Cheesecake in NYC

Owen - Well, if you want to take the subway, you could take the E, which is on the west side Penn Station at 33rd Street and 8th Avenue, downtown (south) to the last stop, which is World Trade Center. Don't take the A or the C - they go to Brooklyn. Unless you want to go to Junior's for cheesecake in Brooklyn.

You could always take the subway one way and a bus or cab the other other. I'm not familiar with the bus routes- usually take the subway or bicycle.

David

Owen-

Junior's is the place to go for cheesecake, with locations in Times Square, Grand Central Terminal (a must visit for rail enthusiasts), and the original in Brooklyn. Finding good places to eat in Midtown can be hard, but I would recommend MidtownLunch.com as a comprehensive resource for good places to eat in Midtown.

In terms of visiting WTC, the subway is your best option as taxis or buses will cost you more in time (and cabs are the most expensive of your travel options). The closest stations are on the E (World Trade) and R (Courtlandt Street) lines; the A, C, 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 are also nearby but a few blocks walk.

Good luck with your trip!

-John

It is nice of you and your friend to pay respects to the people of the World Trade Center Memorial.

I agree with David, Junior's Restaurant, in Brooklyn on Flatbush Avenue and DeKalb Avenue, is rated as having the best cheesecake in the world!!!!
Ralph

Shake Shack seems to be very popular with New Yorkers.

Hi, Owen.

For lunch, I'd recommend Tracks Raw Bar & Grill right in Penn Station. The food is good, the menu is varied and the restaurant features a railroading motif. It is located immediately adjacent to the Long Island Rail Road ticket windows near the entrance to the 7th Avenue subway. Here's the website:

http://www.tracksbargrill.com/

I don't know how their cheesecake is but there are two Zaro's Bakery locations on the upper level of Penn Station. Zaro's is well known for great baked goods. My favorite is the Black and white cookie. They offer superb cheesecake as well.

Following up on AcelaNYP's comments regarding Grand Central Terminal, it would be nice if you can find time to get there. As he said, it should be on the "must see" list of any rail enthusiast visiting the city.  

Bob 

Thanks for all of this info on NYC.  In a couple of weeks we'll be taking the Pennsylvanian from Greensburg,PA to Penn Station.  I'm looking forward to the trip--it sure beats flying.

Norm

Take the F train to Ditmas Avenue in Brooklyn. The subway becomes the "El" ("Elevated") south of Manhattan. Great views! At Ditmas Avenue go downstairs. Cross the street to 751 McDonald Avenue and visit [the late Peter] Bianco's Trainworld.

ReadingFan,

You have better traveling knowledge of the N.Y.C. areas, than I do and I was born, raised and worked in for the City of N.Y.

Ralph

We were at the Junior's mid-town location yesterday.  If there is a wait, check the bar area, usually you get immediate seating.

I love Junior's Cheesecake.

Thanks to each of those who passed on some information - just what I was looking for. We are both looking forward to our visit to NYC, and you have contributed to what should be brief but nice adventure.

Any thoughts on the Oyster Bar in Grand Central?

Dunno but I've never had Oyster Cheesecake.  And people give me a hard time over Scrapple. 

WB47-

The Oyster Bar is a great choice, and prices are on par with other Manhattan seafood restaurants. The other upscale restaurant in Grand Central is Michael Jordan's Steakhouse, but I can't offer a recommendation as I haven't tried it yet. For drinks try The Campbell Apartment, named after the family who lived in Grand Central Terminal (note: the bar has a business casual dress code). For more casual fare the dining concourse on the lower level has something for everyone, including Junior's (they have a take-out bakery stall on the upper level too). For foodies with a gourmet appetite, don't overlook the Grand Central Market, offering fine cheeses, meats, and other prepared foods to take out.

On a side note the New York Transit Museum maintains an annex at the station, located adjacent to the Stationmaster's Office (Shuttle Passage side of the terminal). Admission is free, and they have rotating displays culminating with the holiday train layout (from November to mid-January; the layout was featured in previous issues of Classic Toy Trains).

Although not mentioned in earlier posts, the PBS special "Secrets of Grand Central Terminal" is worth watching before your visit so that you can fully appreciate the grandness of Grand Central Terminal. NYC Architectural Historian Barry Lewis is another great resource, as he has lectured extensively on Grand Central Terminal and its fallen sister, New York Pennsylvania Station.

-John

As an ex-NYC cabbie I can tell you that it is not possible to eat a decent lunch and get to the WTC Memorial from Penn Station by subway and enjoy the Memorial in a five hour span. It is probably at least 45 minutes by Shuttle to GCT and then a 1,2,3, or 4 train down to Fulton Street with a walk of three blocks over to Liberty Street. Skip the cheesecake lunch and get right on the Shuttle. Eat at one of the many places right next to the Memorial.

The Memorial is absolutely magnificent. I was just there. GO TO THE MUSEUM if time permits. You will never forget it !!!!!