 by TopView Sightseeing & Kev Berry I love traveling alone! Not having to follow anyone’s schedule but your own is the best. Following your own impulses while walking around a city you don’t know too well can often provide great memories. It’s easy to become overwhelmed when booking a trip to The Big Apple, but have no fear, I am the loneliest New Yorker of all, and I’ve got The Ultimate Guide to Traveling Alone in New York! First of all, let’s talk about getting around. While the subway makes the city fly by, if you’re in no rush, I suggest walking as much as you can. The best way to get to know any city is on foot, and in New York, there’s so much to explore with surprises around every corner. Central Park provides seemingly endless opportunities for exploration, and even after years of exploring the park, this writer has barely even scratched the surface. Take a walk up the broad tree-lined mall to Bethesda Fountain, and from there take any of the winding paths north and see what you find! Head over to the Museum Mile on Central Park West and pop in at any one of the stunning museums and check out the art and artifacts on display! If you’re downtown, check out the shopping scene in SoHo, where the stores are impeccably designed to give patrons an eye-popping experience. (Not a big fan for walking too much? Consider taking a bus tour to save you some legwork.) After all that walking, you’ll probably be pretty hungry. With such an exciting food scene in the city, making a choice can be tough. The Counter, a build-your-own-burger bar with an unbelievable happy hour, at 41st and Broadway is a great spot for a quick pre-theatre bite. Gazala’s Place on 9th Avenue is a killer Middle Eastern joint with a BYOB policy and an insanely affordable wine store directly across the street. If you’re looking for a bite in less familiar territory, head up to 148th and Broadway, where Harlem Public will wow you with their beers, signature cocktails, and wild burgers; or down to Fort Greene, where Smoke Joint will satisfy your barbecue cravings with their unbelievable brisket, pulled pork, and a slew of sides to choose from, like mac and cheese or housemade slaw. If you’re craving a New York slice, Bleecker St. Pizza is the absolute best, and their Nonna Maria pie is a must-try.  Source: The Pod Hotel At the end of the day, you’ll be pretty tired. The Pod Hotel Times Square has small rooms for single travelers on a budget. It’s brand-new and almost every single room has a great view. If you’re interested in exploring one of the outer boroughs of the city, try renting an AirBnB in BedStuy, Crown Heights, or Astoria, and check out their hopping nightlife and brunch scenes on the weekend.
Landing in New York City for a solo vacation can be daunting. But if you put on your shoes, start walking, and follow your impulses, and this guide, I guarantee you’ll have a killer trip.
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 Goodfellos 202 West Main Street Sackets Harbor, NY 13685-3183 (315) 646-3463 Brick oven pizza, kick ass italian dishes and wine. Need anything more? I didn't think so. It's not just the awesome variety of mouthwatering brick oven pizza, it's the fantastic service, comfortable welcoming atmosphere and the toasted ravioli's, which offer a slight kick Find them on facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Good-Fellos/162027650540962
 It was 10 degrees in Syracuse, New York today. For visitors and out-of-towners, this may seem like a day to stay 'inside', but to us locals, when the snow stops falling and the wind stops its blustery blowing, we welcome the chance to get 'outside'. Everyone has certain cravings as Spring fever sets in, and mine is the taste of summer... because if Spring is coming then summer is not far behind. I can get my craving fix all year round in Central New York, no matter the weather, at the Hofmann Hot Haus! The Hofmann hot dog itself is an icon around these parts, dating back to its origination over 130 years ago when Frank W. Hofmann arrived in Syracuse, New York from Bromberg, Germany. The company has since expanded into a national business and is dubbed as "America's Greatest Hot Dog." There are three Hofmann Hot Haus restaurants in Central New York and each bring smiling faces and quick customer service, along with the many tastes of summer, such as mac salad, pasta salad, german potato salad, franks, snappy's, and Byrne Dairy chocolate milk (which is a must with every dog). Well, I've had my satisfying fix and now all that's left to do is wait to hear the birds return - so I know spring is really on the way! FUN FACTS:
 The dreamy little college town of Cazenovia, in Upstate New York, now has more to gloat about than just being Anne Burrell’s home town. Barb Wright and Kay Crawford were proud to open the doors to Latté Da! Café & Bakeshop in December of 2012.
During my visit, I quickly learned why Barb’s divine desserts are in such high demand. From cookies to cupcakes, the fresh homemade treats are indulgent. Before satisfying my sweet tooth, I enjoyed a turkey and swiss spinach wrap with cranberry sauce. Kay’s recipe for delicious hit the spot with every spoonful of broccoli and cheddar soup. The food was delish and the desserts were delightful, all accented by the quaint decor and highly appealing self serve carafe of lemon water perched on a shelf greeting you when you cross the threshold. Whether stopping by for a quick cup of java, a relaxing cup of soup, or a fabulous deli sandwich, you will always feel welcome, satisfied and happy to be there! Find them on Facebook and follow them on Twitter at @LatteDaCaz  We have been regular visitors at Ichiban Japanese Steakhouse for years, but were referred to try Koto Japanese Steakhouse. We enjoyed hibachi style dining at both Central New York restaurants.
The salad dressing at Koto was absolutely the best dressing I have ever tasted. It is a homemade ginger dressing but tastes like it may have a touch of honey mustard in it. It was a creamy mixture, unlike the more gritty ginger mixture at Ichiban. If I could have licked the bowl without embarrasement, I would have. Neither of the restaurants offered a swig of saki, which was disappointing. A favorite hibachi grill in New Jersey is Teppan in Jersey City, and a favorite moment of the night is when our hibachi chef uses his water bottle to stream the saki into our mouths! When visiting Ichiban, plan on at least a 2 hour dinner, from start to finish - including the tea that is delivered after your dinner show is complete. Unfortunately, at Koto we felt rushed and had finished our total experience in less than one hour, with no tea served after dinner. The restaurant and the bar at Ichiban are smaller than at Koto, but although they lack in square footage, they make up for it in friendly bartenders, great service and a cozy intimate and engaging environment. Both restaurants were pleasant and deserve an excellent review for quality of food and presentation. But if I were asked to choose one or the other, my vote would lie with Ichiban. Mainly for the inviting atsmosphere, along with the dinner variety that includes soup, salad and tea. Though, it would be difficult to go without the salad dressing and the Malibu Dragon from Koto! Click any photo below to enlarge and scroll.       As an avid traveler, I can honestly say that there is nothing better than a true New York pizza pie. But with a pizza joint around every corner, how could anyone possibly choose the best piece?
If there weren't so many darn carbs in pizza, I would eat it for every meal. You can get all the food groups in, if you choose your slices wisely. Egg and bacon or ham pizza for breakfast. Traditional pepperoni, cheese or garlic pizza for lunch. Chocolate pizza for an afternoon or late night snack. Tomato & basil, chicken wing, mac n cheese, gorgonzola cheese, spinach & bacon, even pasta pizza for dinner. The art of baking pizza: It can be baked in an oven with stone bricks, in an electric deck oven, through a conveyor belt oven, or in the case of more expensive restaurants, a wood- or coal-fired brick oven. Pizza can be cooked on a pizza stone, grilled on the BBQ, or baked in a pan (pan-style). The deep dish pizza is dubbed as 'Chicago style' and the twice-baked pizza originated in Detroit, but the first pizza establishment in the United States was said to open in New York's Little Italy, in 1905. Famous Little Italy Pizza is by far the best pizza I have ever had! Thin crusted and twice baked gives this pizza the ultimate crispy crust. Quick service and plenty of outside seating, along with being conveniently located across the street from the Empire State Building, this joint gets 5 stars!  Inatteso Pizzabar Casano
28 West Street New York, NY 10004 212-267-8000 http://www.inattesopizzabar.com Cozy and intimate, fresh italian dishes. The name inatteso, which means “unexpected” in Italian, comes from the idea of a pizzeria, offering you more than you would normally expect. This proved to be true when I tried the BIANCA -- a Napoletana style brick oven pizza with mozzarella, ricotta, fresh chunks of garlic, calabrese peppers and bread crumbs. I ordered the small ($12) and it was enough for dinner and a midnight snack. It paired well with the La Caudrina Moscato D' Asti, which was the best tasting Moscato I have ever had! They also offer a delivery/take-out menu, with more than just pizza. They offer appetizers, salads, sides, sweets, sandwiches, specialty dinners, pasta dishes, brick oven pizza, and the thin crust sicilian pizza. Recommended!  Ulysses' Folk House - Bar & Grill 95 Pearl Street, NY, NY 10004 212-482-0400 Lower Manhattan After a long day of schmoozing at the GLBT Expo, with blistery feet and empty bellies, my partner and I, along with our wonderful Florida friends, Mike & Britt of EnGAYged Weddings, (www.engaygedweddings.com) were in dire need of good grub and a glass of wine. Taking a recommendation from the concierge at The Ritz - Battery Park, we head a few blocks west to Ulysses', an Irish pub. Ambiance and Decor: Dimly lit with table candles sets a romantic mood Wooden beam ceilings High top wooden tables with bar stools Includes a carvery and raw bar Service: Friendly Portion Size: Typical American oversize plate (which is great if you're hungry!) Price: Average (Total bill for 4 people, each having one alcoholic beverage - $152.00, which includes a 20% tip) We enjoyed raw oysters ($30) as an appetizer, hearty sirloin burgers ($12) and a spinach stuffed chicken dish with califlower and a cabbage filled baked potato ($20). There was a band setting up to play later that evening, but the concensus at our table was to call it an early night, since today's activities at the trade show would resume again tomorrow. Our dinner was filling and hit the spot; the local pub was quaint and welcoming; being in the company of our friends was priceless!
 Upon recommendation, we enjoyed breakfast at 2West, located at The Ritz-Carlton in Battery Park. The spacious environment was warm and welcoming. My girlfriend was in the mood for a light and healthy breakfast, so she ordered the yogurt and ganola cocktail ($12). The presentation was beautiful and the portion was just the right size. I ordered the Traditional Eggs Benedict ($23) -- one of my favorite dishes. This breakfast specialty is prepared with canadian bacon and an egg over an english muffin, topped with crushed black truffle & hollandaise sauce. It was heavenly. Service: Quick and pleasant Portion size: Just enough Price: Not for the budget conscious traveler Ambiance: Modern decor in a well light area of natual light from the floor to ceiling windows Add a coffee ($6) and an orange juice ($8). Total for breakfast was $59, which includes the $10 tip. Thumbs up!   McShane's Restaurant & Pub in East Syracuse, New York Basic American cuisine Best known for their 1/2 chicken Most unique menu item: Chicken wing soup Visited in February 2013 - Scroll to the bottom for an update! We stopped by at noon on a Monday and were the only lunch patrons in the restaurant. There were a handful of gentlemen gathered at the bar, so I guess it's safe to say that McShane's is still commonly known as the local watering hole. My partner and I tend to eat light at lunch so we shared a lunch option and an appetizer. We ordered the Crispy Onion Haystack $5.99, which is served with caper aioli sauce. The dipping sauce was tasty with both the fried onions and our french fries. The shoestring size crispy fried onions were a bit on the salty side, but good none-the-less. Although best known for their crispy, flavorful, golden brown 1/2 chicken, I was in the mood for some red meat, so we opted for the cheeseburger with swiss - ADD BACON! ($7.99) The hamburger was cooked as specified, the bacon was crispy, the cheese was melted, and the fries were perfectly crisped. The TV show 'Restaurant Impossible' gave McShane's a makeover in late August of 2012. With just $10,000 and 2 days, the dismal roadside restaurant was transformed with vibrant paint colors, the fake leaves and paper strings hanging from the ceilings and walls were removed (thank god), and more importantly, the 'dirt upon dirt upon dirt', as stated by Irvine, was removed and the place was thoroughly cleaned. We offer a thumbs up to McShane's for offering us a lunch that filled our bellies, a clean, comfortable atmosphere, and a friendly server! We are frequent flyers at the independently owned restaurants, and are truly in support of small business, so congrats to Cindy and the McShane's team for staying afloat during these trying economic times and for contacting 'Restaurant Impossible' to get a true assessment of the concerns that just may have brought the restaurant to bankruptsy. UPDATE: McShane's Restaurant closed up shop in 2013. McShane's Restaurant & Pub 6801 Kinne St East Syracuse, NY 13057 Find them on facebook  |
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