NYC: A Mini-Trip Report

Old Feb 29th, 2016, 01:39 PM
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NYC: A Mini-Trip Report

I live in CT, about 45 minutes from midtown Manhattan by train so go into the city 2 or 3 times a month for opera or an NYC fix. My brother has a co-op at 83rd & Lex which he usually rents, but it's empty so he offered it to me when I go into the city. Woohoo!! (he's a good brother.) I had a meeting on Friday and then the opera on Saturday, so that was a perfect time to accept his offer. Even though I was only there for 3 nights, I've provided a mini-trip report in case it's helpful to someone.

Thursday night: arrived in Grand Central about 5:30 and took the bus up 3rd Ave. I like buses versus subways when I'm not in a hurry since I can look out the windows. Found the apt (a 2nd floor walk up) and explored my new digs. Explored is a bit exaggerated, since it's two rooms plus the bathroom but still an exploration. The bedroom is small but fine and the living room had kitchen tucked in the corner - a fridge (not full size, but bigger than an under the counter version and a narrow oven, plus microwave). Brick wall, two tall windows and wood floor. Fine for me.

One of the many great things about NYC is that there are Duane Reade drugstores practically every block and these drug stores sell groceries, cleaning supplies, you name and they've got it. Since this is a residential area, there was also a D'Agostinos grocery store on the corner so I went out to get some cleaning supplies, soda & pretzels. Someone had recommended Mimi's pizza as "great", so I stopped there first to order my sausage pie and then did my shopping. It was literally half a block from the apt's front door so easy to walk (even balancing a pizza) but I realized that in NYC, most people probably have things delivered as second nature. It never occurred to me but I can see the value, especially for large shopping orders or when it's cold, rainy or stiflingly hot.

Friday: I had a meeting near Grand Central, so took the subway from 86th and Lex - so fast and even got a seat. Meeting ended at 1:00 and the out of towners I was with were taking the train back, so I joined them for lunch at Juniors in Grand Central. Wouldn't have been my choice, but they were calling the shots. Had a pastrami sandwich which I haven't had in years - pretty darn tasty! Since I was on my own by 2:30, I decided to go to the Fashion Institute of Technology Museum (27th and 7th) since both their exhibits sounded interesting. Took the bus and detoured to Brooklyn Bagels on 24th and 8th. I discovered them last year when I did a staycation in Chelsea for 4 days. I know that bagels are a hot topic of debate in NYC (like pizza) and each place has their devotees. I liked their toasted coconut bagels (sounds awful but they really struck a chord with me), so bought two for the weekend and some of their spreads. Walked the few blocks to FIT. One exhibit was about Denim, the history and relationship to fashion. The other was Fairy Tale Fashion, relating various high fashion clothing back to fairy tales. Their exhibitions are always very well curated, with great explanations, dramatic lighting and make me think about clothing differently - and there's no charge!

I enjoyed those but was getting tired so decided to take the subway home (bus to 23rd and then the subway). Got a seat but the cars were jammed to the gills since it was about 5:30-6:00. Back at the apt, I re-heated leftover pizza and relaxed. Very content to do that.

Saturday: Beautiful, sunny but a chilly 36 degrees. Bundled up and decided to explore the area, just walking up and down the avenues and side streets. Remembered that someone in a Fodor's posting had recommended a nearby bakery, Two Little Red Hens, so why not? That would be my objective. I love walking in NYC and looking at the buildings; intrigued by the mix of old, renovated, modern and decrepit. Always looking up, to see building ornamentation above the first floor. Although these are residential areas, there are plenty of small shops & restaurants to window shop. Walking over to 2nd Avenue, I saw all the construction for the new subway; I've read about the disruptions to the local stores and residents and could really see it. It would be awful to be home during the day and hearing that construction (jack hammers, etc.) all day long; plus, even though there's a lot of signage saying "Yes, we're open", I'm sure businesses are suffering. On the other hand, once the subway is completed, it will open the area to more residents so there will be an influx of money at that point.

Anyway, Two Little Red Hens is a gem. Tiny place, with large display cases of cakes, pies and cupcakes. I can see the baker in the back mixing dough, so am feeling confident. I went crazy and got a slice of cherry pie, slice of chocolate pecan pie, piece of pecan crumb coffee cake and a mini-chocolate peanut butter cupcake. It's hard to find truly good quality baked goods so this was my treat. My bag was heavy so I decided to walk back to the apt and leave my goodies there. Took a different route back, with different things to see. Kept walking a 8-10 block area. The opera started at 12:30, so eventually I took a bus across the park and walked to Lincoln Center. On other visits there, I've noticed a nice, uncrowded restaurant in David Geffen Hall (not the Opera House) so that was my goal for an early lunch. Had a nice table by the window and watched the world go by. The menu is a bit limited but a short rib hamburger w/cheese & bacon sounded very appealing. (The ladies next to me got a lobster roll and two of them got the mac & cheese w/bacon.) Service wasn't rushed, so I relaxed and enjoyed a very tasty burger (actually cooked medium, the way I ordered it - many place ask you, and then cook it until it's grey).

The opera was Manon Lescaut and didn't grab me, but that's OK. I usually go to 6 or 7 operas a season and have always been impressed by the avid, courteous opera goers (no whispering, limited coughing, etc.) This time, I kept hearing a rustling noise off to my left that sounded suspiciously like someone fishing around in a grocery bag. At the end of Act 1, I saw a senior couple take foil wrapped sandwiches out of a tote bag and baggies of grapes & cookies to eat at their seats!! Don't know what the sandwiches were, but they were quite pungent. I found an usher and asked him to talk to the couple; he went over to them right away but had to tell them 3 times to put their food away and that food is not allowed in the theater.

After the opera, walked across town through the park - tons of kids, cyclists and walkers. Looks great to see things getting ready to bloom. For dinner, I decided to have dessert and thoroughly enjoyed my cherry pie and mini-cupcake.

Sunday: went to the Metropolitan Museum and gave them a $10 donation (versus the suggested $25 donation) which they accepted without a murmur. Went to one exhibit, Artistic Furniture of the Gilded Age which was great and uncrowded. Then walked back to apt, packed up and took the train home.

"Living" in NYC, even for just a few days, is a hugely different experience than taking the train in for a day. You really get a feeling of what it's like to live there, plus it makes it easier to do little odds and ends of sightseeing that don't seem "important" enough to do in a one-day visit. So, will plan on monthly long-weekends, at least until the dog days of summer!
vickiebypass is offline  
Old Feb 29th, 2016, 04:47 PM
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Good report! You sound like a native new Yorker.
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Old Feb 29th, 2016, 06:12 PM
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vickie… the next time you're here and are in dessert mode…. mit schlag…
check out the Cafe Sabarsky at the Neue Galerie on 86th and 5th. It's like a Viennese (sp?)cafe. You don't need to buy entry to the museum to eat there.
Tho the lines can be long at peak hours.

I was going to splurge and buy a ticket to Manon… than goodness I didn't.
(And Two Little Red Hens is my go to place for B day cakes.)
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Old Feb 29th, 2016, 07:16 PM
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Nice report. Thank you!
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Old Mar 1st, 2016, 11:50 AM
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Gwendolynn - I just got the schedule for the 2016/2017 Metropolitan Opera season and they're doing another production of Manon Lescaut, with Anna Netrebko in the lead. She's so amazing - maybe you can see Manon then!

Santamonica - I'm not a native NY'er (but i'll take it as a compliment!) I grew up CT and developed a love for the city in elementary school & junior high when we went on school field trips to the city. My mother encouraged that and she & I would have NYC adventures (seeing Now Voyager on the big screen at a film retrospective), going to Tavern on the Green, etc. So, I'm not a native but pretty darn close!
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Old Mar 8th, 2016, 05:25 PM
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vickie,

Very nice report. I am glad you had an enjoyable time (and that you are a frequent visitor to NYC).

I always wondered what they considered a Co-op Apartment in that area of Manhattan. Sounds so small that you'd have to go outside to change your mind (bad joke I know).


By the way - just as a point of information to those who have wondered about the Duane Reade drugstores. The name comes from the original store which was (partially still is) located on Broadway between Duane St and Reade St in lower Manhattan. They are the most prolific chain of stores in Manhattan (even more than the fast food places - McDonald's & Burger King). Duane Reade was bought by the Walgreen's Drug chain a few years ago (you may see some Walgreen's branded products on the shelves). Price wise they are no less expensive than the Walgreen's or CVS chains.
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Old Mar 8th, 2016, 05:54 PM
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Thanks for the info about the FIT museum. I am always on the lookout for interesting free museums in NYC like this. The Harpers Bizarre exhibit that just started looks good, I m going to check it out next weekend.
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