Chicago/ New york city 4th of july week

[Brooklyn Marc]

Other finde dining mid range options that have well known owners and good reputations:

Nougatine (John George's more moderately priced and located across from central park in Columbus circle) In this vain ABC kitchen (another Jean George's spot is cool if you find yourself in the Union Square area)

Ai fiori (Michael White, AMAZING Italian restarauntuer and great atmosphere not far from your hotel in times square)

Bar Baloud (Daniel Baloud's less stuffy place, while I personally don't mind Daniel his much more formal spot I can honestly say I have never had a bad meal here and the quality is not lacking)

Dirt Candy ( If anyone in your group is Vegetarian or gripes about no options this is a great compromise, I typically don't eat a meal without meat, but as a ton of my good friends are vegetarians I can recommend this place as one of the best compromises for both meat eaters and vegetarians, as even though it is vegetarian the owner does an amazing job of cooking with great technique and flavors)

Bubbi's and Clinton Street Baking Company ( NYC is a brunch place, I hate to say it but I barely ever cook breakfast on weekends so find myself most weekends in the city with friends and these are two great options, always packed but worth the wait, not a "scene" type place just great breakfast)

As far as the " freedom tower" technically yes but I guess during the long process to actually build it it is more commonly referred to as "One World Trade" by most New Yorkers now. I work 5 minutes away and can't remember the last time someone called it anything other than that. It's just one of this weird things that kind of happened over time. But yes I think you will find the experience of the memorial worthwhile.

[ratchelor]

If you have a good looking crew you will get in the clubs and shouldn't have to pay cover, feel free to contact me for the name/number of a promoter that can get you into several clubs and free drinks all night.

[kp3205]

No offense taken Ratch.

My wife is the planner for NY and because we have tons of family obligations when I come home we pretty much only do tourist stuff. Girl from a small town in Florida gets overwhelmed by the big city but sees all of these things about NY on tv she wants to do...lol. She's not a club person and being so far out of touch with the scene personally, plus being 44 and her 32, kept it to what I knew would work, meaning not overly crowded for her, she can move around and a quick entry.

Happy wife makes a happy life in my world.

[ratchelor]

haha amen

[KG25]

In Chicago, the most exclusive spot is Underground. The newest hot spot is Parliament. Spybar and Soundbar if you're into house. Would also recommend bars/clubs in the River North area on or around Hubbard St (Studio Paris, Hub51/Sub51, Public House).

[artedm]

whenever I'm visiting a city I always do a quick stubhub.com search to see if there are any big concerts/events going on. If there is a special one night concert I try to plan my shedule around that-do the time sensitive events before the things that are always available.
A quick search found Dave Matthews concert in Chicago, while your there. Phish is in NY while your there and Katy Perry is at Madison Square Garden 7/9
I think some baseball games are also going on in each city.

Keep in mind- public transit (trains) is really good from the airports ohare/midway- lga/jfk/ewr

some checklist sights:

chicago
Art Institute of Chicago has American Gothic & Nighthawks
Grant Park
Chicago theater sign
Navy Pier
Billy goat Tavern- snl/cubs curse
United Center- Jordan statue
check www.clubtix.com- for events at The Mid/Aragon ballroom

NYC- is a monster just so much going on
There are a lot of FREE tv show tapings in nyc today show, Jon Stewart, Letterman, Jimmy fallon, Colbert etc, etc
Moma- free Friday from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m- has Starry Night & Les Demoiselles
fifth ave- Rockefeller Center/ Plaza hotel/ Trump tower
Wall Street- the bull statue
Statue of Liberty- Staten Island ferry is free which passes by it
times square / broadway theaters
for clubs check lineups for Pacha/ Marquee / lavo

[Guest]

Hi KG25. So that is not the first time ive herd that underground is exclusive. I guess I dont understand the concept. How is it exclusive? They are picky with who they let in the door? You have to know someone to get in? Ive been to plenty of very hot spots where the line is curved around the building and at that point you either have to know someone or have purchased a table to get in. Is that what you would call exclusive. Sorry for the technicality of it but ive really never herd a club be called exclusive more so then underground.

[KG25]

...They are picky with who they let in the door? You have to know someone to get in? Ive been to plenty of very hot spots where the line is curved around the building and at that point you either have to know someone or have purchased a table to get in. Is that what you would call exclusive...

Lol, yes. All of the above. Extremely picky with who they let in - Rumor has it that they actually have a camera at the door in order to regulate it. If you have a good looking group of girls you shouldn't have any major issues if you get there early. If, so you can just go where else within walking distance - you'd have a ton of choices.

[Guest]

Ok thanks for the clarification. I will have to check it out for sure. Sounds like a good time.
We went to the Mid last time and had a good time but was a tiny bit grungy for our taste. Next day we went to Roof at the Wit and met some ppl who suggested going to Underground after but we should go with their table cause it was "super exclusive". We ended up calling it early cause we went pretty hard during the day but wrote off the guys comments because we figured they were just trying to be impressive.

[artedm]

if you looking for casinos

In Chicago there are some casinos in East Chicago, IN

and in NYC you have Resorts World

[Guest]

Brooklyn, please say things to make me more excited to go to NY. Brunch is by far my favorite meal, but usually places only serve it on the weekend and i will only be there until friday evening

But anything brunch or pastries hell even high tea and you've got my ear lol

[kp3205]

Russian Tea Room for High Tea.

Found this regarding brunch in NYC during the week.

Hope this helps.

http://brunchgang.com/2012/01/25/dea...eekday-brunch/

[Tara Denise]

Keep in mind that bottomless mimosas are outlawed in NY now! :-( That was the main reason I love brunch ing there, lol but that could just be me.

[Guest]

I read that article def has a lot of good brunch suggestions.
And im sure they will figure it out. I think the problem is they cant have you pay one set price for unlimited drinks cause then they cant keep track of them. I know in az when you get bottomless anything they say its $20 (or whatever) for the first one and then $0.01 for each one after that its a way to get around that law.

[SelfMade]

Keep in mind that bottomless mimosas are outlawed in NY now! :-( That was the main reason I love brunch ing there, lol but that could just be me.

Living in the West village I can tell you that law is a paper tiger. There's plenty of brunch places that offer mimosas in close to bottomless configurations. Not just neighborhood restaurants but established places like Marc Forgione.