191589 Thu Jun 28 19:47:06 -0700 2001 1 18 Manhattan 0 1022980 The Key West Books and Beer Club is taking a road trip to Manhattan the last weekend in August. We'll trade you chowhound tips on the best conch fritters, picadillo and mojitos on our island, for some tips on not to be missed meals on your island. We can't get Vietnamese, Indian, or anything even vaguely Middle Eastern down here. Only one weekend - how many ethnic epicureaun epiphanies can we fit in? Thu Jun 28 19:47:06 -0700 2001 0 lori 1 1023012 Viet: 1) Blue Velvet @ 227 1st Ave(14-13 st) 2) Cycle 203 1st Ave (12-13 st) Best "beer" bar in NYC: dba 1st Ave (2+3rd Street) Indonesian(halal=muslim no beer) 128 E4th St (1+2 Ave) Congee Village Chinese: 100 Orchard St Between Delancey + Broome St's just a 5 minute walk south of dba on the way to the Manhattan chinatown. If you really want a lot of fun take the #7 Subway train(the John Rocker Express) to 74 St + Rosevelt Ave in Jackson Heights. Walk North 1 or 2 blocks to 37th Ave. In 4-5 blocks there is: Argentinian, Korean, Old line Italian, lotsa Indian (which I know nothing about) Thai (Arunee) etc.. or if you want even more fun take it to main st and see the Queens Chinatown. The 7 is great. It is an elevated train w/a view of the Manhattan skyline. Better yet, just use the outer boro boaod and the mapping feature from switchboard.com. You may never want to leave NYC after this trip. Some of us natives have never left! Fri Jun 29 12:20:48 -0700 2001 1022980 0 Ivan Stoler