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QG: New York City's QuickGuide
Midtown East
From E. 23rd to E. 58th sts., btw the East River & Fifth Ave.
With points of interest along skyscraper-lined streets, the only thing missing from this urbane section of the city is boredom.
Flatiron District, Gramercy Park, Murray Hill
» 9:00 a.m.
Big Daddy's 239 Park Ave. So., btw E. 19th & E. 20th sts., 1.212. 477.1500. Pile your plate high with banana-chocolate-chip pancakes or eggs with a side of Tater Tots at this retro diner.
» 10:00 a.m.
Vintage Thrift Shop 286 Third Ave., btw E. 22nd & E. 23rd sts., 1.212.871.0777. Unearth an incredible bargain in a suit, crystal vase, designer handbag or piece of bric-a-brac amid the artful displays.
» 11:30 a.m.
SPiN New York 48 E. 23rd St., btw Park Ave. So. & Madison Ave., 1.212.982.8802. Practice your table-tennis technique at this ping-pong social club offering 17 courts that are rentable by the half hour.
» 1:00 p.m.
Eataly 200 Fifth Ave., at 23rd St., 1.212.229.2560. Mangia on the freshest pasta, pizza and panini—and save room for some fruit-flavored sorbetto—all made from imported Italian ingredients at this giant gourmet food hall/marketplace from celebrity chef Mario Batali.
» 2:30 p.m.
The Morgan Library & Museum 225 Madison Ave., at E. 36th St., 1.212.685.0008. Wander the art-filled rooms of J. Pierpont Morgan’s (1837-1913) opulent former library, designed by architect Charles McKim in 1902 and reopened after a $106-million expansion, spearheaded by architect Renzo Piano, in 2006.
» 4:30 p.m.
Scandinavia House 58 Park Ave., at E. 38th St., 1.212.779.3587. Plunge into the rich heritage of Nordic art and design at this cultural center's exhibitions, then visit the gift shop for items from such Scandinavian labels as Marimekko, 66 North and Tretorn.
» 6:00 p.m.
Rare View/Rare Bar & Grill Affinia Shelburne Hotel, 303 Lexington Ave., at E. 37th St., 1.212.481.1999. Sip a mojito, blood-orange martini or a simple gin and tonic against a skyline view of the Empire State and Chrysler buildings at this rooftop lounge; then descend to the ground-floor restaurant for a gourmet array of steak burgers adorned with artisanal cheeses, bacon or mushrooms and an assortment of side dishes, including sweet potato fries.
» 8:45 p.m.
Jazz Standard 116 E. 27th St., btw Lexington Ave. & Park Ave. So., 1.212.576.2232. Grab a table, tap your toes, bob your head and groove to a set of tunes at this jazz club beneath the acclaimed barbecue restaurant Blue Smoke, which regularly hosts top talents, such as Aaron Goldberg, the John Beasley Quintet and the Mingus Big Band.