Trip Report 3/23 - 3/26

Day 1: Fly in from Chicago to Islip(Long Island) at 9:15 AM. I know out of the way, but R/T tickets were $78 for non-stop flights. Took shuttle to LIRR, perfect timing, next train was in 10 minutes. Arrived at Penn Station 11:30. Taxi to Dream Hotel, room was ready so we checked in. Reserved all 3 nights on priceline for $88/nt, we stayed at the Hudson last summer a few block away so we knew the location was good, within a few blocks from multiple subway stops.

After getting settled in it was off to lunch at Caracas Arepas Bar in the East village. Took the subway down, purchased $7 pass each day,and it was just a few blocks away from the stop(Thanks to Hopstop for directions). We each had an arepa, I had chicken/chorizo/avacado with an amazing chimichuri sauce and a sugar cane and lime juice. My wife had a shredded pork/tomato with mango salsa. These were both full of flavor and well worth the trip down especially at only $6 each.

Next stop, Century 21 for some shopping, picked out something for our daughter and I picked up a shirt and then left my wife to continue while did some sight seeing. Walked down Wall Street, through Trinity Church saw Alexander Hamilton%26#39;s tomb stone, and checked out Federal Hall.

Met back up and took the subway to Chinatown. Wife picked up some earings and we shared a big pretzel. Then we went to my favorite shop in the area, Pearl River Market on Broadway. Walked through SoHo and hit some shops and Cafe Bari for ';bite-size'; cupcakes at the walk up window. These were ridiculous, 3 for $3 and they were about the size of quarters, nearly blew off the plate in the wind.

It was about 5:00 so we went back to the hotel to relax and get ready for the main event at the day, dinner at Ko. Took the subway over to Union Square and walked over to the Strand to look at some books before dinner at 9:30. Walked over to Momofuku Ko at about 9:15 and we were seated right away. If you have not heard of this restaurant, it only has 12 seats and only 2 seatings a night. The only way to get reservations is online, we were incredibly lucky as my mother-in-law got some how got through online. I will post a full review of Ko on menupages, but it was an amazing experience. 11 unique and sophisticated dishes prepared right in front of you by what feel like you own personal chefs. Finished dinner at about 11:30 and took a cab back to the hotel. I%26#39;ll post day 2 as a reply.

Trip Report 3/23 - 3/26

The WQXR-FM reviews of Momofuku Ko were in three-minute segments, lasting one week, all by the same reviewer. He raved about the food, didn%26#39;t like their reservation system and (I%26#39;m not sure if I recall right) their lighting.

The ';private chef'; thing was started in this country by Rocky Aoki at the first Benihana, on West 56th, a good 30 years ago now.

Trip Report 3/23 - 3/26

Day 2 3/24: Took subway to Zabars in the morning for bagels and lox and to check out the market. This is definitely a place to check out for all food lovers. Spent some time in the housewares department on the 2nd floor, picked up a few odds and ends for cooking and then walked through Central Park to the Upper East side. Wanted to at least see the Guggenheim since we didn%26#39;t last time, peeked inside and checked out the gift shop. Then walked over to Kitchen Arts %26amp; Letters, which is a book store of all cookbooks. Browsed for a while and then went to FAO Schwartz to pick out some things for our daughter. They had a new ';make your own muppet'; area which was cool and we might try it next time when our daughter is a little older. Back to the hotel to drop off bags and head out on the subway to Brooklyn. Off at high street and walked to Grimaldi%26#39;s. Good timing, as we arrived around 2:00 and didn%26#39;t have to wait although it was still full. Shared a small pizza, could have easily ate a large, but we were planning on some other snacks. Pizza was excellent, I can honestly say that I prefer to our pizza in Chicago, a great flavor from the ovens that you just don%26#39;t get every where.

Then we walked the Bridge back over, sure it was a little cold and breezy but this is becoming one of our favorite things to do when we visit. Great views and a great way to walk off lunch. On the other side, back on the subway to Union Square to check out Momofuku Milk Bar bakery. Ordered a couple of pork buns, not quite as good as last time we visited the Noodle bar but still excellent. Then we tried the cereal milk ice cream and a piece of cake. Both were good, not great, but we did get a marshmallow, cornflake, choc chip cookie to go that was outstanding!

Next we walked over to the Strand again to pick up some of the books that we had seen from the night before. This is a must for book lovers, but beware it is a major time commitment, there is no way you are getting in and out quick.

Headed back to Time Square on the train to check on shows, ended up being a little worn out and just kind of walked around. Did go to the shops at Time Warner/Columbus Circle to check out the Jazz Club, they had some really cool photos. Ended the night with a hot dog and papaya drink from Grey%26#39;s. Never again, one thing Chicago does so much better is hot dogs, not even close.

Day 3 coming soon...

Thanks for the trip report. Keep it coming.

Day 3 3/25: Decided to go to Union Square for the Farmer%26#39;s Market for breakfast. Great baked goods and lots of samples! Definitely need to get back in the summer when its in full swing. Next to my wife%26#39;s favorite Chelsea Market for some gifts for family and friends. Walked to Books of Wonder Children%26#39;s book store, great selection of kids books and rare books, also has an adjoining cupcake cafe. Next up lunch, took the subway to Katz%26#39;s deli. My wife had the Pastrami on Rye with a side of pickles that she had been dreaming of and I had the matzah ball soup and chocolate egg cream, both were very good. Next, subway to Rockefeller Plaza walked around a little and watched the ice skaters and went back to the hotel to drop off bags. Then took the subway to Harlem. Went to the Malcolm Shabazz Harlem Market and picked up a hand drum for my daughter. Walked through Marcus Garvey park, there is a great view next to the old ';fire spotting'; tower where you can see all the way to the Empire State Building. Walked up to 125th street and down to the Apollo. Last stop was the Harlem Studio Museum, unfortunately they were closed to install a new exhibit so we just checked out the gift shop.

Next subway back to Lower East side to Frankies 17 on Clinton Street, recommended by our waitress at Ko. This was a fantastic small (10 tables) Italian joint. Great salads, crostini with mushroom and truffle oil were outstanding, and home made gnocchi and cavetelli. We had 8:00 reservations for Upright Citizens Brigade so we headed over their to get in line. Went to the show ';totally J/K'; and would highly recommend it, the two guys that host the show are hilarious and then they had Jenene Garafalo, Wyatt Cenac (from the Daily Show), and Mike Birbiglia (from the Broadway show Sleepwalk with Me). I would definitely go if you like to have a good time and its dirt cheap, tickets were $5 and you just make reservations on line. There late shows are $3 or Free!

After the show we headed over to St. Mark%26#39;s to hit the Dessert Truck, shared the Chocolate Bread pudding with Bacon Custard glaze, real good. It was getting late, but I wanted to walk down 4th Street to Washington Square Park. We got there and saw the Wash. Arch at night which was cool. Then strolling around we saw Mario Batali%26#39;s Otto. I know it sounds crazy, but what better way to end the night then splitting a pizza. Had the tomato, pecerino, and egg, good not great. Back to the hotel to pass out.

Day 4 will come as a reply...

Day 4 3/26: The last day started with a trip to Ess-a-bagel first thing. This is a must if you want real NYC bagel experience. Lox, cream cheese, tomato...heaven. Next the wife and I part ways, she heads to 5th avenue for some shopping, I head to the UN and Grand Central Station. Unfortunately no time to go on the full tour of the UN but did check out the grounds and went inside and looked at the public exhibits. I then took the subway back to hotel, checked out and had our bags held and then met up with my wife the MOMA. This was a highlight of the trip, wanted to do either the Met or MOMA and glad we chose MOMA. This is a perfect museum to spend a few hours at looking at incredible art. Every piece seemed to be right out of college art class we had taken. One of the special exhibits right now is interesting about an artist who locked himself in a cell for a year and had a photographer take pictures of him daily. Strange, but interesting.

Not much time left, so we walked to Columbus Circle and had lunch at Bouchon Bakery. Very good/simple sandwhiches. Cab to Penn Station, LIRR to Islip, and back to Chicago. Already starting on our list of what to do for the next trip, thanks to everyone who posts questions/answers/ideas on here for helping making our trip so great.

What a great report! You definitely packed in alot during your stay.

I did not make it to the Arts %26amp; Letters bookstore on my last visit so it%26#39;s still on my to-do list.

wow great trip! thanks for sharing the details with us. gave me some new ideas to research.

can%26#39;t believe you said that about the pizza-ever since my dh and i went to Chicago and had their pizza -we were hooked!and those Italian beef sandwiches OMG we love chicago......yummy,yummy Chicago!

Great report--very glad to see that you went to Ko and Frankies!

We were lucky getting into Ko. Thanks for all of your feedback in the forum Crans.