It\'s a great time to take a big bite of that very juicy apple
20 August 2007
Why Go Now
Two amazing reasons, if you are travelling from the UK, the exchange rate is very favourable at the moment – with almost US$2 to the GBP everything seems at least 25% cheaper than you might normally expect. There is no better time to be a tourist in the Big Apple.
Secondly, New York’s chill-out zone, Central Park, hosts the much anticipated annual Summerstage. This is a series of free concerts held throughout the summer months at the Rumsey Playfield in the centre of the park. In all there are 1,100 free concerts scheduled to take place, not just in Central Park but also city-wide in public spaces throughout New York. Show stoppers include Cassandra Wilson, Joss Stone, Arrested Development and Rufus Wainwright. summerstage.org
Tip: Don’t forget to visit the Strawberry Fields three-acre landscaped area of Central Park that has been dedicated to the memory of John Lennon who used to live across the street in the Dakota building. His wife, Yoko Ono, still lives there.
First Things First
Empire State Building, 350 Fifth Avenue, Admission $11 Open 9am-midnight.
First timers to New York should go directly to the lime-stone art-deco dazzler – the Empire State Building. The shimmering gold lobby is enough to make the trip worthwhile but it is the views of Manhattan you are after. The vista from the observatory on the 86th and 102nd floors is superb. Use the headphones and let Tony the Italian cab driver give you the lowdown on how to help you plan the next few bites of the apple. The queues can be tiresome but getting there really early or very late helps.
Tip: For a magical moment, get there in time for sunset and watch the play of light as the sun sets over the city.
Strange but true
Manhattan’s Grand Central Station is famed worldwide as the bustling hub of transportation. Every day thousands of people pass through it, yet few people know about the Whispering Gallery. Find it just outside the Oyster Bar restaurant in the lower concourse in a domed area where people generally congregate. As elsewhere in New York, the noise is constant but amazingly if you stand facing a pillar and whisper, someone standing facing a pillar diagonally opposite to you will hear it. Try it with a friend – it is actually more discrete than using your mobile.
Tip: When you leave Grand Central Station choose the tunnel marked Lexington Avenue which leads to the stunning Art Deco Chrysler Building.
The Show Must Go On
Going to New York and not taking in a Broadway show would be a real shame. Famous musicals like Mamma Mia, the Producers, The Lion King and Little Shop of Horrors are all running at the moment.
Tip: Don’t pay full price for your tickets. Head for a booth in Times Square on Broadway and W 47th Street and buy them same day for up to 50% off face value. You can’t miss it – it has the letters TKTS in huge letters.
What to buy
Everything is good value at the moment – but jeans and classic clothing and accessories and electronic goods are always good bets. Just remember that you may have to pay duty on any major purchases when you get back to the UK.
Tip: The current hot spot is the increasingly cool Meatpacking District. Alexander McQueen is well-established there but the Time Warner Center at Columbus Circle offers everything from Calvin Klein to kitchen gadgets by William Sonoma.
Where to Eat
Formal Dining
Gordon Ramsey Restaurant, The London NYC Hotel, 151 West 54th Street; (212) 468-8888 or www.gordonramsay.com.
There is a buzz around Gordon Ramsey’s debut restaurant in New York. It’s located in the London New York hotel and is surprisingly formal for a man famed for ‘Hell’s Kitchen’. The restaurant’s décor was designed by acclaimed designer David Collins who chose muted earthy tones, panels with mother-of-pearl effect and chandeliers. $80 buys you a fabulous three course dinner in quiet, elegant surroundings.
Tip: Special occasion? Why not try the seven-course Menu Prestige which features dishes such as Gordon Ramsay’s signature Cappuccino of White Beans followed by Lobster ravioli poached in a lobster bouillon, celery root cream, shellfish vinaigrette and chervil velouté.
Informal but trendy dining
Da Silvano, 260 Sixth Avenue (210 982 2343
Tuscan food is served with a dash of flair and film stars such as Ben Stiller, Bruce Willis and Steven Spielberg are regulars. No wonder, the braised veal shank with saffron risotto and spinach ravioli melts in the mouth. For something a little more rustic try the gnocchi with lobster.
Tip: It gets hectic at lunchtime. Try turning up a little later. Oh, and take your camera (but remember even film stars appreciate a little discretion now and again), you never know who you might see.
New York Check In
Kitano Hotel, 66 Park Avenue, NY, NY 10016 l 00 1 212-885-7000 www.kitano.com Doubles from $290 per room.
In an eclectic city like New York why not go Japanese at the 149 bedroomed four star Kitano hotel. This quiet, elegant hotel is the only Japanese style hotel in New York. The serene décor is enhanced by artworks throughout - starting in the lobby where you’ll be met by a Fernando Botero bronze sculpture of a dog.
Hiding away In the basement is an authentic Japanese restaurant serving delicious sushi. You must take your shoes off to enter and you will be served by waitresses dressed in Kimono who kneel to serve you at your low table.
Forget coffee in the bedrooms, here you drink green tea from small Japanese tea-cups in an environment of calming beige and brown. Afterwards you can bathe in a marble bathroom. Some rooms have views of the Empire State building, but all have sound-proofed windows and the beds (not futons) are supremely comfortable.
Tip: You don’t have to go far for live entertainment. Wednesdays through Saturdays you get to enjoy live jazz in the mezzanine bar.
Hotel Mela, 120 West 44th Street New York NY 10036 00 1 877 452 6352. Doubles from $209 per room
This brand new three star Italian hotel is in an excellent location in the heart of the Theatre District just off Times Square – Manhattan’s Piccadilly Circus. On a short break to New York, this is exactly where you want to be. The hotel is agreeably ‘off beat’ and the delightfully quirky manager David Lopez is charming - and so is the rest of the front desk team. The entrance is easy to miss, but as soon as your taxi pulls up, out pops the concierge who welcomes you – by name! The lobby is small but pretty, decorated in dark mahogany and red colours and the lifts are ergonomically designed. The 229 rooms are spacious, sound proofed and provide comfy beds. Colour schemes are a mix of earthy greens, beiges, autumn purples and a variety of shades of brown. Most appealing of all is the Desk of Desires - staffed by the Manager of Desires. Ring down and ask for whatever you want (within reason!)– a tube of toothpaste or a restaurant recommendation are the most common requests….
Tip: There is a tiny gym – it is free for guests and you can help yourself to fresh fruit.
Getting There:
Travel in style: Silverjet is the new Luton-New York business class only airline. Return flights from £999 www.silverjet.com
On a budget: Zoom airlines is the new low cost Gatwick-New York airline. Return flights from £258 www.flyzoom.com