On Sun, Jun 01, 2008 at 10:54:40AM -0500, J. Oquendo wrote:
As for the prior Brooklyn comment, Park Slope also has some great eats but the area/scene tends to be sort of artsy.
The downtown Brooklyn area has some nice eats but I've always preferred the city. In the area of downtown Brooklyn, you'll typically find a bunch of people in local government and lawyers eating as the courts are downtown.
For those looking for sweets, don't forget the ever famous (overhyped) Junior's Cheesecake.
Disclaimer: I've worked in the immediate area of this conference on and off for over 30 years. (In fact, I'm staring longingly down at the Marriott Hotel from the office window right now...) First, you simply must take a walk across the Brooklyn Bridge to Manhattan (and back). Exhilarating views, an unforgettable experience, and you'd be participating in one of the more common things that "all" NYC people do. Just walk out the "front" door of the hotel and turn right. (Watch out for crazy bicyclists!) Second, Junior's Cheesecake, overhyped as it is, is still arguably among the best "domestic" cheesecakes, at least on the east coast. You really ought to try it. But, don't stop there -- the brisket/corned-beef/pastrami on twin rolls is highly recommended. (My personal favorite is their down-home matzoh-ball soup.) Third, the Brooklyn Heights area is admittedly "artsy", but there's lots of interesting and tasty variety. I've had great food at several Italian seafood-style places (although if that's your preference, I'd encourage you to go to Vincent's in Little Italy (lower Manhattan)). Finally, I didn't see a destination that seems like it might be very useful: Radio Shack (go out the "back" door of the hotel, turn right, half a block to Willoughby, turn right, and it's right across the street from the White Castle (which is its own "destination")). P.S. If you're into bicycling, the Hudson River Park bikeway (runs about 10 miles along the western Manhattan shoreline) is a paved, fantasitc, ride. I don't know if the bike rental season has started yet, though. -- Henry Yen <henry@AegisInfoSys.com> Aegis Information Systems, Inc. Senior Systems Programmer Hicksville, New York