Day on the Town in Manhattan
My mother-in-law, "Ma Warina" will be returning home to the Philippines after a six month stay at our place. It was appropriate to show her an unforgettable day in "my New York."
We drove in, a straight sail through the Holland Tunnel (unprecedented!). After struggling to find parking in Greenwich Village, we settled for a garage on the corner of Kenmare Street and Mulberry Street, on the outskirts of Soho and Little Italy. Charlotte was delighted during our stroll down Spring Street to spot retailers like Chanel, Burberry's, D&G, Diesel and Movado. This was a nice substitute for doing the 5th Avenue walk of shame.
After an hour or two of strolling Soho, we hopped on a C train, departing at 42nd Street, Times Square. Needing a bathroom break, we posed as guests at the Westin. The Westin lobby featured dark woods and these large, translucent drapes that blew ever so slightly. Next, we found a delicatessen with table service one block off of Broadway. The food was excellent! We all enjoyed soup, then wraps - Warina and I had the Paris wraps (turkey breast, lettuce, cheese, apples) and Charlotte had a Chicago wrap (roast beef, onion, bacon and more).
After lunch, we proceeded directly to the Majestic Theater for a viewing of Phantom of the Opera. It was the first time for this show for all of us. While waiting outside the theater, we felt cold with the wind blowing down the street and the sunlight hidden away. Inside, the theater looked grand and historic. The seating was very tight with zero legroom (worse than coach seating). We were in the orchestra section under this canopy to the left- the view was good, but there were several scenes where the phantom was high above the stage where we lost sight of the action. It was an excellent show with wonderful costumes, strong musical performances and an interesting plot. We are not ashamed to admit that we didn't completely understand the plot and that all of us enjoyed 5 minute cat naps. We will be renting the movie shortly to fill in the blind spots. My favorite set was the misty lake with the candles; next, the Phantom's dark chambers, and third, the huge staircase for the start of the second set.
We left the theater at about 4:40 and decided to kill some time in Times Square. There was a semi-nude cowboy in the middle of the road taking photos for money. The sidewalks were thick with people. We dropped in the Virgin Megastore, and I was highly pleased by the broad musical selections. I picked up several selections. Next, we struggled to find a cab on Ave of the Americas, but eventually succeeded. Our driver, of some African nationality, was fast and aggressive. We made it to our restaurant in less than 10 minutes. Regrettably, this cozy restaurant in the Village could not accomodate an additional guest, so we had to pick another place. I waited to meet the mystery guest, while the others, including 'joiner' Gregg W., went on to our replacement restaurant, "Alfama", a Portuguese restaurant at 551 Hudson Street (p 212 645 2500).
I retreived the mystery guest Qian (pronounced "Chen") and brought her to Alfama where a cozy table for 5 was waiting for us. The others, all with the exception of Ma Warina who had met Qian, had not seen her in several years. The menu was compact but with delicious selections. Appetizers included pumpkin soup, caldo de verde and octopus. Entrees included grouper, lamb, fancy sardines and filet mignon cooked on a hot stone. Gregg W. and I both enjoyed the filet mignon which comes out raw, but then cooks right in front of you. The benefit of this technique is that you can cook each piece to perfection, and it is hot and delicious for each bite. At some point, Qian leaned in and began cooking pieces of lamb on Gregg W's stone. I enjoyed a medium bodied Portuguese red wine for $8 a glass called Don something that was velvety smooth - I need to research the name of this vintage as I would buy a case.
One culinary anecdote from Alfama - another table ordered a spicy Portuguese sausage. The fumes coming off this sausage hit our lungs like hydrocholoric acid, inducing coughing. Other patrons were also coughing. The windows needed to be opened for 5 minutes. After the windows were closed, there was some residual zestiness to the air, but the effect soon passed. For future diners at Alfama, I dare you to order this sausage!!!
Qian will be graduating from Baruch with a degree in accounting in May/June 2005. She promised to come to the Boro and cook us a genuine Sichuan meal soon.
Next stop was a 10 minute walk to Arthur's Tavern, a cozy little jazz club with a wide variety of patrons, ranging from yuppies to crusty old timers to Coyote Ugly-style bartenders. The jazz trio with a piano lead that we had hoped to see was touring in Seattle, but the replacement group was a trio led by guitar. They were excellent, with the lead guitarist having a cool, smooth style - making it seem easy. The stage area was tiny, and customers sat directly in front of the pen on a countertop. The drummer was in the zone. Beverages included coffee, cranberry juice, Heineken and Corona.
We concluded the evening with delicious desserts and cappucinos at a local venue around the corner from Arthur's. Everything was top shelf, particularly the chocolate souffle and vanilla ice cream. Wow!
At some point during the evening, Gregg W. and I made three separate phone calls to Mike Z. to register our TRIPLE CROWN points. At one point, Mike called back and I heard the sound of a flushing toilet. Crass indeed!
Qian was gracious enough to drive us back to the parking garage in her Lexus. Problem is, we couldn't find it. It took about a 30 minute seach, two rides past the seedy Carousel Club and three calls to the parking garage to locate the garage. The good news- just $18 for the day! We also exited the city easily and without incident. I was home in bed at 12:15 AM!
The best of New York is a delight. We had a great day!!!
We drove in, a straight sail through the Holland Tunnel (unprecedented!). After struggling to find parking in Greenwich Village, we settled for a garage on the corner of Kenmare Street and Mulberry Street, on the outskirts of Soho and Little Italy. Charlotte was delighted during our stroll down Spring Street to spot retailers like Chanel, Burberry's, D&G, Diesel and Movado. This was a nice substitute for doing the 5th Avenue walk of shame.
After an hour or two of strolling Soho, we hopped on a C train, departing at 42nd Street, Times Square. Needing a bathroom break, we posed as guests at the Westin. The Westin lobby featured dark woods and these large, translucent drapes that blew ever so slightly. Next, we found a delicatessen with table service one block off of Broadway. The food was excellent! We all enjoyed soup, then wraps - Warina and I had the Paris wraps (turkey breast, lettuce, cheese, apples) and Charlotte had a Chicago wrap (roast beef, onion, bacon and more).
After lunch, we proceeded directly to the Majestic Theater for a viewing of Phantom of the Opera. It was the first time for this show for all of us. While waiting outside the theater, we felt cold with the wind blowing down the street and the sunlight hidden away. Inside, the theater looked grand and historic. The seating was very tight with zero legroom (worse than coach seating). We were in the orchestra section under this canopy to the left- the view was good, but there were several scenes where the phantom was high above the stage where we lost sight of the action. It was an excellent show with wonderful costumes, strong musical performances and an interesting plot. We are not ashamed to admit that we didn't completely understand the plot and that all of us enjoyed 5 minute cat naps. We will be renting the movie shortly to fill in the blind spots. My favorite set was the misty lake with the candles; next, the Phantom's dark chambers, and third, the huge staircase for the start of the second set.
We left the theater at about 4:40 and decided to kill some time in Times Square. There was a semi-nude cowboy in the middle of the road taking photos for money. The sidewalks were thick with people. We dropped in the Virgin Megastore, and I was highly pleased by the broad musical selections. I picked up several selections. Next, we struggled to find a cab on Ave of the Americas, but eventually succeeded. Our driver, of some African nationality, was fast and aggressive. We made it to our restaurant in less than 10 minutes. Regrettably, this cozy restaurant in the Village could not accomodate an additional guest, so we had to pick another place. I waited to meet the mystery guest, while the others, including 'joiner' Gregg W., went on to our replacement restaurant, "Alfama", a Portuguese restaurant at 551 Hudson Street (p 212 645 2500).
I retreived the mystery guest Qian (pronounced "Chen") and brought her to Alfama where a cozy table for 5 was waiting for us. The others, all with the exception of Ma Warina who had met Qian, had not seen her in several years. The menu was compact but with delicious selections. Appetizers included pumpkin soup, caldo de verde and octopus. Entrees included grouper, lamb, fancy sardines and filet mignon cooked on a hot stone. Gregg W. and I both enjoyed the filet mignon which comes out raw, but then cooks right in front of you. The benefit of this technique is that you can cook each piece to perfection, and it is hot and delicious for each bite. At some point, Qian leaned in and began cooking pieces of lamb on Gregg W's stone. I enjoyed a medium bodied Portuguese red wine for $8 a glass called Don something that was velvety smooth - I need to research the name of this vintage as I would buy a case.
One culinary anecdote from Alfama - another table ordered a spicy Portuguese sausage. The fumes coming off this sausage hit our lungs like hydrocholoric acid, inducing coughing. Other patrons were also coughing. The windows needed to be opened for 5 minutes. After the windows were closed, there was some residual zestiness to the air, but the effect soon passed. For future diners at Alfama, I dare you to order this sausage!!!
Qian will be graduating from Baruch with a degree in accounting in May/June 2005. She promised to come to the Boro and cook us a genuine Sichuan meal soon.
Next stop was a 10 minute walk to Arthur's Tavern, a cozy little jazz club with a wide variety of patrons, ranging from yuppies to crusty old timers to Coyote Ugly-style bartenders. The jazz trio with a piano lead that we had hoped to see was touring in Seattle, but the replacement group was a trio led by guitar. They were excellent, with the lead guitarist having a cool, smooth style - making it seem easy. The stage area was tiny, and customers sat directly in front of the pen on a countertop. The drummer was in the zone. Beverages included coffee, cranberry juice, Heineken and Corona.
We concluded the evening with delicious desserts and cappucinos at a local venue around the corner from Arthur's. Everything was top shelf, particularly the chocolate souffle and vanilla ice cream. Wow!
At some point during the evening, Gregg W. and I made three separate phone calls to Mike Z. to register our TRIPLE CROWN points. At one point, Mike called back and I heard the sound of a flushing toilet. Crass indeed!
Qian was gracious enough to drive us back to the parking garage in her Lexus. Problem is, we couldn't find it. It took about a 30 minute seach, two rides past the seedy Carousel Club and three calls to the parking garage to locate the garage. The good news- just $18 for the day! We also exited the city easily and without incident. I was home in bed at 12:15 AM!
The best of New York is a delight. We had a great day!!!
posted by Gregg_AmbientDJ at 7:29 AM
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