Oh, isn't New York a beautiful city? We wanted to give those intrepid guests who arrive a bit early a few suggestions for places to go and things to eat. 

Manhattan

This is the place where Sandy and Jacob met for the first time. There is ton to do on this narrow island, and of course great food to be had. We both lived in various places for three or four years. 

Restaurants

Breakfast

Clinton Street Baking Company, American, Lower East Side - Two things: 1. get the Pancakes, 2. Expect about a two hour wait. Just go, put your name down, then get some coffee in the neighborhood. 

Russ & Daughter, Bagels/Jewish stuff, Lower East Side - Get any bagel with any type of smoked fish. If you just want a plain bagel with cream cheese, just go to the whole foods next door. 

Lunch / Dinner

Caracas, Venezuelan, East Village - Start with some Guasacaca and then get Arepas for your main course. 

Penelope, American, Murray Hill - This is one of the first places Sandy and I went out to eat at. Great for sandwich-y stuff.

Shake Shack, American, Everywhere - This is the In-and-Out Burger of NYC. Try the Shake stack if you're not adverse to cheesy goodness. Go to the one on the Upper West Side and then visit the Natural History Museum. 

Brooklyn

The current home of Sandy and Jake, Brooklyn has just as many people as Manhattan, but spread out over more space. 

Restaurants

Breakfast

Rosewater, American, Park Slope - Also good for dinner, but get the Polenta. You've probably never had it like this. 

Cheryl's, Soulfood Plus, Prospect Heights - Get any bagel with any type of smoked fish. If you just want a plain bagel with cream cheese, just go to the whole foods next door. 

Lunch / Dinner

Union Hall, Bar & Grill, Park Slope - They have a great selection of beer, and an indoor Bocce field or whatever those Italians call it. Try the chicken sandwich.

Kaz An Nou, French-Carribean, Prospect Heights - Just a delightful place for dinner, BYOB and very chill. 

DuMont, American, Williamsburg - Divine burger, but don't confuse it for "DuMont Burger", which is close by. Great especially if you want to go out in Williamsburg. 

Colonie, French / American, Brooklyn Heights - Oh man, Fresh Donuts along side gourmet cuisine

Queens

Sandy and Jacob are usually only in Queens when they're visiting the US Open or friends. Soon they'll be adding it as a place to get married. Queens is like a Brooklyn, only with more cemeteries. 

Restaurants

Hahm Ji Bach, Korean BBQ, Flushing - I have a confession: I went here without Sandy. It was pretty good though. Unless you want to take the LIRR, you probably want to drive here. 

Chinese Food, Flushing - Again, I got nothing, but if you use Yelp, you will find something awesome. I've been to a few places, but I cannot for the life of me remember their names. 

Bronx & Staten Island

I will be honest, we have never been to Staten Island for any good reason. Once Jacob saw a Yankees game there. If you find yourself on Staten Island, you either live there or are very, very lost. Did you not realize you got onto a boat? I hate to espouse a bias here, but the only attraction I (Jacob) am aware of is the Ferry, and disembarking is purely optional. 

Some General Tips

This video actually has some pretty good tips. (Don't worry, you're not a jerk--you're just in the way.)