great takes on family travel in the U.S.

Dave Freedenberg, better known as Famous Fat Dave, is one of the most extraordinary NYC cabbies you’ll ever meet who likely knows more about what New Yorkers like to eat, and where they eat it, than anyone else in New York City.

Dave knows every inch of the City and all its eateries, he has the wheels (a classic white Checker Marathon), and he puts it all together to offer private and personalized eating tours to visitors and New Yorkers. And his blog - The Hungry Cabbie - is a treasure trove for chow-hounds. His food writing has also appeared in Time Out New York, Not For Tourists Guidebook, Attaché Magazine and Gothamist.com, and Dave has been profiled by the NY Daily News, VillageVoice and other NYC papers.

Question: Your profile pretty much tells us everything about Dave Freedenberg. So we’ll start with Famous Fat Dave. How did you come up with that name? Did it happen after you started taking people on eating tours in your cab, or did you start off with the name?
Answer: The story of the name “Famous Fat Dave” goes back to when I lived in Florence, Italy for a semester in 2000. I’m a terrible chef. I’ve got no talent for it. But over there the ingredients are so good that I couldn’t help but create amazing Italian dishes in my kitchen. No matter what I made was delicious because the pasta and the cheese and the olive oil and meats and the tomatoes were all the best I’d ever had by a long shot.

My favorite creation was fried salami in pasta sauce with al dente penne. I thought I needed to give it a name so I called it “Famous Fat Dave’s Super Salami Surprise Sauce With Penne.” When I got back to America, that dish didn’t work at all so I needed a new outlet for Famous Fat Dave. That’s when “Famous Fat Dave’s Super Salami Surprise Sauce With Penne” morphed into “Famous Fat Dave’s Five Borough Eating Tour On The Wheels of Steel.”

Question: No competition for Nathan’s Famous for hot dogs, I take it, but how about burgers? Corner Bistro or Shake Shack? Why? And how about the best slice of pizza in New York and why? Since we’re on the subject, out of all the eating tours you take people to, and all the eateries you know, which is the best place you like and what do they serve?
Answer: I do love the original Nathan’s Famous. But I’m also a fan of Criff Dog on St. Mark’s and the Katz Dog and Stukel at Katz. That’s the beautiful thing about this town. Even when there is an indisputed king of something, there’s always competition. It keeps everyone honest.

Corner Bistro or Shake Shack? Corner Bistro all the way. Shake Shack’s shake sauce is kind of ridiculously salty in my experience and the line ridiculously long. Corner Bistro has a really long line too, but you can get the same burger, usually better, at 3am with no line. But I also really like the Corner Bistro riff at Stoned Crow. I’m a huge fan of the burger at Donovan’s Pub in Woodside, Queens. And I think the Whaley Burger with a fried egg, pinapple, and beetroot at Ruby’s on Mulberry St can compete with any of them for pure taste sensation. A guy from the Bronx recently told me I’ve gotta try the “Murder Buger” at a place simply called “Home of the Murder Burger” up there. So I’m looking forward to trying that out.

Best slice of pizza in New York? Loaded question. I’ll say this: I try to appreciate them all. I don’t pretend to be have the authority to pick a “best.” I don’t even have a favorite. I like the pepperoni at Lombardi’s, I like the crust at Patsy’s on 118th and 1st, I like the thick slice at Spumoni Garden’s, I like the sweet tomato sauce at New Park in Howard Beach, I like the whole pie at Totonno’s in Coney Island, I like the sausage at Louie And Ernie’s in the Bronx, I like the brocolli rabe grandma slice at Fratelli’s in Hunt’s Point. I can go on. But you see, how can I pick a “best” or a “favorite.” They all excel at different things. That’s why I take people on pizza tours, so they can try 8 or 10 or 15 different slices over 4 or 5 or 8 hours and decide for themselves.

Likewise, it’s impossible for me to answer “what’s the best place you like and what do they serve.” That’s like asking me to answer which one of my children is the best (I don’t have any children, but I can imagine).

Question: Which part of New York City do you prefer? I’d say Brooklyn has the best to offer, in terms of food, but on your tours, which part do you and your customers enjoy the most?
Answer: I call it the “Five Borough Eating Tour” and on some tours we’ll hit as many as four boroughs in five hours. Some people want to see as much of the city as they can. Sometimes we’ll keep it to just one borough to spend more time eating and less time driving. I tell people that if this is their first outer borough eating experience, it’s probably best to start with Brooklyn because there is the biggest variety of food, nice mix of new and old, and best views.

Question: You have earned a lot of publicity and been written about by just about every major magazine or paper including the NY Daily News and VillageVoice. Is there any difference between now and the way you went about your work previously? I mean, do customers look upon you as a celebrity now, or is it the same as before?
Answer: The publicity doesn’t make people feel like I’m a celebrity as much as walking into a tiny spot in the middle of a rough neighborhood and having the guys behind the counter shout “Ayyy, It’s Famous Fat Dave” or “Ohh, da Hungry Cabbie’s here.” My customers aren’t looking at newspaper clippings on the tour. But they like it that I know all these people all over this big anonymous city and they get to meet them when otherwise they’d never find the place much less talk to the characters working there.

Also, driving around in the classic white Checker Marathon is fun for people because everyone is smiling and waving and giving thumbs up as we drive by. Sometimes people come out and take pictures and strike up conversations about the old days. So the whole experience makes this big scary city feel like a small town.

Question: I understand you came to New York from Maryland to study, and you love all things food, and New York is just right for you. But what is it about New York - The City - that you like the most?
Answer: I’m a late night person, so I guess I like it most that there is so much great stuff to eat in the middle of the night here. I take people on The Midnight Munchies Tour a lot because there is less traffic and more eating. Some places are only open at night. Lots of places are open really late. And I feel like New York is somehow more New Yorky at night.

Question: Cab drivers usually have lots of fun stuff to tell. And if it involves food, it becomes even more dishy. Any fun incidents you want to share, without naming names?
Answer: Without naming names? You mean famous people? I haven’t gotten too many famous people in my cab. I once picked up Bjork outside Lombardi’s Pizza (I don’t think she was eating there, I think she just happened to be at the intersection of Mott and Spring). Her sculptor husband stared at me really weird through the rear view the whole ride, and when I got her to her destination - “Hoooouston and Sihhhhxth Hhhhhavenue” she told me in her crazy voice - the fare was $4.60. She handed me a $5 dollar bill and went to look for another dollar to tip me, but gave up after 2 seconds and just stiffed me. But then I guess that’s naming names huh?

Question: What’s Famous Fat Dave’s secret? Is it your knowledge of the eateries, or is it your personality or is it the unique nature of your ‘eating tour in a cab’, or is it a combination of all of these and/or something else?
Answer: Well, I know all the good places to eat because I talk to all my fares about their favorite spots. And they’re very proud of them. And I have a personality unlike most grumpy professional drivers in this town so spending 5 or 6 hours with isn’t so terrible. I also have an official sight-seeing tour guide license and I can tell people some good stories from driving the cab and working in the food business selling pickles, cheesemongering, hot dog vending, and breadtruck driving. Really, a major key to the whole operation is that I won’t get lost, I can change course on the fly if there is unusual traffic or an impromptu food request, and I know how to find parking/when to double park.

Question: Any plans for the future? Book deals, television or movies maybe? Or something else?
Answer: I am working on a book about driving the cab and working in food and doing the tours. It’s slow going though. Television seems not to like me since Food Network and History Channel both rejected the idea. Movies? Why not? Right now, I’m concentrating on making the tour the best it can be. That’s why I bought the white Checker Marathon. My goal in life is to eat for a living.

Know the best dive bar in New Orleans, the most romantic spot to watch the sunset in San Diego, a place to buy a cowboy hat in Dallas, or what to pack when visiting Boston in spring?

The beauty about travel is that anyone can be an expert or a valuable and trusted source.

Most people have a place they know inside and out –a place that they can speak of with both authority and enthusiasm–whether it be their hometown or favorite vacation destination, frequented year after year. We here at the UpTake blog embrace the collective wisdom of the traveling community and recognize that this is made up of the unique and personal experiences of individuals like you!

So, we have invited friends and bloggers from across the country to share their expertise…give us the “inside scoop” on different travel destinations. We hope you enjoy this insider’s look at Austin, Texas. It is the first installment of many!

Interview with UpTake Employee and native Austinite: Alison Osborne

1. Give five adjectives that you would use to describe the “feel” of Austin and its residents?

natural, funky, creative, liberal, and vibrant

2. What is your favorite neighborhood/area of Austin?

There are a lot of great neighborhoods in Austin—Hyde Park with its pecan tree-lined streets, old porched houses and small neighborhood restaurants, is terrific. There is also the funky South Congress area with hip restaurants, great antique and clothes shopping. But, I would have to say, my top choice is Clarksville. It is a small pocket of residential on the edge of downtown Austin….you can ride your bike downtown or to Zilker Park and the lake. The houses are small, full of character, and surrounded by old gnarled oak trees. There are small neighborhood shops like Fresh Plus grocery and Nau’s pharmacy, where you can sit at the soda fountain in the back and eat a greasy cheeseburger after you buy your Advil and Band-Aids. Or you can walk to one of Austin’s finest restaurants, Jeffrey’s, and sit next to Mac Brown (coach for Texas football), local politicians, or whichever celebrity happens to be in town. Best of all, you are a five minute walk to the flagship Whole Foods (it started in Austin) and this location is the largest (and best) one in the country.

3. Which cuisine do you think Austin does best? What is the runner-up?(feel free to share your favorite restaurant)

Austin has excellent food, across the board. There is a big focus here to support small local businesses, so you don’t get many chain restaurants and you do get a lot of unique and creative food establishments. Hence the city motto- “Keep Austin Weird”. That being said, Tex-Mex and BBQ are most prevalent. My favorite thing to do when I come back home is get a big Mexican breakfast at either Cisco’s or Las Manitas, downtown. Freshly made tortillas are my bench mark for a good Mexican restaurant and there are plenty of establishments that make their own here. As for BBQ, everyone has their favorite joint. I would pick House Park or Green Mesquite in town and Salt Lick if you are willing to drive a bit further out.

4. What is the best free thing to do?

During the day—Zilker Park and the hike and bike trail that circles Town Lake (10 miles of trails). You can people watch, feed the ducks, visit the Botanical Gardens, swim in Barton Creek, or go for a hike. In the evening, make your way over to Congress Bridge where over 1,000,000 Mexican Free-Tail bats have their home and depart every evening at sunset. It is a sight to see! Sit on the grassy lawn of the Four Seasons and bring a picnic. The bats stream out for quite some time and their swarming masses resemble a Chinese dragon, undulating across the evening sky.

5. What is your favorite type of entertainment?

I often take it for granted…but, Austin truly has an amazing ‘live music’ scene. On any one night you can find live shows all across the city. There are some great venues downtown along Red River, 6th Street, and the Wharehouse District. (Stubbs, Antone’s, La Zona Rosa) But, there are also some great dives along South 1st , Lamar, and Congress. (Saxon Pub, Continental Club, etc.)

6. List the best family friendly activity?

Most of the year, Austin is either warm or hot. So, swimming is a great family activity. The two best places for this are Barton Springs Pool, in the middle of Zilker Park. (probably better for older kids). This natural spring gushes out of the ground at 68degrees year round and has been made into a giant pool with grassy hillsides and towering pecan trees for shade. It has a very natural feel, resembling a river or creek rather than a pool. Deep Eddy Pool is off of the Town Lake hike and bike trail. It is also a natural spring, but looks more like a traditional swimming pool and has a large shallow end for kiddos. During the summer, they have movie nights where kid’s movies play on a giant projector and you can sit in the cold water to watch the film. (Austin nights are HOT in summer, so this feels great!).

7. What spot would you send a couple, looking for a romantic weekend?

Dinner at Jeffrey’s or Fino. Stay at the Driskill, downtown or Hotel San Jose on South Congress and then see a comedy show at Esther’s Follies, or have a glass of wine by the pool in the dreamily lit courtyard at Hotel San Jose.

8. Describe the perfect day…one that captures what your area/city is all about? In three sentences or less.

Migas breakfast at Cisco’s. Lay-out and swim at Barton Springs. Dinner outside on a restaurant deck with a margarita, served ‘on the rocks’.

9. Tell us about a place that you love to go whether it is in the guidebooks or not.

Ok, I have to pick two(of the dozens I want to mention). One is Shoal Creek Saloon—great neighborhood restaurant and bar on a creek and greenbelt. You can sit on their back patio and drink $2 Pearl Light beer, eat a fried crawfish po-boy or chicken fried steak and watch a Longhorn football game. The other is the Lauterstein-Conway Massage Clinic…..graduating massage students give these surprisingly good massages for $30/hour (no tip allowed as they aren’t yet certified). I don’t know where else you can get a massage this cheap, outside of Southeast Asia! My back and neck miss it immensely!

10. What question did we not ask that we should have (and answer it, of course!)?

I would ask, “What did you not get to mention in this interview that you wanted to talk about?

The East Austin art movement. East Austin is an old and beautiful part of the city that has been a bit run down and dangerous for the last several decades. In the past, you only ventured there for some of the best Mexican restaurants in town. But, there is a big movement to refurbish this area. This movement has been brought about by Austin’s vibrant local art scene. Many galleries and studios are popping up everywhere (and housing prices are going up). The East Austin Studio tour is something not to be missed. Organized by the artists themselves, over 200 artists from 100+ studios from East Austin participate. It is free and occurs every November. It’s a wonderful way to keep up with the creative side of Austin.

Want to share your local expertise. Send us an email or tell us in a comment and we will be in touch.

From guest blogger Marsha Takeda-Morrison of Sweatpantsmom

When I was asked to write about ideas for a three-day weekend, I panicked since we are a notoriously last-minute kind of family; planning ahead means calling the hotel from the parking lot to see if they have any vacancies.

So I decided to check the paper to see what everyone else was doing, and judging by the endless ads and inserts it was obvious how 99% of America would be spending their holiday – shopping. This was a great idea that involved minimum forethought, and another excellent way to help our economy! My husband wouldn’t be too thrilled, but neither was I when he made me camp in the rain that time, either. Besides, I get just as much joy from bringing home a new purse as I would from lugging back a piece of driftwood.

We’ll start off our weekend by heading out to the mother of all shopping malls, the South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa. Supposedly they have something like five million stores in there – I’ve heard that the owners don’t even know how many and when they’re done counting their bags of money at night they just go right back and build another store in the morning.

But first we’d have to eat, so we’ll stop at Coco Noche in Manhattan Beach, a wine and chocolate restaurant that serves excellent tapas dishes. We’d order the Korean beef served with lettuce leaves and their chicken sandwiches. My husband would still be fuming over the whole shopping thing, and would just down a couple of beers. Afterwards we would sample some chocolate – they have exotic ones like chili pepper and cinnamon.

When we got to the mall we’d first have to appease our two tween girls so our first stop would be Hot Topic. I would limit them to 30 minutes because to be perfectly honest that place scares the hell out of me – I’m always afraid I’ll come out of there and realize I’d gotten my tongue pierced and a skull tattooed on my stomach.

Next I would go to Bloomingdales and not come out for three hours.

After hours of spending my husband’s hard-earned cash we’d need to eat again and luckily food was nearby. I truly believe that next to stretch jeans, man’s greatest invention has got to be the Mall Food Court, where a family of four can eat tacos, baguettes and pizza all at the same meal. Next we’d head to our hotel, which I had just reserved three minutes earlier.

The next morning I’d be feeling sorry for my husband, so we’d head across the street to one of our favorite places in the city, Isamu Noguchi’s California Scenario. You wouldn’t expect to find a sculpture garden created by a world-class artist wedged between a Chili’s and FedEx office, but there it is. We’d wander around the cactuses and rocks and listen to the amazing silence in the middle of the city. I’d try to enjoy it and not think too much about that fajita pan I put on hold at Crate and Barrel.

On our way home we’d stop by Huntington Beach and sit out on the sand for awhile to count our receipts enjoy the sound of the waves. We’d all agree that it had been a great weekend – and while we were coming home poorer, we could all rest in easy in the thought that we looked stunning in our new clothes.

What are some ways you spend a three-day weekend? Are you a plan-ahead or a fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants kind of person?

There is plenty of good grub in the Cleveland area, but sometimes by looking outside of the expected area you can find something new to try.

For example, take Salvatore’s Ristorante in Vermilion, OH. It’s a very small, intimate space that probably gets overlooked often because of its location. It’s not in the downtown area right off of Rt. 2 and it’s in a little strip plaza across from a drug store. And yet, you’ll find some of the most delicious authentic Italian food you’ve ever tasted this little eatery.

Be prepared when you walk in the door—you’ll have to walk down a dark hallway that doesn’t seem that welcoming. But once you get inside and see the bar, someone will be there to greet you with a smile on their face. Only after taking a moment to be seated will you note the tacky old-style décor, complete with silver hanging blinds, Italian statues, and dark marble tables with high-back chairs—along with the requisite music by Frank, Dean, or something being sung in Italian by Josh Groban, of course.

You can dress up or down here and families of all types fit in. The wine list is not extensive but decent, and dessert is always a must—the tiramisu is truly wonderful here. You can also spend a little or a lot at Salvatore’s, depending on your taste. When we go we enjoy drinks before and after dinner, a bottle of Chianti, appetizers and desserts, along with dinner. We can drop a pretty penny, but others get in an out for a quick meal at a much lower cost.

It’s important to note that the restaurant can fill up quickly, especially on the weekends. I always recommend calling ahead for reservations anywhere you go for dinner when you can, and Salvatore’s is no exception. For directions and contact information, click here. And then make plans to enjoy some fabulous Italian food!

From guest blogger Marsha Takeda-Morrison of Sweatpantsmom

We were asked to write about our favorite restaurants this week, and the only difficult part will be writing a post that doesn’t go on for five pages. My list is long and varied, and I’m always up for trying new things - including half a Pink Pearl eraser that I once ate on a dare when I was working at an ad agency. It definitely didn’t taste like chicken.

I’m going to keep this list to my top four, and also limit it to restaurants that I haven’t mentioned in this blog before. That still leaves around 50,000 possibilities, and I’ll have a hard time whittling it down. But I promise there won’t be an eraser in sight.

First on my list would have to be Kyushu Ramen in Van Nuys. My two daughters and I are huge ramen fanatics (not the packaged, brick-of-noodles version from the grocery store) and I was excited to find this little oasis of authenticity in a non-descript mini-mall in the east Valley. They serve around thirty versions of ramen, everything from your basic shoyu (soy sauce based) version to their specialty, Kyushu ramen, which is in a rich, cloudy broth made with pork. They also offer other dishes like Japanese-style curry and sushi on their huge menu, but the noodles are what we will drive through rain and traffic for at least a few times a month.

My husband and I are longtime fans of Border Grill in Santa Monica. This restaurant has been here for awhile, and is owned by Mary Sue Milliken and Susan Feigner, who you might remember from the Too Hot Tamales series on the Food Network. Border Grill features “authentic home cooking and street foods of Mexico” not to mention the tastiest margaritas in town. I highly recommend their Green Corn Tamales and their Potato Rajas Tacos. Did I mention the margaritas?

Next I have to mention a new favorite. The urge for a hot dog hit me, and we decided to finally try The Stand, a restaurant located only ten minutes from our house but one we’d never ventured into. I describe it as an upscale hot dog joint, serving traditional hot dogs (many versions) but also sausages and burgers. We ate outside on their beautiful tree-canopied patio and listened to a live jazz band. After my kids stopped freaking out over the ‘neon relish’ on my Chicago dog they had a great time. Definitely not your average hot dog and fries experience.

Last but not least would be Farfalla Trattoria, a small Italian restaurant located in the Los Feliz area. My husband and I have been going there since we were first dating, and the quality has never faltered. It’s a traditional menu, with homemade pasta and a great wine list. I seem to order the same dish every time: tagliolini cozze e vongole, homemade thin pasta with mussels, clams and tomato sauce and an order of bruschetta to start. Fortunately, after eating a weeks worth of carbs in one sitting, you can walk it off by strolling the streets of the hip Los Feliz district.

What are your favorite restaurants in your city? Who serves the best margarita?

Photo: BorderGrill.com

So one day before deadline, I remember I’m supposed to submit an ‘NYC restaurant guide’. I’m scratching my head in confusion here. That’s a subject for a thick book, not a blog post to be tapped out on the fly. I mean, it’s virtually impossible to even remember all the good restaurants in New York City, let alone list them with descriptions. And how many more new restaurants open each week?

And then if you start categorizing them – Romantic, kosher, pre-theater dinner, breakfast, soul food, ethnic, greasy fast food diners, rooftop lounges – Well, let’s just say that this is going to be one heck of a blog post. see more »

I have been assigned the momentous task of sharing some of Austin’s best restaurants with you all. This is at once a delightful and an impossible task. Austin does food well and I love talking about it–so much so that I hardly know where to begin. The town holds strong to its belief in small/locally owned businesses and because of this you will find a plethora of home-grown and lovingly run restaurants that serve up unique and fabulous food. Some of the ubiquitous chains do exist (Chili’s, Applebee’s, etc.), but, you need never visit them and most Austinites don’t. We do have some of our very own original chains, like Thundercloud Subs and Amy’s Ice Cream and several really big chains have originated out of Austin–Whole Foods and Schlotskey’s come to mind.

Austin is located in the center of Texas. Because of this, it is influenced by many different cuisines: Southwestern flare from the west, down home Southern cooking from the east, interior Mexican and TexMex from the south. And, of course, being in Texas–you get a lot of great BBQ. Rather than go through a list of restaurants, several feet long, as I was originally inclined to do–I thought I would make it easier on everyone and just pick one restaurant from each of the above categories. This by no means reflects the wide variety and sheer number of quality restaurants in Austin–but, it does share some highlights, not to be missed, in a town known for its food. So here they are:

Southern food: Hyde Park Bar and Grill. This restaurant resides in an old charming house in Hyde Park–a lovely and laid back neighborhood in north/central Austin. There is a rotating display of local artwork on the walls and a great bar. You can order fried catfish and cornbread or rotisserie chicken with mashed potatoes. They are famous for their hand-cut peppered fries with a “top secret” dipping sauce. They also make my very favorite dessert in the world–Won Kim’s Peach Pudding. This is a soft cake with fresh peaches that is served warm and covered in Devonshire cream. Heavenly! If that doesn’t appeal to you, you can always walk next door and get gelato and an espresso at La Dolce Vita.

Southwestern: Castle Hill Cafe. Their menu encompasses a wide range of cuisine, but, has a decidedly southwestern flare. I love to choose from their extensive list of tasty salads. They have one with green chile, corn relish, and homemade blue corn empanadas. Not your typical salad! They also have an extensive wine list, with many Texas wines. I have spotted many of Austin’s local celebrities dining there–including our ex-governor, Ann Richards.

Interior Mexican: Fonda San Miguel. This place is truly exceptional. There is a beautiful plant-filled atrium with tucked away couches that make you feel as if you are in the jungles of Mexico. It even has a large talking parrot! The dining room has the feel of an old Mexican hacienda with dark intricately carved chairs and saltillo tile floors. They serve excellent margaritas and focus on slow-cooked moles and other sauces, tender meats and seafood, and smoky chile rellenos. Try their cajete for dessert (caramel made with goat’s milk) that is served with vanilla ice cream and crepes.

TexMex: Matt’s El Rancho. I can’t say it has the very best Mexican food in Austin–it would be impossible to pick just one. But, it is up there, and the atmosphere makes up for the rest. Many Austin families have made Matt’s their Sunday dinner tradition. Matt, the owner, was a Mexican boxer and several generations of his family have run the restaurant. The fajitas, brisket tacos, and homemade tortillas here are a gustatory delight. Plus, you have mariachi bands, large open rooms with bright colors, and a back patio with a large fountain. The fountain is a huge hit with the kids as is the face painting, which is sometimes available. Kids can be entertained while you wait for your table–there usually is a bit of a wait here.

BBQ: House Park. Texas has its own unique version of BBQ, focusing on delicious smoked meats and signature sauces. Every establishment has their own, slightly different sauce. Most people find their favorites and stick to them. My personal favorite (besides the Salt Lick, which is a ways out of town) is House Park. It is a little smoky dive, several miles from downtown and is only opened from 11-2, on weekdays. But, it is worth making the effort to get to for lunch. There is a sign out front that says, “Need no teef to eat my beef”. As disgusting as this may sound…the meat truly is, falling off the bone, tender. The smokers out back are running ’round the clock and you can taste this quality in the beef. While waiting on your food (and you don’t wait long)–take a look at all the local news clippings and pictures littering the walls. They go back a long time and give you a brief glimpse into the Austin of “yester year”….or just grab a newspaper and catch up on current news, like the chinese earthquake or the new Blackberry Bold. It will all seem very far away in this little dive.

Phewww. I did it. It was a hard task–I have left so many good places out. But, it’s a place to start. One thing you can count on–if you visit Austin, Texas, you will leave fat, full, and happy!

What are some of your favorite local restaurants?

New York City has an excess of everything, and it’s all packed in so close together that it’s impossible to walk a few blocks without tripping over an establishment worth a second look-see. So this Mother’s Day, which falls on the 11^th of May, here’s a guide to help you enjoy a classy and fun filled Mother’s Day in NYC.

Listed below are the best Mother’s Day activities in NYC - Where to go for brunches and teas, spa specials, cruises, music, shows and concerts, nature exploration tours, upscale shopping, flea market shopping, food shopping and best of all - Discounts, freebies, flowers, chocolates - which you get only if you’re a Mom.

Let’s start with a list of the best NYC restaurants offering a special Mother’s Day Sunday brunch.

Palm Court Restaurant, Plaza Hotel: The first on the list, and probably the only one you need to know about, is the historic Palm Court restaurant at the Plaza Hotel, with its stained glass windows, traditional afternoon tea and genteel service. The newly renovated and reopened Plaza has always been the center of gravity for the Grande Dame social circuit in the Big Apple.Every socially conscious Mom in NYC wants nothing better than to dress up and spend a few hours sizing up the other Moms in attendance. The brunch and afternoon tea is just something that the Palm Court offers as a reason for a gaggle of Moms to congregate. The experience, as a whole, is unforgettable, and there’s nothing better or more special that you can do for Mother’s Day, than foot the bill for brunch and tea at the Palm Court for your Mother.

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