New York City remains one of the most exciting destinations in the world. When my family and I travelled there over the winter holiday break, it marked our first trip to the Big Apple in six years.
By logging on to www.nycgo.com you can begin planning your activities. Unquestionably, New York remains to be one of the most exciting cities in the world. I recommend you start things off at the official NYC information center (http://www.nycgo.com/venues/official-nyc-information-center) where you can be pointed in the right direction.
If it is shopping you like, the boutiques of Madison Avenue, the iconic department stores on Fifth Avenue and the fashion-forward shops in SoHo and the Village, are the favorites. Sporting 100 upscale retailers, Madison Avenue is a slice of heaven, New York’s most luxurious shopping experience. From 57th St to 72nd, this haute strip where the wealthy shop, boasts 15 blocks of designer boutiques and specialty retailers. The Century 21 Department store at 22 Cortlandt Street has bargains galore. But here is a tip. If you are driving in you will pass through the New Jersey town of Paramus, where a Century 21 is right on the main drag.
BROADWAY: Unquestionably “the draw” in New York City remains its extraordinary Broadway productions. Be prepared to pay big dollars, even for a seat that is the second to last spot in the house at the top. Here is a tip though. Go online via Ticketmaster or Telecharge, check out the precise availability and call the toll free number so that you can get a more accurate route of what is available. While they offer to mail the tickets at least 48 hours before the show, we recommend that you either print them out online or ask to pick them up at will call. In some cases you can even buy cancellation insurance.Log on to www.nycgo.com/broadway and http://www.nycgo.com/off-broadway for ticket information.
WHERE TO STAY: We stayed at The Benjamin (www.thebenjamin.com), a boutique luxury hotel centrally located in midtown Manhattan at the corner of Lexington Avenue and 50th Street, with quick, direct access to Fifth Avenue restaurants and shops, Grand Central Station, MoMA, Rockefeller Center, St. Patrick’s Cathedral and Bloomingdales, among a myriad of other premiere city attractions. Customers of Travelocity, one of the largest travel companies in the world, have ranked it as the top hotel in New York City. The Benjamin provides an experience of true luxury and supreme comfort in an intimate, boutique‐style setting Known for its comprehensive sleep program, The Benjamin features the industry’s first and only Sleep Concierge, a 12‐choice pillow menu and custom Benjamin Bed. The Benjamin brand is operated by Denihan, a nationally recognized, independent owner and operator of boutique hotels with more than 100 years in the hospitality and service. It is named after company founder Benjamin Denihan, better known as “Bud.”
For many, the experience of walking into The Benjamin’s suites and guestrooms is like coming home to your private apartment in Midtown. Each of the 209 suites and guest rooms is elegantly appointed with a signature Benjamin bed, luxurious Anichini bedding, an executive work station, 42” HD Flat Screen TV, a galley kitchen, mini bar, and sleep menu. The one-bedroom deluxe and VIP suites afford terraces with grand, inspiring views of Manhattan and often a closer peek at the craftsmanship of the famed Emery Roth’s architectural design. The one-bedroom suites include double-paned soundproof windows, the custom-designed Benjamin Bed (king) including 500-thread count Egyptian cotton sheets, a down duvet, luxury Anichini bedding and sleep menu with a 12-Choice Pillow Menu. There is also a separate living room, complete with a sleeper sofa, kitchen area with full-sized refrigerator, iPod alarm clock/radio, 42” HD flat-screen TV, and an executive work desk including a multi-outlet station and high-speed Internet access.
What I really liked about this place was the fact we could walk to Times Square in about a half hour while stopping to enjoy such sites as Rockefeller Center on the way. Here is a tip. If you want to eat early before going to a show, the Oxford Café (www.oxfordcafetogo.com), is two blocks from the hotel at 591 Lexington Avenue. The menu is endless, the food great and service exceptional.
Check out the Benjamin Guest Lounge, located on the second floor. It is an intimate 24-hour spot, providing a quiet living room-inspired space to meet with friends or clients. Two steamer trunks in the rear of the Guest Lounge were reinterpreted into individual workstations with computers and printers, allowing you to check email or simply print a boarding pass at anytime that is convenient.
The Benjamin was eco-friendly before being green became the new standard. In fact it is one of only five hotels in the United States that has earned the ECOTEL® Five-Globe certification.
The Benjamin has easy wheelchair access and elevators right off of the lobby.
DINING OUT: New York City is indeed the place to dine, with an endless array of choices to please your palate. Needless to say, there are no shortage of kosher restaurants here either.
This was my fourth trip to New York City over the 16 years and each time I have made it a point to dine at the Jewish-owned Ben Benson’s Steak House (www.benbensons.com). Opened in 1982, it is one of the top 100 independent restaurants in America. Manhattanites and visitors rub elbows with celebrities, politicians, sports stars and business executives, over huge juicy steaks, three-to-seven pound lobsters and fantastic Benson crispy hashed browns. Conveniently located in the theatre district, at 123 W 52nd St., Ben Benson’s is considered to one of New York’s top steak houses. Its eclectic collection of authentic Americana fills the two roomy floors with casual elegance and charm. This handsome, clubby restaurant is home to many regulars (many with brass name plaques mounted on the wainscoted walls such as Schwartz and Grossman). Benson is a hands on owner. He created the menu himself, offering only USDA Prime steaks and chops and premium-quality poultry and seafood. He tastes and approves every food, including the bread. I enjoyed the filet mignon. But there were other tempting choices such as broiled veal chop, scallopine of veal: milanese, francese or piccata, veal parmigiana, triple lamb chops, Maryland crab cakes, broiled filet of sole, shrimp, fried chicken, chicken parmigiana, grilled chicken breast with herbed wild mushrooms and chopped steak. Children will love the appetizers and a piece of tilapia represents a perfect choice for them as the main entrée.
Ben Benson’s serves huge portions, including a gigantic baked potato. In terms of salads, there are a variety of choices: baby spring mixed greens, hearts of lettuce, endive and arugula, Rancher’s salad, tomato and onion, hearts of romaine, a special tomato salad and cucumber, sweet onion and tomato. The Ben Benson chopped salad went over best with our party. As for side orders, try the lightly battered fried zucchini and onion rings or the creamed spinach and the Brooklyn Blackout cake or key lime pie for dessert. The restaurant is also noted for its exclusively seasoned steak sauce.
