A Look Inside the Other MBA - My Big Apple

The beauty of this year’s 2009 Forté MBA Women’s Conference is that I don’t even need to leave home to meet all of you! A heartfelt welcome to New York City from a 3-year New York “veteran” and soon-to-be Ann Arbor resident at the University of Michigan, Ross School of Business (GO BLUE!)

As a “foodie,” random experience seeker, and pizza fanatic, I’ve explored the city quite a bit since moving here in 2006. Since it’s a known fact that New Yorkers love voicing their opinions, I thought I’d share some of my favorite places and resources in case you have some free time to explore the city.

A few notes:

1) I have included noteworthy spots within or close to the East Village area (since the conference is at NYU), as well as other attractions that are worth the trip outside our immediate proximity.

2) Given my tendency to go overboard when providing recommendations, I’ve narrowed this list down to five to ten of my favorites in several categories. Please send me an email if you would like further recommendations!

3) An additional list at the bottom includes several New York City visitor’s guides and resources if you would like to explore other attractions.

4) Lastly, I have created a custom Google Map, which plots out all of the places on this list.

Please feel free to email me with any questions at alvh@umich.edu. Enjoy – looking forward to seeing you all at the end of June!

Best,

Allison Van Houten
University of Michigan, Ross School of Business
2011 MBA Candidate and Forté Fellow

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My Big Apple (MBA) List

1) How do I get around NYC?

• Take the subway.
  
• Get easy subway and bus directions.
  
• Find out the difference between the East Village and TriBeCa with a neighborhood map of NYC.
  
• How much is a cab from here to there? (FYI - You can’t call for a yellow cab – you have to hail one. If the light on top of the cab is on, that means it is available.)
  
• Find a clean public restroom.
  
  

2) Where can I find a good meal?

• Two international favorites include Venezuelan arepas at Caracas Arepa Bar (East Village) and the pork buns at Momofuku Ssam Bar (East Village).
  
• Choose your favorite burger between two of the city’s best: Shake Shack (Gramercy) and Corner Bistro (West Village.)
  
• You can’t go wrong with Spanish tapas at Boqueria (Gramercy) or Tía Pol (Chelsea).
  
• For a more upscale (read: expensive) and amazing dining experience, try Mario Batali’s Babbo (West Village, Italian) and Daniel Boulud’s Daniel (Upper East Side, French).
  
  

2) Where do I grab a great New York slice?

• Get an artichoke or clam slice at Artichoke Pizza (East Village, No Seating)
  
• Meet Domenico De Marco at DiFara’s – he whips up a slice full of fresh basil, tomatoes, and extra-virgin olive oil. (Brooklyn; Relatively far out, but it’s the best pizza in the city and worth the trip!)
  
• Cross the Brooklyn Bridge (or take the subway) to Grimaldi’s (Brooklyn - see section 5); Note: Line on long days, no reservations)
  
• Enjoy a brick-oven pie at Lombardi’s. (Soho)
  
• Try Waldy’s for the best thin crust. (Chelsea)
  
• Enjoy a classic Margherita at John’s on Bleeker (West Village)
  

3) Where should I drink?

• McSorely’s Old Ale House (East Village) – Choose from two varieties of beer (“Light” and “Dark”) at the city’s oldest continuously operated saloon (since 1854), complete with sawdust-covered floors.
  
• Crocodile Lounge (East Village) – Buy a beer, get a free pizza. Enough said.
  
• Terroir – 24-seat wine bar serving Italian small plates.
  
• Spitzer’s Corner (Lower East Side) – 80 international beers and a cool, casual atmosphere
  
• Welcome to the Johnson’s (Lower East Side) – a favorite dive bar. Seventies-inspired plastic-covered couches. Ms. PacMan. $2 PBRs.
• The Frying Pan (Chelsea) – An old lightship converted into a bar/restaurant with fantastic views of the city; Great outdoor spot.
  
• Flatiron Lounge (Flatiron) – Great cocktails in an elegant atmosphere.
  
• The Beer Garden Tour: Try these three for excellent German and Czech beers: Zum Schneider (East Village; Indoor space), Loreley (Lower East Side, Indoor & Outdoor spaces), and Bohemian Hall and Beer Garden (Astoria, Queens; Outdoor space – by far the best!)
  
  

4) Where do I go when I crave dessert?

• Indulge in the famous hot chocolate (and other goodies) at City Bakery. (Flatiron)
  
• Get the “Compost Cookie” and “Marshmallow Cereal Milk” soft serve at Momofuku Bakery & Milk Bar. (East Village)
  
• Order awesome sundaes at The Smith. (East Village)
  
• Choose from over 100 cakes and pies at the French-inspired Café Lalo. (Upper West Side)
  
• Grab one of the city’s best cupcakes at Magnolia Bakery. (West Village)
  
  

5) Where should I go if I want to do something besides eat?

• Walk over the Brooklyn Bridge (then eat pizza at Grimaldi’s and ice cream at the Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory.)
  
• Go for a run in Central Park.
  
• Buy TKTS discounted Broadway tickets.
  
• Touch a dino egg and see the stars at the Museum of Natural History.
  
• Watch a Mets game and eat a Shake Shack burger at Citi Field.
  
• Seek inspiration at MoMA.
  
• Shop.
  

6) What if I don’t like any of Allison’s suggestions?

• New York Magazine Visitor’s Guide
  
• NYC GO Visitor’s Guide
  
• NYC For Free