WVU, I can take you around next time you come to NYC.
NYC is a cultural mecca. I have been to a lot of cities and nothing compares to us. I know that there is going to be some bias but I mean it.
I think the biggest problem is that you are focusing on the wrong things and asking the wrong people. There are locals... and then there are locals like me. A lot of locals are focused on their neighborhood and havent tried enough places to know what is good and what is not. They dont know because they dont know. Sorta like technicians vs pharmacists!
Also, while there is a New york slice... you do not come to NY for pizza. The only thing that makes a slice of pizza a NY slice is nyc tap water.
If I had one weekend in NYC, here is what I would do. (Friday, Sat, and Sunday)
Get a donut at NYC donut plant.
http://doughnutplant.com/
Visit the NYC tenament and take the tour.
http://www.tenement.org/
Get lunch at Congee village
http://www.congeevillagerestaurants.com/ (Be bold, order things that you have never tried!)
After lunch, get gelato nearby at
http://ciaobellagelato.com/ or try lychee ice cream at chinatown ice cream factory.
http://chinatownicecreamfactory.com/. The almond cookie ice cream is good too.
You can either head over to South street seaport, walk over the Brooklyn Bridge, visit the freedom tower, or visit East Village.
http://gonyc.about.com/od/toursbr/gr/eastvillagetour.htm
One of the things that I love about the East village is that there is no generic building and that you can walk from busy streets to youur quiet home a block away.
After, head over to 1849 for 20 cent wings and 7 dollar pitchers happy hour.
http://www.1849nyc.com/
You can end the night there piss drunk,catch an independent movie at the Lincoln Center, visit union square, or do the Empire state building tower night time view.
Saturday:
Queens: (You might want to get a rental car for this one)
For Breakfast, I would start out in Flushing. Go to a dim sum restaruant.
http://www.yelp.com/biz/jade-asian-restaurant-and-caterer-flushing Try some Congee.
After dim sum, get some bubble tea at ten ren.
http://www.tenrenusa.com/index.php?option=com_frontpage&Itemid=71 (They have a flushing location a block away). I recommend mango bubble tea with tapioca.
From there, you can visit Astoria (middle eastern and greek), Elmhurst ( Hispanic), or drive down Northern Blvd (Korean). Check out the Mets Stadium... or drive up to the Bronx and go to the Bronx zoo. I promise our Zoo is not as boring as most other ones.
http://www.bronxzoo.com/
For Dinner, I highly recommend Salt and fat. They start your meal with bacon popcorn instead of bread. Other recommended dish are yellowtail tartare and bacon and foie gras. They also have the best oxtail ever! Dont forget the thai ice tea ice cream for dessert.
http://saltandfatny.com/
If you are traveling with a group... check out Hamh Ji Bach. I promise you it will be the best Korean bbq food ever.
http://www.yelp.com/biz/hahm-ji-bach-flushing. Drink lots of Soju.
On Sunday if you are still up for it... drop by Katz for pastrami sandwich. Be sure to visit the museum of Natural history if you havent done that. That museum will take all day for you to explore. You can also visit the museum of American Finance
http://www.moaf.org/index (they have a pretty cool shop. I got somebody a souvinear of shreaded dollar bills that they really like), or if you are feeling exotic..., museum of sex
www.museumofsex.com/.
We also have a Laduree shop from France that makes awesome macarons! Try it!!!!
http://www.laduree.fr/en/maisons/monde-details Dont forget the rose flavor one.
I have more suggestions if needed. Where to get the most authentic tacos, falafels, greek, italian, middle eastern,thai , tibetian/himalayans, malaysian, viet, Japanese, korean, beer gardens, romanian steak houses, etc food.
We have a LOT of great Japanese ramen places that you wont find else where. Ippudo, etc.
http://www.ippudony.com/. We also have yakitori places
http://kenkanyc.com/. They seve bulls and turkey testicle in an odd but good way. Wash it down with cheap beer.
I have to wake up in a few hours for work... but if you need suggestions on where to eat good for cheap, email me.