Friday 5: 5 Little Things I'm Looking Forward To On Our Next NYC Visit

5 Little Things I'm Looking Forward To

On Our Next NYC Visit

After 40 plus years of visits to The Big Apple, I've pretty much done all of the touristy things, and they don't really interest me too much anymore, either. But that doesn't mean I don't get excited for every trip I make. Now, it's the little things that bring me joy beyond my main reason for going - seeing shows! Here are 5 that I'm looking forward to for my upcoming visit:

People watching at the Marriott Marquis

I get a kick out of (and a good bit of nostalgia, too) watching people coming and going in the theater district. Watching tourists be tourists is fun. The Marriott Marquis offers a couple of great spots to do just that. There's the 8th Floor lobby with tons of seating to watch guests check in, check out and wait. It's amazing to just sit and listen. Plans for the day, talking about a show they are seeing, trying to figure out how to get there... and many times in a variety of languages! (Of course, it's the nicest place in the area to, uh, refresh... IYKYK!) If the weather's nice, or if it's raining, the breezeway connecting 45th and 46th Streets is also great for people watching. Here's also a great place to see folks lined up to see Hamilton. The excitement is palpable in these patrons, young and old. I especially get a smile out of it when I zero in on a kid who would normally NOT be caught dead at a musical, and is trying with everything they have not to show any signs of excitement. But it is written all over them despite their best efforts.

Checking out the new One Shubert Alley

Sure the tiny closet that is the original is still there, nestled between the stage doors of the Booth and Shubert, and I can remember when that was the only Broadway-specific shop around. Now there are others (and some have come and gone, too), including a bigger one now on Broadway next to the Winter Garden. We will have to stop by and check it out. It'll be nice to have more space to move!

Chicken soup at the Carnegie Diner

Not to be confused with the Carnegie Deli, the Diner is on 8th Avenue, near Wicked/Just in Time on 50th, and Chicago/The Book of Mormon on 49th. We love to go there and sit at the bar and eat. They mix a hell of a drink - heavy pours all around, and the food is really good, with huge portions. But it is their chicken soup that has made it a regular stop for us. Flavorful broth, lots of chicken and veggie chunks and rice comes together in the perfect comfort food, and served with a crusty bread perfect for dipping. We end the visit with a delicious dessert (there are lots to choose from), and our wallets aren't completely empty, either! Highly recommend!

Grabbing a drink at a local bar

Speaking of good drinks and people watching, there are several area bars we like going to for a night cap. This trip The Glass House Tavern (47th Street, next to Six) and Hurley's (next door to the Longacre Theatre and across the street from Hadestown) are the likely candidates and we like them both. The drinks are great, the clientele is a fun mix of theatergoers and locals - always a good sign. And both are great places to see show folk, too!

Revisiting New World Stages

Man, time flies! We haven't been to a show in the New World Stages complex in years. I get a kick out of the urban vibe of the place. It's a cross between an art gallery and a Cineplex. What is fun is the community feeling one gets down there underground and away from the midtown hustle bustle, with everyone there with the same purpose: seeing a show. Seeing Heathers there will have a special nostalgia since we saw the original production there over a decade ago.

What are the "little things" you like to do when you make a theater trip into the city? Let us know!

 

Broadway Eats: Marriott Marquis' Breakfast Buffet

A few times a year, whether we stay for the weekend or just go up for the day, we splurge on a meal at the Marriott Marquis' restaurant, Revel and Rye. It is pricey. But it is convenient, offers a variety of classics and slightly elevated dishes. Sometimes, we stop by in the time between shows, usually eating at the bar. (For the record, their sandwiches are tasty and big!) But the last few times we've eaten there, we've gone for a late breakfast, opting for the all-you-can-eat-buffet.

Broadway Eats:

The Breakfast Buffet at the Marriott Marquis

LOCATION	Theater District/Times Square: 1535 Broadway, 8th floor of the Marriott Marquis
CLOSEST THEATERS	Marquis, Rodgers, Lunt-Fontanne, Minskoff, Booth, Schoenfeld, Jacobs, Golden, Music Box, Imperial
HOURS	Daily: 6:30 am - 11:30 am
WEBSITE	https://www.revelandrye.com/
MEALS SERVED	Brunch
BAR	Brunch drink menu
OUTDOOR SEATING	No

THE MENU:

When you stop by during breakfast hours, there is an a la carte menu, or you can go for the buffet. If you can't decide what you want, or have a taste for a little bit of everything, the buffet is the way to go, since nearly everything on the buffet is on the a la carte menu. A lot of it is typical American breakfast items. There are two hot sides; one has scrambled eggs, a frittata, an egg whites dish, bacon, sausage, home fries with onions and peppers, and hot waffles with warm syrup (sometimes they also have French toast); the other side has "healthier" options such as turkey-based meats, vegetarian and vegan dishes. In between the "hot" sides, there is an extensive baked goods island - danishes, muffins, pastries and breads and bagels. Finally, there is a long back row with plentiful fresh fruits, hot oatmeal, cold cereals, and a large selection of milks and other breakfast beverages. The buffet also includes a variety of chilled juices, coffee, tea, iced teas.

THE PLACE:

The restaurant is on the 8th floor and is part of the hotel's expansive lobby. There are two areas - the bright open atrium, flooded with natural light and a variety of seating options, and the "under cover" area which is a darker, cozier place to eat. We usually get seated out in the open section, great for people watching and catching up on news and sports on the gigantic screen that overlooks the room. It's pretty nice there.

OUR ORDER:

As I said, this is on the pricier side - the buffet is $42 per person. But when you consider that you can eat several plates of food, or just 20 slices of some of the best bacon I've ever had, it is a great deal. Consider this, too. A two egg breakfast with home fries, bacon OR sausage and toast is more than $20 alone, and does not include a beverage. If you want cereal, fresh fruit or a bagel, it's all a separate charge. For us, the biggest selling point (besides that bacon!) is that you can take your time, eat as much as you want, and the need for lunch is really unnecessary. I can tell you that on days we eat breakfast and lunch, we spend much more than $42 per person.

THE SERVICE:

We have never had bad service here. The servers are attentive and friendly, quick to clear plates, and most importantly, rapid refills on drinks. The staff works together so well, you never need for anything long, either. The staff that maintains the buffet is excellent as well. I've yet to have a cold egg or waffle, and it is very clean. Nothing sits for too long between it being busy and consistently replenished.

There is also use of the fabulous Marriott bathrooms! IYKYK!

🥄🥄🥄🥄🥄 out of 5 spoons

THE FRIDAY 5: Theater District Watering Holes

JEFF'S TOP 5

THEATRE DISTRICT WATERING HOLES

Over the years, Mike and I have been known to enjoy an adult beverage or three during our Broadway binge trips. We like to try new places, but tend to go with the familiar.  Here are our 5 favorites in the theatre district.  Most are also restaurants, and we do eat at these places, but this list is based on the drinks, not the food. Both of us separately graded about 10 of our favorite places on ambiance, quality of drinks, value, location relative to the Times Square area.  Here's how the tally shook out:

5. MOTHER BURGER (329 W. 49th Street) 

This place is small, but it is CHEAP, and not just for NYC. That's why this place got the highest score for value. I love the red sangria, and they have some great frozen drinks, as well. Not a bad burger, either... Great for a matinee day or pre-show drink (only open late on Fridays and Saturdays). Close to: Avenue Q (and anything at New World Stages - it is literally over the space!), Wicked, Once On This Island, The Book of Mormon, Chicago, Bruce Springsteen on Broadway, A Bronx Tale, Angels in America, Waitress, The Band's Visit

4. IRON BAR (713 8th Avenue) 

This place feels both comfortable and trendy, and always seems packed, but we've never waited for a seat or table.  It is pretty pricey, but what you get is high quality.  Mike recommends the tasty, but small margaritas, and I enjoy their strong rum and Cokes.  What this place has in spades is hours (open daily 12PM - 4AM) and location.  Close to: Kinky Boots, The Phantom of the Opera, Anastasia, Hello, Dolly!, Lobby Hero and Frozen

3. JUNIOR'S (1515 Broadway, but you access it from 45th Street and Shubert Alley)

Here's another place high on the location scale.  The food here is really the star - their cheesecake is world-famous. The menu and the portions are enormous, and it isn't too expensive, but not cheap, either.  This is also the most family-friendly place on the list, so it might surprise you that thee drinks are pretty terrific.  They serve a big margarita, and I've had an equally large rum and Coke and screwdriver there over the years. Get in line - the wait is rarely as long as they tell you it will be, and you can eat at the bar if available. But again, location, location, location! Close to: The Lion King, The Boys in the Band, Come From Away, Three Tall Women, The Iceman Cometh, Carousel and Dear Evan Hansen

2. CHEVY'S (249 West 42nd Street)

Okay, so a chain Mexican restaurant might not be high on your list in the first place, but we love it there, because the food is decent, and the drinks are high quality.  Margaritas by the pitcher or glass, other exciting specialty drinks and very well poured classics - the bartenders here are great.  Go early, go late, we never have to wait long, and they encourage you to linger!  Upstairs is quieter, but sometimes the hustle bustle downstairs and at the bar can be a blast, too.  Close to: The American Airlines Theatre, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Aladdin, Beautiful, Pretty Woman

1. REUNION (357 West 44th Street)

This place is small, and close to 9th Avenue, but you can't miss it.  There's a giant surfboard and life guard chair and lots of colorful lights to tell you where it is.  It is in the basement of its building - be careful going up and down the steps! It looks small, but holds a lot of people comfortably.  They have a small menu of things to eat, including interestingly stuffed hot dogs.  Hit this place for happy hour and it is super cheap.  Off happy hour isn't that much more.  We've tried a variety of their drinks and they are all good and very nicely poured.  Reunion scored highest in ambiance - take the time to read all the signs! And the location is great if you want to be close to the Broadway action, but not overwhelmed by it.  It's also close to some great eats. Close to: Kinky Boots, The Phantom of the Opera, Frozen, Lobby Hero, Hello, Dolly! and Schmackery's (for cookies), Two Boots Pizza (for gourmet slices) and 5 Napkin Burger (for...burgers).

HONORABLE MENTION: THE BROADWAY LOUNGE AT THE MARRIOTT MARQUIS (1535 Broadway - on the 8th floor)

We just discovered this place on our most recent trip, since we treated ourselves and stayed there.  But we'd go back.  It's a nice, bright open place, with a great view of Times Square.  As you might guess, it's pricey, but not too outrageous.  We had excellent service at both the bar and in the lounge seating area.  Large drink menu and decent sized menu of eats. (Try the house made chips and dip - maybe the best onion dip I've ever had!) Close to: Escape to Margaritaville, Hamilton, Summer, SpongeBob SquarePants, The Parisian Woman, School of Rock, The Band's Visit, Waitress