Holiday Tourist Advice

I have a group of six friends and family visiting this weekend. Each year I try to convince them not to come in December, but here they are anyway.

Personally, I avoid Manhattan as much as possible during the holidays (especially since I am the grinch) but they want to be here despite the crowds and the weather. Luckily, most of the group has been before so we don't have to do the ESB or Statue of Liberty.

One of the must-dos on their list is mass at St. Patrick's. We tried to go last year, but it was over an hour wait (outside in the cold). Does anyone have any tips? Best time to go?

Unbelievably, the other thing at the top of their list is dinner in Little Italy (I know, I know). I've suggested other options from Arthur Ave to good Italian not on Mulberry, but that's what they want. This will be the third year in a row of food ranging between so-so and terrible. (I would even be happy if they'd go for Lombardi's as "classic New York Italian".) I have sifted through chowhound and citysearch and not found a solid option. So, anyone have a recommendation for a decent restaurant in Little Italy?

There's is an Italian place on Houston near where the Knitting Factory was first located. I know not much help. It's not touristy at all and there's even a back room where some goomba holds court. Oh, the food was great. Its been a couple of years since I've been there but I'll be driving by later today and will edit later with the name.

http://newyork.citysearch.com/review/11313287

If your friends want the obligatory autographed pictures on the wall this is not the place.

After dinner stroll down to Caffe Roma on Broome street
http://www.yelp.com/biz/caffe-roma-pastry-new-york

There's is an Italian place on Houston near where the Knitting Factory was first located. I know not much help. It's not touristy at all and there's even a back room where some goomba holds court. Oh, the food was great. Its been a couple of years since I've been there but I'll be driving by later today and will edit later with the name.

http://newyork.citysearch.com/review/11313287

If your friends want the obligatory autographed pictures on the wall this is not the place.

After dinner stroll down to Caffe Roma on Broome street
http://www.yelp.com/biz/caffe-roma-pastry-new-york

There were some little italy suggestions on this post
http://www.brooklynian.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=57610&sid=ec2038983ae2ba146079f8fd15740810

There were some little italy suggestions on this post
http://www.brooklynian.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=57610&sid=ec2038983ae2ba146079f8fd15740810

Frank on 2nd ave is mentioned and i agree, there is also Frank's 51, something like that, on Clinton between stanton and houston.

just do what you want and then talk it up like you know of this great place that hasn't been discovered yet, or whatever.

Frank on 2nd ave is mentioned and i agree, there is also Frank's 51, something like that, on Clinton between stanton and houston.

just do what you want and then talk it up like you know of this great place that hasn't been discovered yet, or whatever.

Damn, when I saw the title of this thread, I was all ready to say:

1) don't stop in the middle of the sidewalk and stare at the sky. Pull over to the side!
2) don't stop on the subway stairs to pull out your map and decide where t go
3) when you get on an escalator, move to the right if you are standing still.


I guess I'll have to save all of those suggestions (and more!) for another time...sigh

Damn, when I saw the title of this thread, I was all ready to say:

1) don't stop in the middle of the sidewalk and stare at the sky. Pull over to the side!
2) don't stop on the subway stairs to pull out your map and decide where t go
3) when you get on an escalator, move to the right if you are standing still.


I guess I'll have to save all of those suggestions (and more!) for another time...sigh

Flexichick wrote: Damn, when I saw the title of this thread, I was all ready to say:

1) don't stop in the middle of the sidewalk and stare at the sky. Pull over to the side!
2) don't stop on the subway stairs to pull out your map and decide where t go
3) when you get on an escalator, move to the right if you are standing still.


I guess I'll have to save all of those suggestions (and more!) for another time...sigh

4) don't anger flexichick

Flexichick wrote: Damn, when I saw the title of this thread, I was all ready to say:

1) don't stop in the middle of the sidewalk and stare at the sky. Pull over to the side!
2) don't stop on the subway stairs to pull out your map and decide where t go
3) when you get on an escalator, move to the right if you are standing still.


I guess I'll have to save all of those suggestions (and more!) for another time...sigh

4) don't anger flexichick

vidro3 wrote: [quote=Flexichick]Damn, when I saw the title of this thread, I was all ready to say:

1) don't stop in the middle of the sidewalk and stare at the sky. Pull over to the side!
2) don't stop on the subway stairs to pull out your map and decide where t go
3) when you get on an escalator, move to the right if you are standing still.


I guess I'll have to save all of those suggestions (and more!) for another time...sigh

4) don't anger flexichick

5) do not taunt happy fun ball!

vidro3 wrote: [quote=Flexichick]Damn, when I saw the title of this thread, I was all ready to say:

1) don't stop in the middle of the sidewalk and stare at the sky. Pull over to the side!
2) don't stop on the subway stairs to pull out your map and decide where t go
3) when you get on an escalator, move to the right if you are standing still.


I guess I'll have to save all of those suggestions (and more!) for another time...sigh

4) don't anger flexichick

5) do not taunt happy fun ball!

Thanks for advice so far...

Flexi - you'll be happy to know that I give all my visitors three rules and the first is the same as yours:

Don't stop in the middle of the sidewalk. Pull over.
Don't stare at anyone, no matter what they are wearing.
Don't keep your metrocard in your wallet.

This year, I'm considering adding a fourth:

Use your "inside voice" on the subway.

Thanks for advice so far...

Flexi - you'll be happy to know that I give all my visitors three rules and the first is the same as yours:

Don't stop in the middle of the sidewalk. Pull over.
Don't stare at anyone, no matter what they are wearing.
Don't keep your metrocard in your wallet.

This year, I'm considering adding a fourth:

Use your "inside voice" on the subway.

6. Open your umbrella once you reach the top of the stairs. Your head will be ok for the 25 feet, and we can't fit in the stairs with the f'in umbrella open.

6. Open your umbrella once you reach the top of the stairs. Your head will be ok for the 25 feet, and we can't fit in the stairs with the f'in umbrella open.

lemur11215 wrote: Thanks for advice so far...

Flexi - you'll be happy to know that I give all my visitors three rules and the first is the same as yours:

Don't stop in the middle of the sidewalk. Pull over.
Don't stare at anyone, no matter what they are wearing.
Don't keep your metrocard in your wallet.

This year, I'm considering adding a fourth:

Use your "inside voice" on the subway.

=D> =D> =D>

You are a good tour guide!

If they insist on Little Italy, Il Cortile is one of the better ones

lemur11215 wrote: Thanks for advice so far...

Flexi - you'll be happy to know that I give all my visitors three rules and the first is the same as yours:

Don't stop in the middle of the sidewalk. Pull over.
Don't stare at anyone, no matter what they are wearing.
Don't keep your metrocard in your wallet.

This year, I'm considering adding a fourth:

Use your "inside voice" on the subway.

=D> =D> =D>

You are a good tour guide!

If they insist on Little Italy, Il Cortile is one of the better ones

We had visitors who stumbled on Florio's at 192 Grand Street and came back raving about great food and the friendly, cigar-smoking owner.... sounded like a tourist trap to me, so haven't been there, but it sounds like it's the sort of thing your visitors might appreciate.

http://www.florios.com/

http://www.yelp.com/biz/florios-pizzeria-new-york

Not sure how they get round the smoking ban - some loophole?