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Useful and Tested Dine Out Tips For New York City’s Visitors And Diners Everywhere

 

Three days ago, I had an intelligent excuse to sneak out freely …..a precious gift for that particular day so to speak. It was a dine out in one of the fine dining restaurants along 42nd St. in Manhattan!  But lo and behold, the restaurant seemed to have disappeared and when found, there was a very long queue which was quite impossible to get in there before closing time!  I'll reserve my privacy rights on why I was given the said privilege, rather I wish to share with you the lessons learned and some useful tips on how to foil a failed night out!

1. Plan ahead – Planning ahead of time has a myriad of advantages. Try to avoid spur of the moment decisions especially when you go fine dining in the bustling street and tourist-infested area of the Big Apple and more so when you’re not so familiar with the place.

On this, I would say “mea culpa”, the gut feeling worked to my disadvantage!

2. Use search engines – There are several ways to get directions to your destination either thru search applications of Google, Yahoo, Bing and other sources which provide access to a range of information. Some of the means to find directions is by using the “Directions” tab, right clicking an icon or search result and using the “To/From Here” buttons. There are options on how you can reach the place, either thru private vehicle, public transits, buses and the like.

Believe me, I searched the place thru the "Google" search engine but perhaps I was not so meticulous of the details ….it was a lapse in judgment on my part! I was overconfident that I thought I would be able to get in there, at the right place and at the right time, as I often passed by the area for a couple of times. However, there are situations where salient information are overlooked or perhaps the place has moved to another location which was actually what happened.

 3. Visit the Webpage – It is likewise advisable to go to the website of the particular restaurant or the place where y ou want to go to so you would have more or less a glimpse of what the restaurant can offer. If it’s indispensable, possible and accessible, make a reservation in advance to avoid falling in line when the restaurant is jampacked. Likewise, grab a phone and call them to confirm on the location, closing time, and other salient information.

In all honesty, I visited the webpage but sorry to say, I must have focused my attention to other less relevant information and not on the exact location of the place. I did not attempt to dial my phone and call them up!

So, having said all these things, I hope next time when you come to New York City or anywhere you go , do plan ahead and consider formulating fall back plans in the event something goes wrong in order to make your day less stressful.

Having a positive outlook in mind, I changed my gears and made use instead of my time (oh yes, for my blog!) by taking some few photos for you guys who have not been here in NY, particularly the 42nd Street in Manhattan , i.e., only those found from 8th avenue to Broadway. Briefly, the 42nd St. is a major crosstown street in Manhattan, which runs from east to west, and known for its theatres and famous landmarks such as Grand Central Terminal, Times Square, and the Port Authority Bus Terminal, among others.

Since it was sort of a brief peek of the place at night, I will be showing not even a slice of a cake, but probably just a taste of the icing of the cake of NYC, meaning only a few of familiar attractions along the stretch of 42nd St.

Enjoy and feel free to express your emotions after looking at the photos: :)

1. NYC entrepreneurs (road sketch/portrait artists), showcasing their talents for a measly $5 bucks per sketch. Not bad! Hmmnn, this is a very good income generating opportunity for talented guys …maybe a tax free business and requires no business license permit from the City Mayor's office, why not?

2. The Hilton Times Square Building

3. The interior facade of Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum – I wasn't so excited to explore what's inside because I have already seen Madame Tussaud's museum in London anyway. Probably, in the future!

4. One of the Imax Theatres in NYC and the Liberty Theatre

5. Others – A horse made of cut glass inside the lobby of Ripley's Believe It or Not!

the bearded lady, also at the Ripley's

outside of the Ripley's odditorium!

and the busy night life, neon lights, video walls, whatever!

 some of the buildings!

and look what I got for my very late dinner! I ended up with this….

 

jaraannnnnnn…………………!

 

jaraaannnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn!

 

jannn, jannn!

a take out pizza (pepperoni and mushrooms), caesar salad with grilled chicken and buffalo wings! (phew). I have to gorge on this to refuel the foregone energy! At least it's still within my blog's rule ….a well balanced diet! Hey, you might think I ate it all…nope I just took a slice and the salad! …and the pizza place was located nearby the New York Times!

What a night! What an adventure! That's one of me….a very flexible person!

3 responses to “Useful and Tested Dine Out Tips For New York City’s Visitors And Diners Everywhere”

  1. hotmom says:

    read this article about re: tips for first timers in NY.  Someday when we finally visit the big apple will take note of these important tips and reminders. Good day..

    • MyUsefulTips says:

      Thank you hotmom for your comments. And if you finally decide to visit the Big Apple, you may wish to notify me in advance so I can prepare to be your full time tour guide! 🙂

  2. Zap says:

    This is a good entertaining read after spending many hours on the internet. Just like your blog, NYC is indeed full of life and enjoyment, plenty of wonderful spots to go and explore. I love NYC! Got something like that?