Desperate question

[cleolinda]

Omg, Sister Girl is going to kill me. She asked me to ask y'all this, and Lexicongate put it clean out of my head:

She's going to be in New York for Comic-Con (her boyfriend is a comics buyer for a national bookstore chain), with a few extra days for going around and such, and she wants to know what would be good to go around and see. Particularly bakeries, she said (not necessarily restaurants to eat out at night, just bakeries) and anything fun to go do. You know, that isn't just "Go see a show." Any ideas?

Comments

[off_coloratura]

Cafe Lalo, 201 W. 83rd St.

[vsprtn.livejournal.com]

ABSOLUTELY.

[prettyh.livejournal.com]

I for one can't imagine having gone to NYC and not had the day to roam Central Park - in particular, my visit to Strawberry Fields was life-altering. So amazing to just come upon a group of complete strangers and sit down to sing with them! The weather should be getting just about right for your sister to have a gorgeous walk through there; it's worth setting aside a big chunk of time to explore the countless things inside those gates.

Also? The MoMA. I don't know if they still have Starry Night by van Gogh, or if they've moved it back into the city from Queens, but...damn.

I'll have to ask my Manhattan-based friends for a good bakery rec or two...

[farasha.livejournal.com]

They do, I believe. I was just there a couple weeks ago and Starry Night was still on display. It's amazing in person.

[onyx-noir.livejournal.com]

Might try inquiring over at newyorkers too. :D

[tundraeternal.livejournal.com]

I second this! There's loads of posts about what to do in the city when you've only got a couple days! Also posts about bakeries!

[bea-in-a-bonnet.livejournal.com]

When the boy and I were in New York last year we did a Greenwich Village Food Tasting and Culture Tour and it was great fun - includes a milk and cookies place too. Details can be found here - www.foodsofny.com.

[starlady42.livejournal.com]

Cupcake tour of NY!

Magnolia Bakery (famous! it was on Sex and the City and in The Devil Wears Prada. They actually limit customers to no more than a dozen because they're so popular.)
Cupcake Cafe (gorgeous sugar flowers)
Sugar Sweet Sunshine
Buttercup Bake Shop
Crumbs (ENORMOUS cupcakes)

Fun things to do:
- Take the Staten Island Ferry to SI and back -- it's free, and you can get a great view of the city and of the Statue of Liberty from it
- Don't do the Statue of Liberty ferry/tour unless she really really wants to be a tourist -- it's overpriced and, frankly, I didn't think it was worth the time
- The Empire State Building, on the other hand, is worth the money and time if it's a nice day -- amazing views
- Second the MoMA, and the Met is always worth a visit (though you sort of have to accept that you can't possibly see it all... even if you have several days.. it's beyond enormous)
- Enthusiastically second Central Park. It's wonderful.
- Shopping! Soho (south of Houston, which is pronounced "Howston", not the way we say it in the South), the Village, etc.
- There's a tiny Italian restaurant on West 35th St that I always recommend to people, except that I can't remember the name right now. It's within a block or so of Times Square -- on the same block as the Comfort Inn.

Hope she has fun :)

[cleolinda.livejournal.com]

Omg that will make her so happy--I forgot to say, she was specifically interested in cupcakes.

[bluemarie.livejournal.com]

I used to work a couple of doors down from Veniero's (http://www.venierospastry.com) and it was HEAVENLY. If she's planning to be anywhere near 1st Ave and 11th St. it's definitely worth a visit. Elsewhere in Manhattan I like Sweet Melissa (http://www.sweetmelissapatisserie.com) and Amy's Bread.

Cupcakes are a hotly debated question and I hesitate to recommend any one place. Obviously there's Magnolia (http://www.magnoliacupcakes.com), but I've also heard or experienced good things at/about Sugar Sweet Sunshine (http://www.sugarsweetsunshine.com), Crumbs (http://www.crumbsbakeshop.com), Buttercup Bake Shop (http://www.buttercupbakesho.com), and Babycakes (http://www.babycakesnyc.com/) (they're vegan so it's like health food! Right? Right?).

As for stuff to do, it's cliche but I wouldn't miss walking across the Brooklyn Bridge. And actually, there's another great bakery (http://www.juniorscheesecake.com) waiting on the other side! (http://www.amysbread.com) ()

[cpip.livejournal.com]

Ah, good. I was going to mention Junior's. It is the One True Cheesecake of which all others are but Shadow.

Make sure to make time to go over there. The Ft. Greene neighborhood is generally an ... interesting place to check out. Saturdays, I believe, now, they have an oddball flea market over there that might be worth wandering through to work up the appetite for the cheesecake.

[madkestrel.livejournal.com]

I've been dying to go to NYC and take taxis all day, in the hope that I random onto the Cash Cab. But I can't imagine SisterGirl wants to do that...

[kismeteve.livejournal.com]

I second the Met and Moma recs (the Met has some awesome shows on now). FYI, You can pay whatever you want to get into the Met, but the Moma is 20 bucks, except for Friday nights. Magnolia Bakery and Crumbs are great for cupcakes and City Bakery is pretty awesome too. She can also go to the Strand on 13th street (for books galore) and the NYPL on 42nd street is also nice to visit. They've got two small exhibitions up now and they've got a Gutenberg Bible.

[thegeneralerin.livejournal.com]

If she wants to make a trip over to Staten Island (which, she probably doesn't) She can hop the free ferry, walk about 2 blocks and find Enoteca by the St. George theatre. When I worked at the theatre, I ate there all the time. Delicious.
Also, they make their hot chocolate with actual milk, not water. My kinda people.

[ladystarlightsj.livejournal.com]

I have no bakery recs, but The Strand (http://www.strandbooks.com/) is awesome. Also, the Met Museum is fun and maybe the Central Park Zoo (http://nyzoosandaquarium.com/cpz)?

[bohemian1.livejournal.com]

Balthazar's in SoHo has an amazing bakery connected to their restaurant.

Magnolia's has the best cupcakes on the planet; tell her to only buy the vanilla ones. It's located on Bleeker and 7th.

Right now Patrick Stewart is playing Macbeth on Broadway, and it's supposed to be incredible.

There's also a nice Klimt exhibit going on at the Neue Gallery that's also paired with a small, but interesting jewelry exhibit from the same period.

[jeeperstseepers.livejournal.com]

I'm pressed for time, so I can't Google, but are you sure Stewart's playing Macbeth on Broadway? I know he was doing that at BAM (Brooklyn Academy of Music) this Spring. I suppose it's possible they're doing a quick run on Broadway too and I just didn't hear about it.

The BAM Macbeth is actually put on by the Royal Shakespare Company, so chances are it's very good. I saw their production of King Lear (starring Ian McKellenat BAM last Fall.

[sneaky-minx.livejournal.com]

Hmm, I have a few places in the city that I truly enjoyed. She may as well.

Is she a tea drinker? This place was absolutely delightful: http://sympathyforthekettle.com/ - It's in the East Village. While she's there, she can also visit the gorgeous parks in the area. Washington Square park is a bit away, but she'd probably be able to see it getting off the subway. Closer to the place is http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tompkins_Square_Park . You can actually get a glimpse of the East River if you walk around a bit, as well.

Another charming place that I fell in love with is http://www.booksofwonder.com/. I went there for a Terry Pratchett book signing. It's wonderful to just look around. Plus, they have gourmet cupcakes. (And the kid in me LOVED that I got to eat my cupcakes with a little thing of YooHoo!)

I've never been to the next place, but I've heard wonderful things. In case the weather's a little warm (and even if it's not), this place is supposed to have fabulous ice cream: http://www.serendipity3.com/main.htm

[bohemian1.livejournal.com]

Washington Square Park doesn't really exist right now; they've torn up the fountain and moving it three feet to the right because someone discovered that it isn't center with the arch.

[puppetmaker40.livejournal.com]

I so Second Magnolia Bakery and the Cup Cake Cafe.

The Central Park Zoo is fun and the weather is suppose to be good.

I will be there with my husband who's dance card is already booked that his various editors are fighting over the last of his time. But I do know he will be doing a signing at the Randomhouse booth for his new novel "Tigerheart" on Saturday from 11 -12

[nanet.livejournal.com]

Walk across the Brooklyn Bridge and then go underneath it to Grimaldi's - the best pizza in all the land, bar none. After that, head down to the waterfront in Brooklyn for ice cream on the docks. You can't miss the ice cream place. It was my first foray into Brooklyn when I lived by the South Street Seaport and it was amazing.

Also, if she takes the Staten Island Ferry she can see the Statue of Liberty without actually going to it and get some great pictures.

(I was totally a student in New York who lived like a cheapass all the time.)

[girlandetc.livejournal.com]

last i checked, i THINK Magnolia Bakery was shut down due to health code violations. yuck. I've heard good things about sugar sweet and buttercup though. also check out burgers & cupcakes in midtown. for sandwiches, try wichcraft, which i adore <3. ferrara's in little italy is a CLASSIC of course and they have AMAZING desserts. balthazar also has amazing food but it's pricey. for awesome breakfasts, go to the cupping room on broome street in soho and get the waffles!! for asian/panasian/an awesome dining experience go to spice market in the meatpacking district - unbelievably good, but pricey. for chinatown asian, try singapore cafe on mott st. off canal (just down the street from ferrara's sort of), or the wonton palace place (i forget the name) down the street from that, also on mott. get the noodle soups there; i prefer the roast duck noodle soup. omg delicious. like ramen but 10million times better.

check out coney island, that's a lot of fun. i'd do the bronx zoo over the central park zoo though. i love walking around in soho, or uptown by the 5th ave apple store and FAO Schwartz :)

have fun!

[starlady42.livejournal.com]

Magnolia was only down for about a week -- not enough sinks or something. (Seriously.) That was last year -- unless there's a new thing I haven't heard about.

[lesamalie.livejournal.com]

Not cupcake related, but they are miniature cakes, Polka Dot Cakes (http://www.polkadotcakes.com/) will blow your mind. Its in the village and amazing. As a baker, I think she'd love this place.

Also, Alice's Tea Cup (http://www.alicesteacup.com/) is adorable. Baking-wise its mainly just scones and such (great scones though) but its a really fun little tea shop with an Alice in Wonderland theme.

[dponice.livejournal.com]

Cupcake Cafe cupcakes are beautiful, be prepared they are prettier then they are tasty. (They are heavy on the buttercream, and the cupcake while great if fresh has often been frozen to deal with cake demands.)

Babycakes are amazing for being vegan. I personally prefer Billys cupcakes to Magnolia's. She might pick up a cupcake at Billys (Ninth Avenue and 22nd Street) wander west to the river, walk through Chelsea Piers, leave it at 18th Street, walk east and then check out Chelsea Market at tenth and 16th Street. Walk through it - The Food Network shoots there, there is a Sarabeth's outlet, a very expensive fancy tea shop, an Amy's Bread outlet (just ignore Ruthy's both at Chelsea Piers and the Market.)

Coming out the other side would put them in the former Meatpacking district - now one of the hot neighborhoods. She could walk past designer shops in former meat distribution centers. It is a hoot.

There used to be a Little Pie Company store there, but no longer. For that she should check out Grand Central. Not only is there a Little Pie Company there, but a Junior's Cheesecake in the basement food concourse. On the main floor there is a wonderful market with a fish vendor, cheese vendor, Penzey's Spices, and a Ronnybrook dairy outlet. Mind you she should check out Grand Central just because it is an amazingly beautiful building, but the food is fun.

Not cupcakes but Bubbys in Tribeca has wonderful pies.

On Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday one of the original NYC Greenmarkets take place in Union Square. It is well worth wandering through. (City Bakery and The Strand would fit in walking that area.)

[dponice.livejournal.com]

Duh, and I meant to second the Staten Island Ferry suggestion. It has one of the best views of the Statue of Liberty, and turns around onto a great view of Manhattan. If you can do it at sunset, it is one of the great cheap treats of NYC.

[la-petite-singe.livejournal.com]

I basically live at the Strand (and I met Amy Adams there last week, y'know), so that can't be missed. I hate to say it because it's so tourist-y, but Madame Tussaud's wax museum is pretty awesome. ...And if she's going to see a show (good heavens, I am unhelpful), Cry-Baby is totally awesome and still in previews, so the tickets will be a bit more affordable than normal.

And I'm going to Comic-Con on Sunday! *geeky dance of glee*

[marciamarcia.livejournal.com]

I don't know any bakeries, but I will chime in and say that she should visit Brooklyn Heights.

Just take the N train south and hop off at the first stop across the river.

There's a promenade with a gorgeous view of Manhattan, especially at night. Lots of nifty Cosby-esque brownstones to mill around. And a couple of good shopping and milling about areas.

[craobhruadh.livejournal.com]

If she's into artisan breads, amy's bread is a must-see. Their most famous product is a raisin semolina loaf, but most anything they make is awesome.

http://www.amysbread.com/

[particle-person.livejournal.com]

Just tell her to give the Museum of Sex a miss. I was there on Saturday, and they almost managed to make sex boring. For $13.

[soleta-nf.livejournal.com]

I'm going to NYC in May, and the Museum of Sex is at the top of my list. What made it boring? What did they have there? Have you been to other sex museums? I've been to three in Paris and Amsterdam, two were okay (kinda sleazy), and one was good (more academic, referenced, and tasteful). I'd like to know if I should put this one lower on my list. Thanks!

[delle.livejournal.com]

if she wants to see a show, the Daughter went to Radio City to see the Rockettes and LOVED it. (she's a dancer, so she'd know from dancing)

[bunnymonkey.livejournal.com]

How long is she visiting? Suggestions are going to be all over the freaking city. No big if you're used to it -- or a visitor who knows her way around -- but just wanted to mention it.

Amy's Bread and Cupcake Cafe are two fabulous places. There's ALWAYS a line at Amy's, but it's so very good. And it's not too terribly far from Cupcake Cafe, which has great frosting, and beautiful frosting flowers on each cupcake. This is all reasonably close to times square/theater district.

If she opts for Magnolia bakery for her cupcakes, it's not too far from Art Bar, which has a fun loungy area in the back, a good happy hour and bar food, and a pie special from Little Pie Company (which is awesome).

The best cookies in the city are at Levain Bakery on the upper west side. There's also a pinkberry not too far away. The Natural History Museum is also on the UWS and always a good time.

I also have a favorite AMAZING gelato place, but it's a real hassle to get to.

[cleolinda.livejournal.com]

Thanks, I'll definitely pass it on. She's gone and left the packet we made her in the car, so I'm having to email all the information to her over again...

[doveofsneezy.livejournal.com]

FOR THE LOVE OF ALL THINGS HOLY DO NOT SEND HER TO MAGNOLIA BAKERY!!!

Ahem.

I live around the corner from there. There's usually a line of tourists around the block on the weekends and it's RIDICULOUS. Their famous cupcakes are disgusting. They're just filled with sugar and make most people sick to their stomach. Everything else they have there is awesome, but the cupcakes...ugh. It makes me mad that they're famous.

Close to there though are the best Red Velvet cupcakes in the world. The place is called Tonie's and it's off 6th Ave, uhhh near a McDonalds. She can google it. : )

[cleolinda.livejournal.com]

Huh... I'll pass that on. She does love red velvet cake.

[greenwitch.livejournal.com]

If she DOES want to see a show, she should get the half-priced tickets at the TKTS booth, which is currently on the ground floor of the Marriott Marquis in Times Square.

As for the rest, I second all the museum suggestions (Natural History is my favorite), but I'm a big museum person so I'm into that, she may not be. I also think it's fun to walk around the big mega stores in Times Square, not necessarily buy anything.