New York City Travel: Good Eats and Shopping Advice

Where should we go to eat and how can we get good shopping deals is a common question that comes up when you are traveling especially in a city that is unfamiliar? Here are some tips to make your quest easier.

First, a good indication of a good place is how crowded it evens at off peak hours. People will come at any time if the food is good. Look at the outside of the restaurant and see if there are any reviews or to see if the menu is posted. Don't feel funny going inside and asking to look at the menu. See if you really are getting quality for money. Also,you're your waiter about specials, early deals, or happy hour deals or if you can split entrees for a small fee.

Many hotels are also good for breakfast buffet deals that are good and hearty food that will fill you up until dinner sometimes. Even area supermarket sometimes have salad bars and lunch deals. Zabars and Whole Foods are great places to eat a hearty good lunch and breakfast deals in NYC.

Some restaurants even discount their food at the end of the day. Talbot restaurant on 50th and 8th Avenue in NYC reduce their sandwiches at 8 pm and entree at 9 pm every night, Zabars reduces their sandwiches at 6:30 each night also. You can buy some reduced sandwiches and eat them the next day for a good lunch in the park. Remember when buying the sandwiches beware that drinks can get expensive. Go in too the many 99 cent stores for cheap drink prices.

Speaking of drinks a great source for wine for your lunch in a park is Astor Wine in Greenwich Village. They have a great selection of good wines for only ten dollars. Also, if you like vegetarian this is a great area for cheap falafel. Also, go to 8th street in NYC for good hearty Indian food buffet style. On 74th and Roosevelt Avenue in Queens is another source for great Indian and well great Mexican Chinese and Columbian foods. Be sure to check some of the Chinese and Columbian bakeries. Elmhurst Avenue has the most Chinese bakeries. If you want Indian clothing then Roosevelt Avenue is a great place to shop.
Also, to experience Greek food or drink beer at a German beer garden visit Astoria.