I generally don’t do a lot of typical “New York City” activities unless someone comes in from out of town. I have lived here ten years and I still haven’t been out to Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty.
Over the summer I hosted my cousin’s first trip to NYC. She is fourteen and we wanted to do all the touristy stuff we could do in a weekend. One of the main attractions was the Top of the Empire State Building. We were hoping for a really clear day or night, but the weather was not cooperating. She was really excited to see all the lights of the city from the top.
We got there around 8 pm on a Sunday night. The lines were certainly there, but they were not at their worst, since you could see (and walk through) the rows and rows of rope that often herded people through the giant building. I can’t imagine how long the wait would be during a heavy traffic day during peak tourist season. We stood in line for about thirty minutes before we took the first elevator up. You take the first elevator up to about floor 80 something and then they make you take a second elevator the final six flights. I am not really sure why they do this, unless the higher flights can’t handle larger elevators, but it makes the experience that much more exhausting. You think you are there and it turns out you have to wait in yet another line.
Once we made it up both elevators, the crowd on the observation deck was a little overwhelming. Again, we weren’t there at a peak time, but we still had trouble walking around to see all four sides. We were underwhelmed, to say the least and I think it was one of the few disappointments on her trip. It could have been the weather, or the time of day, but NYC did not deliver a stellar experience that night. Next time, I think we may head over to the Top of the Rock and see if the view is better from over there.
Cookshop is one of my favorite restaurants these days. I discovered it less than a year ago, but it quickly became a staple in my weekend breakfast/brunch routine. Here are some of the reasons why it is awesome:
1) The food is AMAZING! Cookshop is following the new local/in season craze which means that their menus change daily and everything they serve is always fresh and the menu always has variety.
2) There is outside seating. During the warmer weather months, it is great to eat outside and Cookshop has a lot of tables available for doing just that.
3) The service is friendly. While we have had to wait for a table during peak times, the wait is always pleasant and the waiters and waitresses are always nice once we sit down to eat.
4) The location is FABULOUS. It is only a block away from the Hi-Line which is a great place to walk off your delish meal and that extra slice of banana bread you shouldn’t have eaten (seriously, try the banana bread here, it is to die for!)
This is a fabulous restaurant and I can’t wait to come up with more reasons to eat here.
We had an unbelievably beautiful August here in New York City. I was shocked that I did not have to turn on my air conditioning once throughout the month. The weather here was so perfect that all I wanted to do was be outside. There is no better place to be outside in the City than in Central Park.
The weather encouraged me to pick up my fitness routine, especially my running. I decided to train for a half marathon a few months ago and I have slowly been increasing the time I run. It has been incredibly pleasant and I can only hope the weather holds for a few more months.
My favorite place to run these days is the Reservoir. It is a largish body of water in the middle of the park that is surrounded with a dirt track. The entire track is flat (hills are really challenging for me and I am still avoiding them when I can). Also, bikers, skateboarders, and cars are not allowed, so the only traffic you have to contend with is foot traffic and the occasional stroller. The reservoir only has a couple of entry and exit points, so you are less tempted to finish early. The entire loop is 1.6 miles, but don’t be surprised if you want to go a second time around after you run it once. The view is spectacular and picturesque. If running the reservoir on a gorgeous fall day doesn’t make you love running and New York then you should probably think of trying a different sport!
Yesterday morning I was walking home from brunch when I passed a group of people sitting outside of what used to be the Barnes and Noble across from Lincoln Center. I should start by saying that I was a HUGE fan of that particular B & N and I was very sad to see it go. From the signs I had passed I had gathered that Manhattan’s most famous discount store, Century 21, would be going into that space this fall. As I approached the corner I gathered that today the store might be open.
Like most New Yorkers, I walk around the city with a list in my head of things I need to buy. Right now this list includes an umbrella, bread, and a pair of TOMS shoes. Earlier this week a pair of jeans was also on this list. I decided to try out the new store and see if it came close to living up to B & N standards.
I quickly learned that this was a “sneak peek” of the store and that the grand opening is not until Wednesday. I am not sure what the “GRAND OPENING” will mean: maybe added discounts or balloons? But the store seemed pretty open and available to me. Because I got there early I was able to wander around freely without crowds or the crazy mess of clothes on the floor (which I have encountered several times at the Century 21 by the courts). All in all it was an delightful shopping experience. I managed to get three tops, a pair of work out pants, and that pair of jeans I had needed all for under $100. Although I will always prefer a bookstore, I have to say, well done, Century 21.
The main character in Open City is a Nigerian psychologist who lives and works in New York City. This doctor takes a back seat to the author’s description of the places he visits around New York, however. The doctor loves to walk the streets of the city at all times of day and night. Through these walks, the reader gets to read some amazing descriptions of this wonderful place.
The author’s descriptions of the city were my favorite parts of the book. Here is a delicious example: “Each neighborhood of the city appeared to be made of a different substance, each seemed to have a different air pressure, a different psychic weight: the bright lights and shuttered shops, the housing projects and luxury hotels, the fire escapes and city parks.”
I thought this was a great visual image of the many different aspects of New York. Ultimately, Teju Cole’s book was not a thrilling page-turner. Instead, it often made me feel as if I was on a long walk with the author and the main character, reading about snippets of New York that I had seen and some that I was still seeking out.
Milk and Honey is part of that oh-so-hip trend in bars that is sweeping New York City and one of my new favorite drinking holes (and not just because I have recently become obsessed with the 1930s. It is a speakeasy right in the middle of downtown Manhattan.
Getting in is the first obstacle. This place wants to be so cool, that you can’t just stroll in. Reservations must be made. It is hard to make reservations, however, when the phone number is unlisted. Instead, you must email the proprietors of Milk and Honey and request to visit their establishment. They take reservations 30 days in advance. Once you get a response on this matter, you will be asked to call the day that you are coming in to confirm your reservation. After that, show up on time, and you are in.
I know it seems like a lot of work just to have a few drinks, but trust me, these drinks are worth it. There is no drink menu at M & H and don’t expect to drink anything that wasn’t around during the prohibition (i.e. no vodka). Otherwise, tell the excellent and incredibly friendly waiter what you are in the mood for (sweet, tangy, salty, fruity, whiskey, gin, champagne) and the bartender will craft a delish drink set to those requests.
The atmosphere is dark and cozy and there is hardly any talking among the tables so be sure you can make conversation with the people you bring in with you. This is not a place to act loud and obnoxious and hit on the person next to you. Instead, come here when you want to have good drinks and conversation with people you already know. Bring cash and plan to spend some money (drinks are $16) but know that the price is totally worth it.
