arod, ohmygod, how cute do you both look. I feel old. Jeremy you are doing well, scoff some Vitamin C and heaps of cold medicine to get you in top form. We are counting on you. Can't believe I am also going over to NYC next week - not quite the exciting trip you have planned though.!!!

Hi Jeremy,

Very excited for your plans. As you are staying at the W Union Square (great choice BTW) there is a new restaurant in another just renoved hotel on 29th/Madison. The restaurant is called "Country". The hotel/restaurant also has some great areas for having a drink. Decor is very hip/swank but luxurious. Oh also, the food is excellent.

If you are heading to the Meatpacking District, have a drink atop the Gansevoort Hotel, beautiful views of the river (but not that romantic). In the area there are some places to dine, Matsuri, Morimotos (new), Highline Thai, Vento (okay Italian), the new Del Posto (Mario Batali's restaurant).

If you head to Tribeca, you can always have a drink/dinner at Megu, an over the top Japanese restaurant. Bouley has a more casual restaurant across the street that doesn't take reservations. Also, new in the area, designed as a an Austrian cafe is Blau Gans on Duane Street. It is a great place for delicious pastries, excellent coffee, and a nice Austrian breakfast.

Congratulations, it will be wonderful. Also, there is a castle in Central Park near the Shakespeare Theater. Nice views of Central Park as well as a charming little pond.

I also wanted to add, keep the reservation at Daniel! It will be a memorable experience, and you have the reservation!! Just make sure that when they seat you, you are not relegated to the outside perimeter tables (on another level) and you are seated on the main floor. (just ask nicely and they will change your table if this happens) If you want to keep up the swank factor, head to the Carlyle Hotel and have a drink at the Bemelmen's Bar (sp?). They have romantic live music on the weekends, usually a trio.

If you want to have a drink with a view, you can also head up to the bar the Peninsula Hotel on 55th/5th Avenue. You will be smack in the middle of the city.

The cold is better today....took the afternoon off an watched a few movies, feel about 80% today.

The restaurants and lodging are complete....totally committed to those. The drink spots recommended have all been great and I am narrowing down the actual "pop the question" spot.

Megan (my girlfriend) and I always have the most fun just the two of us, but over the past 10 days it has NEVER been better in our 2+ years together. Not sure if she can sense it, or if it's just me, but regardless, I like it!

I think being engaged/married to this woman is going to suit me very very well!

Thanks again for your help....I promise you will hear from me when I return (and most certainly again before I leave). She doesn't even think I am taking off Friday from work yet as she has lunch planned with a friend. Which is perfect, as this is a friend i can call last minute and give her the scoop. So, at the very least, the start of this trip will be shocking.

Jeremy

Can Megan's friend keep a secret? If so, maybe you can involve her. Have Megan's friend take her out while you pack Megan's bag before your departure time. When Megan returns, you can surprise her with the trip, and having the bag packed is a really nice touch.

I believe that Jeremy said that a friend was packing the bag. (Which is a good idea - a friend's fiance packed her bag for a similar trip, and he was so overwhelmed that he threw in old formal dresses from college!) One more plot to get the friend involved with... Is there any way she can meet Megan the day before for a manicure? (She can always say that she has a gift certificate that she needs to use up, so Megan has to come with her, etc.) I live in fear of being proposed to when my nails are scraggly, claw-like, and not diamond-worthy...

(Oh, and speaking of clothes, you know that jackets are required for men at Daniel, right?)

Can't wait to hear how this all turns out!

Yep, her best friend is packing her bag for her so that is taken care of....she really only needs clothes for dinner Friday and her friend has a killer outfit picked out. (I have a jacket for Daniel, no worries there, but thanks for the heads up!). Part of Saturday's surprise is buying outfits together for Saturday night at Budakkan so her friend won't need to worry too much about packing. I just ordered the Sedan to the train station on Friday. I'm not even going to get her out of bed Friday morning and she will just think I am leaving for work.

Question for my fodor's posse....what do you all think about me having the W hotel pack us up a picnic lunch for two and taking that to Central Park once we arrive. I could use the site someone posted earlier to pick a location and walk there and have a nice quiet picnic. We are now showing SIXTY-THREE DEGREES for Friday which is pretty nice if you ask me! It's not Arizona, but it's 61 in DC right now and I would easily sit outside and i know she would too.

Okay, maybe that is a stretch, but it would be nice to set our bags down, head downstairs and have a picnic lunch waiting for us to take, whisk off in a cab to central park...I don't know, I think she would really love that!

Jeremy

That sounds wonderful to me! I love a good picnic. And the great thing about Central Park is that it's so big...it's easy to find a place where there aren't too many people around.

Wonderful idea!!

Sounds wonderful! Put some thought into what food/drink will be in the picnic basket...it could be really cool. And might you propose during the picnic? I think that would be a lovely setting for an intimate proposal, and then you can just celebrate, celebrate for the rest of the weekend!

I would definitely propose during the picnic...also, for background, a picnic is very "us." We often pack up a picnic, put my dog in the car, and just drive so it would be very appropriate. It also kind of takes pressure off of what place in Central Park I choose because the picnic and the overall ambiance of the park will provide the setting.

Jeremy

And actually, because it's something that the two of you do frequently, maybe she won't be totally expecting it. If she does have a clue (which you've suggested she does), she may be expecting one of the more "typical" romantic locations- Empire State Building, etc. In addition, she'll probably be very relaxed in that setting. The small element of surprise could in fact make it that much more special!

Yes, perfect!

Parks (especially Central Park)and picnics will be extra special to you both in the future and very easy to replicate "the magical memories" at anniversaries.

BAM! And there you have it! I have scouted some possible covered areas should the weather turn on our picnic. The concierge at the W is sending me some items to choose from tomorrow. I want to take some champagne obviously but I don't really want to get arrested the day i get engaged. I might just have to chance it.

Okay, now my heart is racing. Leaving work in 30 to go home and look at the ring for the tenth time this week!

Jeremy

Help Needed! I am using the link provided by Carol M: http://www.centralpark.com/pages/map-it/maps.html

Where will I be entering the park if I take a cab from the W Union square to the park? I have only entered across the street from the Plaza hotel before (I think that is Central Park West). Any reference point that I can use for the cab driver and to choose my final destination in the park would be apprecaited. Thanks!

Jeremy

I'd suggest going up the WEST side and get out of the cab at Columbus Circle and walk into the park at 59th St. I would not count on it being all that nice though on Friday, since it has been a bit overcast and 63 is not all that warm yet. The nice thing about the park though is that the flowers are JUST starting to appear. I saw some daffodils and crocus on my way home tonight. Also it is dark at 6:30 and you don't want to be walking around the park after dark. How about doing the picnic on Saturday and find a nice restaurant to propose Friday night. Or get some tickets to Lincoln Center and propose at the fountain at LIncoln Center.

Keep up posted as your plans get finalized we can't wait for all the details.

I will be at the park by 3pm as i will be to the hotel by 1pm. Definitely want to do it Friday as I have a few plans already for Saturday....if the weather really ends up being 63 I will be very happy! That is more than nice enough to sit outside for an hour or two, especially somewhere as beautiful as Central Park.

Dammit...some couple that met on the Biggest Loser (the weight loss reality show) just got engaged on a carriage ride in Central Park on Access Hollywood and she was incredibly annoying. Oh well, won't let that tarnish it!

Jeremy-
Perhaps it's been suggested already,
if not, print this post out for her to read later !

Best to You,
R5

Jeremy,

OHMYGOD, have you remembered to ask her DAD ???? you have to do this before you go. Yes you do. Now pick up the phone and dial or whip around to his house. Quick. I know its old fashioned - but hey, at least consider it.
I am so excited for you. I so hope you write in here on Monday because I leave on Monday night (Monday morning your time, and I can't wait for TWO weeks to find out if Megan said yes - which we have all established she would be nuts if she didn't...) but of course she will..

I think the idea of a picnic is beautiful and as you said, you can determine the whole thing. Why would you be arrested ? is that because of the whole paper bag thing in the States ???

Razzle, nice idea to print this out, :-) imagine showing it to your kids..... :-))