A Yankee Stadium Primer

by Louise, Director of Operations

Opening day was this week at both Yankee Stadium and Citifield, and now we’re in the midst of what we hope will be a very long and exciting baseball season!

While Citifield is always a more economical alternative for baseball games during your visit to NYC, most requests we get are to see the 27-time World Champions. I can’t say I blame you – I LOVE the Yankees! Based on the numerous conversations I’ve had when helping fans book Yankees packages, I thought I’d offer some of my best tips:

Have an idea of where you want to sit

Before you go, you need tickets, right? It’s always a good idea to know where you want to sit, although we’ll be happy to offer you options. Here are some quick tips:

-          400 Level is “Grandstand”: The highest up seats, furthest from the action, and also usually the best prices (of course). There’s no bad view, so if you’re just looking for the experience Grandstand is a great option. But don’t think you can buy 400 level tickets and sneak into the field level seats – there are security guards!
-          300 Level is “Terrace”: Technically the same level as Grandstand, but the terrace level includes the seats closer to the field.
-          200 level is “Loge” or “Main Level”: Quite a bit closer to the field, with higher prices to match!
-          100 level is “Field Level”: The closest you can get to the action without being a very wealthy person who can get their hands on “legends suite” seating. But be wary – if you’re looking at sections labeled 129 or higher or 111 or lower you’ll be in the outfield, and not much closer to the action than the less expensive bleachers or 200 level seats.

If you love a specific player, you may want to choose a seat that gives you a good view:

-          Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez both play on the third base side (I would hope you’d know that if you’re a fan!). Any section that ends in 24-27 is a good option. If Jeter’s your man and you’re looking for an unforgettable experience, right by section 117 is usually where he hangs out when he’s on deck (instead of the on deck circle), and it’s also right next to the Yankees Dugout.
-          Mariano Rivera is retiring after this season (sniff) and of course spends most of the game around the Bullpen. Section 136 is field level and still next to the Yankees Bullpen, though far from the rest of the game. Bleachers 237 and 238 are pretty economical choices that will also put you right behind the Bullpen, though you could end up being fairly far back.

So in general: a section ending in 24-27 is on the third base side, 12-16 is the first base side. 17-23 are behind home plate. Anything under 12 or over 27 is the outfield. Put a 1 in front, that’s the most expensive (At least $175, usually more). Put a 4 in front, that’s the least expensive (as low as $25 for some games).

Take the subway

Yes, Yankee Stadium is in the Bronx. I highly encourage you to freely use the subway on your visit to New York, but I know it can be a little scary if you’re not familiar. Here are my reasons why it is extra not scary to take the subway to Yankee Stadium:

-          The 4 on the east side and D on the west side go directly there with no transfers. You can transfer from most other lines to the 4 or the D without even leaving the platform
-          The stop is called Yankee Stadium. And what’s more, basically everyone on the entire train is going to get off there. You won’t miss the stop!
-          You can see the stadium from the moment you get out of the subway. All you need to do to get there is cross the street. You can’t miss it!

So in conclusion, traveling to Yankee Stadium on the subway is easy, fast, and much cheaper than taking a taxi or booking a car in advance! However, this is an important subway tip: Make sure you have money on your Metrocard for your return trip before you go to the game. You do NOT want to be waiting in line to refill your Metrocard after the game!

Get there early, but not TOO early

The gates don’t open until 2 hours prior to the scheduled start of the game, so there’s no reason to be any earlier than that! Guests are permitted to go right up to the front of the field level to watch batting practice for the first 45 minutes after the gate open, and after that you won’t be allowed in that section unless your tickets are there. So it’s a great opportunity to get up close to the team and the players, even if your ticketed seats are in the Grandstand!

Once batting practice is over, there’s still plenty to do before the game! Monument Park, a tribute to Yankees Legends, is open until 45 minutes prior to the scheduled start time, but go early because the line will often be closed an hour or more beforehand so they have time to empty the park before the game.

If you still have time, the Yankees Museum near Gate 6 is open prior to the game and does not close until the 8^th inning, so make it your last stop.

Be Water Wary

You’re going to see a lot of people outside the stadium selling bottles of water for $1. It’s a great deal, in theory, because water bottles once you get inside are going to be $5. So go for it, but this is important: DO NOT OPEN THE WATER BOTTLE OUTSIDE THE STADIUM. Stadium policy is that you can bring in factory-sealed water bottles (up to 1 liter), but once it’s opened, it’s not allowed, and you just wasted $1 instead of saving $4.

Get some Grub

An average game is 3 hours long – you’re going to get hungry. If hot dogs and cracker jacks with a side of bud light are your jam, I say go for it – you’ll see them at every turn! If you’re looking for something a little different, there are more food options than you might think. Take a walk around the field level to see the widest array of culinary delights. Here are some of my favorites in the stadium:

-          Parm You’re in New York City, have an authentic NYC meal, why dontcha? Parm, an amazing sandwich shop with its flagship location in Soho, is in the Great Hall between gates 4 and 6 and they serve up a delicious fresh turkey sandwich or a meatball sub. It’s the place to go.
-          Garlic Fries What more do I need to say? They are fries. With garlic. Like, a LOT of garlic. You can find them in three locations: By section 108, by section 205, or by section 331.
-          The Food Court If you’re with a large group and everyone wants something different, the food court on the field level is your best bet for diversity in one spot. It’s located near the third base line on the field level, adjacent to section 127. You’ll find all the basics there, plus stuff like sushi, noodle bowls, fried dough, and Dylan’s Candy Bar. Nearby at Gate 4 there’s even a little farmstand that sells fresh fruit, if you are 100% set against a traditional calorie-rific baseball experience.
-          Real Cocktails & Good Beer I don’t know about you, but by the time I was 21 I was already too old for giant sugar-laden slushies with a shot of vodka. When I’m at the stadium and I want a cocktail, I usually head for the Malibu Rooftop Deck near section 310. There’s a scenic(?) view of the South Bronx and it’s not usually jam-packed. The signature Malibu Rum cocktails are not a great value at $16-18 each, but regular mixed drinks are more like $10-12 and they have a full bar. They also have a couple of microbrews on tap.

Got more questions or looking for a Yankees package? I’m always happy to talk Yankees! E-mail me at lgeller@newyorkguest.com.

Naturally Cool: The American Museum of Natural History-

by Kelly, Manager of Partner and Group Services

When I moved to New York City, I made a “New York City Bucket List.”  On it were all of the amazing things I wanted to do and see as a brand-new New Yorker – climb the Statue of Liberty, look up my ancestors at Ellis Island, see classic NYC staple shows like The Lion King and the Radio City Christmas Spectacular, go to the very top of the Empire State Building, take the Staten Island Ferry, tour NBC…and visit the Museum of Natural History.  I have lived in New York City for almost a decade now, and after this past weekend, I am proud to say that I have finally completed my bucket list with a trip to the Museum of Natural History.

Located on Central Park West between the blocks of 77^th – 81^st Streets, the Museum of Natural History was founded in 1869 and sees approximately 5 million visitors annually.  It is comprised of 25 interconnected buildings that house 46 permanent exhibition halls, research laboratories, and its renowned library.

Some of the “must-see” staples of the museum:

1.)    The 94-foot long, 21,000 pound fibreglass replica of a female blue whale that hangs suspended in the Milstein Hall of Ocean Life.  Underneath the whale is a large open space amongst the other ocean life displays where museum dwellers can rest, take pictures, and get their bearings before moving on to the next exhibit.

2.)    The Hall of Dinosaurs – my favorite dinosaur display was (of course) the giant Tyrannosaurus Rex, which is combined of actual fossils found from two specimens discovered in the 1800s in Montana.

3.)    Henry Frank Guggenheim Hall of Gems and Minerals – with hundreds of unusual geological specimens and many rare, valuable gemstones – I loved getting the chance to view both the raw minerals (the quartz and giant amethyst were my favorites) and the cut gems both on their own and set in jewelry pieces in the Morgan Memorial Hall of Gems.

4.)    Rose Center for Earth & Space – the Hayden Planetarium’s “Journey to the Stars” space show is an amazing sight to behold, spanning the expanse of the domed ceiling of the Planetarium.

Along with spending time at these wonderful staples of the museum’s installations, I was also lucky enough to visit three of the special exhibits on display as well:

1.)    Our Global Kitchen: Food, Nature, Culture – this exhibition explores the complex and intricate food system that brings what we eat from farm to fork.  My favorite part of the exhibit was an interactive video installation where I learned how certain food items like apples, bananas, lamb and tuna reach my area from their origins in Washington, Ecuador, New Zealand, and Japan.

2.)    The Butterfly Conservatory – the butterfly vivarium is a custom-fabricated, temporary shell structure of approximately 1,315 square feet that sits within one of the museum’s existing galleries.  Filled with butterflies, the vivarium is a flurry of color and beauty.  One of the curators walking around making sure the butterflies were hydrated by misting them with water had a hitchhiking butterfly attached to her the entire time I was there – in fact, many patient visitors found a winged friend attached to some part of them while in the exhibit!  Along a side wall of the vivarium is a guarded display of live chrysalises where at any moment a live butterfly may hatch.  The day that I was at the museum, the curator had seen 4 butterflies hatch (just moments before I arrived, unfortunately), and told me that they would be released into the main vivarium to thrive with the other butterflies throughout the day.

3.)    Whales: Giants of the Deep – on tour from the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa (which houses one of the largest whale collections in the world,) this exhibit features more than 20 skulls and skeletons from various whale species and showcases many rare specimens, including the real skeleton of a male sperm whale measuring 58 feet long.  The skeleton is AMAZING, and I wish I could have taken a picture for posterity – unfortunately, the museum has a no-picture policy for that exhibit (guess you’ll just have to go see it in person!)  Another notable feature that the kids seemed to love is a replica of a whale heart that youngsters could climb through and explore – a whale’s heart is the size of a small child!

My recommendation to anyone looking to visit this amazing New York City institution would be to carve out a day to explore.  I was at the museum for just over 5 hours, and there are still things I missed (I have to go back and see the Willamette Meteorite in the Hall of the Universe – it’s 15.5 tons and is the largest meteorite ever found in the United States and the sixth-largest in the world!).  I would also advise purchasing the All-Inclusive Super Saver Pass, which gets you entrance to the museum, all special exhibits, and the “Journey to the Stars” space show, because you don’t want to miss any of the amazing exhibits featured at the museum.  The Butterfly Conservatory will be available through May 27^th, and if you can’t catch that – a new exhibit called “Frogs: a Chorus of Colors” is coming in on May 18^th.  The “Global Kitchen” exhibit is on hand until August 11^th, and “Whales: Giants of the Deep” will be available through January 2014.  If you’d like any assistance with adding the museum to YOUR New York City Bucket List, please give us a call at 212-302-4019, or email me at kshoemaker@newyorkguest.com.

Wrestlemania, here we come!

by Eileen, New York Guest Travel Planner

Nine years ago, I watched as Madison Square Garden filled up with fog as minions in hooded cloaks lined the main aisle to the squared circle holding torches.  The arena was deprived of all artificial light as a tall figure emerged from the main stage and walked down to the ring to face his opponent.  This was not the beginning of a play or musical, this was Wrestlemania 20.

I know that wrestling sharply divides people– either you like it or you do not.  This blog is not an argument for why you should watch wrestling; it is a blog explaining one of my greatest passions. I love wrestling.  I love the theatrics, the physical strain, and the general thrill that comes with it.  I am fully aware that the story lines are scripted, that matches and spots are planned in advance, and that sometimes the two guys in the ring trying to beat each other can be the best of friends outside of the ring.  I liken wrestling to performance art, perhaps a low budget version, but it there is an art to it.  It’s not easy to get an arena of thousands to hate you or embrace you as one of their own in seconds.  It’s not easy to put on a match that captures and engages the audience.  I’ve seen some wrestlers fall short of the high expectations that are placed upon them, but I’ve also seen wrestlers exceed expectations and that’s when the true magic really happens.

Over the course of my fandom, I’ve seen maybe about ten wrestling shows in person.  The majority of those shows were “house shows”, meaning they were not broadcast live on television.  I’ve been to Monday Night Raw a few times, and I believe I did go to a Smackdown show at one point.  I went to my first pay-per-view event last year when the annual Survivor Series was held at the Garden.   New York is big wrestling town.  The mass transit system makes it so easy for fans to get into the city and a lot of the fans are diehards.  They watch, they follow, and they breathe wrestling.  So to go to an event were a major superstar of the business made his return to the ring after seven years surrounded by fellow diehard fans, is an experience I still cannot fully put into words.

The most well-known wrestling event in the world is Wrestlemania.  The first Wrestlemania was held at MSG in 1985 and featured a slew of celebrity guests as well as wrestling favorites.  Wrestlemanias have taken place every year in all parts of the country.  Like the Olympics, cities do make bids to host Wrestlemania.  The week leading up to Wrestlemania includes days of activities, meet and greets, and the Hall of Fame ceremony.  The resources and main power it takes to put on a Wrestlemania boosts local economies so cities want to host the event.

I promised my best friend that we go to Wrestlemania one day.  With the beautiful Met Life Stadium opening last year, the WWE announced that Wrestlemania 29 would be held in New Jersey on April 7, 2013.  The week before events leading up to Wrestlemania will be held throughout the Metropolitan area.  A group of my closest friends and I have been coordinating for a week to get tickets, and this morning we were able to get floor seating via the pre-sale.  As cliché as the phrase, this is one of the things that I am able to cross of my bucket list.  I am still high from the excitement of seeing our seats pop up on the computer screen.  Now I can only wait and wish the months pass as quickly as I hope to get to that fateful Sunday.

People come from all over the world to see Wrestlemania!  If you are even thinking about coming, contact us!  We can help with Wrestlemania tickets, accommodation, event recommendation, as well as other New York activities.  To get a quote, fill out our online request form. If you mention Wrestlemania, you can be you’ll be hearing from me!

Team building at its finest on the New York Harbor!

by Louise, Director of Operations

Riding in style, as always

October 14^th was a perfect Autumn night. The temperature hovered around 65 degrees with a beautiful breeze and the skies were clear as the New York Guest team assembled outside the Grayline Visitor’s Center. We were all so thankful for the gorgeous weather as our evening included a 2 hour twilight cruise with Citysightseeing, our new favorite choice for cruising New York Harbor.

Enjoying dinner in the main cabin

We rode in style atop a double decker bus (of course, we wouldn’t travel any other way) to Pier 78 on 38^th street, where we immediately boarded the vessel designated for us. We’re always a team that gets right down to business, so we quickly set about dining on the generous and tasty buffet of salad, pasta, chicken marsala and plentiful sweets. Most of us got the formality of eating out of the way before we even left the dock, so we could head to the upper deck with our glasses of wine and beer to enjoy the live DJ and the beautiful evening.

Some of the team relaxing on the back deck

Early on in the evening, the upper deck became a dance floor while the indoor lower deck served as a haven for those who needed a little respite from the madness. At the back of the boat there was a smaller outdoor area where still other revelers gathered to enjoy the scenery and chat.

This view never gets old!

While the DJ was mostly focused on encouraging everyone to dance and have fun, he also pointed out the important sites as we passed them – the Brooklyn Bridge, the Freedom Tower, and of course, the Statue of Liberty. No matter how many times you’ve seen these sites, and even no matter how many times you’ve seen them from the water, there is just nothing like gazing up at Lady Liberty as she stands in all her glory surrounded by a sky filled with stars.

More team members enjoying the final dance of the evening

Too soon, our 2 hours on the water came to a close and we danced one final dance as the awesome crew docked our boat back at Pier 78. Our double decker chariot awaited and made three convenient stops at Penn Station, Port Authority and Grand Central so that everyone would have easy access to a subway that would take them home.

We all agreed it was absolutely one of the best work events we’d ever attended, and would highly recommend the experience to any company looking to host an unforgettable evening for their employees, though Citysightseeing charters are available for any type of event at all. Not only that, but even if you aren’t booking an event you can enjoy a wonderful Citysightseeing Cruise any day of the week, with several 90 and 60 minute options sailing daily. We know you’ll have a blast!

Sleep No More: A Mind-blowing Night of Immersive Theater

by Eileen, Travel Planner

For a year or so I’ve heard about Sleep No More.  Every so often a friend or colleague would express interest in going to see this show and I’d nod my head and say “Yeah, me too.”  I had heard very little about the content of the show itself, if you can even call it a show.  I knew three things though: it was based on Shakespeare’s Macbeth, you were bound to get lost in the maze of sets, and always be alert because an actor might just run over you.  Sleep No More is more than just a show; it’s a unique experience to everyone who ventures to the McKittrick Hotel.

Sleep No More opened over a year ago and its popularity has skyrocketed with visitors and native New Yorkers.  The performance takes place at a large warehouse between 10^th and 11^th Avenues in the Chelsea District.  The warehouse was converted specifically for this performance into the abandoned McKittrick Hotel.  You are given a playing card and are then split into groups according to your card number.  I was not too thrilled to be split from my friends, but I had been warned that this would happen.  Into the elevator you go, and you are instructed to put on a white mask.  You cannot take your mask off and you cannot talk to anyone.  Anonymity is key to this experience.  The actors are the only ones allowed to speak (they rarely do) and have their faces shown.

I had gotten into the elevator last, which meant I’d be the first to exit.  The operator said “Everyone out,” so I moved forward.  The hallway was dark, and the only light sources were the candles lit in corners of the room that opened into the hallway.  Scared out of my wits, I turned around to find no one behind me.  I was alone on the floor and the elevator seamlessly blended into the wall.  I am not ashamed to admit that I had a mini freak out.  I do not like haunted houses and I am somewhat afraid of the dark— this was my worst nightmare.  I truly considered turning back, but I talked myself into moving forward and exploring.

The floor was an abandoned hospital wing.  The attention to detail in the logs, the discarded beds, the medicine cabinets, the handwritten letters was stunning.  I treaded on passed the hospital wing and was suddenly in a graveyard with smoke and angelic statues.  I carried on and was in a room with Lady Macbeth and Macbeth.  I followed the crowd and made it to the ballroom with the cast performing a ragtime dance.

Once the cast finished they broke off, I picked one cast member to follow.  I still haven’t quite figured out who the actor was supposed to be, but I followed him into a small room that resembled a confessional and watched as he did a ballet routine.  At one point I ventured on past the actor and made my way upstairs.  I found a floor that resembled an early turn of the century street with brick roads and shops of every kind.  Of course, I found the candy shop and stuffed my pockets full of butterscotch for the train ride home.  When I came back out, two actors were engaged in a physical duel.  They ran into a small room off the main hallway and I followed.  As soon as I entered, the door was shut behind me and they continued their fight.  At one point an actor was thrown and landed on top of me.  The actor didn’t say a word, helped me steady myself, and continued on with the scene.

There are about five different floors to the warehouse— a bedroom, a graveyard, a hospital, a mental institution, a rave, and a ballroom.  The only way to travel is to climb the small stair cases up and down.  There is next to no light and a lot of produced smoke.  You will bump into people and stumble over people.  The actors move through out the entire production, so I suggest keeping on the move.  Various scenes take place twice so if the group is too big and you can’t see, move along.

I can go on and on about the various scenes I experienced, but I can’t even guarantee you’ll see the same thing I did.  The main idea of Sleep No More is that it can be anything you make it out to be.  If you disregard your fears, you can have an amazing time running after actors to catch a glimpse of a plot.  It took me a full hour and half to really warm up to the set and the whole idea of the performance.  I’m proud of myself because I lasted a lot longer than I had anticipated.  Fourteen hours later and I’m still not really sure of what I experienced, but I do know that I would like to attend again.   It was a true New York experience that I can’t recommend enough.

If you have questions about Sleep No More or you’d like to book a package including tickets, feel free to e-mail me at efitzgerald@newyorkguest.com for more information!

A Grand Escape to Sands

by Karissa, Reservations Manager

I recently had the opportunity to go and visit the Sands Casino in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. I have to say I was pleasantly surprised. Although I’ve visited casions in Atlantic City, I’ve never been able to spend the night at one  so it was a new and fun experience for me. We went on a Saturday and arrived right around check in time, we didn’t have to wait to check in and had great service and headed up to our room to freshen up before checking out the casino floor and getting dinner.

Upon entering the room I was in shock – since we work with so many hotels in New York City I am use to seeing such small rooms, the rooms at the Sands are very large and spacious. The décor was modern but had a very nice homey feel to it. The rooms are also energy efficient; when you enter the room there is a slot for your key on the wall, when you insert your key the lights turn on and the air conditioning will also turn on. The bathrooms were also very spacious with the sink outside of the bathroom so it’s accessible when someone is showering which I always prefer when traveling. After we got ready we headed down to the casino level.

We got down to the casino right around 5pm and it was already pretty busy – but not to the point where you had to squeeze through crowds of people. At this point we were very hungry so we headed right to eat at Emeril’s Burgers and More! There were several restaurants to choose from but we decided before hand that’s where we would go. Emeril himself has 3 restaurants there to suit everyones’ taste buds: the Chop House, Italian Table and then Burgers & More. We were seated right away and approached by our waiter Matt who was very accommodating and helpful in making suggestions off the menu. We decided to go all out on our experience there and had an appetizer, entrée, and dessert! All of the food was great we left so full and satisfied with the food and the wonderful service we had. We enjoyed it so much we later returned with a friend who wanted to grab something to eat.

The casino itself got quite busy as the night continued and there was a live band performing at one of the bars in the center of the casino and everyone was enjoying themselves singing along and dancing. There were plenty of games to choose from and it wasn’t so crowded that you needed to wait for a seat at one of the tables. There were plenty of slots to choose from which is what I personally always go for – I’m a little too scared to roll with the big guys at the poker tables! Some of our friends played Roulette and seemed to have a great time! On the outer banks of the casino there are the Shoppes at the Sands which is 2 floors of nice higher end stores like Nine West, Coach, DKNY, Guess, Lenox and an interesting store that I just HAD to go into ….Peeps & Company! I personally am not a fan of peeps but a lot of my officemates are so I had to go in and check it out – you can buy any kind of peep here year round!

After all the exploring and enjoying the night we decided to wind down and head to bed even at that point at almost 1am the casino floor was still bumping and people were out having a great time! We headed up to the room and quickly fell asleep, the room was very quiet – no outside noise snuck in and disturbed us. The next morning we headed back down to the casino floor for continental breakfast. I was a little concerned that we went down 30 minutes before the breakfast ended but there was still plenty of food to choose from including fresh fruit and pastries and assorted juices. We then went to check out and were greeted by one of the managers as we had a short wait for an agent to check us out.

The whole stay, although just for one night, was very delightful, we had a great time and are already planning when we can go back! And even though sometimes Pennsylvania seems light years away to New Yorkers it’s actually pretty close. We have a car and were able drive but there is also public transportation that can go there from the city or you could rent a car and drive there it’s a very easy drive. I would recommend this to anyone who wants to get away to somewhere new and enjoys casinos.

Fresh, Fun & Flavorful: Ed’s Chowder House

by Maeva, New York Guest Concierge

I almost felt like a tourist this past Sunday as I took the train to Columbus Circle for the very first time. The sun was shining, the air was cool, and the birds were whistling. It was a beautiful day for Brunch at the Empire Hotel’s on site restaurant, Ed’s Chowder House Restaurant and Raw Bar. Though it is known for its plethora of tasty crustaceans and seafood, without needing my epinephrine pen, this allergy prone gal gave the place a shot! (Pun intended). When I walked through their main entrance, the atmosphere reminded me of the charm of a renaissance coastal villa. It felt fresh, plenty of room for groups, and window corner tables for couples. Sections could even be partitioned for private dining. All that was missing as I looked out the window was the pink sandy beach and the hawking of nearby seagulls.

The menu was arranged quite simply and categorized by Raw Bar, Shellfish Platters, Chowders, Appetizers, Brunch Specials, Ed’s Favorites, and Simple Mains. I was surprised with the variety of eclectic dishes to choose from, but when my eyes landed on their Eggs Benedict (two poached eggs, with smoked salmon, Canadian bacon, and hollandaise on a bed of toasted English muffin & home fries) I felt like this would be their test. Eggs Benedict is my ultimate comfort food, especially on a weekend. As I spoke to the waiter about all my food allergies, he kindly made me aware that everything is made-to-order, so if I wanted my dish gluten free, salt free, or dairy free, all I have to do is ask. So of course I told him to keep the shellfish away, unless of course he’d want to give me the Heimlich himself! He also suggested that I should try their wild mushroom chowder with porcini cream & crispy leeks – the only soup option without clams or loaded with crab and shrimp. The soup was very earthy, and the scallions and leeks were a flavorful combination.

My Eggs Benedict almost made me cry; it was too pretty to eat. But who was I kidding, the minute I took a bite my palate was doing its happy dance. By far, this was the best Eggs Benedict I have ever eaten without feeling like a complete slob. The prosciutto was a nice addition to the dish. My fish-only vegetarian friend went wild over their medium well Tuna Steak and Asparagus. It was so good, my friend only allowed me one bite to taste. I know what to order next time I make a visit.

By the time we both finished our food, our bellies were really full. I didn’t even get to finish my Mimosa, but I didn’t want to leave without peeking at their dessert menu. The item that jumped at me from their list of sweet liquid treats and cake assortments was the Coconut Rice Pudding and Mango Sorbet- Yummy, yummy in my tummy!

It was a worthwhile experience eating Sunday Brunch at Ed’s Chowder House Restaurant and Raw Bar. I’m definitely looking forward to my next visit, this time to sample their dinner menu!

Booze With a View: NYC’s Best Rooftop Hotspots

by Nicole Vullo of Nitetables

Nothing’s better than having a drink with friends…except for having one (or more) while perched at the perfect table at one of the city’s most popular open-air bars.We’ve rounded up nine New York warm-weather wonders where you can sip, eat and/or dance beneath the stars and skyline.

HOTEL CHANTELLE (92 Ludlow St.) Ooh la la! If not for the sight of the nearby Williamsburg Bridge, the gorgeous top floor of this chic, three-floor rest-lounge would have you swearing you were in Paris. Thanks to the clear, retractable roof, Hotel Chantelle and its brasserie decor (think old-fashioned standing street lamps and pretty, striped garden furniture) can be enjoyed year-round. Come for happy hour and enjoy 1/2-price artisanal cocktails at the bar (try the Clementine or the Delancey); once you get a buzz going, we bet you stay for dinner. As the hour grows later, bottles abound, and the place fills with stylish Lower East Side types. John Legend, Charlotte Ronson and Tilda Swinson have all partied here, and the Soho International Film Festival folks like it so much they held two of their recent 2012 Filmmakers Lounges on the premises.

Sample Deal: Hotel Chantelle’s $500 Executive package offers a party of eight free admission, a VIP table and two bottles of Ultimat vodka.

SKY ROOM (330 West 40th St.) The name says it all! Located on the 33rd and 34th floors of the Fairfield Inn and Suites by Marriott Times Square, this sophisticated, two-level lounge/club (pictured above) never lets you forget that you are partying in the middle of it all. Indeed, it’s the highest rooftop lounge in the city and features five distinct lounge areas with cabanas, terraces, private rooms — one even boasts a greenhouse-like ceiling. And the exotic, eccentric decor (think illuminated furniture and illuminated floor tiles) is almost as dazzling as the 360-degree city views.

Sample Deal: Sky Room’s $400 Birthday Bash package offers a party of 6 free admission, along with a VIP table, a bottle of Perrier Jouet Grand Brut, a half-bottle of Corzo tequila and a birthday cake.

HUDSON RIVER CAFÉ (697 West 133rd St.) From May through October, this West Harlem restaurant/lounge/club is one of the most desirable locations in the city, thanks to an abundance of outdoor space on the Hudson River. Come Memorial Day weekend, the tents that keep patrons warm through the winter will come down, allowing unobstructed views of outrageous sunsets. After dark, drinking, dancing and general revelry ensues, thanks to DJs spinning a wide range of music: hip-hop, Latin, house and more.

Sample Deal: For only $100, Hudson River Cafe’s Couples Nite dinner package offers you and a date each comped admission, as well choice of an appetizer, entrée and dessert, and unlimited house champagne.

HUDSON TERRACE (621 West 46th St.) Already regarded as one of city’s best-loved rooftops,  thanks to luxe VIP cabanas with stunning views of midtown and the Hudson River, this upscale nightclub is about to become even more of a draw. On May 5, when Hudson Terrace opens its retractable roof for the first time this season, they’ll also unveil formidable upgrades to their sound and lighting systems. Expect a bash to rival the New York Giants’ recent Super Bowl Victory Party! (Psst: The NiteTables launch party, with performances by Kat Deluna and Joe Budden, was held here too.)

Sample Deal: Hudson Terrace’s Grey Goose Package provides free admission and reserved cabana for up to 10 guests, along with 3 bottles of Grey Goose vodka and a bottle of Gabrielle for $1,150.

COPACABANA (268 West 47th St.) Having relocated to its new Midtown West location last year, the world-famous Copa ups the ante with its recently opened an top-floor, open-air lounge. (Although, thanks to a retractable cover, patrons can “raise the roof” whatever the weather.) Outfitted with lush leather couches, its own bar area and the Copa’s trademark Cuban-style decor, this is sure to be a hotspot for Summer 2012.

Sample Deal: One of our most popular packages, the $200 Copa’s Buenos Noches package gets the party started with free admission and a reserved table for five guests, along with a bottle of Absolut & Flavors.

BAR 13 (35 East 13th St.) Want to party below 14th Street but don’t want to deal with the doorman and velvet rope drama that usually comes with it? Consider Bar 13. This high-energy, no-pretension bar/lounge/club is always a good time, and it’s especially hopping when the roof is open for business (and pleasure!). Enjoy the warm weather atop Union Square without having to descend stairs to get another drink: The outdoor deck’s got its own bar.

Sample Deal: Bar 13′s Stepping Out package offers a party of four people, free admission, a reserved table and a bottle of Absolut for $250.

NAKED LUNCH (17 Thompson St.) As anyone who’s ever walked along Thompson Street on a beautiful evening knows, this place throws parties that spill out onto the sidewalk! Naked Lounge is always a vibrant scene, but revelers turn it up to 11 during spring and summer when the oversized windows and doors are thrown open. The girls — and guys! — here just wanna have fun while sipping their cucumber mojitos (the house specialty) and singing along to the best music of the 80s, 90s and today. Bachelorette parties welcome!

Sample Deal: The Party Time package offers three bottles of Ketel One, two bottles of house champagne, admission for 15 guests and reserved seating for $825.

TONIC EAST (411 Third Ave.) You don’t have to wait for nightfall to enjoy the roof atop this laid-back Murray Hill eatery/lounge. This space is as good for savoring an after-work libation as it is for tipsily toasting to the greatest city in the world — especially while gazing up at the nearby Empire State Building. A DJ is usually on hand spinning familiar hits and, starting this spring, Tonic East will hold an all-day happy hour on its roof from noon to 8 p.m.

Sample Deal: Don’t like to share? Book Tonic East’s Rooftop Open Bar Patio Party, and your group can have the entire roof to yourselves! The package is good for 20 people and perfect for a company party, birthday or bachelor/bachelorette bash. This $1,500 ($75 per person) package includes three-hour, top-shelf open-bar privileges (draft and bottled beer, wine and soda included) and a full buffet (includes your choice of three appetizers, two salads, two entrees and two side dishes).

TRAFFIC (701 Ninth Ave.) Located in Hell’s Kitchen, it’s a comfortable after-work spot for drinks and eats during the spring and summer. Decorated with a modern industrial feel, Traffic features three floor-to-ceiling garage doors that, when opened, create a completely open-air space. Additionally, a large island bar allows for service on all sides and is flanked by two communal cocktail tables.

Sample Deal: Traffic’s $160 Green Light Girls Night package offers four gal pals six appetizers, a bottle of Castello Di Gabbiano Pinot Grigio and a bottle of Colores del Sol Malbec. NOTE: this must be booked 24 hours in advance.

This is a guest blog from our friends at Nitetables. Check out their website for exclusive deals on nightlife throughout NYC (and LA, too!)

Brooklyn’s New Way to go to the Movies

by Louise, Community Manager

It happens to all of us:  we plan an awesome vacation and then a movie that we really want to see is scheduled to come out smack dab in the middle of it. Not wanting to spend a moment of our precious vacation in a multiplex that could be anywhere in the world, we sigh and wait until we get home to see the movie.

Leave it to NYC to come up with the perfect solution to this problem. Now you can see a movie while simultaneously having a unique New York City experience. Of course, NYC has many famous theaters – the Paris Theater, the Angelika and Film Forum come to mind, but I’m referring to a relatively new spot in Brooklyn called Nitehawk Cinema. The brain child of Saul Bolton, owner of the awesome restaurant Saul, also in Brooklyn, Nitehawk brings snacking at the movies to a whole new level. They offer a full menu of elevated “concessions” – including popcorn with real butter and seasoned salt, homemade candy bars, and a queso dip with scallions and cilantro that is about a trillion times better than that neon orange stuff they pump into a plastic cup for you at a regular theater. But that’s only the beginning. Nitehawk also has a menu of small plates including homemade pickles, tater tots, and vegetable tempura or several entrees, featuring an awesome burger, and an amazing dessert menu that includes soft serve ice cream (NOT Carvel) and a root beer float. Not only that, Nitehawk has a full bar, and comes up with specialty cocktails and dishes for every movie they play. When I was there on Friday, The Hunger Games  had just opened and the featured cocktail was called “Girl on Fire” – a spicy tequila concoction.

At Nitehawk, the theater opens about 30 minutes before showtime and you are free to arrive at any time to place orders and have food and a drink in front of you before the movie starts.  There is also a bar in the lobby where you can have a few cocktails before the theater opens. In the theater, seats are set up with a table between every pair, not in your way but perfectly placed with a cup holder and space for your food. When I first heard about Nitehawk, I worried that the ambience of the movie would be ruined by people reordering while the movie was on, but the folks at Nitehawk have the perfect solution for this: every table is equipped with small pieces of paper and little pencils, and if you want to order during the movie you write down your order and post it in front of you. The waiters make several sweeps to collect orders and serve. The waiters are incredibly impressive as well – the sweeps are neat and efficient and they duck whenever they walk in front of the screen. It’s about as unobtrusive as it can get.

With only three theaters and a propensity towards indie films, Nitehawk definitely doesn’t show every blockbuster, but it is well worth checking out their schedule while you are here!  It’s a dinner and a movie experience like no other and I highly recommend it. Nitehawk is located in the trendy Brooklyn neighborhood of Williamsburg, just one stop into Brooklyn on the L train. I highly encourage exploring the outer boroughs on your visit and this is a great excuse to do that!

Want more restaurant recommendations for your trip, or need help creating a unique NYC vacation? Feel free to e-mail me at lgeller@newyorkguest.com and we’ll get planning!

Al Fresco Dining Will Soon Return!

by Louise, Community Manager

It’s almost 60 degrees in Manhattan today, and all we can think about is the impending springtime, sitting at an outdoor table with a pair of fabulous sunglasses, drinking a glass of sparkling wine. Or something along those lines anyway. Check out some of my top picks for outdoor dining in NYC:

La Bottega at the Maritime Hotel

One of the joys of al fresco dining in New York City is the people watching, but sometimes you want to be outside and still feel separate from the outside world. That’s when it’s time to head to La Bottega. Situated in the Maritime Hotel on West 16th street, La Bottega is located on the beautiful mezzanine level and offers a huge expanse of outdoor seating with plenty of shade if the sun is particularly strong. The pizzas are fresh and delicious and the cocktails suit the mood of outdoor springtime dining (like The Italian 75 – gin, thyme, lemon juice and prosecco. Yum!)

The Garden at Studio Square

Astoria is somewhat known for its German-style outdoor beer gardens and The Garden at Studio Square is one of the newest and biggest around. Situated at 35-33 36th Street in Long Island City, you’ll find a huge amount of casual outdoor seating, an impressive beer selection, and traditional German fare like bratwurst, souvlaki, burgers and fish & chips. If you’re staying at one of the awesome new hotels that are cropping up everywhere in Long Island City, it’s a hop, skip and a jump to Studio Square and you can make a day of it with a trip to the nearby Museum of Moving Image!

Chelsea Market and The Highline

Make your own outdoor dining experience! Chelsea Market, running between 9th and 10th avenue from 15th to 16th street, offers a multitude of picnic ready options. If you want my top pick, the meatloaf sandwich from Dickson’s Farmstand Meats is unreal – succulent, moist meatloaf topped with mayo and pickles, how can you go wrong? But feel free to explore the market’s many other offerings! Once you’ve made your picks, head over to The Highline, NYC’s newest and neatest park built on a historic freight rail line above the west side. There are many perfect spots for a picnic, and you can usually find an ice cream vendor to provide dessert as you walk along the trail.

Before I get carried away, I’ll cap my suggestions at three – but post in the comments if you have another awesome NYC outdoor dining experience to recommend!