Apple Of My Eye

Sep 14 2008 By Billy Sloan

I'll Take Manhattan For The Best Shops And Top-Value City Break Experience New York

I have a confession to make. I am that rare species - a bloke who LOVES to go shopping.

And where better to indulge your passion than the mean streets of Manhattan.

But they're not so mean these days. With the US exchange rate giving about Û1.70 to the pound, you'll have the ultimate retail experience.

For a seasoned shopper, New York has the lot...from the fashionable Fifth Avenue to the mayhem of market stalls in Chinatown.

A great place to start is the world's most famous department store, Macy's at 151 West 34th Street.

It seems to have the "Sale" signs permanently up and there are bargains galore. You can buy three pairs of Calvin Klein jeans for the price of one pair back home. I also picked up Ray-Ban sunglasses at a knockdown price.

But before you make your purchase, ask if there are any special promotions for tourists. Last time, all I had to do at customer services was show my passport and I got a voucher entitling me to a further 10 per cent off my purchases.

Fifth Avenue has it all...from quirky one-off stores such as toy giants FAO Schwarz to big names such as Tiffany's, Barnes & Noble and the NBA Basketball store.

If you're a big kid FAO Schwarz is a must. The toys are amazing - they even have an entire department dedicated to Barbie and Ken. It's impossible to walk past the Ice Cream Soda Fountain which serves amazing sundaes and malted shakes.

The Apple store adjacent to Central Park South is not to be missed. It's located in a giant Perspex cube and you have to go underground to find the latest computers, iPhones and other gadgets.

Head down to SoHo for a buzzing shopping area many tourists by-pass.

My first stop is always Armani Exchange at 568 Broadway which is brilliant for jeans, T-shirts and casual wear. On the opposite corner is Dean &DeLuca...the best deli-style grocery store in Manhattan.

Another favourite is Vosges, Haut Chocolat at 132 Spring Street. It sells designer chocolate bars with exotic spices including curry, chillies and olives. I once spent so much here I barely had my subway fare left.

In SoHo, there are enough great shoe shops to keep Imelda Marcos happy...plus jean stores Old Navy, Guess and Banana Republic.

Check out the brilliant Morrison Hotel at 124 Prince Street...a photo gallery featuring the work of rock snapper Barrie Wentzell. His shots of The Doors, The Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan and Jimi Hendrix are amazing.

All this shopping means you inevitably work up an appetite. So head for the Hampton Chutney Company at 66 Prince Street - a really cool cafe which specialises in Indian dosas...wafer thin pancakes stuffed with chicken, meat or veg. For dessert, nip around the block to Rice To Riches at 37 Spring Street, a sci-fi style cafe which sells - I kid you not - more than 20 different flavours of creamed rice.

Next, head for Chinatown and in the stalls along Canal Street I guarantee you will find a fake version at a fraction of the price of the original.

If you want replica Prada handbags, Chanel scarves or Rolex watches this is the place...but be prepared to haggle.

A short walk Downtown will lead you to Ground Zero which has a museum marking the tragic events of 9/11. Emotional - but worth a look.

Across the street is Century 21 - a paradise for bargain hunters.

It was actress Liz Dawn - who played Vera Duckworth in Coronation Street - who turned me on to the store. It sells all the surplus stock unsold in other NY stores.

They ship in fresh goods every morning so get there early. If time permits, head out of Manhattan to Woodbury Common at Central Valley ...one of the most popular factory outlet malls in the US.

It's situated on Route 32, one hour by coach from Midtown...and buses leave regularly from the Port Authority on 42nd Street with a round trip fare a reasonable Û37.

But I've saved the best till last. Take a taxi to Grimaldi's Pizzeria at 19 Old Fulton Street - beneath the Brooklyn Bridge - you won't regret it.

It's a little hole-in-the-wall Italian restaurant whose pizzas have won awards galore.

Music legend Frank Sinatra was one of its best customers.

Stuff yourself...then to walk off your dinner stroll back across the wooden boardwalk atop Brooklyn Bridge.

It's got to be one of THE best walks on the planet and the view of the Manhattan skyline is incredible.

And it will get you in shape for another attack on those great Big Apple shops the following day.

MAILFILE

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