When it comes to figuring out the right restaurant, art gallery or Broadway show to see in New York, visitors are left with hundreds of options every night. That’s why it’s good to know someone who can direct you toward the right places. Michael Romei has been chef concierge at Manhattan’s Waldorf Astoria/The Waldorf Towers for the past 19 years. When We wanted to know about the must-do things around the city, Romei, who’s also the general secretary for the UICH Les Clefs d’Or International Executive Committee, happily obliged with his expert opinion.
What is the best way to see New York City in two days?
I highly suggest consulting and utilizing your hotel concierge to expertly plan your two days, maximizing your 48 hours in NYC! Hiring a wonderful private guide would be a great suggestion and a wonderful way of learning about our city, especially the incredible history etc. Ideally, I would suggest the first day for exploring Manhattan from Battery Park to Soho, Little Italy, Chinatown to The Meat Packing District to Midtown shopping, restaurants and a Broadway show. The next day I would suggest art and culture of our famous museums together with great restaurants.
What are the best things to do on a romantic trip to the city?
1) A private helicopter ride around Manhattan at sunset.
2) Reserve the private gondola and gondalier at the Loeb Boathouse in Central Park.
3) A carriage ride just for the two of you in Central Park.
4) An evening of classical music or dance at The Metropolitan Opera House.
What are the best restaurants in New York?
Certainly, the most deluxe restaurants immediately come to mind when anyone asks this question: Eleven Madison Park, Per Se, Daniel, Jean Georges, Bouley, La Grenouille, Le Bernardin, Gramercy Tavern and Gotham Bar & Grill — all of which represent exquisite cuisine, luxurious surroundings and pampered service with well-known chefs and owners. I am also a big fan of the following: Mas (farmhouse) and Mas (la grillade), Marea, and all of Tom Colicchio’s restaurants, especially Colicchio & Sons and Riverpark. I also have many personal favorites by category and cuisine. We are so fortunate in NYC to be blessed with such an abundance of great restaurants!
What are the best free things to do in New York?
1) Federal Hall in lower Manhattan. Two U.S. Presidents were inaugurated there, including George Washington, who took the oath in 1789 when New York was the first Capital.
2) Forbes Collection. The lobby galleries of Forbes magazine have some curios from the late Malcolm Forbes’ Collection, including his early versions of Monopoly boards.
3) New York Public Library. Located at Fifth Avenue at 42nd Street, it’s a grand Beaux-Arts icon with its famous reading room featuring original Carrère-and-Hastings lamps. Its exhibits are most incredible and feature a copy of the original Declaration of Independence, among other treasures.
4) The MOMA on Fridays between 4-8 p.m. Located on West 53rd Street between 5th and 6th Avenues in the heart of midtown Manhattan, The MOMA features one of the most extensive collections of modern art in the world.
5) The American Museum of Natural History. [The museum] is always free its last hour 4:45 p.m.-5:45 p.m. plus it also advertises a “suggested” admission price. Located on Central Park West and 79th Street, The American Museum of Natural History features one of the largest dinosaur exhibits in the world, among other extensive scientific and historical exhibits.
Photos Courtesy of Hilton Worldwide
