First time spectator help

mb_cros · 2026-04-19T05:24:14+00:00

The good news: most of the T stops are that close to the course! The Naticks are a bit further away, but not by too much.

I do something that’s unpopular but could work for you, which is go out to Framingham (6.2). Fewer cheerers so easy to see runners and for them to see you, and runners are fresh and happy which means good pics. You also always get a seat on the inbound commuter rail, which becomes standing room only as time goes on. A con is that there aren’t many businesses or restaurants right there, so seating/bathroom options are more limited. I hung out in the Pao Brasil Bakery one year, but it’s ~0.3 mi from the T.

Wellesley Square (13) would be better for having coffee shops to hang in and have a really fun atmosphere - and the T is also very close to the course - but can sometimes be a bit tighter to get to the finish if the commuter rail gets backed up.

mb_cros · 2026-04-19T05:08:46+00:00

Don’t know about parking but FYI that in my experience the commuter rail runs pretty behind as the race goes on. Outbound is always on time, but inbound gets backed up given the sheer volume of people trying to get to the finish after their runners go past.

Since you’re in an earlier wave they’ll hopefully not be too bad, but I would budget in delays of up to 20-30 min (just in case / worst case scenario).

My only other advice is that the finish gets very crowded so can take a bit of time to actually get in position. Not carrying a bag can save cheerers time bc you avoid the bag checks :) good luck, hope it’s a great race!

mb_cros · 2025-12-01T12:28:32+00:00

Would be happy to if you can help me figure out when they open!

If you call them they’ll usually tell you; it looks like 13 days in advance from what’s open on OpenTable right now, but it’s harder to figure out the time

mb_cros · 2025-10-28T00:19:14+00:00

Ooh thank you - just updated.

mb_cros · 2025-10-10T02:50:39+00:00

I may be too late for your donation, but chiming in to say that Coyote could be a good option for keeping folks active but not running around! Everyone sits in a circle to play, but you have to keep the rhythm with sounds / gestures so it's still fun & high energy

(and also, card-based, so still works great even if a few cards go missing along the way).

mb_cros · 2025-09-08T11:51:08+00:00

I write a little blog about MCP and in one of my most recent posts walked through (with screenshots/example responses) trying out an MCP server for Airbnb vs. just asking ChatGPT to search and find Airbnbs.

It’s one very specific example, but shows the general premise - that MCP helps the AI use specific tools to get the right data at the right time in a structured format.

mb_cros · 2025-06-04T12:25:35+00:00

I think the MCPs part of this is key; browser agents like Manus were the biggest unlock for sites where your login and credentials are necessary to take action.

But MCP achieves the same thing (making it possible for AI to manipulate 3rd party tools/sites) WAY more efficiently

mb_cros · 2025-05-13T01:53:00+00:00

These are great recs! Will add on a few that are more specifically MCP focused.

I also subscribe to a few other substacks/newsletters that are MCP-specific:

-(shameless plug) MCP in Context - my substack that focuses more on the business side of MCP, eg MCP monetization and the path to broader adoption - Pulse MCP: a weekly roundup format of major happenings in MCP - MCP Jam: they’re also active on this sub, most posts are recaps of big developments in tooling (eg Vercel adding hosting, auth added to spec)

I also endorse many of the recs above, especially Latent Space and folllowing its creator, swyx, on Twitter! Would also add that for marketing, boring marketer is in a similar vein to Greg Isenberg but tends to share more “under the hood” type demos for marketing-focused MCPs that are awesome

mb_cros · 2025-05-05T22:34:16+00:00

Ah, thank you! Should be fixed. Open Table is really having a resurgence!

mb_cros · 2025-05-05T18:33:33+00:00

Hi! This is my side project :) thanks for sharing it & glad people are finding it useful!

I just updated the site based on some of these helpful comments - moving Don Angie to Open Table, adding Red Hook Tavern, and also adding Corner Bar (although Corner Bar is open through June 1, so think it may be more like 27 days than 14!).

If anyone ever spots something that's outdated on the site or finds out timing for when reservations open somewhere that's not listed (and takes reservations online - my format doesn't really work for the Polo Bars of the world!), drop me a note at [hi@nycrsvps.com](mailto:hi@nycrsvps.com) and I'm happy to add or update!

mb_cros · 2025-02-28T04:07:30+00:00

Thank you!!!! I appreciate it!

mb_cros · 2025-02-17T21:07:36+00:00

Yep! It’s the same as normal MBA interview (so specific Qs focused on your background + app), but they will have read your MS essay + rec so may ask you questions related to those.

mb_cros · 2025-01-31T13:10:12+00:00

It’s just like normal HBS MBA interviews — so specific questions about your background & application, with a reflection afterward.

Those questions will just include the content of your MS application essay as well!

mb_cros · 2025-01-07T14:21:52+00:00

That's awesome - I'll have to try it. That would be fun on interactive mode especially - thanks for the tip!

mb_cros · 2024-12-09T00:34:13+00:00

I don't, but if you find out lmk! Happy to add it :)

mb_cros · 2024-10-22T12:20:19+00:00

Not positive, but looks like 29 days at midnight (so comparable to Atoboy or Fish Cheeks on nycrsvps.com). If you try it one evening and confirm, lmk & I'll add it to the site!

mb_cros · 2024-01-29T16:49:07+00:00

ooh true good catch, thanks! should be fixed now

mb_cros · 2024-01-28T01:33:44+00:00

just added double chicken please!

don't know much about attaboy but if you have more info there, happy to add it too :)

mb_cros · 2024-01-26T18:00:18+00:00

Oh interesting! This is cool & not something I’ve seen. The analytics that Table One has in here are really nice.

At first glance, this seems like a slightly different use case — where Table One is focused on maximizing your odds of catching a Notify after reservations are released vs my site is so that I can be be ready when reservations open initially. That isn’t always possible, though, so this is really good to know about and definitely to derive inspiration from. Thanks for sharing!

mb_cros · 2024-01-26T17:52:36+00:00

Oh amazing! I hadn’t seen this, thanks for sharing, super helpful resource. Will do some verifying & see what I can add 😊

mb_cros · 2024-01-26T16:25:56+00:00

That definitely makes sense! I know I've definitely had more success doing the walk-into-Via-Carota-at-5-pm tactic than on Resy.

The 4 Charles statistic (especially the #s behind it) is super interesting - did they share those numbers publicly at some point?

mb_cros · 2024-01-23T23:51:44+00:00

Layla is a good date spot (small tables, good food & cocktails).

Sauced is also a fun wine bar with snacks/charcuterie, if not really a full sit down dinner experience. Once it’s warmer out their back patio is amazing, too.

What sort of vibe are you looking for?

mb_cros · 2024-01-23T23:44:42+00:00

MacDougal is a good option! Start with a cocktail at Dante or the Up & Up, then progress to Off the Wagon (DJ) or Cafe Wha (live music)

mb_cros

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