I flew Frontier and Jet Blue (return) to LGA for $115. I learned that a runway at MCO is closed for repairs and is causing the long taxiing. I took the M60 to Astoria Station and the W to Herald Square (34 St). I stayed at the shabby New Yorker Hotel (Expedia 8.2) on 34th and 8th Ave for three nights at $625 ($142+24Tax+40RFX3). I did this to be near Penn Station for the train to the UBS Arena at Belmont Park. I learned later that now the LIRR also leaves from Grand Central now. And the Moynihan Station also had trains to towns on LI. I didn't ask if it went to Elmont (Belmont Park Station). I got an interesting Pastrami Panini with Waffle Fries for $14 at Bagel Pub (5) on 7th. The bread was like pita. So grilled that I couldn't be certain. I took the 4pm train to Elmont ($23RT). There was a shuttle bus to the arena to see the Islanders vs the Rangers. I bought a seat on the first level near the corner for $103. The box office said that was their cheapest. I think that was NY bullshit. The guy next to me said he paid $35 on a resale site. I watched a period and left. I was just there (pre-season) to knock this newly built arena off the list and didn't trust the train system. Only scrubs were playing anyway. They really knocked down all of the old Belmont Park Grandstand. The new one was still under construction. I walked back to the train station because the shuttle wasn't there and there was no on around to ask about it. Grabbed an adobada (their al pastor) taco on 7th at Los Tacos No 1 (6) for $6. It was ok. I saw their original location in Tribeca on some show called Everything Off The Menu. I'll state here that I will rate all the restaurants (out of 11) in order in parentheses.
The next day I refilled my MTA Card for $14. They are discontinuing them in 2026. I took the N down to Canal St and took Mott to Pell to Doyers to the original Nom Wah Tea Parlor (3). They claim to be the first dim sum restaurant in NYC. I had been to two other locations. The internet said they were only open TU and TH. I asked and they said they are open every day. Oh well. I had 4 dumpling orders. All just over $6. Shrimp and Snow Pea Leaf (ok). Shrimp Sui Mai in Wonton Wrapper (best). Har Gow (tough wrapper). Shanghai Soup Pork (terrible). I tried to walk under the Brooklyn Bridge/FDR. This is all under construction AGAIN. I walked to South St Seaport. I had mango basil sorbet at Jean George Vongericten's Tin Building Food Hall at Spoiled Parrot (9) for $6. I walked to Battery Park. Also under construction AGAIN. I asked a worker and he said they finally got money to fix Sandy damage. I walked up the river to the 9/11 Memorial. Saw the finally repaired/new St Nicholas Church. Walked through the two newest buildings and down an escalator to the Oculus. Out the north side and up to Chambers. Took the subway to 42nd and walked west to the river. Felt out the ferry terminal. Through Hudson Yards to the entrance to the Edge. It's a balcony on the top of the building. I almost paid the $34 and then remembered that I've seen the same view from MANY tall vantage points before. Back to the hotel. At Moynihan Station, I grabbed an excellent buttermilk fried chicken over a Caesar Salad from the Jacob's Pickles stall (1). The original on Amsterdam and 84th has been on my list for ages. I looked it up on line and the menu was similar, but, twice the price. There is no way the sit down place could do this dish any better. It was great. Huge portion of perfectly crunchy chicken and fresh salad. Cost $15. I also grabbed a 1/4 lb of pastrami for $10 from the Pastrami Queen stall (8). It was ok. I think I have been to their location on Lexington and UES. Watched Yankees.
The next day I walked to Grand Central Station for Doughnut Plant (10) at their Food Concourse. I saw this on Chow Down Countdown. The original is in the LES on Grand. I had a vegan tasting $5 Coffee Cake Doughnut. I walked to Bierhouse (7) on Lexington and 45th. I had always seen this driving up Lex. I finally got there. I had their Classic Pork Schnitzel with Warm Potato Salad, cabbage and Cucumber Salad. It was ok. I walked 45th to the West Side. Took a ferry (every 20 minutes) to Weehawken and took the overpass in front past the train tracks to stairs to Hamilton Park. You make a right at the top and a left soon after. I walked about a third of a mile to the spot where Hamilton and Burr dueled. There is a statue and a plaque and a rock he laid his head on. Great views. I took another set of closer stairs down. I had to then walk through new condos to the terminal. I took the ferry back. I walked the High Line to the end. Crossed over to see Little Island (a park on the Hudson built atop plastic long stemmed cups). Back to Gansevoort to 14th and took the subway back to the hotel. I would have walked, but, my Metrocard money will be worthless if I hold on to it. I went back to Moynihan Station and tried a salmon chirashi rice bowl at the Yono by Bond St (2) stall for $18. No other location. It was excellent. I have been to Bond St. Lots of fresh salmon. Good rice. Came with salmon roe, edamame, tamago, avocado, wakame, ginger, wasabi, soy and some spicy creamy sauce that had sesame oil in it and needs to be bottled. Not chintzy with the portions either. I'd like to take this moment to encourage you to recall the quality of these stalls and prices versus Sanford's own Henry's Depot (or most of our food halls and trucks). They should hang their heads in shame. Watched Yankees.
The next day I went back to Moynihan Station and grabbed a pepperoni slice at Sauce stall (4) for $6. Excellent. I saw them in Vegas. I think at the Cosmopolitan. I thought it was made up. Nope. Original (now closed) on E 12th. I walked to 7th and grabbed piss poor eggs and potatoes and toast at Andrew's NYC Diner (11) for $10. Back to Herald Square (Macy's) and took the N to Astoria and the M60 to LGA.
Ok trip. Good weather. No complications. NY just feels icky and soulless. Everyone was sniffling. Even with all the new buildings and areas, most of it feels sad and drab. No pretty girls. And no excitement. Even with all the crazies back. Maybe it's me. Seen too much of it (and better cities). Maybe it is the omnipresent sweet vape weed smoke giving you a sinus headache and nausea. I was going to try the Italian Market at Arthur Ave in the Bronx, but, it required a subway and a bus transfer, etc. Randazzo's at Sheepshead Bay required a subway and a fifteen minute walk. I have a few more restos on the list. All only open for dinner though. Not earth movers anyway. Learned that the pineapple from al pastor goes well with pastrami. Parking was $64. Game was $103. Food/Wine was $211. Total Cost = $1175.
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