We've stopped by Aza, the new Upper East Side tapas bar a couple times and are finding it a terrific addition to the neighborhood.  The space is pretty, the staff is friendly, and the variety of tapas dishes is plentiful. The servings are modest (but inexpensive), so you'll want to order a couple of dishes per person if you want more than just a snack.  Our favorites include the tortilla espanada, the shrimp, and the chicken satay.  Their port-by-the-glass is wonderfully rich and full-bodied - don't miss it!

We also like the Zebu Grill for a taste of Brazilian food (and terrific caipirinhas).  Even better though, is the Argentinian food served at Libertador Parrilla Argentina.  Start off with a plate of empanadas and then don't miss the steak for two with the wonderfully garlicky provenzal fries.  (If you don't want the steak, we found the chicken with mashed potatoes and the homemade ravioli a better choice than the seafood pasta.)

All this put us in the mood for some Spanish culture, so we headed over to Flamenco Hoy by Carlos Saura, presented by Flamenco Futuro and the World Music Institute at the NY City Center.  What a terrific, vibrant performance!

Official Guide to NYC

As a travel guide with lots of tips about what to do and see in New York City, we here at The Insider Travel Guides receive many requests for linking to other NYC sites.  But by far, the site we recommend above all others (in addition to our own) is NYCgo.com, the official web site for NYC & Company, which is New York City’s marketing, tourism and partnership organization.  We like their top 10 lists, their emphasis on what's free, and their planning guides.  Right now, they feature lots of info about Restaurant Week and Chinatown (in preparation for the Chinese New Year).  But most other events and neighborhoods are well covered, too.

Favorite Social Media Tools for Travel

Online guidebooks (like The Insider Travel Guides) and discussions are great for gathering information when you are planning a trip, but when you're on the road, sometime there are other tools that are even more useful.  From Twitter to cellphone postcards, you can find a helpful list of social sites that will help you with your travels by clicking here.