When people want to see the old New York they know from the movies, I generally recommend these restaurants:
Wo Hop's -- Solid Chinese food, served virtually 'round-the-clock, it's where cops start their day shift and the place to go after a night of partying for generations. Pick up a Wo Hop t-shirt while you're there: only $6, they don't shrink, and people will stop you on the street as if you're part of a cult.
Katz's Delicatessen -- You may know it from "When Harry Met Sally," it serves hearty and heaping pastrami and corned beef sandwiches and other Jewish-style fare late into the night.
Junior's -- An anchor of downtown Brooklyn for decades, it serves hearty "Jewish-style" food and wonderful cheesecake.
Bamonte's -- For over 100 years, it's a classic old-school Italian restaurant in Greenpoint, Brooklyn. 718-384-8831.
Rao's -- Retro Italian food in East Harlem, known as much for its celebrity clientele as food. Fun place and worth visiting, but damn near impossible to get a reservation.
Even if you're only going to be in New York for a few days, I always suggest a walk through Central Park on a balmy Sunday afternoon and a ride on the Staten Island ferry.
Wo Hop's -- Solid Chinese food, served virtually 'round-the-clock, it's where cops start their day shift and the place to go after a night of partying for generations. Pick up a Wo Hop t-shirt while you're there: only $6, they don't shrink, and people will stop you on the street as if you're part of a cult.
Katz's Delicatessen -- You may know it from "When Harry Met Sally," it serves hearty and heaping pastrami and corned beef sandwiches and other Jewish-style fare late into the night.
Junior's -- An anchor of downtown Brooklyn for decades, it serves hearty "Jewish-style" food and wonderful cheesecake.
Bamonte's -- For over 100 years, it's a classic old-school Italian restaurant in Greenpoint, Brooklyn. 718-384-8831.
Rao's -- Retro Italian food in East Harlem, known as much for its celebrity clientele as food. Fun place and worth visiting, but damn near impossible to get a reservation.
Even if you're only going to be in New York for a few days, I always suggest a walk through Central Park on a balmy Sunday afternoon and a ride on the Staten Island ferry.