GoMet!, The International Guide to New York City

Meet GOMET

I like to keep things casual- isn’t planning Type A and fussy?

No one wants their holiday constrained by a suffocating schedule, but millions of visitors arrive in New York City with boundless energy but limited or dated information. Whether they are unsure of their options or just overwhelmed, they find themselves trapped on dull tours and long lines, with the best parts of the city just out of reach. Whether you’re looking for one fantastic restaurant, a unique-to-New York shop, or want to customize your entire stay, GOMET has tools to help you plan your own itinerary, map locations and navigate using HopStop. That’s not fussy-that’s freedom.

It’s Also:

An Upgrade: GOMET can’t carry your baggage, but we can suggest what to pack, where to stay, and other at-your-fingertips information to take the pressure off and add value to your visit. At a time when travel is less luxe then ever, who can argue with that?

Potentially Money Saving: Getting caught out can get expensive- buying a coat because you didn’t realize how cold New York can get, paying up to buy tickets to tonight’s show that you only just heard about, eating in touristy spots that are more expensive, and often far less appealing, than many better options. We’d like to help you find better things to do with your money- especially now that it’s more precious than ever.

Travel Happy: Mr. GOMET and I are a lucky pair- despite being rerouted to Cleveland, snowed out in Chicago, six hours of traffic in an ice storm, gritting teeth over an ACL tear in a four day storm in Georgia, and a destination wedding “just outside Paris” that was, in truth, an extra 400 miles away, we have never, ever fought when we’re traveling. We got married, in part, because we get along, but my last nerve- or his, were sometimes saved by just one plaster, perfect cup of coffee, or cozy hotel room when we needed it most. We can help you find those things and, even when all the odds seem stacked against it, just might save the day.

How is content chosen for GOMET?

Comprehensive sources always seem like good value- if you aren’t the one who has to sort out what’s truly worth your time (and if you haven’t been here- how could you decide?). We read guide books- new ones all the time, scroll hundreds of sites and, drum roll, please- we live here. With that it mind:

You’re not interested in everything the city has to offer, and we don’t want to tell you about it. Honestly. Let’s make a deal, then- if you’re ok with focusing on the very best of what’s new and timeless in New York, we’ll avoid writing about dodgy restaurants and rundown hotels.

“The very best”? Well la-di-da. “The best” doesn’t necessarily mean pedigrees and high prices (although it can), but details that make your visit the most special, authentic, and stress free. Being liberated from the lines at the Empire State Building. The bar where your team’s supporters watch the match. A perfect restaurant to plan your business meeting. An excellent club. Where to propose. Cheap, real NY food in a clean place. Walking into a massive department store, knowing your way, and getting a discount. We don’t put you at the mercy of a schedule, but offer the luxury of creating your own.

• We’re into classics, not clichés. On a recent trip to the UK, we scanned airports and shops to see what kind of NYC guidebooks were available. We were surprised to keep finding the same tired titles that paint a dated, outsider’s view of the city. No edge. No heart. No soul. No taste. Just marketing and merchandise at a really bland level. If you live in a popular city we’re sure you’ve snickered at the visitors who work a misguided path from the store you won’t set foot in to the restaurant that’s so-five-years-ago, to the expensive yet so-so show that you can’t recall an actual citizen seeing for at least a decade. (Hey, we didn’t say you openly mocked- just gently, almost silently, giggled, ok?) Corny, hokey things can be enjoyable, but they aren’t exactly the city as we, and millions of New Yorkers, know and love it.

• Which is why we’re breaking up with Carrie. Seriously, we’ve had it. Spit out the Cosmo. Put. The. Overpriced. Shoe. Down. One day (er, maybe the same day we saw the film.) Sex And The City stopped setting trends, namechecking favorite haunts, and making us laugh, to become a broad cartoon of itself: The Shoes and The Silly. We suppose that its creators were afraid that the quirky, cool, less commercial references would confuse non-NY movie audiences, so they took away what made it clever and replaced it with big name brands and labels. We’ve met Sara Jessica Parker and she seems to be a down-to-earth, sweet, deeply talented person who puts her heart into her work, but the film just wasn’t the same quality story about real friends. Post 9/11, the programme gave a much needed lift to our spirits, and the sequel might redeem the franchise, but it’s time for a New New York

• Shopaholic, Label Whore, Fashionista- We don’t think so. When we reach adulthood, everyone earns a few terms that describe who we are. Hopefully they are words we’d be proud to be associated with, like University Graduate, or Beloved Spouse, or Knockout Awesome Cook, but the three we’ve listed in bold here are not. We love fashion, but, to us, these words describe people who are its victims, not its masters. We love a bargain, but we come from families with tailors and buyers who taught us the difference between gimmicks and greatness- whether it means passing up a high end designer’s low-cost line because it is cheaply made or an expensive trend that isn’t really as good as a High Street basic. So you might be surprised to see a cool reception to sample sales, shops, or items that you’ve heard are must go/shop/buy priorities during your visit. We’ve usually experienced these things first hand and, when we can, we’ll explain why we weren’t impressed. We’ll always try to offer alternatives where you can find a better product or the same thing for less bother and a better price.

• May the best man, woman, restaurant, jacket, sandwich, bowling alley, suit, club, or cocktail win. We are certainly aware of the common “advertising pays for editorial” business model, but are always dismayed when the former completely contradicts the latter. Fashion magazines that push tacky merchandise in their back pages. Publications that beg readers to stop fad diets, embrace healthy living, and understand why fads and quack products have a place in their adspace. This irony is even more obvious in the world of web publishing, where a writer might suggest something in print and, right beside that, advertise something she would never recommend.

GOMET aims to take a different approach. We suggest things because:

The subject has been visited/tried and enjoyed by Mr. GOMET or myself.

Ideally, we aim to test as much as possible first hand, and most reviews are based

on prior experience.

We see a product or learn about something that is so hot, helpful, or, through

the grapevine, well reviewed, we feel it should be mentioned and included.

Regarding Advertising: We’ve started with a UK-based Amazon.co.uk store

because that offers a major portion of our audience access to practical items that could be an asset when they travel and DVDs, books, music, and other items that is, on its own, a cultural tour of New York City. We invite advertisement from companies that support our goals to bring you the best. I you are interested in advertising, contact us at editor@gomet.co.uk. We are not paid to write our articles for companies. You can send press kits to:

www.gomet.co.uk

Editorial Dept.

25 Old Kings Highway North

Suite 13, #302

Darien, Ct 06820

Or

editor@gomet.co.uk

Er, who is the editor? GOMET was created to help people visiting New York City plan a less stressful, quality visit. The website isn’t a springboard to launch ourselves into the public spotlight, but here are some facts that should give you an idea of who we are and how we see our city;

I was born in The Bronx and raised by parents who were initially fairly bohemian and transitioned into something more conventional when my father joined the New York City Fire Department. We lived in an Italian neighborhood and our own household combined my father’s Italian ancestry and my mother’s Eastern European and French family background. It was also not far from a place essential to the beginning of hip-hop music, my beloved Bronx Zoo, and the Irish neighborhood with the artsy pub that became my favourite hangout. Growing up in a place that many people, unfortunately, mock and look down on often obliged me to defend The Bronx, which I generally did by listing its more impressive assets. This was how, at an early age, I became interested in learning about the history of New York City in general

I’ve spent most of my life living in and around New York City, seeing the city from different points of view: as a child with parents eager to show me all they could, a questioning, music-mad adolescent, a visiting university student on school trips, enrolled at NYU’s film school and touring the city on a strict budget, during and post-studies waitress, a professional in the arts, a corporate wife, cooking enthusiast, and (3) dog owner.

Visiting my father at work meant, over the years, a rare tour of many fire houses and, later, owning a production company provided a different kind of inside look- film screenings, premieres, and interviews with actors and directors during press junkets and location events. Having the chance to sit down and speak with the likes of Kirk Douglas, Dame Judi Dench, Denzel Washington, Renee Zellweger, Johnny Depp, Heath Ledger, Jennifer Connelly, Chris Rock, and Danny Boyle helped hone my skills as a journalist and was part of the inspiration to the create this site. Even if you aren’t planning a visit to New York, we think our interviews and videos, exclusive to our site and You Tube channel, EditoratGomet, are something everyone should enjoy.

Mr. GOMET, is from England, and moved to New York City over a decade ago to work for a European company’s Manhattan office. When people ask us where we met, I try to assure them that lightning probably doesn’t strike twice in a dive bar on East Houston street- his friends brought him there, my friend brought me, and we think we used up all the potential for legitimate romance that place could ever have. When we met, the city became the stage for our courtship and I saw it through his eyes as a foreigner, businessman, wine enthusiast, athlete, modest, but believe me, snappy dresser, half Indian curry craver, half Chinese dim sum connoisseur, and dog owner (3, now we share them). Our very diverse experiences apart and together have created an always-growing database of favorites and practical insight.

How can I plan a visit to New York using GOMET?

We tried to think of all of the practical things that someone would want to know before and during travel- the things that you usually need to look at numerous sites to pull together- weather, packing suggestions, emergency contact numbers, mapping and navigational tools. You can view or print the principle locations in each article through Google Maps, and navigate directions using HopStop.

Then we thought about personal assistants who search for the best hotels, shops, restaurants, and bars, and present their clients with concise reports of the best selections they found. We want you to use GOMET as if it is your personal assistant, browsing the categories and creating your own tour from our featured articles. Expectant or new mums may want to shop for clothing that suits them, get a prenatal massage, or go to a great bar with virgin cocktails so we have a category just for them (Expecting….A Good Time). People with disabilities should be aware of every resource, rule, and innovation that can help them have the most comfortable, enjoyable stay, so they can find all of that under "Abled". Vegetarians, Vegans, Macrobiotics, Raw Food Enthusiasts, and lovers of all that is organic can find their bliss in Easy Being Green. You can build your own tour of the city by choosing “Add To My Guide” which will collect and map your selections. And thus, FREEDOM!

That dog is adorable- tell me more. That dog is Moo. She loves microwaved peas, carrot juice, and Bluegrass music. She is the spokesmodel for the space we’ve created to invite select charities to post an advertisement for free. This can bring attention to their work without taking money from their bottom line- our way of helping great groups survive during tough economic times. The suddenly precarious state of so many nonprofits breaks our heart. Here are some of our favourites.

www.littleshelter.org An animal rescue in Huntingdon, Long Island New York

www.HOTlabrescue.org A Labrador Rescue in Austin, Texas. The care and consideration that they give to their rescues is fantastic.

www.aspca.org Since 1866 this organization, which was the first humane society in North America, has provided care, education, and legislative influence to animals.

www.savethemanatee.org If a peaceful creature who spends its life falling asleep while eating roughage can survive for thousands of years, it must know something that we, and the toughest predators, don’t.

www.nsalamerica.org North Shore Animal League- Saving dogs and cats in New York and beyond since 1944

www.janegoodall.org For her work and because, despite being barraged with a thousand WAGs and pop tart contenders, she shows us grace, beauty, and wisdom that endures.

www.ahscares.org Associated Humane Societies rescue dogs and cats in New Jersey

www.bestfriends.org A rescue for domestic, wild, and livestock animals in Utah.

If you are a charity or foundation that would like to be considered for our free space, please contact us at editor@gomet.co.uk

Moo also symbolizes our commitment to, whenever possible, featuring products that are organic and natural, free of animal testing, and always fur-free. Except, of course, if she’s wearing her own fluffy coat to pose a bit more. Other creatures you may find featured on the site are her oversized, leonine, snuggly sister Tequila and their brother, Pete, a three-legged dog who, from a certain angle, resembles fellow Liverpool supporter, Daniel Craig.

How do I sign up for GOMET?

When you register, you’ll be asked for your name, residential and email addresses, username and password. If you like, you can also tick a box to receive our newsletter. We also include this information in our Legal/Privacy section, but it feels like the right time to say it again: we do not share or sell your information with anyone else. We’ll happily dish about the best in NYC, but when it comes to your particulars, expect nothing but hush-hush.

What are the benefits?

First, we’ll thank you, because we really value your interest and support. Anyone can browse our articles, but registered GOMET members are the only ones who can receive our newsletter and use our Guide Building function.

If you enjoy an article that features the “Add To My Guide” button at the bottom of the page, you can add that to your own itinerary. Your guide can be printed, consulted on your iphone, and, any way you choose to, used to liberate yourself from someone else’s idea of a tour while everything you’d rather do is just beyond your grasp. The locations that you add to your guide are HopStop enabled, so you can get find out how to reach your destination by public transport, taxi-with approximate fare provided, or on foot. You can also map locations through Google maps.

And as for the Newsletter- you’ll get one of the latest articles appearing on the site delivered straight to your inbox- especially handy for time-sensitive events. No bulk, no badgering. No spam.

I forgot my password- how can I get it back?

Hypnosis? A lengthy excavation of your home to find that so-secret we always lose it place where everything precious ends up? Not to worry- http://gomet.co.uk/passwordreset.php can make it right.

If I have another problem with registration, or question about GOMET, to paraphrase Ray Parker, Jr. whilst he sang “Ghostbusters,” who am I gonna call?

Us. Email us at webmaster@gomet.co.uk. If you hear a voice in your refrigerator say “Zuul,” we’ll have to refer you back to the guys who drive Ecto-1.

I would like to unsubscribe- what do we do?

Do we have to tell you? You’re breaking our hearts. Is the guilt working? Well, all right, you can log into your account (one, sniff, last time…), click your username under the “Welcome” text. This will bring you to your profile. Click “Edit My Profile” and untick the box next to “I would like to receive the GOMET newsletter.” And consider it done. And, because we’re being so easy-going about it, not causing a messy break-up scene, we do hope you keep fond memories and visit again soon.

I heard that you enjoy cooking while playing the original film soundtrack from “Bugsy Malone”- is that true? - Absolutely. Sometimes, to change things up, though it’s Apache by The Sugar Hill Gang. Both songs, an unabashed immersion in the Spandau Ballet catalog, the never not-bizarre One Night In Bangkok can make any dinner taste better.