Love PioPio - one of the great cheap meals you can find in Manhattan. As for the house, it's a whole house, don't know whether it's illegal rental because it's less than 30 days, but I know it's not a scam, as my DS and about 14 friends stayed there for a college reunion in March. They loved it.

Saturday night in Harlem. The house is wonderful. There are eight of us but the house could hold many more. Here's a link.

http://www.harlemjazzandgospelgetaway.com/

We drove up Friday morning and arrived around 3:30 and found a parking space in front of the house, a beautiful brownstone near the corner. The block is very pretty, brownstones, old trees, and pretty curb gardens, close to lenox ave, where the red rooster, sylvia's, and the Lenox lounge are.

We went to sylvia's for a snack, and the Lenox lounge for drinks and to look at the zebra room. DW talked the manager at the red rooster into making us a dinner reservation. I had blackened catfish and black eyed peas which was delicious. Too much wine. Home to bed. Others walked back to the zebra room for the midnight show.

This morning (Saturday) we walked around Marcus gravy park, bought a couple apples from a farmer from west virginia, and headed to the Lincoln center to see War Horse, which was incredible. Very good. Then to the High Line Park which is really cool. Wonderful views, design. The park is an elevated railroad track, rails converted to trails and beautiful plantings. Some of the old rails are still there, some neighboring warehouses are still there, broken window and all. I'm not doing it justice.

Then dinner at The Faro, a little Spanish restaurant in the west village. Then home and to my report.

Tomorrow i'll try to do more of your suggestions. Maybe get to 110th street for church, music, and food. We're having fun.

Btw War Horse is about, among other things, cavalry horses in wwI when tanks and barbed wire made life very difficult for the cavalry. Horse puppets. Theater in NewYork is pretty good. The subway is filled with interesting people able to figure out when to fill the metro card or buy a single fare when the machine says your card has insufficient funds but you got $3.50 on it and you run the card through the turnstile and it says the fare is $2.25. So why wasn't $3.50 enough? Did I explain this clearly?

We're home again. Yesterday, after breakfast of egg and leftover chicken and rice from Faro, we walked to St. John the Divine which has a very beautiful round blue window and sits on top of a hill on west 110th street. Then, further per your guidance, we went to eat lunch at Miss Mamie's which was nearby and terrific. The two of us had gumbo and cornbread, fried chicken and waffles.

Then a walk in central park, and a visit to the Natural History Museum where we got in free because it was after 4:30 and saw many displays of animals and cave men and women without clothing and bought a little red frog.

Then our friend from Half Moon Bay in Croton on Hudson joined us for appetizers and then dinner at Havana Central, at Broadway and 113th where DW and I danced to a band whilst we waited for a table. Then home again.

This morning we drove back to dc, watching some Curb Your Enthusiasm and Volver on the van video system which was pretty much fun. We stopped to eat at the new Delaware House which is nicer than most turnpike places.

If you have eight or more friends I would recommend gathering them together and renting this beautiful house in Harlem. We had a great time. Thanks again for suggestions.

marcus garvey park.

Sorry for my previous inquiry. I was afraid you might be renting a non legal rental. It was nice to read your report. We too love to visit St. John the Divine. Next time The Cloisters perhaps?

Sounds like a great time! Glad you enjoyed it.

LOVE your writing style - as usual :-)

Topping

Here's a little article about Red Rooster -

http://gardenandgun.com/blog/qa-chef-marcus-samuelsson

"The" Faro - the name is <b>El</b> Faro, and yes a great little hideaway that's been around for years. We love it mid-day when they serve after the usual lunch hours when other restaurants close.

Thanks for more info on Red Rooster and El Faro!

Sandi, you'll find this funny - there is a major road here that goes all the way from Northern California to southern California - it's the route that Father Serra took - the "mission trail". The name of the road is "El Camino Real". I cannot tell you how many people refer to it as "<I>The</i> El Camino"!

Topping for trip planning