Customer Reviews

Savvy in the City: New York City: A "See Jane Go" Guide to City Living

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This book has some really fun, practical ideas for residents new to New York, but they're organized along random, loose lines, with neighborhoods as subsections. Do the authors list video delivery? If they do, would it be in "Treats," "Traumas" or "Tripping"? If it is listed, is it sublisted in my neighborhood? Oh, and where was that description of a store that has every button imaginable--which category and then in which neighborhood? There's no index. The table of contents doesn't offer a clue. Maddening.

Without a doubt - my favorite New York Travelers book that goes so far beyond the usual "tourist" finds. This book is for the unknown and "local" treasures. "Savvy in the City: New York City" a - See Jane Go Guide to City Living by Sheridan Becker and Jayne Young is a wonderful little gem that breaks down those hard to find places by neighborhood and category. Each of those contains :

Eats ... (from the best and greatest - to those small little gems)
Treats ... (from massages to tattoo's)
Traumas... (for when you break your Prada heals)
Treasures ... (those really whims)
Twilight... (all the great clubs)
Tripping ... (for those with adventure on their mind)

You'll find great little sections such as best cheap manicures and diviest pubs. It's all those must haves for young woman in the BIG CITY. Great resource and really user friendly. Loved the whole feel and illustration.

Cheers!

By far the best NY book I've ever read. I'm a native and I found so many hidden treasures such as coffee shops, libraries, and places you'd never think to spot celebrities. Everything that defines NY is in this book, from the Soup Nazi (a la Seinfeld) to picturesque hideouts in Central Park. And everything NY has to offer...personal chefs, where to find a tailor at 3am, $25 massages. Enjoy!

This book, designed for the large-living single woman, is full of light, sisterly descriptions of some of the most indulgent spots in New York. They are lots of fun to read and provoke wild imaginings of frozen hot chocolate and long massages and all the many (expensive) pleasures of this wonderful city. The listings are also useful if you live in the city or are planning a visit--some of the places mentioned are truly great, often underappreciated spots. Each section contains "Not to Miss", a list of the runners-up, also great. And after some listings the authors write "Psst..." and give an insider tip.

The problems are as follows: this book is very clearly written for women in a specific, Sex and the Cityesque niche. Though people outside this niche can certainly benefit from the suggestions, they will find the language (which doesn't go a page without mentioning weight management or how to get your boyfriend to propose) perhaps less amusing. It's also poorly edited, with some spelling and grammatical issues and not-always-excellent writing. Some reviews are too short and say nothing useful (one review for Me Kong, a restaurant, reads, "Innovative yet simple Vietnamese in disappointing portions but at satisfying prices. Probably not chic enough for the terrain, but enjoyable all the same"). There is also the problem, as another reader mentioned, of the organization. The scatterbrained quality makes this book useful only as an idea bank for when fancy strikes, and not as a resource for looking up things you actually need. I worry that this book is not exhaustive, either--where, for instance, is H&H, widely-accepted home of the best bagel in New York? It seems that by reading New York magazine you could get, for a lower cost (or free online), the same sort of reviews as are in this book.

But if you can deal with these things and still want a cute, witty, stylish guide to New York, this book is a good option. Most of all it's fun to read and will provide you with hours of dreamy pleasure. And it would make a great gift!

This is a cute little book that would probably be fun for someone who had recently moved to New York City and was trying to find their way to fun things to do and see. We didn't find it very useful for our very brief visit to the city. The references to fun places to have "girl stuff" done were intriguing, and, as I said, would probably be fun for someone who lived in the city. Overall, for planning a quick visit -- or a first-time visit -- I don't think people would find this book very helpful.

Although I loved this guide and read through it a couple of times, many of the places mentioned were actually closed. On a recent trip to the city, 4 out of the 5 places we tried to find to eat were non existant. I wish they would come out with a new edition, and if they do, I would purchase it.

Just make sure you call ahead if you plan on going anywhere mentioned in this book, to make sure it still exists and hasn't relocated.

I have recently relocated to New York City and could not have made it without this book. I usually pride myself in keeping up with what's happening - but I must admit this book has made my life much much easier with less effort. I am going to Paris in the fall - please tell me they will have one for Paris ssssssoooooonnnnnnnnn? (I have given several away to friends and they love them too.)

Savvy in the City is truly the first guide book I have actually followed! It is easy to use (divided by needs and locations), funny to read, and most of all true to its words.

I was searching for one good book to use for my recent trip to New York (for business) and . . . THANK GOD for Savvy in the city. Instead of taking Zagat's, books on shopping and more, I only had to have this book with me. It looks so cute too that I was not embarrased to pull it out. My friend used it too who I was staying with over the weekend. I wish you had one for Dallas??? I would buy this book for every city! Keep em' coming.

The book is great for the most part. I loved that it had maps in the first few pages and it had some reccomendations I had not seen in other New York books. However, it did not mention as to whether it was cheap, middle of the road or expensive.