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Nothing provokes contemplation of the naked city's eight million stories like being in the middle of Times Square and gazing out on the lights of the city from the 48th floor. Having been whisked up to the top of the Marriott Marquis via a glass elevator that showcases the hotel's modernist design, imbibers are seated at intimate tables beside large glass windows at the city's only revolving restaurant. Moving ever so slightly (enough to notice, but not enough to provoke nausea), one can view the entire skyline over the course of an hour. Certainly there are tourists seeking a place to survey the city, but also a smattering of businesspeople with clients, enamored couples professing love and others just wishing to look past the madness of Times Square to New Jersey and the outer boroughs. A vast buffet awaits those with an appetite, while a bar serves up special martinis by libation legend Dale Degroff and area beers and wines. Sketches printed on the cocktail napkins give a quick rundown of all the buildings in sight for neophytes who crave to know what lies around and beneath. — David S. Hirschman