Starbucks Coffee: take a break in the City

If you are tired of walking around the city and need a break, don’t worry, there is a Starbucks in every corner. This is the perfect place to recover your breath, have a snack and some tea or coffee with nice pastries. I have to say that I dont like amercian coffe, however the US Starbucks caramel macchiato is addictive. It is a bomb of calories but I love it. Another good thing is that you can pay by credit card regardless the amount.

Oh! don't forget to use the bathroom before you continue your trip. In some stores you may need to ask for the key.

See Starbucks website>>

Times Square

Who does not know about Times Square? This midtown’s iconic spot is at the junction of Broadway and Seventh Avenue and stretches from West 42nd to West 47th Streets.

If you go at night you can enjoy the square at its fullest surrounded by a huge number of animated neon and LED signs that make Times Square a landmark and obligatory stop.

This square is followed by the theaters of Broadway, what is also known as the Theater District. There is a TKTS booth (in the intersection of Broadway & 7th Ave at 47th Street) that offers discounted tickets to same-day performances for Broadway, Off-Broadway, dance and music events.

Maybe you are lucky and get to see the naked cowboy!

Google Maps

Bryant Park

Former Reservoir Square, Bryant Park was renamed in 1884 to honour the recently deceased poet, editor and civic reformer William Cullen Bryant. The park is the seat for different cultural activities during the entire year. From the Fashion Show in the winter to the summer Film Festival, this park is a clear example of what New York can offer as a point of reference of culture, art, diversity and entertainment. See Bryant Park events calendar here>>

The park ends at the back of the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building, the main branch of the New York Public Library, built in the 90s. You can’t miss the 3rd floor of this magnificent Beaux-Arts landmark building.

Have fun and let me know!

Caracas: the Flavour of Venezuela in New York

Another hot spot to eat good food is Caracas, an authentic Venezuelan restaurant that serves homemade arepas, empanadas, salads and typical Venezuelan dishes in both Manhattan and Brooklyn (Williamsburg) .

Great food and good shakes at very reasonable prices!

El Almacén: the Pampa of New York

This cosy little restaurant in the vivid Williamsburg area serves amazing argentine food and the best sangria I have ever tried in my life. I recommend that you order a grilled churrasco. You will never forget it. You can't miss this!

See people reviews at:

Yielp         New York Magazine

How to get there:

Google Maps>>   

Design your route>>

¡Buen provecho!

Café Wha?

This emblematic bar started its activity back in the 1950s. Since then it has been the cradle for starting artists that became prodigies like Bob Dylan and Jimi Hendrix. Today, Café Wha is a meeting point for live music and party lovers. Its 3 house bands make everynight a party. It is kind of touristic but it is a lot of fun. Be early if you want to have a sit and eat something because it gets packed!

See what people think at Yielp

Google Maps

See Café Wha website here>>

Cuba: The Best Mojito in the City!

This charming restaurant in the Greenwich Village offers an extraordinary selection of Cuban, Latin and Spanish dishes. Food is really good but their Mojitos are just awesome! I confess myself as a Mojito lover and I can guarantee that you will not be deceived at all. If you are a cigar aficionado or just want to see how a cigar is hand rolled Cuba is your place.

If you like Latin rhythms you will have the chance to enjoy your dinner while feeling the salsa beat. And if you get in the mood then you can head to Son Cubano in my beloved Meatpaking District to continue the party.

¡Wepa, qué siga la fiesta!

How to get there: Google Maps

See Cuba Restaurant Website>>

The High Line: A unique spot in New York City

Speaking of the Meatpacking district, there is another spot that is kind of unique: The High Line. Built in the 30s to remove dangerous trains from the streets of Manhattan, this 30feet lifted infrastructure has no activity since 1980. Then, it was in the late 90s when a community under the name of Friends of the High Line was formed to stop its demolition. Nowadays, what it was a bunch of iron, has turned into an elevated public park and a perfect place to chill-out in the hectic Manhattans Lower West Side. The park opens from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily and it runs from Gansevoort Street in the Meatpacking District to 34th Street, between 10th & 11th Avenues.

More info at the High Line Official Website here>>

Meatpacking District Nightlife

If you want to have fun in NYC the options are endless. But there is a place that you can’t miss: The Meatpacking District. It is a little but concentrated area in the lower west side of Manhattan full of bars, nightclubs and restaurants.

If you like Asian style food you can start at Spice Market Food is just AMAZING!

There is another characteristic restaurant called Pastis, a french bistro that is a perfect place for group dinners.

After your dinner you can start at the rooftop of the Gansevoort Hotel. There you can get a table to have a drink and help your digestion. Yes, this sounds familiar, this is the place where the girls of Sex & the City used to meet.

Now, are you ready to party? Well, there is many bars in the area but I would recommend that you visit Revel. Nice crowd, no unpleasant gorillas at the door and the mojitos are soooo good!

Have fun!

Click here to see a list of bars in Meatpacking

Mojitos Effect in Meatpaking!

The Market NYC

One of my favorite shopping practices is to get lost in the lower East Side and Soho streets and use my best bargain skills. You can find really good deals and have a lot of fun if you like bargaining. One of my favorite spots is The Market NYC, a young designers market, open on Saturdays and Sundays, at 268 Mulberry street (between Houston & Prince). Google Maps

You can find local design clothing, shoes, bags and handmade accessories. If you are looking for something unique and cool or an authentic NYC style souvenir this is your place!

See what people think of The Market NYC:

Yielp           Trip Advisor         

Many thanks for your purchase; you have saved $110 dollars today!

One of the main NYC attractions is clothing shopping. From luxury-brand stores in 5th and Madison Avenues to local designer boutiques in Williamsburg (Brooklyn), New York has so much to offer for those willing to renovate their closet.

A common practice among tourists is to display a compulsive buying behavior in NYC outlets. Here you are a couple of the most common places visited by tourists:

- Century 21 Department Store in 22 Cortlandt Street (between Church and Broadway).

- Woodbury Common Premium Outlets (Over one hour bus ride) Daily buses to Woodbury Common from Port Authority, New York City (42nd Street & Eighth Avenue).

One thing to bear in mind is taxes. As of August 1, 2009, New York City Sales tax increased to 8.875%. Clothing under $110 will remain tax free. Clothing above $110 will be taxed. Some big stores like Macys have some tax benefits for tourists offering up to a 15% reduction of the total price.

Something that I found really funny is that when you pay your bill the store assistant will give you a big smile along with your receipt while saying: here is the amount that you have saved today! I guess this helps some people to feel better.

Other links to find stores of your interest are:

Time Out                 New York Magazine


Enjoy your shopping!

Get on, get off and get around!

The best way to move around the city is by using the NYC Subway also called MTA or Metropolitan Transport Authority but if you are not familiar with subway systems and/or you do not speak the language then I would recommend that you use yellow cabs or touristic buses to go to the main attractions if you are tourist.

There are many different touristic buses services and you will run into a bunch of them on the street. Here is an example of a popular one. Chick here>> If you are a family or a group, you will probably be able to negotiate a better rate.

If you wish to use the subway and or bus service here there are some tips you may consider:

1.- As a general rule try your best to avoid peak hours! (from 7 to 9 A.M. and from 4 to 6 P.M).

2.- Check your subway/walking/bus route before your departure>>

3.- Get a subway and/or bus map. You can also check the NYC Subway map online>>  and the NYC Bus map online>>

4.- Get a Pay-Per-Ride MetroCard . The fare for a subway or local bus ride is $2.25. With this card you get an automatic free transfer between subway and bus, or between buses. You can buy as many rides as you want from $4.50 to $80. If you put $8 or more on your card you will receive a 15 percent bonus. For example, a $20 purchase gives you $23 on your card. 10 trips for the price of 9, with $.50 balance. You can buy and refill your card to use the balance in the machines available in every station by cash or credit card.

Have a good trip!

Where is that smell of vinegar coming from?

Spain has a great cuisine and a deep gastronomic culture. Any celebration, big, small, religious or not is related to some kind of food. If the celebration takes place during the weekends or holidays we can eat for hours like there is no tomorrow. Certainly, if there is something characteristic of the Spanish culture is that we take our time to eat and drink and we always do it around a table. But there is something that we don’t do: EATING ON THE GO!

However New Yorkers have developed a unique eating skill: they can eat everywhere. They eat on the subway, on the street, in the car; they eat while walking, speaking on the phone…. Yes, New York is the Kingdom of Fast Food! But I must confess I LOVE IT ALL! I love burritos, chicken brochettes, hot dogs, pizza, pretzels, kebabs and so on. But there is something that you can't miss: A REAL HAMBURGER!

There is plenty of places where you can find good hamburgers, but I will list my favourite places:

Corner Bistro     Big Daddy’s     Shake Shack                 

Better Burger     Rare Bar & Grill                                                           

My first cheeseburger in NYC.

           OMG this is not a hamburger this is The Hamburger!