I cannot leave one of my favorite cities behind without recommending a few more places to visit. And eat. And shop. And eat. That just won't do. Let me share with you a few more list-worthy locations awaiting your valuable New York tourist time.
A large gap on our NYC To Do List was left by the recent closing of Carnegie Deli (1937-2016), a staple for us while sightseeing and people watching near the upper West side. It was permanently engraved on our NYC list along with our "usual" and once-blogged lunch (irresistibly shareable tuna sandwich and mile-high 5th Avenue Bar pie). I know what you're thinking, "Lou, there are thousands of delis in New York City!" Yes, but Carnegie was special (sentimental) to us, so we needed a replacement.
Mari and I had previously enjoyed a few meals at Ben's Deli in Boca Raton and the Midtown Manhattan location has now earned a spot on our recently revised list. Visit the main site, then select the Manhattan location for more information, including detailed location information and menu (the mushroom barley soup is a favorite and don't get me started on that potato knish!).
bensdeli.com
Here, Mari caught me with what is
left of our antipasto salad and my favorite meatballs at my favorite restaurant, Carmine's in Times Square. Thanks to my favorite photographer for snapping the photo and for sharing the family-style helpings (and rolling me back like a giant meatball to our biblio- philic abode for a power nap).
Our deli lunch followed an awesome, anxiously awaited, but inexplicably priced ($16.45 per adult ticket at the Regal on 42nd Street) Beauty and the Beast movie matinee. When did THAT happen, New Yorkers?! Less expensive than a theater ticket at least, but still shocking to the (out-of-towner) system.
Speaking of theater...
Following our Hamilton disappointment, we were indeed fortunate to arrive in Stella's frozen aftermath in time to make our performance of The Present and witness one of the final performances of Cate Blanchett in her Broadway debut alongside an incredible Richard Roxburgh in the contemporary Chekhov adaptation. Congratulations to one of my cinematic crushes on her first (well-deserved) Tony nomination, announced this past week!
Here, I'm standing in front of the Metropolitan Museum of Art on 5th Avenue. Mari and I couldn't remember the last time we had been to the museum, so we took advantage of a free afternoon to view the recent Seurat's Circus Sideshow exhibition (on view through the end of this month).
You can easily spend a day and get lost in a variety of ancient and modern worlds exploring the Met.
I don't need to recommend one of the world's greatest museums to you, but here are more exhibit details and images.
A large gap on our NYC To Do List was left by the recent closing of Carnegie Deli (1937-2016), a staple for us while sightseeing and people watching near the upper West side. It was permanently engraved on our NYC list along with our "usual" and once-blogged lunch (irresistibly shareable tuna sandwich and mile-high 5th Avenue Bar pie). I know what you're thinking, "Lou, there are thousands of delis in New York City!" Yes, but Carnegie was special (sentimental) to us, so we needed a replacement.
Mari and I had previously enjoyed a few meals at Ben's Deli in Boca Raton and the Midtown Manhattan location has now earned a spot on our recently revised list. Visit the main site, then select the Manhattan location for more information, including detailed location information and menu (the mushroom barley soup is a favorite and don't get me started on that potato knish!).
bensdeli.com
Here, Mari caught me with what is
left of our antipasto salad and my favorite meatballs at my favorite restaurant, Carmine's in Times Square. Thanks to my favorite photographer for snapping the photo and for sharing the family-style helpings (and rolling me back like a giant meatball to our biblio- philic abode for a power nap).
That's a lot of favorites!
Our deli lunch followed an awesome, anxiously awaited, but inexplicably priced ($16.45 per adult ticket at the Regal on 42nd Street) Beauty and the Beast movie matinee. When did THAT happen, New Yorkers?! Less expensive than a theater ticket at least, but still shocking to the (out-of-towner) system.
Speaking of theater...
Following our Hamilton disappointment, we were indeed fortunate to arrive in Stella's frozen aftermath in time to make our performance of The Present and witness one of the final performances of Cate Blanchett in her Broadway debut alongside an incredible Richard Roxburgh in the contemporary Chekhov adaptation. Congratulations to one of my cinematic crushes on her first (well-deserved) Tony nomination, announced this past week!
Here, I'm standing in front of the Metropolitan Museum of Art on 5th Avenue. Mari and I couldn't remember the last time we had been to the museum, so we took advantage of a free afternoon to view the recent Seurat's Circus Sideshow exhibition (on view through the end of this month).You can easily spend a day and get lost in a variety of ancient and modern worlds exploring the Met.
I don't need to recommend one of the world's greatest museums to you, but here are more exhibit details and images.
Finally, what would a visit to NYC be without a slice (or two) of
New York cheesecake?
Our blustery break (with a final snarkily-sarcastic "thank you!" to Stella) lent itself to a few more visits than usual to one of our favorite gastronomic haunts for afternoon alimentary respites, Junior's restaurant. Pictured is our second (maybe third) visit to warm up with some "coffee."
New York cheesecake?
Our blustery break (with a final snarkily-sarcastic "thank you!" to Stella) lent itself to a few more visits than usual to one of our favorite gastronomic haunts for afternoon alimentary respites, Junior's restaurant. Pictured is our second (maybe third) visit to warm up with some "coffee."
To New Yorkers, getting together for "coffee" necessarily involves cheesecake.
On this visit, we had moved on from cheesecake to Lemon Coconut Layer Cake and Strawberry Shortcake. Regardless of the time of day or the weather, be prepared for a bit of a wait because Junior's is perennially popular with tourists and natives alike. You can quickly pick up dessert-to-go at the takeout counter if your cravings know no patience (believe me, I understand), but save that for a nice day on the patio. When you visit the website be sure to select the Times Square location (currently on 45th between Broadway and 8th Avenue) if you want to view the temptalicious menu.
I am feeling a little sentimental as I leave New York again. Although metaphorical, my current departure is still sweet sorrow for this native New Yorker. It's not just the travels, the fleamarketing, nor the delicious delights that I leave behind, but memories both distant and recent. A continuing motif of mine throughout these humble (and often meanderingly parenthetical) ramblings has been to reflect on the beautiful and unyieldingly good nature of humanity I have seen reflected in the faces I have encountered far and wee (with apologies to another favorite, ee cummings) in our fleamarket travels. From vendors and natives and fellow camera-exchanging travelers alike, the hard-working, courageous, compassionate people we encounter near and far make travel worth traveling. Please always remember that if you are hesitant about setting off on your own exploration.
Again, a special thanks to Mari for making my obsessive list making and travel guru services worth every online moment (and every cheesecake bite).
Again, a special thanks to Mari for making my obsessive list making and travel guru services worth every online moment (and every cheesecake bite).
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