New York and Cheap Eats

Cash strapped students don’t get to eat out much and if they do, it’s definitely budget.

A parent’s purse is a chance to fill the stomach and expand knowledge of New York’s restaurants.

Surprisingly they don’t have to be expensive.

This particular parent does not have an expanding wallet or a particularly flexible card.

The moment I set foot in the city the scene was set with ‘reunion’ in Szechuan Gourmet where the speciality ‘intestine’s was actually fairly tasty.

Sleep was a mere distraction before the ‘all American breakfast’ at Barney Greengrass.

What to do before the next meal?

Central Park was basking in low spring sunshine.

Despite the enthusiasm of the breakfast presenters telling us it was ‘way to cold for May’ it wasn’t a bad day to wander about and see ballerinas on rather an unusual stage .

Lunch? Ramen at Zurutto on 142 W and 72nd St. Even the address sounds interesting.

Night. Eight hours food free. Could I really manage another brunch?

Oh well, when in Rome. Amy Ruth’s Alabama Southern Style. Filled with locals and a smattering of tourists, enjoying Harlem hospitality.

Some of it walked off on the High Line. A park in the city. Constructed on an old railway line it winds its way above roads, cars, backyards and bins.

And so followed a week of cheap eats. Breakfasts, brunches and dinners punctuated by sightseeing and shopping.

Cheap was not only assigned to the ‘eats’. New York has stuff to do for free or a low ‘donation’.

Make your way to the Lincoln Centre. Stroll through clean lined architecture or watch a film not running elsewhere.  Brooklyn’s Botanical Gardens are free on Tuesdays and Saturdays.

MoMa PS1 in Queens ask only for a donation – flash a student card and it’s free.

Harlem is on the up and aside from Amy Ruth’s, Malecon will fill you with more roast chicken than you or your doggy bag can eat. Street art proliferates. Arrive early and see the birds before the blinds are raised.

You could go there by bike. City bikes now proliferate street corner spaces but for a longer ride Google one of the bike rental companies to get a cheaper, lighter model and get a pre book discount. Being just over 13  miles long the entire Manhattan coast can be done in a day.

With plenty of places to stop and admire the view.