Long weekend in New York - any recommendations on places to eat ?

[Venus193]

As long as you're in Chinatown, here's another place you should try.  Lychee sorbet, anyone?

[POF]

I believe I have gained 10 lbs checking out all these suggestions. Good thing there is a lot of shopping in NYC !

[Venus193]

As for shopping, you must try Pearl River.

[Thipu1]

Amen.  Pearl River is a sort of Chinese department store.  If there's anybody on your gift list who's a bit quirky, you can almost be sure to find something s/he will like at Pearl River.

[philliesphan]

Big fat second to whomever said Casellula. Just go early (right when they open), because they are very popular and do not take reservations. If you like cheese, this is the place for you. Also if you like chocolate cake with heavy cream poured all over it.  And their Pig's (the filters won't like this word) sandwich is to die for.

Jaya Malaysian in Chinatown
Kefi, for inventive Greek food that feels upscale but is priced very reasonably (by NYC standards, anyway). Very convenient if you're visiting the Natural History Museum.
Kati Roll Company (one in the West Village, one in Midtown) for tasty Indian street food. If you go to the Midtown one you can eat it outside in Bryant Park.

For pizza, my favorites are Keste in the West Village and Luzzo's in the East Village. This is if you like Neapolitan style. If you want a more "New York" style pizza I have no clue, as I hate the stuff!

Hill Country BBQ, but only if you're not coming from a state where BBQ is king. It's awesome for us 'cue-starved New Yorkers, but I imagine someone from a state where BBQ is more common would just find it good but more expensive than back home.

[WillyNilly]

^ Real NY pizza is found throughout the city but its hard to name a place - basically look for something on a side street or nestled among other affordable stores (hardware, bodegas, mom & pops, etc). Some of the most important elements of authentic NY pizza is that its simple, affordable and quick.

If you want shopping a fun area is 5th Ave from 59th Street down (starting with FAO Schwarz), and along 57th St in mid-town. Fifth will have high end gems like Bergdorfs, Bendels and of course Saks, and the expected chains like Sephora, Nike and Victoria's Secret.  If you are walkers, you can take Fifth Ave all the way down to the Village.  57th St is more the designer chains: Channel, Louis Vutton, Tourneou, Tiffany, as well as Carnegie Hall. For more affordable shopping check out the Herald Square area.  34th St is home to lots of mall-type stores: H&M, Steve Madden, Levi's, plus there's Macy's and a full on mall.

[RavenousEdenFleur]

Up and down 9th Ave you will find so much, especially close to the theatres. There's an Eastern European wine and food place that I used to just devour. Also go to Amys Bread down the street and you will have the greatest desserts ever.

East Village has great finds like Cafe Mogador and Yaffa.

Had to edit, Venus YES Chinatown Ice Cream Factory. Yum!