For food I'd recommend you have a quick look on Chowhound.com really good resource for planning when traveling If you want a burger try the Black Label at the Minetta Tavern A place I always recommend is the Tenement Museum it's a fascinating building that has recreated the conditions immigrents lived in through three different time periods. Also if you have time I'd try to take in a food walking tour, there are various ones with an multi cultural slant that will take in the East Village, china town, Little Italy etc and give great history lessons whilst tasting bits and pieces on the way. Always a fun way to start the trip and help you work out the orientation of all of the neighbourhoods. have a great trip, I'm jealous.