So, I am idly planning my 40th birthday (which is in 2 years) and am seriously considering a no holds barred trip to New York, with a few meals at some fancy places and some less fancy but awesomely delicious places. Cocktails of course (Death & Co., Pegu, Fort Defiance, etc.) Need recs for good beer bars and hotels and every thing else (food, cocktails, stuff to do that isn't eating and/or drinking) I'm just starting somewhere, first Chowhound, now here.

Thoughts from NYCistas?

The beer bars will be different in two years, given how beer is trending. I've been to Ko, EMP and Le Bern, but if I had two years to save, I'd try to go to Per Se. Read the latest Sifton review of it -- it just seems a category above those three, and worth skipping anywhere else just to try. But that's me. Maybe a sushi place, like the similarly-priced Masa?

ETA: (I wrote this before your edit)

electrical safety question: outlet blew in one bathroom (as in sparks, burning smell, scorch marks). I had to reset the circuit. I'm keeping the lights off in that bathroom until I can have an electrician look. The other bathroom is on the same circuit. Should I keep lights off in that bathroom as well?

If nothing happens when you flip the breaker back on, I'd say you can use the lights in either bathroom, just not the outlet. Anything that makes the breaker trip should be avoided.

I tried to call in to work today because I woke with a migraine and got, "we really need you". So... I spent the day with a migraine (and occasionally lightheaded) 25' up in a lift focusing lights in a dark theatre. I was doing okay until carpenters started spray painting from the catwalks above me. I may have snapped at people a few times today. I find it really irritating that I was still the fastest focuser on the crew.

Per Se. Mos def. (Only one of those is a restaurant.)

I am in awe of the Yoda pumpkin. 'Fraid the Bieber tribute pumpkin won't hold a candle to it. Uh, so to speak.

Despite our colds, we took the kids out tonight for just an hour to see two local houses that do big ol' haunted houses on Halloween. One is decorated like a very busy graveyard with lots of zombies and a big Death lurking in the back. Kids like it a lot but it's a bit scary, so we opted not to go into the haunted house. Then on to the other one, which is more horror movie homage and lots of fun. They were having an open house so we got to explore the inside too. Full on homage to classic Hollywood horror movies in front, Haunted Mansion on the inside (yes Jilli, it really is), and Pirates of the Caribbean in the backyard. Including a replica of the Bayou shack! So amazing.

I am bit unsure what to do about Franny and her cold. Her fever abated, but the sore throat bothered her all day. I kinda want to keep her home, but then she misses out on all the Halloween stuff at school. feh. I'm hoping she feels better tomorrow.

Polgara, this was the barack o'lantern:

Sweet! But that was election year, yes? Did you do pumpkins last year?

Officially staying home. Back to bed.

seriously considering a no holds barred trip to New York

doooooooooo eeeeeeeeeeeet!!!

if I had two years to save, I'd try to go to Per Se

And hell yes to this.

For a big step down from Per So but also pretty darn fancy, the River Cafe in Brooklyn does a really wonderful tasting menu with wine pairings. (Just typing that made my mouth water. WANT MOAR FOIS NAO PLZ.)

The only reason I didn't have Per Se on my original list is that I've been to The French Laundry, but I did really love eating there and would love to re-Keller-fy my life. Plus, by that point, it will have been four years since TFL. Is it as hard to get reservations at Per Se as The French Laundry? (my life, she is so hard.)

Heh, bon, I see your point about everything changing in 2 years. It's possible that I am planning a theoretical NYC trip to take my mind off my inability to plan a very real and hard trip to Scotland for next week. So, whee! Fantasy trip! (though I seriously have been talking about a trip to NYC and birthday dinner at Le Bernardin for a couple years)

Sweet! But that was election year, yes? Did you do pumpkins last year?

Yep. Katie did them. They were cool -- let me see if I can find them.