NYC

I'm no expert on NYC. But right up the street a couple blocks on the left hand side is some of the best slices you'll find. Another place across the street from it was good too but not as.  Beacon rooms aren't first class but comfortable. This is from the HepC gathering we had there back in 06? I think. Something like 26 of us showed up for that Allman Bros show.  And Blueberry pancakes from the Chicken Shack. Good times.

this place was recommended, I haven't been. Affordable for NYC

https://www.pisticcinyc.com/

If you're gonna be a group, Carmine's is always fun.  Yeah, it's in Times Square, but it's okay to be a tourist once in a while.  You don't always have to do the off beat stuff lol.  Food is good and portions are served family style so you won't go hungry.  Think they may even have a location on the upper west side.  Cold snap coming through this week so keep an eye on the weather.  

none of my main pizza picks are in that area but youll be real close to zabars for bagels and fish. i usually do russ and daughters but zabars is iconic too and youll be real close. youve also got those halal guys carts in that area which are pretty damn good. when i go to nyc i like to get a bit of extra pizza and halal guys to keep in the hotel room fridge for snacks. if youre up for a subway ride to brooklyn to get great pizza, difara and lucali are very very good. RIP the old guy who used to clip basil onto all the pizzas at difaras well into his 80s, but im sure they are still slinging the best of the best pizza. lucali isnt quite as historic and iconic as difaras or a handful of other spots like johns, patsys, carmines etc etc but it is EXTREMELY good.

Hey Tim,

Congratulations on you Nephew.   UWS is my neighborhood.  For Hot Dog -  Gray's Papaya on 72nd and Broadway, one of the best in NYC.  For Bagels and Bialyw, lox ect you have Zabars on 80th and Broadway and new to our neighborhood is Kosars Bagels a downtown institution now on 72 and West end.  Pizza, Made in NY 73rd and Broadway. 

For dinner lots of choices really depends on how much you want to spend but for a good meal we like Cafe Luxembourg also , a great diner Old John's on 67th between Broadway on Amsterdam.  It's "elevated " diner fare, really good and something for everyone. Both are very "senior" friendly. 

Let me know if you have any more questions.

A great escape from the horrors of Times Square :

BXL Belgian Cafe. Best tap and bottled beer around. Cozy space and vibe.  Good food. 
125 West 43rd Street, 
https://www.bxlrestaurants.com/location/cafe/

Jimmy's Corner:

Famous 

140 W44th st 

Great dive bar.  No food , cheap drinks 

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2020/may/15/jimmy-glenn-boxing-bar-tim...

Mei Lai Wah Bakery  :

Best baked pork buns on the planet . Love their coffee . Counter service. 

62 Bayard Street 

https://www.meilaiwah.com/

Oh if you are free Friday night :

Brooklyn Bowl :

Medeski, Russo, and Cline.  
 

The best pizza. Is on Long Island  (Brooklyn) 

Brooklyn Bowl :

Medeski, Russo, and Cline. 

this is a dream lineup for me. i am so jealous of east coasters who have the chance to see all the russo side projects he does around the east coast. if you check his webpage or social media there are TONS of these kinds of one off type shows. so far most of my NYC trips have been scheduled around business or family obligations so i havent been able to fly out during a time when i can see some of these russo shows, but maybe ill be able to do that next time.

as far as other music recommendations, my top pick for NYC is the stone. i was lucky enough to catch some shows at the original location which is now closed, but john zorn still puts on the same  kind of shows at a venue called the new school. IME, if there is a show at the stone and you like experimental music and improvised music, pretty much any show you can make it to will be worthwhile. 

http://www.thestonenyc.com/

i was just about to also recommend 55 bar, i was turned on to the spot by mikew and caught some good sets of more rock oriented jazz there, but it looks like its permanently closed :-(

"What is one city that Billy Strings does not play anymore?" 

this little french spot is great

Amelie

566 Amsterdam Avenue

New York, NY 1002

646-422-7167

Has anyone been to the Beacon Theater since they installed the directional sound system that they use in the Sphere. Would love to hear a report since my initial enthusiasm for that sound system has gone way down, but that might just be a Dead Co thing. 

I was there for Dylan, the sound was great, crisp, clean.  

Thanks for the update. That is what that sound system is good for -  bands like Dylan, Bjork, and Bonnie Riatt, but for bands where you want to feel the power of the sound in your bones it doesn't seem to get there. 

So

Exciting! 

<3