Tiengarden on Allen Street (Lower East Side) is a vegan Asian place. Not specifically Thai, but definitely vegan and also definitely delicious.

http://www.tiengarden.com/index.html

I first went to this place with a vegan friend, but I've gone back often on my own (I'm not vegan).

I can't answer for specific beers, but in Grand Central Terminal there is a nice beer store with a great selection of bottled beer and growlers. The store is on the main floor opposite the Track #'s in the teens (near the 44th and Lexington entrance to the station).

Whole Foods, especially the one on Houston at the Bowery, has a great beer selection.

They had a table at the Clearwater Festival (good neighbors!) and said that the announcement of an opening date will come this week.

The website says there will be some opening week specials (half price admission and maybe food/drink specials?) for those who sign up for the email list.

I thought Sriracha was invented in the US.

It's easy enough to get there--just take the M15 bus if you don't want to deal with the subways.

Lots of great live music in the area, and lots of restaurants at different price points.

Thanks for mentioning this place. I am willing to eat and drink everything on the menu. :)

Is this a sit-down place or mostly a counter sandwich store? The menu indicates beer and cocktails, but maybe that's for the Brooklyn spot?

(Looking for a good replacement place in that neighborhood now that Bruschetteria is closed)

There's a lot on here about Wappingers and Fishkill. I think either would be in the geographic area you're talking about.

This place is south of where the OP will be getting off Rte. 17.

The Lost Dog Cafe in Binghamton is really good, fun and relaxed.

And to join in what others are saying about the Cornell summer program...I, too, went as a high schooler. Didn't go to Cornell (but I was tempted), but it had a huge positive influence on my ultimate choice, plus I got to college knowing about 10 of my classmates because of the Cornell program.

Ess-a-Bagel, on 1st Avenue around 21st St.

You get bagels at a bagel shop, not at a bakery. :)

I asked a friend who is both discerning about food and has a young child. Although it's not "unparalleled in Toronto" it's a lovely place and they're very nice to children, he suggested Tobukei 86, which is on East 86th Street.

Here's a Chowhound report on the place (not from me, but I've been there twice and really liked it):

http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/548349

I have no idea; I was only responding to your assertion that "I won't be taking any dairy products...so no worries there." You indicated in the original question that "I was thinking a ny cheesecake for sure."

Just want to point out that cheesecake contains mostly dairy products.

Despite the misspelling, I do think there's a difference between inexpensive and cheap. Apparently some disagree.

I think the OP was careful not to say that--and it's not fair for someone to malign a request for "cheap sushi" that wasn't made.

There certainly is "affordable" sushi in NYC, especially on lunch specials.

Except GCT isn't a trek for them--it's where they're arriving. And the food at GCT is not at all like the concessions at airports. There are plenty of good places there that are in their price range, including Two Boots Pizza.

Remember, they're coming to NYC for the music, not for the food experience.

The OP didn't say "cheap"--s/he said "authentic" and "affordable"

Lots of good food and plenty of seating at the Grand Central food court. Plus kids could choose from lots of options of what to eat.

You should check to see what's open at the time you'll be going there. Some places are mostly only open during the day.

Eating there also means fewer shops, a logistical plus.

Please define "reasonably affordable" and which day of the week, neighborhood, type of food, etc.

And for Yonkers, the New York State board.

Here's my report on Kneaded Bread (from March): http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/894477

Keep in mind that the train from GCT to Poughkeepsie takes an hour and 45 minutes. The last train back to NYC leaves Poughkeepsie at just before 11 p.m. on Saturday nights.

(not being a party pooper here--just want to make sure that the logistics are clear)

Yes, I live an hour north of Manhattan, directly south of Hyde Park. It takes another hour (if there isn't bad traffic in Poughkeepsie) to drive to the CIA.

From Queens (I'm guessing the OP is in Manhattan), you go in at an angle, which can mean the possibility of some efficiency of road options.

Also, I now see the "an hour or two" in the OP, so you are right, the CIA could work depending on where the OP is starting from.

Meanwhile, this entire discussion (and yes I've written to the moderators) does not belong on the Manhattan board.

But, at least a 2 hour drive from Manhattan. Outside the OP's scope.

Wobble Cafe in Ossining has great pancakes--along with their whole breakfast menu.

Also, the Westchester Diner, by Welcher Ave. exit off 9A (near Indian Point) has remarkably good ones.

Your experience was completely different from any I've had in several visits to Ottomanelli.

Agreeing re: Ottomanelli at Lexington & 93rd. And the burger is an especially good value for the lunch special.

BTW, I think you've answered your question about why a cocktails place wouldn't take reservations on the weekend. You're planning to reserve at two places, at least one of which you'll skip out on. Your reservations might mean that the bar will be turning people away while keeping your reservation available.

MOMA admissions is, I think, $20 a person. Will you be there long enough to make that worthwhile? (or maybe you have a membership at your disposal)

Friends of mine (with high standards for food) really enjoyed Gabriels last year after the NYU Med School graduation. Elegant with good waiter service--nice after a graduation.

This year, after the Columbia B-school graduation, they went to Telepan for brunch. They're still raving about how good it was.

You are leaving the opera early in order to eat a meal?

Please do leave during an intermission. Or, maybe you should simply give up the opera tickets.