the place should serve alcohol. Cool & loungey is a major plus. Thanks! Ideally, we'd like a somewhat "nicer" place which is conducive to lounging around, mingling, and drinking as well as singing. Some places we've done some research on which look like possibilities: Karaoke One 7, Karaoke Top Tunes and Sing Sing. Red Bar has a very cool front room, but they couldn't promise that the karaoke machine would be working. (Zuh?) We've been to spots like Duet 35, but I feel that the rooms there are heavily geared toward singing and not so much for just mingling.

Anyhow, if you have any comments on any of these places, or can suggest some other locations, that would be terrific. Thanks so much.

P.S. I found one helpful previous question on this subject, but it's three years old, and our needs are a bit different.

How can I learn NYC's street repair status?

mhz — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 08:08:30 -0800

How can I learn NYC's street repair status? Is it possible to learn the scheduled start/stop of road repairs in New York City? They're always fixing roads, and every once in a while another stretch is 'scratched' up (whatever it is that they do,) and is a pain to drive on and downright scary to bike on.

Is there a place to find out when these projects are scheduled for? When they're at least supposed to end? All I could find with Google was bridge and tunnel status, nothing about regular street.

Should anyone have specific current information, right now I'm concerned mainly with Bedford Avenue from approximately Willoughby to Flushing, as well as the few blocks of Flatbush Avenue that are currently scratched.

Thanks!

How hard can it be to rent out a no fee ferchristsake

cestmoi15 — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 16:35:40 -0800

Where do you search for an apt in NYC? I'm looking to rent out my apt in NYC by owner, no fee. I've signed up with Craigslist, but have been out of the market for so long I no longer know where else people check. So, where is it the kids are rental hunting these days?

Help us choose an NYC birthday activity!

rachaelfaith — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 10:24:06 -0800

NYCFilter: Group of four 20-something friends need a birthday activity for this Sunday! Conditions: not too pricey, preferably Manhattan or Brooklyn, nothing too physically strenuous. My friend's birthday is this Sunday, and while we have reservations for dinner, we all wanted to do something fun beforehand. We were considering mini-golf, but Chelsea Piers seemed too expensive and we're questionable on The Putting Lot.

We're all female. Common interests include food, movies, parks, dessert. [So unique!] We're not really into coffee/tea, biking, touristy things.

So, any cool festivals or activities going on this weekend? Hit me with your creative ideas!

WiFi coffee shop in manhattan

greta simone — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 10:55:42 -0800

Good Manhattan (free, unlimited) WiFi locations? Just moved to the area and I need to get out of my apartment for a change of scenery while doing my job search.

Ideal location:
-Coffee shop (no libraries, I want to be able to drink/snack/take a phone call)
-Unlimited free Wifi
-Small, quiet, not a busy place, somewhere I'm likely to get a seat.
-Good coffee, ideally some snacks, affordable
-NOT a Starbucks

My favorite coffee shop at the moment is 9th Street Espresso in Alphabet City, but I'm trekking into the city from Port Authority at 41st, so maybe something on a quiet side street in Chelsea would be ideal? I'd like to be downtown at the very least.

Thanks for your help!

Last-minute July 4th plans for NYC wanderer

jckll — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 09:36:59 -0800

Last-minute July 4th plans for NYC wanderer? My plans for July 4th fell through over the weekend so I'm left with nothing to do. I beseech you, AMeFi armchair travel agents: Help me find something fun for the long weekend!

I would prefer to travel outside the city, and would do so by plane, train or bus. Don't own a car. I will spend a reasonable amount of money, but cheaper is, of course, better. Would also consider city-based activities or maybe a daytrip or two to a nearby locale. I am a Manhattan-centric NYCer, so recommendations of things going on in the outer boroughs would be very welcome. Help me show myself how cool Brooklyn and Queens are!

Things I like: hiking, interesting food and restaurants, camping (but all my camping gear is elsewhere! boo), biking (bike=with the camping gear), reading, water (to play and to drink), music/concerts, sports, documentaries and movie screenings, outdoor festivals, etc etc etc

I am open to almost anything. Even if I didn't list it above, and you know of something cool going on, tell me!

Perfecting a Brooklyn/Manhattan bike route

mhz — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 06:24:00 -0800

BrooklynBikeRouteFilter: Please help me map the best route to/from Brooklyn/Manhattan by bike. I'm trying to start riding to/from work every day. My route starts at Eastern Parkway and Rogers in Brooklyn, and ends at Broadway and Astor Place in Manhattan.

Ridethecity is giving me directions which I'm not entirely comfortable with [I've never ridden on, and so want to avoid, the Williamsburg Bridge,] so I'm looking for a better route. It seems to prefer the Williamsburg Bridge over the Manhattan Bridge because of the routes in Manhattan, but NYC Bike Maps seems to have a more updated version which includes Lafayette and Chrystie Streets with bike lanes.

So once in Manhattan it seems like Chrystie>Grand>Lafayette>Astor would work.

But what about in Brooklyn? I used to ride Flatbush Avenue… I'm not crazy about that. Neither Ridethecity nor NYC Bike Maps show Washington Avenue as having a bike lane, but I'm fairly certain it does. If so, then the most direct route would seem to be Eastern Pkwy>Washington>Bergen, but then what? (I can also get onto Bergen from Bedford if I'm wrong about Washington Ave.) From Bergen Street, what's the best route to the Manhattan bridge?

As for the way back…

Ridethecity tells me to go down to Grand>Chrystie>Canal to the bridge. Is Broadway better of worse than Mercer to get down to Grand? Is there a a better route altogether?

And once I'm back in Brooklyn, what's the best route to get back to Eastern Parkway? Is it Jay>Myrtle>Washington/Bergen?

Thanks!

Good resources for finding livable rent-stabilized apartments in Manhattan?

jdruk — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 09:42:14 -0800

Good resources for finding livable rent-stabilized apartments in Manhattan? My husband and I are looking for the impossible - a livable, 700+ sqf, 1+ bedroom apartment in Manhattan that's not in Harlem, Washington Heights or the Upper East Side.

I've been living in the city for 15+ years, and I feel like I've exhausted the only resources that I know of - Craigslist, NYBits, friends and relatives... and I have nothing to show for it.

I know, it's ludicrous to even hope for such a thing. Nonetheless, does anyone have any suggestions of other things to try? I've heard people read the obits, but I'm afraid that as soon as a stabilized apartment opens up, it automatically goes to a family member of the managing company's boss or becomes destabilized.

So... any ideas? Success stories to share?

Good places to study along the 1 line in NYC?

Outis — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 18:20:39 -0800

What is a good place to study in the evening and at night along the 1 line between Penn Station and City College? I'm living in Harlem (W 137th St.) for the summer while I take a course at CUNY Graduate Center. I need a place to study in the evening and into the night, though not the morning. It'll be everyday from about 5pm to 11pm or 12pm. (Uninterrupted sessions of at least five hours.)

I'm fine if it's not open late night on Sundays.

I'd rather not study somewhere that brings to mind a cave, aka the CUNY Graduate Center. Also, I need it to be relatively quiet, though not necessarily hushed, and a place where people won't think I'm completely insane for talking quietly to myself incoherently. (I'm here studying Ancient Greek.)

Thanks in advance, I'm not familiar with the city.

Used NYC Bike

jckll — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 13:59:11 -0800

Help me buy a (probably used) bicycle in NYC. I've decided that I want to buy a bicycle in the next couple weeks. I used to bike a lot as a kid but haven't biked more than a day here and a day there in probably 8 years (mid 20s).

I will use it mostly on roads/bike paths, so I think a Mountain Bike is out. Still torn between a road and a hybrid. I may use it for commuting but that's not my goal at the moment. More leisure/exercise rides, errands, etc. But not ruling out commuting either.

I'm about 5'11"/165Lbs so more or less "standard" body type. Pretty athletic, no health problems to speak of. I'm looking at used just because I don't have $700 to spend on a bike. I would like to go into a bike shop if possible so that I can ride a bunch of different styles/brands/models before I choose, but it seems that not a ton of NYC bike shops do the used thing(?)

I've looked into (read: researched on the internet) Recycle A Bike, GreatUsedBikes, and of course CL. Anyone have any recommendations for a B&M store that will let me ride around some bikes and can sell me a good one for $300-$400 or so? Or am I going to have to go into a bike shop, act like I'm going to spend $800, and then bail to look for a similar used bike elsewhere? That seems like bad juju...

Any NYC-centric biking tips or suggestions are also welcome.

(I've been reading Ask MeFi about bikes and NYC biking all day, so please don't just link me to another thread. Chances are I've read it!)

Get to the choppa!

andromache — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 08:16:44 -0800

I'd like to take my girlfriend on a helicopter tour of New York City for her birthday. Any advice on booking and making the most of the experience? The other day we were on the Brooklyn Promenade and we saw a helicopter land in the financial district and we were both like, "hell yeah!"

So I think it would be fun to do one of those quick chopper rides around the city. Do you have any advice about best time of day/day of the week? How about companies? The one I've found is New York City Helicopter Charter, Inc..

I don't have a ton of money, so I think it'd have to be the shortest (15 minute) tour, which costs a bit over $100 per person. We're into buildings, so it probably would be most fun to do the longer tour that flies over the city rather than south of it, to the Ellis Island, but neither of us have ever taken a helicopter ride before and I think basically any ride would be really fun.

Any advice on booking and making the most of this brief experience? Ideas of what to do before or after the ride?

Thanks.

Obscure Movie Rental in Manhattan?

maniabug — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 08:06:34 -0800

Calling all NYC know-it-all ninjas! Where can I rent an obscure movie from 1980 in Manhattan? I need it in my hands by 3pm today, will taxi or subway as necessary. Yes I know, Internet killed the video store. But this video does not seem to be available on the Internet, and Netflix ain't cuttin' it.

If you own a copy personally, I'll rent it from you.

Thanks!

Advice for hunting for mid-range 3-bedroom apartment in NYC?

8k — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 09:01:11 -0800

Tips for finding a 3-bedroom apartment in NYC? A good friend and colleague is looking for a 3-br apartment in NYC (as they have 2 teenage daughters).
He's relocating for work, so he obviously has a reasonably good job, but definitely not a Wall St-type (either then or now) salary.

Everything >2 bedrooms seems to be quite high end - $4k and above - which is a bit too much. Kids' school is on upper west side.

Any suggestions for how to go about this? We are foreigners so the whole thing is a bit opaque.

Stress relief

cestmoi15 — Sat, 30 May 2009 13:14:21 -0800

Target Terror! I'm in Manhattan and I need to shoot people. No worries, I'm just looking for the video game. What I call "the red bar" on 1st Ave around 5th used to be my go-to place to play Target Terror, but it broke and they didn't replace it. Anyone know of anywhere else it is, or other places that have similar games (just people, not animals like Big Buck Hunter)? I'd prefer not to go out to billyburg for Barcade on a Saturday if I can avoid it.

Preferably in Manhattan, under 14th st. Thanks!

Zipcar Update?

The Whelk — Thu, 28 May 2009 13:35:30 -0800

Daytrip Dreamin': I've read the previous question about Zipcars in NYC, but it's about a year old and I have some specific questions. I am considering joining, but have heard that the availability is not terrific. What's it like for a daytrips out of the city? Any big problems? Does it make sense if you're only planning to use it 2 or three times a year?

Ethnic Jewelry in NYC?

tk — Thu, 21 May 2009 18:22:17 -0800

I'm looking for a store in New York City (Manhattan and Brooklyn, ideally) that sells ethnic and sterling silver jewelry. The store could have clothes, accessories, or art, but it should have a significant amount of jewelry for sale. Can anyone help me out? I'm of course googling on my own, but this is the kind of place you would know when you see it, and I can't walk all the streets of NYC. Thanks for any leads.

Like I Need Another Hole In My Head.

The Whelk — Wed, 20 May 2009 06:01:15 -0800

No Insurance-Filter: I suspect I need some minor dental work done, where can I get it done cheaply and quickly in NYC? Caveat: No Insurance, but some savings. I've heard horror stories about NYU Dental school, but I've gone to Dental Schools for cleanings and minor work all through childhood without a problem (No Cavities! ever!), is it really that bad?

Anyone know a decent dentist in the metro area or know where I can find one?

NYC Sex Therapist

Anonymous — Wed, 06 May 2009 08:39:23 -0800

Looking for suggestions for sex therapists in NYC. My wife (early 30's) and I (mid-30's) have been in a monogamous heterosexual relationship for 7 years, and we married a year ago. About 4 years ago, she had some psych issues for which she was prescribed Prozac. Around the same time we began having some serious problems with my uncertainty about the institution of marriage. Both of those issues resolved (her pysch thing in about one year, and my marriage hangups in two), but around the time both issues surfaced her previously strong sex drive diminished significantly, and it has never returned.

Between the age, the side-effects of Prozac (she's been off for 3 years), the side-effects of the pill (she's been off it for 6 months, with no effects so far), the lingering resentments of feeling rejected by someone you love (even after a happy engagement and year of happy marriage), and who knows what else, we need to see someone to help us do what we can to address the issue positively and proactively.

[The cause to us seems beyond the obvious, because everything otherwise is great: We both listen to one another, we make each other laugh, we're both in shape, we're both employed, we like our jobs, we have a good circle of mutual friends, we share household chores, we offer each other unsolicited compliments, & etc.]

We saw a very helpful couples therapist a couple of years ago, and he was great with our commitment issues, but at a loss for the sexual ones. He recommended someone at Cornell, who my wife had already seen, and who turned out to be a total quack that told her she had better start taking pheromones to make me more attracted to her before I leave her (my attraction for her has never been a problem). More recently she asked her OB/Gyn for insight/advice/recs, and she told my wife, "That's just what happens."

So, I am looking for any recs for good sex therapists in NYC. Any insightful anecdotes about similar problems also welcome.

Thanks, hive.

Help my girlfriend find a doctor in NYC who will take her chronic pain seriously.

nebulawindphone — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 17:59:49 -0800

Help my girlfriend find a doctor in NYC who will take her chronic pain seriously. C has had chronic joint pain her whole life. When she was a kid, her family doctor basically refused to pay attention to it. He found no obvious cause, told her to quit whining, and that was that.

She's now in her late 20s, otherwise healthy, and interested in trying to get some help for the pain — but she's worried that she's going to get the same sort of runaround again. AFAICT, it's a valid fear. The internet is full of horror stories about people with symptoms like hers who spent years getting ignored, branded as malingerers or drug-seeking junkies, or just told to suck it up, and I can't blame her for not wanting to go through all that if she can help it.

It would be really awesome if someone could recommend a doctor in or around New York City who's knowledgeable about chronic pain and inclined to take it seriously. (She lives in Greenpoint and works in midtown Manhattan, but an inconvenient doc with a clue is better than nothing.) Barring that, advice on finding such a doctor would be pretty awesome too.

Ideas for NYC honeymoon surprise romantic gesture.

Anonymous — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 07:31:37 -0800

Going to be on honeymoon in NYC in June and want to prepare a memorable and thoughtful surprise for my new wife. We are a non-American honeymooning couple and will be in Manhattan for 10 days in June. I would like to totally surprise my new wife with a romantic gesture. It should be thoughtful and sweet and have her scratching her head as to how I pulled it off. I have been toying with the idea of consorting with some willing member of this site and getting them to hide a letter or something somewhere in central park. On our first morning we go for a stroll in Central Park and I walk to the pre-appointed rock or tree-hole or whatever and say 'Hey look there’s something in here, its got your name on it' etc. she opens it and reads it..... I feel that this idea is good in principle but lacking in impact. Essentially its just a letter hidden in a tree. So does anyone have any suggestions as to how I could build on it? Or can you think of alternative surprises, I am open to pretty much any suggestions?

We are staying in a nice hotel and are planning the trip in great detail so we will be eating in nice restaurants and doing interesting things. Money is not a barrier within reason (I could stretch to a few hundred bucks if it was worth it) but neither should it be required, she does not especially care for things that can be bought. I don’t think she would be impressed by the following type of surprises: Helicopter ride around Manhattan. Our names on a scrolling sign in Time Square. Booking a mega-expensive meal. Anything to do with the top of the Empire State. Thoughtful and surprising is more important than expensive and spectacular or clichéd. I know its very little information to go on and I know her best but I would love to hear your suggestions. Not looking for a gift per say but a surprise or unforgettable gesture.

Couple of other points. Depending on what I decide on I might need to impose on a willing member of this site to help execute it but not until I know what I am doing. In any case I have set up an email address for this purpose or any other questions people might have: mefi.groom@gmail.com. Not sure how I could rope someone in but maybe I could get matt to help me ask for help if needs be. I also realise that it might not be advisable to be seen hiding things in public places in NYC but you probably know that.

Continually break on through to the other side

greenland — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 21:18:32 -0800

Is there a list or map out there that shows all the city blocks one can cut through (as a pedestrian) in Manhattan? I used to work in midtown Manhattan and regularly utilized a string of shortcuts that allowed me to travel from 46th St. down to 43rd without ever touching an avenue. (This was insanely useful when running to the post office in the winter. Or if it was St. Patrick's Day.)

Open plazas, buildings with entrance hallways or lobbies that span a block, underground passages, or intermediate streets themselves seem to make up the most of these shortcuts. I'm certainly not the first person to cobble them together like this. Has anyone ever compiled a list, or map, of them?

NYC Physical Therapist

jckll — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 11:44:30 -0800

NYC doctor filter: physical therapist or appropriate doctor for carpal tunnel symptoms? I think a PT is the doc to see for sore wrists that may be associated with carpal tunnel. Work on a computer all day, having symptoms for a couple of months. Looking for a PT recommendation in Manhattan. (If I need to see someone other than a PT I'll take that recommendation...)

Prefer the west side but pretty much anywhere if you got a good one!