BEST OF NYC

BEST CHINESE FOOD AND BEST DUMPLINGS

Ok, I have decided to divulge a few secrets to those of you that don't know the city too well, I am going to divulge where, in my opinion the best chinese food place and the best dumplings in New York City are. There is a small restaurant in Chinatown, at the corner of Mott Street and Bayard Street, it has a simple sign on the front you won't forget, there's a big "69" on the front you can't miss it. Before you get mad and think I have directed you to some S&M dungeon I assure you I haven't. I am directing you to 69 Bayard Street in Chinatown. Home of the best dumplings I have ever had. They come six to a plate and the sauce is the secret. I don't know what they put in this sauce but its a dark sauce that totally makes the dumplings amazing. These are big dumplings too and they are very filling. It's a great appetizer. 69 Bayard is also known for having money as the wallpaper. I am not kidding, the walls and most of the ceiling are lined with mostly dollar bills put there by patrons over the years with little messages on them like "Rocco and Tina were here" or Brooklyn in da house etc. You will know your in 69 Bayard by the money wallpaper. 69 Is open 24 hours a day so don't worry if your wasted and its late, go on down. They also make an amazing chow fun (a broad noodle dish with your choice of pork, shrimp, vegetables etc.) Prices are reasonable, two people can eat like kings for under 20 bucks. It tends to get crowded friday and saturday nights but well worth the wait. This is not a fancy place by any means, but they give you good home cooked food and I never had a bad dish from them, try the sliced pork also, it's amazing.


BEST PIZZA (MANHATTAN)

This one is hard, because New York has so many amazing pizza joints, I am going to list my top two, New York is home to one of the biggest slices ever, "Koronet", home of the "wagon wheel pie" Located at 2848 Broadway between 110th and 111th streets. This slice is not for the faint of heart, it's truly massive and is like eating almost three slices it seems like. they also make regular size slices but if your a pizza afficionado go up and try one of the "jumbo slices" they are famous citywide. My other favorite is not far away, Sal and Carmines Pizza located at 2671 Broadway, Between 102nd street and 103rd streets. Sal and Carmine have been making pizza the right way for well over 40 years. They are a true institution, they use a blend of skim and whole milk mozzarella and have a thin crispy slice that just melts in your mouth.They are routinely chosen as one of the best slices in the city and there's a reasaon. They are true pro's at the art of making pizza. This is a no nonsense place, they make pizza and that's it, they also have a great sicilian slice, most pizza places make one better than the other but not Sal and Carmine's they make both kinds equally well. Go check them out for what is in my opinion the best slice in Manhattan in the five boroughs.

HOT SPOTS TO PEOPLEWATCH IN NYC

This is one of my favorite past times, I love to watch the hordes, and in the city there are always many. There are many spots to go especially on weekends to see people and watch them do what they do.

THE GREAT LAWN CENTRAL PARK

This is always a fun place to go watch people of both sexes sunbathing and just hanging out, weekends in the summer are usually crowded and yes there are some hotties of both sexes out there. But if your seeking cute girls to watch, I enjoy hanging out downtown in my hood by the Hudson River Park in Battery Park, there is one large lawn behind Stuyvesant High School where gorgeous gals lay out and yes some guys but i'm not really looking at them. This is a great spot to take a blanket, lay out, catch some rays and watch the gorgeous flesh roast in the sun. It's also great if you like biking or blading, you can bike or blade down the west side highway bike path free of lights and cars, until you hit stuyvesant high school then take a right. It's nice to sit by the water also and watch the boats go by on a lazy Saturday or Sunday. Bring your own drinks there's not many places to get drinks but there is a deli close by if your desperate, dog lovers beware, no dogs allowed on the lawns, so keep your doggies in check, the rangers will ticket you.

RIVERSIDE PARK UPPER WEST SIDE

This is one of my favorite parks besides Central Park, while Central park is way larger, Riverside Park has its own charm, you can also bike in here, there are public tennis courts at 120th street and Riverside Drive, there are also real red clay courts that you can play on cheaply located on 93rd street and Riverside Drive as well by the water, get ther early and expect to wait on weekends its crowded, however weekdays is much easier to get on a court here if you don't have a job or happen to be wealthy and don't need one. The 120th Street Courts are hard courts and you need either a permit to play or you have to go buy a day pass which is a pain in the ass. The Clay courts you can just pay 8 bucks I believe it is and just get on if there's a free court so its easier to play there. This park is very dog friendly and has several dog runs to let your doggy play. Not as many hot bodies but there are some laying out in the sun as well. If you want to really get lost in a park i'd advise Central Park which has areas you can get totally lost in and not even know your in the city anymore. Tourists a note of caution, do not I repeat do not walk through these parks after dark. There are several dangers, one being your in a big park in the dark with no one around duh you might get mugged and the other reason is, the rats come out at night, trust me.

BEST POOL HALLS (MANHATTAN)

1- SLATE

I am an old school shooter, I don't like these newer pool halls where its like your in a club, so I tend to like simple pool halls. If you want the club like atmosphere however, go to "SLATE"
54 West 21st street. Right off Sixth Avenue. This is a rocking, loud place, with a big bar upstairs, it's pricey, it's loud, but if you like to watch cute gals and guys shooting pool this is probably going to be your happy place. There are also many other bars and clubs in the vicinity so if you want to have a great night out and party afterwards this is your place, it's pricey however at least by my poor standards so bring some serious cash. If you want to shoot pool in a club atmosphere this is your spot. I suggest going downstairs if you want a little less noise. Upstairs is nuts. They also have snooker tables as well.

http://www.slate-ny.com/


2- CORNER BILLIARDS

110 EAST 11TH STREET

This is a great pool hall with great tables, also a bit pricey, it has a bar also and some cute girls so check it out, also located in a great spot in the East Village.

3- BROADWAY BILLIARD CAFE
10 East 21st Street Off Broadway.

This is a real pool hall, and my favorite of the three, its no nonsense, cheap compared to the others and its very near Slate, the tables are pretty well kept, this is more of a regular type pool hall for more serious shooters, its a bit quieter also which is good. Also located in a cool area with many bars and clubs nearby and its also near subway's. The R train is nearby at 23rd street and its not a far walk from the 4,5,6 trains and or 1 train as well.

I will report back with some other best of's New York Soon thanks for reading.