TableXchange, a third-party online site, offers diners a platform on which they can purchase and sell their reservations to top-notch New York City restaurants.  Most reservations go for a price between $15 and $40.  A quick look at the site today shows reservations available for 2 people on Friday at 7:30pm at Union Square Grill available for $25 and for 4 people at Peter Luger Steak House at 8:45pm for $35, among a long list of others.     

Here is how it works:

1. Browse.  You browse the list of restaurants that have reservations available for purchase. 
2. Order.  Log-in and purchase the reservation through a secure checkout.
3. Confirm.  Immediately after purchase, you will receive an email with the name of the original person holding the reservation.  You then call the restaurant to confirm the reservation using the given reservation name. 

While TableXchange allows any average person to enjoy the once-out-of-reach restaurants of New York City, there are a few restaurants are fuming over this new practice of selling reservations.  It seems that certain restaurants (Babbo) want to maintain the exclusivity of the reservation list and have threatened to deny any reservation that is purchased through websites like TableXchange.  As of yet, none have done so, but they probably won’t be too pleased when you show up.    

TableXchange only sells reservations to select restaurants on Friday and Saturday night.  Any other night of the week, you may have to resort to the old trick of slipping a $50 to the maître d’hôtel and hope it works.  As of now, TableXchange serves New York City, The Hamptons, and San Francisco.    

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Post from: The New York City Traveler

Don’t miss the Rose Main Reading Room on the third floor of the library.  This 636-seat room boasts 23-foot long tables with matching oak chairs.  Author Norman Mailer and revolutionary Leon Trotsky, among others, have worked here.  The two iconic marble lion statues located outside the main entrance are the New York Public Library’s mascots.  Originally named Leo Lenox and Leo Astor, the were renamed Patience and Fortitude by former Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia. 

Even if you don’t live in New York City or have a NYPL card, the library can be a worth-while resource.  The Mid-Manhattan Branch has 48 PC’s in their computer commons.  You may sign up for one 45-minute session per day; reservations can be made on the fourth floor.  Free wi-fi is also available in all public areas to those who have their own laptop or wireless-enabled device.         

Location: 455 Fifth Avenue (at 42nd Street) (map) 212-930-0830

Subway: B, D F V to 42nd Street-Bryant Park; 7 to Fifth Avenue

Hours:  Tue and Wed 11 am-7:30pm; Thu-Sat 10am-6pm.  Free tours start at the information desk in Astor Hall (the main lobby) Tue-Sat 11am and 2pm.   

Cost:  free

Photo credit: flickr

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Post from: The New York City Traveler

Last month CBS announced the creation of the "CBS Mobile Zone,"  a wireless high-speed network that enables New Yorkers with Wi-Fi-enabled cell phones, laptops or other devices, to access the Internet for free, and make VOIP calls. 

The "CBS Mobile Zone" is an ad-supported service that directs users to a homepage that includes breaking local and national news, sports highlights, weather reports, and the ability to search for nearby restaurants, shops and entertainment with community reviews.  CBS, in conjunction with MTA, has embedded transmitters in CBS posters in the area as well as in MTA-owned panels located above subway stations.

The Wi-Fi HotZone covers more than 20 city blocks from Times Square to Central Park South and from 6th Avenue to 8th Avenue.  It is scheduled to be 6-month pilot program.

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Post from: The New York City Traveler