Planning out my itinerary for an upcoming trip and have a few of the above mentioned places as possible things to do/places to eat. Which of these are skippable or underwelming on their own or compared to some others. Have I left any off worth checking out?

Planning/Considering

Union Sq Green Market
Hester Street Fair
Smogasburg (I know its outer boroughs, but please cut me some slack)

Do the 8th Ave Festival or Steinway Street Festival offer anything food or non-food related, worth making the trip for?

Thanks in advance,
Chris

Thanks Kathryn, great to know about Ippudo

I've repeatedly found myslef on Txikito's webpage over the past few days and it looks great! I figured such a unique restaurant would be booked up on the reg. Will definitely try for that reservation.

Thanks EBT! How do you like Public? Their menu looks great to me, lots of interesting flavors and ingredients, but I wonder if my wife would feel the same. Do they offer consistently good daily specials, not found on the menu?

Greetings Manhattan Hounds, my wife and I will be traveling to your great city this Thursday, departing Sunday. This trip came up short notice, and so far I have only booked The Modern for Friday night. A slight panic is setting in as I worry we wont be able to have the NYC food experience I desire.

It seems we will have to brave being walk-ins for Thursday and Saturday nights, and I was hoping to get some feedback and direction from you kind folks. I am considering the following spots to try either night :

-Boqueria

-Momofuku Noodle or Ssam

-Ippudo

-A Blue Ribbon establishment

-Mark Forgione

-RedFarm

-Public

I guess my questions are where might we have the best success at snagging a table, the wait times we might encounter at say 7:30-8ish or 9:30-10ish, and if you have any other alternative recommendations. We enjoy a fun atmosphere, but lo-key works as well. Price isn't super important as long as it's worth what is being charged.

*Also, has anyone seen anything decent still available on OT for this weekend? Saturday night we will be joined by a third, FWIW

Thanks,

Chris