I use trip advisor faithfully to plan all my trips but I%26#39;ve never used it as much to plan the first four days of our honeymoon in NYC. First off, thanks NYCWhiz for the recommendation of Hotel Elysee. It was PERFECT for us. In midtown east on 54th between Park and Madison, it made it convenient to walk to a lot of things we wanted to do. We loved the hotel. It was as Whiz described, a small, historical, boutique hotel. The rooms were adequate, the staff wonderful and the extra continental breakfasts and wine/cheese evenings were a plus. We will definitely go back.
First our restaurant reports - I spent a lot of time trying to figure out where we would eat...after all....so much to choose from, so little time. I%26#39;d have to say my favorite place to eat was Mesa Grill in Chelsea. Bobby Flay%26#39;s restaurant and the dishes had such a wonderful mix of flavors. It was a true tasting treat. I loved the pumpkin soup with pomegranate and the pork tenderloin was also amazing. The warm gingerbread with ice cream and sorbet was the BEST.
My husband and I both thought Pastis and Bahltazar%26#39;s was over rated. It was ';good'; but pretty basic dishes and flavors.
A great restaurant recommended by our hotel staff was Thalia on 8th and 50th (we think). We went there after attending a taping of the Colbert Report as it was in walking distance. We really enjoyed the restaurant. Great ambiance and good food. We highly recommend it. We ate at the Monkey Bar (for convenience) one day but I was not impressed with the prices or the food. They cooked their food in ';old'; oil or something as everything had the same weird taste to it. Last but not least, we loved the accessibility of Starbucks every 500 feet (obviously an exaggeration, but not far off).
I have to agree that Top of the Rock probably has a better overall view than the Empire State Building. It was also a great ';tour'; to read the history of the building before taking the interesting elevator ride up to the top.
Saw Spamalot - it did not disappoint. We had great seats in the front row of the 2nd balcony. The cast was great and we loved the history of the Shubert.
We were suppose to see the taping of the Daily Show but on the day of the taping there was a tragedy and they cancelled (an intern killed himself). We couldn%26#39;t get in before we left but had an opportunity to see The Colbert Report (which we LOVE) and Stephen did not disappoint. What what a nightmare waiting out in the cold and the chaos and obvious ';it%26#39;s who you know'; who will get you in'; deal that prevails. It just disturbed me that I had been planning this trip for a year, in from California, and all the interns friends got in (again) to see the show. Anyway, we were lucky enough to have someone on the inside%26#39;s sympathy and I thank him profusely for getting us in.
MY favorite part of the trip was going to Macy%26#39;s to see Santa Claus. I%26#39;ve been wanting to do this since I can remember, and after 42 years, my dream came true. What a set-up. It only took about 15 minutes to get through the line and my fiance laughed at me as I got teary-eyed standing in line. But this was a lifelong wish...and it finally came true. I%26#39;m glad he could experience it with me.
We tried to take the subway a couple of times but it didn%26#39;t work out. We spent a lot of money on taxi%26#39;s but we both agreed it was worth it as it gave us both a chance to see the city and get our bearings.
We cruised Central Park and Fifth Avenue, visited Dylan%26#39;s Candy Bar (my son%26#39;s name is Dylan), went to speed Mass (35 minutes from start to finish) at St. Patrick%26#39;s Cathedral, cruised Rockefellar Center and had a great time just walking around soaking in the holiday spirit.
We plan on going back in the fall as our children (boy 12 and girl 15) want to go to NYC for their birthdays. It will be a whole new experience and you%26#39;ll see me frantically on this forum looking for things to do with teenagers.
Thank you all the local experts who gave such wonderful advice. Your information you provide here is truly valuable and I really appreciate you taking time out of your lives to help answer any questions or concerns I had. You%26#39;re the BEST. See you in about 9 months!
Quick Honeymoon Trip Report - NYCI made the biggest boo boo and called my NOW husband my fiance in this report. So, yes, we are married and he%26#39;s my HUSBAND! Thank god. :)
Quick Honeymoon Trip Report - NYCGreat report, I too am a big Jon Stewart fan so I sympathize! I%26#39;m imagining the Macy%26#39;s santa area to look like the scene from A Christmas Story, I%26#39;ll find out tomorrow, so excited!
Congratulations on the wedding! Did you get married in NYC? I gather you never went to River Cafe? Where are you from Karebear?
Hi Whiz,
No, we got married at home in South Orange County, California. We never made it to the River Cafe because of the changes with the Daily Show and Colbert Report. We figured it would be harder to get into The Colbert Report (tickets sold out through May 06 already) and it would be easier to go to the River Cafe when we return in the Fall. We%26#39;re looking forward to it.
I%26#39;m sure we%26#39;ll chat again in a few months as I ask how can I make my teenagers happy in New York....I know, an impossible task but we%26#39;ll try! :)
Happy Holidays and all our best for the New Year!
Same to you Karebear. All the best for the New Year.
Congratulations and thanks for a lovely report!
PLEASE add your restaurant reviews to this TA site and others. It sounds like you have valuable opinions and advice (the ';old oil'; remark is very interesting.)
www.newyork.citysearch.com
www.menupages.com
www.zagats.com (submit enough reviews and they will send you a free guide!)
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