NYC questions

[singtopher]

Posted: 7/21/09 at 9:04pm

My brother and his family are coming to town this weekend, and while I'm rather savvy for having only lived in the city for 6 months, I have a couple questions.

I'd like to take them to Katz's Deli. I've never been there, but I hear it's fabulous. Is there usually a long wait? Otherwise, are there any other good Brooklyn Deli's that I could take them too?

Secondly, we're going to hit up the Museum of Natural History (my niece and nephew love "Night at the Museum"). I know that the museums are a "suggested donation" so you don't have to pay the full amount. Exactly how does this work? When they say "$22" you just hand them a $5 and move on?

I appreciate the help.

[Jane2]

Posted: 7/21/09 at 9:10pm

Katz's is famous, but the food is much better at the Second Ave. Deli.

And yes, if it's a suggested donation, you just hand the receptionist the amount you wish, and if it's like the Met, you will get a receipt.

[ghostlight2]

Posted: 7/21/09 at 9:23pm

The lines can be long at Katz's (you do know it's in the East Village and not in Brooklyn, yes?), but it is a long-standing NY landmark, and the food is very good. Second Ave's food is also excellent, but the ambiance is entirely different. Depends on what you're looking for. Katz's is more expensive, but their sandwiches are overstuffed so it's easy to share.

Most museums have a free night, but they can be crowded. These links may have some information you can use:

http://gonyc.about.com/cs/museums/a/museumdeals.htm

http://www.ny.com/museums/free.html

http://www.newyorkology.com/archives/2009/03/free_hours_at_m.php

eta: enjoy!

timeout ny museum section Updated On: 7/21/09 at 09:23 PM

[singtopher]

Posted: 7/21/09 at 10:30pm

Yeah, I knew Katz's wasn't actually in Brooklyn. It's just described as a Brooklyn Deli. I'll look into Second Ave. Thanks guys!

[SNAFU]

Posted: 7/22/09 at 12:50pm

It is really just a matter of opinion. I like Katz's better then 2ND Ave. It does have that Old New York feel to it and it is fun to walk around Delancy and check out the deals you can find at the haberdashers and clothing stores there.

[Jane2]

Posted: 7/22/09 at 4:39pm

Last time I went to Katz's I stood on line for 45 minutes to get a pastrami sandwich. When it was finally my turn, they told me they had no more pastrami.

Everything's a matter of opinion here!

[Gothampc]

Posted: 7/22/09 at 5:38pm

"I'd like to take them to Katz's Deli."

I love Katz Deli. I've never had to wait there. (By the way, I think Katz is cash only, so bring lots of it.)

[george95]

Posted: 7/22/09 at 9:24pm

Katz is quite an experience. Whenever people visit me from out of town, they usually want to go there, and there has never been any type of wait.

[Jane2]

Posted: 7/22/09 at 9:32pm

I've gone to Katz's several times, living not far from the place. I've always had to wait, long and short waits and the people I see there are tourists.

If you want to go to a tourist attraction, by all means go to Katz's! Then you can walk around the lower east side if you like.

In my opinion, and my little crowd's opinion, 2nd ave. Deli's food is better for Jewish Deli , but its location is no longer in an interesting neighborhood, so you may want to stick with Katz's.

[ghostlight2]

Posted: 7/22/09 at 10:44pm

Might be the time you're hitting it, Jane. I have seldom had to wait, but then I'm usually there mid-afternoon. I think Goth is right in that it's cash-only. I love their old-fashion service.

Katz's has been around a long time, and transcends the moniker "tourist attraction". Will you see tourists there? Sure. When Harry Met Sally saw to that, but Katz's was around long before that and hasn't changed much.

2nd Av is cheaper, and doesn't put on quite the show Katz's does, but they're good people, and have good food. Both neighborhoods are great for walking around in - the lower east side around Katz's is a little more old new york authentic, but around 2nd av deli there's the historic Tompkins Square park, and lots of little shops, studios and bars. Have fun and let us know how it went.

[Jane2]

Posted: 7/22/09 at 10:50pm

Um, the Second Ave. Deli is on 33rd St. near 3rd Ave. Quite a long trek from Tompkins Sq. Park, little shops and bars.

[ghostlight2]

Posted: 7/22/09 at 11:02pm

Thanks, Jane, I didn't know it had moved. I didn't much have the heart to go to the 2nd av deli much after proprietor Abe Lebewohl was killed out front, when it was located at 2nd av (hence the name) and 10th st. He was a very great man and a real asset to that community.

In that case, singtopher, I absolutely would stick to Katz's. The food can't possibly be worth the trip to Murray Hill.

[Jane2]

Posted: 7/23/09 at 12:27pm

topher, I took some shots for you today. I had to make a stop at economy candy, and passed katz's. It was about 11 am. If you're going there, it's on the corner of Ludlow and Houston Sts.

Then, if you want to have some fun, walk 2 blocks to Rivington off Ludlow to economy candy. EVERY kind of candy on earth, retro and current, is there, in bulk and by thepackage.

[Jane2]

Posted: 7/23/09 at 9:16pm

bump for topher

[Q]

Posted: 7/24/09 at 4:57am

OK, I wanted to start a thread, and couldn't see a way to under the current configuration. Are we just supposed to 'give up and go home'?

[Jane2]

Posted: 7/24/09 at 3:50pm

bumping again-I just ate kasha varnishkes that I made and it reminded me of Katz's and Second Ave Deli!

[singtopher]

Posted: 7/24/09 at 8:28pm

Awesome everyone. Thanks!

[nygrl232]

Posted: 7/24/09 at 10:52pm

WHY did you do that, Jane? WHY did you tell us about an awesome candy store? Can't you see that some of us are trying to eat less sugar?????? And now there's a global candy central somewhere in Manhattan? AAHGL>!

[Jane2]

Posted: 7/24/09 at 11:27pm

lol-I'm watching my sugar also because I"m on the verge of diabetes. Imagine how hard it was to go in there and buy something for a gift, and rush right out before I started buying stuff for myself???? oy!

[Dollypop]

Posted: 7/25/09 at 7:29pm

Doesn't Economy Candy have sugar-free varieties?

Jane, if you're on the verge of diabetes, eat lots of cinnamon, fennel and 2 tsps of vinegar every day. (Use the vinegar as salad dressing). Your numbers will come down dramatically.

[Jane2]

Posted: 7/25/09 at 7:54pm

Interesting, Dollypop. I heard about cinnamon being good for you but not the others.