Lincoln Tunnel
Try making a call here because the tunnel has the best cellphone service in New York.
Bryant Park
Try estimating the percentage of women here. On a recent weekday, it was 53%, according to the park's engineer, who considers that a success. "Women are more discriminating park users," he says.
Madison Square Garden
This 42-year-old arena is preparing to undergo a wholesale overhaul for $775-$850 million. It'll include floor-level luxury suites and two pedestrian bridges suspended over the playing surface.
Chinatown
A group of real-estate developers have commissioned a study to rethink Canal Street as they ratchet up a controversial effort to allow for taller buildings along Chinatown's main thoroughfare.
MoMA - Museum of Modern Art
Check out the big new exhibit on Abstract Expressionism running from October 3, 2010, to April 25, 2011. Virtually all of the art — 300 works by 30 artists — comes from the museum's own collection.
Metropolitan Museum of Art
Hanging out on the Met steps is a New York tradition, and billionaire David Koch has pledged "at least $10 million" to renovate the fountains outside the museum.
MoMA - Museum of Modern Art
Despite its hefty $20 ticket price, the museum attracted its highest-ever number of visitors, 3.09 million, during its 2010 fiscal year. "Monet's Water Lilies" was the most popular exhibit.
LGA - Delta Terminal
Amid intensifying competition for New York's business-travel market, Delta is expected to demolish its landmark Pan Am Worldport terminal at JFK to make way for new facilities.
MTA Subway - 6 Train
The 6, 7, N and C were found to be New York's cleanest subway lines in the Straphangers Campaign's annual survey. The M, V, D and R are the system's dirtiest lines, the group found.
Waldorf Astoria Hotel
Paris Hilton grew up here. We asked her what it was like to live in a hotel...
One World Trade Center Freedom Tower
Who will get to manage this 1,776-foot-tall office tower? The two bidders are the family-run Durst Organization and Related Cos., an international real-estate developer.
Guggenheim Museum
Check out Julie Mehretu's exhibition, "Grey Area," her representation of post-war Berlin in which the dynamism of urban life confronts decay and change. It's open through October 6, 2010.
MTA Subway - 59th St (Columbus Circle) (A/B/C/D/1)
Catching the "Downtown & Breuckelen Express"? Pranksters have altered the signs at several stations, referring to Brooklyn's original name in the 1600s. But look fast: the MTA considers it vandalism.
The Central Park Reservoir
Jon Mendes, 89, has adopted the two concrete drinking fountains at the reservoir's southern entrance. Every three weeks or so, he scrubs them down with brushes and a can of Comet.
George Washington Bridge
Police were told to stop and search would-be subway bomber Najibullah Zazi's car in Sept. 2009 as he drove up to the bridge—but waved him across without finding two pounds of explosives hidden inside.
New York Stock Exchange
Executives dream of ringing the closing bell here, but it's a little more complicated than they might imagine. Which button do you press to conclude the trading day: green, orange, or red?
Urban Outfitters
The facade will be split into four "storefronts": a hat store, a hardware store, a neighborhood bar and a bodega. The designer calls it an "ironic statement...reminiscent of independent businesses."
Robert F Kennedy Bridge
Is it the Triborough Bridge or the RFK Bridge? It's been the latter since November 2008, but New Yorkers, online maps, and even some government agencies haven't committed to the change.
Central Park - Alice in Wonderland
Before 9 a.m., dogs are allowed to roam free in Central Park. That has spawned gatherings of unleashed canines like the Norwich terriers that regularly get together with their owners at this statue.
Staten Island Ferry - St George Terminal
The Andrew J. Barberi smashed into this terminal on May 8, 2010, after a mechanical problem prevented the crew from slowing down the vessel and easing it into the pier.
Whitney Museum of American Art
Get here fast because the museum is moving downtown to the Meatpacking District. Their new six-story, 195,000-square-foot building will be designed by Renzo Piano and cost $680 million.
Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum
Bill White, who was president of the museum, resigned abruptly on May 19, 2010, one year after the New York State Attorney General began investigating him.
Brooklyn Bridge Park
Starting in July 2010, the park's Pier 1 will have vendors serving tacos, crab rolls, wine, beer, and ice cream. (The city will make about $120,000 a year from the deal.)
Gramercy Park
Trouble in paradise: O. Aldon James, president of the National Arts Club, is battling the park's five trustees to loosen regulations governing enjoyment of the shared space. (Keys cost $350 apiece.)
Peter Luger Steak House
This decidedly old-school steakhouse is a rite of passage for Wall Street traders willing to shell out $88 for the signature porterhouse for two. Lunch reservations are doable, but bring cash.
Yankee Stadium
The new voice of Yankee Stadium — replacing the legendary Bob Sheppard, who died in July 2010 — is Paul Olden. He was working as a part-time sports anchor in Los Angeles when the Yankees called.
Citi Field
Watch out for the Mets' power-hitting outfielder Jason Bay: He's one of the 10 streakiest hitters in baseball, either very hot or ice cold — and, so far this season, the latter.
Oyster Bar - Grand Central
Thirty-seven raw-oyster varieties, from Bluepoints to Beavertail, are the main attraction here, though the most popular dish is grilled swordfish over a frisse, mache and radicchio salad ($27.95).
Artichoke Basille’s Pizza & Brewery
The artichoke slice, which comes slathered in gooey artichoke sauce, is the shop's specialty. There's no seating inside here, though, so you'll have to take your pizza and beer elsewhere.
MTA - 7 Train
Top New York real-estate executives and the City Council speaker are pushing hard for federal funding to add a subway stop along the 7 line's Manhattan extension at 10th Ave. and 41st St.
Ippudo NY
Beware: they only take same-day reservations, and the lunch crowd must wait five to 30 minutes in the front room. Complex $13 Ramen concoctions include the popular Akamaru and the Shiromaru.
Brooklyn Bridge Park - Pier 6
Old-time residents still call it South Brooklyn, near Carroll Gardens and Red Hook, but Columbia Street Waterfront District is starting to take on an identity of its own.
Jean Georges
Ed Koch may no longer be mayor of New York, but if he used Foursquare, he'd probably be the mayor of this restaurant. Once a month, Koch invites members of his administration to an elegant lunch here.
Hudson River
Remember the Miracle on the Hudson? Well, investigators aren't saying that Captain "Sully" shouldn't have landed in the river, but he probably didn't need to.
Luke's Lobster East Village
The lobster roll here is a study of balance and restraint: four ounces of sweet Maine lobster meat, a buttered bun with a brush of mayonnaise and a dash of seasoning ($14).
Goldman Sachs
"A specific goal of this building was not to make a big noise," says the architect of Goldman's new, $2.5 billion headquarters. But check out the mural by Julie Mehretu in the glass-walled lobby.
Blue Ribbon Sushi
The Nasu Dengaku (grilled eggplant) and Oshinki (assorted pickled vegetables) are popular appetizers. And the miso soup comes with miso paste in a separate dish.
Markt
Mussels, served about a half-dozen ways, are the most popular menu item. The restaurant also features an impressive beer list.
Hudson Hall @ the Hudson Hotel
This place aims to mimic classic Ivy League dining halls. There are long tables and a service line where you can pile food like crab salad sandwiches and sliders onto a cafeteria tray.
Oceana
Seafood is the specialty here, but dessert lovers should save room for the donut plate or the sticky rice pudding.
New Meadowlands Stadium
See how the seating-area signs glow blue for the Giants and green for the Jets. The two teams squabbled over every detail of this $1.7 billion stadium, from the architecture to portable toilets.
The Green Table - Chelsea Market
The signature dish is the chicken pot pie. Items like the fish tacos and the farm plate, a vegan dish, change to reflect the produce in season. Most lunch items cost about $15.
Rare Bar & Grill
Favorites include the T-bone burger, a blend of strip and sirloin steak flambéed with tequila and topped with truffle aioli. Or try the ribeye sandwich. But whatever you order, prepare to spend a lot.
The Meatball Shop
It's all meatballs here, rolled into shape, featuring beef, spicy pork and chicken. Most popular is a bowl of beef meatballs with the classic tomato sauce and a slice of focaccia ($7).
Daisy May's BBQ
The smokers here run 24 hours a day and hold roughly 1,300 pounds of meat. The resulting menu includes sticky pork ribs, brisket, pulled pork and plenty of fixins.
The Breslin
This is the place to tweet and be seen. Their meaty lunch menu includes terrines, ham, sea bass and steak, but the most popular entree is the lamb burger ($17).
New York City Center
Following a nationwide trend, the seats in this theater are getting wider by an average of two inches. "Americans have gotten a little plumper," explains the managing director.
Museum of the City of New York
"Cars, Culture, and the City," open here through Aug. 8, examines the peculiar history of cars in New York, which has the lowest per-capita vehicle ownership of any major American city.
Rutgers Stadium
Could Rutgers join the Big Ten? As the conference prepares to expand by as many as five teams, it seems increasingly likely. But it'll cost $5 million to leave the Big East...
Bubby's Brooklyn
A typical weekend brunch here sees the kitchen going through 1,800 eggs, 100 pounds of cheddar, 50 pounds of grits and 20 pounds of oats.
Christie's Auction House
The most expensive piece of artwork ever sold at auction, Pablo Picasso's "Nude, Green Leaves and Bust," went for $106.5 million to an anonymous bidder here.
Willis Ave Bridge
This 109-year-old bridge between the Bronx and Manhattan is getting replaced. The new 2,400-ton span was built upstate and then floated down the Hudson River.
Locanda Verde
Look out for luminaries of the financial, film, and TV industries at this casual Italian restaurant. The most popular dishes are "My Grandmothers' Ravioli" and the slow-cooked lamb sandwich, both $16.
City Hall Restaurant
Lunch menu spans from the burger ($16), a blend of short rib and brisket served on a homemade onion bun, to Delmonico steak ($42), a dry-aged rib eye topped with a dollop of Iowa's Maytag blue cheese.
1540 Broadway
Xinhua, one of the Chinese government's main news outlets and propaganda arms, is finalizing a deal to move its North American headquarters to the top floor of this 44-story skyscraper.
NYU Silver Towers
NYU wants to add a new tower to this complex, but preservationists in Greenwich Village say that would imperil the historic buildings, which were designed by I.M. Pei.
Led Zeppole
Pick up some fried Oreos, three for $3. They're much better than Oreos that haven't been fried.
Asiate
Lunch favorites here include the sashimi with avocado mousse appetizer and the salmon with Mandarin orange and ginger entree.
ABC Kitchen
Don't let the homey atmosphere fool you; make a reservation at least a week in advance. Popular lunch items include include the turkey sandwich, cheeseburger, and the whole wheat pizzas.
Governors Island
Promoters held a series of free concerts here in an attempt to build the island's reputation as a destination for music. Now, they're hosting ticketed concerts.
The Mark Restaurant by Jean-Georges
Try the chilled artichoke or Peekytoe Crab Cakes. Tables are well-spaced, making eavesdropping hard and good conversation irresistible.
Community Food & Juice
The brunch crowd here is a mix of college students and stroller-steering parents. For traditionalists, there are blueberry pancakes; for the adventurous, coconut pancakes with passion-fruit syrup.
No. 7 Sub
For about $9, you can get one of about a dozen subs on homemade bread. Among the best is the lamb meatloaf with strawberry pico de gallo, curried crema, cheddar and pappadam.
The Lion
This West Village hot spot wanted ivy creeping up its 1839 facade, so they installed fake ivy made of silk. But the Landmarks Preservation Commission ordered it taken down.
Italian American Museum
There's a frankly hodge-podge cast to the exhibits here: organ-grinder carts, hand-carved puppets, etc. But the real draw is the conversation between the museum's founder and his visitors.
Cafe Carlyle
In 2002, the restaurant added a three-course prix fixe to target "ladies who lunch" ($37). But the signature dish remains a Dover sole with champagne cream, served on a silver platter ($55).
Aureole
For lunch, served from noon to 2:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday, the most popular entrees are the miso Alaskan black cod ($26) and the grilled burger with bacon and pickled ramp dressing ($19).
Bar III at Bergdorf Goodman Men's Store
The main attraction is the Gotham Salad ($18), made with chicken, ham, gruyere, tomatoes, beets, bacon, egg, iceberg lettuce and Thousand Island dressing.
The Green-Wood Cemetery
This resting ground for such 19th-century titans as jeweler Charles Tiffany and pianist Louis Gottschalk, is running out of burial plots, so the cemetery is turning to alternative revenue streams.
Sakagura
Try one of the daily lunch specials, which are made in limited quantities of 30 orders or less. Diners with room for dessert may want black sesame crème brulee or coffee Jell-O.
Toloache
Try the black truffle quesadilla or lobster tacos. The trio of guacamole, which includes a hot chipotle version and one with mango, apples and and pomegranate topping, is also a good bet.
Sheraton Brooklyn Hotel New York
For nearly 12 years, the Marriott in downtown Brooklyn has been the borough's only full-service hotel. That's ending with the debut of this 321-room Sheraton.
Land Thai Kitchen
Worth trying at this posh but low-key place: the two-course prix-fixe lunch ($8) with vegetable dumplings stuffed with shiitake mushroom, sweet corn and peanut, plus steaming pad see ew with beef.
Socarrat Paella Bar
If you have about 30 minutes, try a single-serving of paella for about $22. The tab for a plentiful lunch is roughly $30 a person.
Aldea
Good choices include the mussel soup with sausage, an open-faced sea urchin sandwich, plank-grilled Spanish mackerel in escabeche juice, and diver scallops with risotto and orange.
Resto
For brunch, eggs Benedict gets a twist, being served on crispy waffles studded with chewy lardons. A regular special is deliciously light pancakes with cream and fruit, like freshly sliced peaches.
The Tank
Founded in 2003 by an ad-hoc group of 10 friends, this non-profit, multidisciplinary performance venue in Midtown has managed to survive amid bulldozers and the financial crisis.
The General Greene
The popular cheddar and smoked ham scramble is a perfect mix of flavors. Other food on the menu, like ranchero eggs and pinto beans in a skillet, could use a little more flavor and spice.
Pulino's
Try it for brunch: bloody marys, egg dishes and savory or dessert pizzas made with house-cured sausages and meats dominate the menu ($8-$16).
Momofuku Ssäm Bar
Try splitting a $25 prix-fixe lunch with your companion and adding one or two of the ever-changing small dishes. In the prix-fixe, the pork buns are a perennial favorite.
Old Homestead Steakhouse
Kobe beef, one of the restaurant's most popular dishes, was pulled from the menu after Japanese cows tested positive for foot-and-mouth disease.
Despaña
After eating, buy some ingredients for a DIY paella: Bomba rice, olive oil, chorizo, pimentón, and saffron. Ask at the counter, and they'll cheerfully give instructions for cooking the rice.
Sephora
Caroline Giuliani, the 20-year-old daughter of Rudy Giuliani, was arrested on August 4, 2010, on suspicion of shoplifting lipstick, lip gloss and other cosmetics from this store.
Amy Ruth's
The claims to fame here are The Rev. Al Sharpton and The Tommy Tomita, pairings of juicy chicken and fluffy waffles.
Rockaway Taco
Spend the extra dollar to top your taco with guacamole ($4 in all). And don't miss the cold salad of cucumber, mango and jicama, which is served in a sealed plastic sandwich bag ($2).
Hecho en Dumbo
Standouts on the daily brunch menu include the earthy and rich enmoladas with duck meat (tortillas dipped in mole sauce, filled and rolled) for $12.
Tamarind TriBeCa
Plush banquettes and sizable booths make this Indian restaurant ideal for private business meetings. But after a three-course lunch, you may be more in the mood for a nap.
NYPD Central Park Precinct
The city is spending $50 million to restore the precinct to its late-Victorian splendor. But visiting will be difficult: Tourism isn't allowed, so you'll have to come on official police business.
David H. Koch Theater - Lincoln Center
Five new productions in the New York City Ballet's spring season include the work of an unusual collaborator: architect Santiago Calatrava. He's known for sweeping, futuristic shapes.
The New Leaf Café
Lunch is served on the patio of the 1930s stone cottage just downwind from the Cloisters. Ricotta ravioli features basil grown on the patio, while burgers can come with house-smoked bacon and cheeses.
Tipsy Parson
It's all about refined comfort here. Think macaroni with grana padano or shrimp and grits with chow chow relish.
Eataly
Among the gastronomic greatest hits worth checking out here: handmade mozzarella, oysters, veal and lamb stuffed ravioli, and gelato. And lots and lots of wine.
The Standard Grill
Thinly cut fries are subtly seasoned. Burgers ($15) are made with brisket and topped with bacon and white cheddar. And the turkey club sandwich ($11) is always popular.
Bar Tabac
The eggs Benedict and Florentine are poached to perfection, but the headliner is Eggs Bar Tabac: two over easy served atop a bowl of baked ratatouille. All egg dishes are $9.95.
Brooklyn Aerodrome
This is where trash takes flight: Breck Baldwin and Mark Harder craft remote-controlled planes out of spare parts and recycled materials, contraptions they call "flying towels."
Grimaldi's Pizza
This famous Brooklyn eatery, a perennial atop the city's best pizza joints, has received eviction papers after falling behind on rent and city taxes.
Northern Spy Food Co.
Enjoy a big portion of corned-beef hash with two well-poached eggs ($14) or a kale salad with clothbound cheddar ($11). The warm biscuits with jam are an excellent side ($3).
4food
Opening its first store here on July 6, 2010, this chain will let customers brand their own burger creations and pocket 25 cents every time someone buys one of their concoctions.
Loading Dock
The dining room here feels like a direct portal into groovier precincts of Los Angeles. Skip occasional specials like tacos al pastor in favor of the lightly battered fish tacos ($5 apiece).
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