NationStates Jolt Archive

..and anyone else with an idea.

Given I'm deigning to set my royal toe in these two cities soon*, given I've been before a few times so the main tourist sites/museums/etc., are not of interest, I would like a single suggestion from posters in terms of 'not to be missed', whether it's a cool restaurant, a current art show, something different, something special.

Please state which city you're talking about, links and more all appreciated.

I have limited time, such is the demand for my presence by all and sundry in America, so it's the one thing I really shouldn't miss.

The winners will have the photo of the place they recommended posted in this thread, or another thread I make up later with my observations on America, or I'll not bother but you can bask in the satisfaction.

So, recommend away!

*end March

Oh, I'll be around 5th Avenue in NY and State St., in Chicago.

The only place in Chicago I've ever been is the airport in the dead of winter. It's quite large and has a number of pizza stands.

I don't really know enough about you for NYC recommends. There is a bunch of cool shit, but it could well be all a bit vielle chapeaux if you are super cosmo.

I would say that if you are around the fifth ave. go to MoMA. It's probably the world's best modern art museum. (If that is your cup of tea).

There is a boat - 'circle line' - that leaves from the 40s on the west side which circumnavigates the island and gives a little speachy type thing about history and all that guff. It's not bad if it's your first time in the city.

TBH, New York is not that amazing for tourists though. It's really more of a working city.

Oh, and if you have the money, I'd recommend eating at Per Se, if you can get reservations. (I'd book now).

I don't really know enough about you for NYC recommends. There is a bunch of cool shit, but it could well be all a bit vielle chapeaux if you are super cosmo.

I would say that if you are around the fifth ave. go to MoMA. It's probably the world's best modern art museum. (If that is your cup of tea).

There is a boat - 'circle line' - that leaves from the 40s on the west side which circumnavigates the island and gives a little speachy type thing about history and all that guff. It's not bad if it's your first time in the city.

TBH, New York is not that amazing for tourists though. It's really more of a working city.

Done them both, also been to the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, most museums, the Ghostbusters building, Central Park etc., basically I've done the tourist scene enough already, same for Chicago.

I'm looking for either a restaurant, club or show (art, performance etc.,) that shouldn't be missed, something like that.

I also like city walks, if someone has a great half-day walk I'd appreciate.

Oh, and if you have the money, I'd recommend eating at Per Se, if you can get reservations. (I'd book now).

That's more like it.

That's more like it.

The old homestead steakhouse in the meatpacking district is always a bit of a laugh (tho' overpriced for what it is).

Fort Tryon park in Northern Manhattan is cool, and you can check out the cloisters when you are up there (it's the medieval art section of the met).

Arthur Ave. in the bronx (the real little italy) is worth going to. If you go up there eat at Pasquale's Rigoletto (home of the NY yankees). It's the best 'red sauce' restaurant in the city. Also it's a really interesting neighborhood. Stay away from Marios.

I'd say go to Rao's in east harlem. But you won't get seated - unless you are dating Nicole Kidman or something.

You could try Blue Ribbon in the village - sullivan street. It's a good restaurant scene late at night. It used to be the 'chef' hangout, but it's been discovered. Nevertheless it's still a fun place.

Or you could take the subway to Coney Island and eat at the orignal nathans (a shitty hotdog stand). But they still have a freak show down there - though I'd check first to see if it's open at this time of year.

The NY Fed. offers tours. You can go look at their gold bricks. It's actually not as lame as it sounds.

Being an old fogey, I'm not much up on the club scene. I think Webster Hall is still decent, but I could be absolutely wrong about that.

Oh, and there is always McSorley's house of irish drinking and ale. That's not bad to visit either.

If I think of anything else, I'll edit and add.

The old homestead steakhouse in the meatpacking district is always a bit of a laugh (tho' overpriced for what it is).

I'm already being taken there, looking forward to it.

Arthur Ave. in the bronx (the real little italy) is worth going to. If you go up there eat at Pasquale's Rigoletto (home of the NY yankees). It's the best 'red sauce' restaurant in the city. Also it's a really interesting neighborhood. Stay away from Marios.

I've been told Lombardi's for pizza.

I'd say go to Rao's in east harlem. But you won't get seated - unless you are dating Nicole Kidman or something.

Damn, dumped her 3 weeks ago.

Or you could take the subway to Coney Island and eat at the orignal nathans (a shitty hotdog stand). But they still have a freak show down there - though I'd check first to see if it's open at this time of year.

NY hot dogs were a huge disappointment, especially the one's at Central Park, total rip-off.

The NY Fed. offers tours. You can go look at their gold bricks. It's actually not as lame as it sounds.

Being an old fogey, I'm not much up on the club scene. I think Webster Hall is still decent, but I could be absolutely wrong about that.

Oh, and there is always McSorley's house of irish drinking and ale. That's not bad to visit either.

McSorley's is a chain no? We have them here but it might be a franchise compared to the original.

If I think of anything else, I'll edit and add.

Well, thanks so far, appreciated.

I've been told Lombardi's for pizza.

Pasquales is up in the bronx though and not a Pizza place. It's a sit down restaurant. And you have the whole flavor of a real NYC neighborhood. Granted it'll be a hike for you however. (I'd recommend using car service if you go, 'cos yellow cabs are shit. Not at all like London).

Damn, dumped her 3 weeks ago.

Yah. Know what you mean. The fucking nagging was unbearable. Totally not worth it.

NY hot dogs were a huge disappointment, especially the one's at Central Park, total rip-off.

The nathan's at coney island isn't some dude with a dirty water dog cart. It's a proper hotdog place. Serves beer and frogs legs too.

It's in brooklyn, down on the beach. (The aquarium is there too). So it's a whole day out sort of thing in a really interesting neighborhood. Also, the hot-dogs are of a higher quality than the salmonella sausages that come out of those carts.

McSorley's is a chain no? We have them here but it might be a franchise compared to the original.

No, this is the original. Now it's been a few years since I last went there. But it's not a franchisey type place.

Well, thanks so far, appreciated.

You might also want to go down to the lower east side. All kinds of funky stuff down there. And the best pickles. You might want to try the jewish deli thing too. Maybe Katz. It's touristy. But if you haven't done that sort of thing probably worth a look.

In Chicago, Giordano's pizza is good, despite the fact that it's a chain type resturant, they have really great thin crust pizza (The stuffed is nothing to write home about). If you're looking for something that's not as well known, try Sabatino's, awesome food and athmosphere, http://www.sabatinoschicago.com/.

Also, the area around wrigley is pretty upbeat, lots of nice hang outs, and the Metro is right there as well, great venue for concerts, http://www.metrochicago.com/ I'm going to see Tokyo Police Club March 18th, maybe I'll see you there!

The nathan's at coney island isn't some dude with a dirty water dog cart. It's a proper hotdog place. Serves beer and frogs legs too.

It's in brooklyn, down on the beach. (The aquarium is there too). So it's a whole day out sort of thing in a really interesting neighborhood. Also, the hot-dogs are of a higher quality than the salmonella sausages that come out of those carts.

Alright, given Coney Island Baby (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZPrIulnAblk) and this advice, it's a frontrunner for now.

Also, the area around wrigley is pretty upbeat, lots of nice hang outs, and the Metro is right there as well, great venue for concerts, http://www.metrochicago.com/ I'm going to see Tokyo Police Club March 18th, maybe I'll see you there!

Good stuff, tomorrow's a bit of a stretch for me to make it though, I will be at the Vertigo Sky Lounge for one evening, that's as much as I know so far.

In Chicago, the Field Museum and the Museum of Science and Industry are pretty nice I think. The Museum of Contemporary Art is interesting as well. Other than that, the Shedd Aquarium is pretty good, and the IMAX theater on Navy Pier is quite good in my opinion. If you're looking for pizza, Pizzeria Uno is good for deep-dish I think, though it takes about 40 minutes to cook.

The only place in Chicago I've ever been is the airport in the dead of winter. It's quite large and has a number of pizza stands.

Chicago has one of the most depressing airports I've been to, everyone looks thoroughly pissed off.

In Chicago, the Field Museum and the Museum of Science and Industry are pretty nice I think. The Museum of Contemporary Art is interesting as well. Other than that, the Shedd Aquarium is pretty good, and the IMAX theater on Navy Pier is quite good in my opinion. If you're looking for pizza, Pizzeria Uno is good for deep-dish I think, though it takes about 40 minutes to cook.

Hmm, a lot of pizza suggestions cropping up, I have, on occasion, been seen to eat other things :)

Mmm, there's a Lindt store on 5th..

Mmm, there's a Lindt store on 5th..

Noted, I'll try pop by and snap a picture for you, as artistic as possible.

The Hayden Planetarium, at the American Museum of Natural History in New York.

CHICAGO SLANG

1. Grachki (grach'-key): Chicagoese for "garage key" as in, "Yo, Theresa, waja do wit da grachki? How my supposta cut da grass if I don't git intada grach?"

2. Sammich: Chicagoese for sandwich. When made with sausage, it's a sassage sammich; when made with shredded beef, it's an Italian Beef sammich, a local delicacy consisting of piles of spicy meat in a perilously soggy bun.

3. Da: This article is a key part of Chicago speech, as in "Da Bears"or "Da Ma re" -- the latter denoting Richard M. Daley, or Richie, as he's often called.

4. Jewels: Not family heirlooms or a tender body region, but a popular name for one of the region's dominant grocery store chains. "I'm goin to Da Jewels to pick up some sassage."

5. Field's: Marshall Field, a prominent Chicago department store (unfortunately, it's a thing of the past as it's now Macy's.) Also Carson Pirie Scott, another major department store chain, is simply called " Carson 's."

6. Tree: The number between two and four. "We were lucky dat we only got tree inches of snow da udder night."

7. Over by dere: Translates to "over by there," a way of emphasizing a site presumed familiar to the listener. As in, "I got the sassage at Da Jewels down on Kedzie, over by dere."

8. Kaminski Park : The mispronounced name of the ballpark where the Chicago White Sox (da Sox) play baseball. Comiskey Park was renamed U.S. Cellular Field (da Cell).

9. Frunchroom: As in, "Get outta da frunchroom wit dose muddy shoes." It's not the "parlor." It's not the "living room." In the land of the bungalow, it's the "frunchroom," a named derived, linguists believe, from "front room."

10. Use: Not the verb, but the plural pronoun 'you!' "Where use goin'?"

11. Downtown: Anywhere near Da Lake, south of The Zoo (Lincoln Park Zoo) and north of Soldier Field.

12. The Lake : Lake Michigan . (What other lake is there?) It's often used by local weathermen, "cooler 20 by The Lake."

14. Braht: Short for Bratwurst. "Gimme a braht wit kraut."

15. Goes: Past or present tense of the verb "say." For example, "Den he goes, 'I like dis place'!"

16. Guys: Used when addressing two or more people, regardless of each individual's gender.

17. Pop: A soft drink. Don't say "soda" in this town. "Do ya wanna canna pop?"

18. Sliders: Nickname for hamburgers from White Castle , a popular Midwestern burger chain. "Dose sliders I had last night gave me da runs."

19. The Taste: The Taste of Chicago Festival, a huge extravaganza in Grant Park featuring samples of Chicagoland cuisine which takes place each year around the Fourth of July holiday.

20. "Jeet yet?": Translates to, "Did you eat yet?"

21. Winter and Construction: Punch line to the joke, "What are the two seasons in Chicago ?"

22. Cuppa Too-Tree: is Chicagoese for "a couple, two, three" which really means "a few."

23. 588-2300: Everyone in Chicago knows this commercial jingle and the carpet company you'll get if you call that number -- "Empire"!

24. Junk Dror: You will usually find the 'junk drawer' in the kitchen filled to the brim with miscellaneous, but very important, junk.

25. Southern Illinois : Anything south of I-80. This is where Smothers' is from....

26. Expressways: The Interstates in the immediate Chicagoland area are usually known just by their 'name' and not their Interstate number: the Dan Ryan ("da Ryan"), the Stevenson, the Kennedy (da "Kennedy"), the Eisenhower (da "Ike"), and the Edens (just "Edens" but Da Edens"
is acceptable).

27. Gym Shoes: The rest of the country may refer to them as sneakers or running shoes but Chicagoans will always call them gym shoes!

..and anyone else with an idea.

Given I'm deigning to set my royal toe in these two cities soon*, given I've been before a few times so the main tourist sites/museums/etc., are not of interest, I would like a single suggestion from posters in terms of 'not to be missed', whether it's a cool restaurant, a current art show, something different, something special.

Please state which city you're talking about, links and more all appreciated.

I have limited time, such is the demand for my presence by all and sundry in America, so it's the one thing I really shouldn't miss.

The winners will have the photo of the place they recommended posted in this thread, or another thread I make up later with my observations on America, or I'll not bother but you can bask in the satisfaction.

So, recommend away!

*end March

Oh, I'll be around 5th Avenue in NY and State St., in Chicago.

Well for Steak house Peter Lugers is pretty good all though way over priced.

http://www.peterluger.com/


I suppose Rockefeller center that is where all the rappers go, top of the rock and all that.


The Russian Tea Room

Prices are kind of high, actually and food is good. If you like Vodka it is a must. I recommend dessert.

http://www.russiantearoomnyc.com/subindex.php?p=home

If you like cheesecake and pretty easy to get to. Try Junior's Cheesecake at Grand Central Station.

http://www.juniorscheesecake.com/juniors_cheesecake/Juniors_Cheesecake_Home/Our_Restaurants.php

Flatiron Lounge
37 West 19th Street between 5th and 6th avenue
New York, NY 10011

It is like stepping back in time to the 1920's kind of cool.

http://www.topoftherocknyc.com/

It is probably not worth the price but you do get a great view of the city.

Apotheke
9 Doyers St
New York, NY 10013

Kind of cool at one time it was an Opium Den. Now it is a bar. Not too hard to get to it is kind of near Little Italy.

10. Use: Not the verb, but the plural pronoun 'you!' "Where use goin'?"

i spell it 'youse'


12. The Lake : Lake Michigan . (What other lake is there?) It's often used by local weathermen, "cooler 20 by The Lake."

this one confuses the fuck out of people in michigan

21. Winter and Construction: Punch line to the joke, "What are the two seasons in Chicago?"

though global warming is fixing that one

25. Southern Illinois : Anything south of I-80. This is where Smothers' is from....

i prefer 'downstate' and use it to refer to anything outside of the chicago area - including places along the wisconsin border. i'm more generous than most though, as i'll include rockford as part of greater illinois.

CHICAGO SLANG

4. Jewels: Not family heirlooms or a tender body region, but a popular name for one of the region's dominant grocery store chains. "I'm goin to Da Jewels to pick up some sassage."

7. Over by dere: Translates to "over by there," a way of emphasizing a site presumed familiar to the listener. As in, "I got the sassage at Da Jewels down on Kedzie, over by dere."

27. Gym Shoes: The rest of the country may refer to them as sneakers or running shoes but Chicagoans will always call them gym shoes!

4. Jewel is where it's at, you'll need to get a mandatory preferred card though.

7. There ARE people who actually talk like this in Chicago, you're aloud to laugh at them if they do.

27. They ARE Gym Shoes.

Jewel sucks. CVS forever!

Jewel sucks. CVS forever!

screw cvs, hometown pharmacies only.