NYC - Sargent - Sorolla
Sep 13th, 2015, 11:59 AM
#41
Welcome Home! Lovely weather, huh?
Nice report! I'm baffled about the comment by the Amtrak person re the change. My understanding is that you pay the difference between your fare and the new fare. If a senior you would get a senior discount. But what does belonging to their guest rewards porgram have to do with it?
Love the suggestion on the bandaid - we often have trouble keeping chargers in the wall.
Broadway tixs are so expensive --
Nice report! I'm baffled about the comment by the Amtrak person re the change. My understanding is that you pay the difference between your fare and the new fare. If a senior you would get a senior discount. But what does belonging to their guest rewards porgram have to do with it?
Love the suggestion on the bandaid - we often have trouble keeping chargers in the wall.
Broadway tixs are so expensive --
Sep 13th, 2015, 01:40 PM
#43
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Here are a few photos:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/32219995@N07/albums
The bubble lamp was so cool and one of the exhibits at Museum of Art and Design at 2 Columbus Circle. Robert is restaurant on the 9th floor of same.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/32219995@N07/albums
The bubble lamp was so cool and one of the exhibits at Museum of Art and Design at 2 Columbus Circle. Robert is restaurant on the 9th floor of same.
Sep 14th, 2015, 03:26 AM
#45
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Fun report. I thought the Russian Tea Room was very expensive and even more so when I saw the photo. Yikes! That was barely enough for a snack. Great shot of tiny bathroom. Glad you had a great time.
Sep 14th, 2015, 09:50 AM
#46
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Correction: it is the Museum of Arts and Design.
Thanks, welltraveledbrit. I've forgotten the location of your stay but Columbus Circle is nice for metro hub, shopping and watching. Eating also at MAD (to come).
Thanks, dfrostnh also! Despite my suggesting that he was cheap, DH's and my early economical trips made it easier to do some splurging later on. But Tea Room wasn't worth it, IMO.
Day 2, Wednesday, 9/9, 90's and still humid
Breakfast: European Cafe, 7th and W 57th. The #1; 2 eggs, sausage, potatoes, toast and fresh OJ, $10.78. B+
Lunch: La Libertad, 3764 Broadway at 157th, Pupusas; 1 with pork and 1 with red beans, slaw, iced coffee, $13.??. B+
Dinner: Brooklyn Diner, 212 W. 57th St., Turkey dinner, Bellini, 2 Processcos (1 on the house), $79.73 with tip and a pie for the desk clerk. B- because of the price.
Site: Hispanic Society
Hint: FYI, Hispanic Society is not handicapped friendly.
It’s going to be another HHH day. At 9:15, I took a left on W. 58th, crossed 7th Ave. and took another left to Europa Café. I entered through the back door so missed seeing the hostess. One has a choice of sitting and having a server or going to the carry out counter. I did the second and then realized my error. The greeter kindly let me sit at a table.
Because it looks like rain tomorrow, I decided to go to Hispanic Society (HS) today and be in the Met tomorrow for the Sargents. Whether it is nobler to take a taxi or suffer the slings and arrows of a bus; that is the question. I have googled the cost of a private car ($60 looked like the price) and decided to go with a cab. It would be about half according to the route planner ( http://www.taxifarefinder.com/main.php?city=NY ).
So I walked over to 8th Ave. thinking it would be easier for the taxi to go north. It would have worked except taxi driver said it would be waaay faster to take the Parkway (Henry Hudson?) and it was fast except he had to go around a slow block to catch the closest entrance. He let me off at the corner of W. 155th and Broadway. Trip took about 30 minutes and the 159th exit was very convenient.
HS is undergoing a big rehab and I had to do a turn around and enter from the side closer to 156th but not far. Two large lions protect the door and face a pretty courtyard with statues (El Cid being the focus). Around the entire area the walls are inscribed with the names of famous Spanish names in U.S. history.
When I enter, I find a large reception area with a box for a suggested donation of $14 for seniors. I am given a stick-on that makes me legal and when I said that I was on a Sorolla mission was told to take myself toot sweet to see them packing one up in the first large room (I’m going to call it the main gallery). http://www.learn.columbia.edu/hispan...la-tiffany.php The gallery person directing the packing very kindly talked about Tiffany meeting Sorolla and arranging this work. I realize we are standing next to a Goya portrait of the Duchess of Alba. If you go there, notice the nearby figurines. The artist was a woman.
But to the murals. There are 14 and they depict Spanish life as Sorolla saw it at the turn of the 19th century early 20th. If you look at the thumbnail with people in it, you can get an idea of the size of the works. I spent time going in a circle taking shots and admiring. Google ‘sorolla murals hispanic society america’ and poke the underlined words for the thumbnails.
Next I returned to the entry and took the stairs (no lift) to the gallery that was the balcony around the main gallery. I saw a Sargent, some by Velazquez and 3 El Grecos. Good grief. Here’s a nice review: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/barbar...b_7496264.html
In addition to the artwork, in side galleries there were tiles, pottery, furniture and various pieces of hardware. You could see the Arab influence in some of the pottery designs.
Stomach rumbling takes me back to the entry and I ask the greeter about food within walking distance. She directs me almost across Broadway to La Libertad. She suggests trying a pupusa (or 3). So I walk over and pull up to the bar. I order an iced coffee and discuss pupusas with the barkeep. We settle on 2; one with pork and cheese, and one with beans and cheese. They are served with slaw whose dressing has a fermented taste.
The café had better AC than HS! Neither the barkeep nor a workman outside ever visited HS but promise they will.
I cross back to nearest bus stop on Broadway and see that the M4 will be going south so I hop on it after asking if it will pass 58th St. We pass older buildings with outside fire escapes and many signs in Spanish. It isn’t until 135th that the first skyscraper appears. And not too long after the bus takes a left and then a right on to Amsterdam Ave. Then a left and we are riding next to the northern most part of Central Park.
There is a very handsome man with powerful hands on the bus. I think about writing a romance novel as I take surreptitious looks at him. He gets off at the corner of Central Park and 5th Avenue and the bus turns right on 5th. I watch him, standing and talking on his phone. He is telling someone that he has fallen for a fat white haired woman he met on the bus…
We pass the Guggenheim, the Met and everything else on the Museum Mile. And I enjoy watching locals (talking on phones) and tourists (eyes skyward or keeping their families together). I missed 58th St. but got off on 57th and stroll back toward the hotel.
Oh, I saw a gal with short lime green hair. It actually looked great. There was a huge antique store (Metropolitan) and Rare Vintage. A 90% off sale in the window of Cleo & Patek drew me in. 90% off what high price, eh? I got a gorgeous purse for less than $90 and will try to remember to take it to the DC WFD in October!
Back to the room to check emails, bus routes to Eataly, rest and then take a shower that felt wonderful. Around 8, I went out for dinner. Passing the front desk, I ask about something simple but near and desk clerk says Brooklyn Diner would be OK. He also suggested a Russian place at St Mark’s Place and 2nd Ave. I put that in my memory bank for a later day.
Brooklyn Diner ( http://www.brooklyndiner.com/ ) on 57th is a bustling place and I ask for the bar in order to chat with strangers. Barkeep, Julian, is in his 20s. Tall and blonde with a Scandinavian “look” and very slight accent. He is looking for work having just graduated in “business”.
I experienced some sticker shock at the prices for burgers, pastrami and other diner foods here. I ordered a Bellini to soothe my shock and ordered up a turkey dinner. It will have a heavy kugel, broccolini (really good), sweet potatoes and 4 thick slices of turkey. I order a prosecco to go with it. Julian buys me a second (but I am still true to my handsome bus stranger). Turns out he has a Brazilian mother and a German father. He speaks Portugese, German and English fluently. We both think he will have no trouble finding work with those languages.
Back to the room to watch tennis and again, fall asleep before Colbert gets started.
Thanks, welltraveledbrit. I've forgotten the location of your stay but Columbus Circle is nice for metro hub, shopping and watching. Eating also at MAD (to come).
Thanks, dfrostnh also! Despite my suggesting that he was cheap, DH's and my early economical trips made it easier to do some splurging later on. But Tea Room wasn't worth it, IMO.
Day 2, Wednesday, 9/9, 90's and still humid
Breakfast: European Cafe, 7th and W 57th. The #1; 2 eggs, sausage, potatoes, toast and fresh OJ, $10.78. B+
Lunch: La Libertad, 3764 Broadway at 157th, Pupusas; 1 with pork and 1 with red beans, slaw, iced coffee, $13.??. B+
Dinner: Brooklyn Diner, 212 W. 57th St., Turkey dinner, Bellini, 2 Processcos (1 on the house), $79.73 with tip and a pie for the desk clerk. B- because of the price.
Site: Hispanic Society
Hint: FYI, Hispanic Society is not handicapped friendly.
It’s going to be another HHH day. At 9:15, I took a left on W. 58th, crossed 7th Ave. and took another left to Europa Café. I entered through the back door so missed seeing the hostess. One has a choice of sitting and having a server or going to the carry out counter. I did the second and then realized my error. The greeter kindly let me sit at a table.
Because it looks like rain tomorrow, I decided to go to Hispanic Society (HS) today and be in the Met tomorrow for the Sargents. Whether it is nobler to take a taxi or suffer the slings and arrows of a bus; that is the question. I have googled the cost of a private car ($60 looked like the price) and decided to go with a cab. It would be about half according to the route planner ( http://www.taxifarefinder.com/main.php?city=NY ).
So I walked over to 8th Ave. thinking it would be easier for the taxi to go north. It would have worked except taxi driver said it would be waaay faster to take the Parkway (Henry Hudson?) and it was fast except he had to go around a slow block to catch the closest entrance. He let me off at the corner of W. 155th and Broadway. Trip took about 30 minutes and the 159th exit was very convenient.
HS is undergoing a big rehab and I had to do a turn around and enter from the side closer to 156th but not far. Two large lions protect the door and face a pretty courtyard with statues (El Cid being the focus). Around the entire area the walls are inscribed with the names of famous Spanish names in U.S. history.
When I enter, I find a large reception area with a box for a suggested donation of $14 for seniors. I am given a stick-on that makes me legal and when I said that I was on a Sorolla mission was told to take myself toot sweet to see them packing one up in the first large room (I’m going to call it the main gallery). http://www.learn.columbia.edu/hispan...la-tiffany.php The gallery person directing the packing very kindly talked about Tiffany meeting Sorolla and arranging this work. I realize we are standing next to a Goya portrait of the Duchess of Alba. If you go there, notice the nearby figurines. The artist was a woman.
But to the murals. There are 14 and they depict Spanish life as Sorolla saw it at the turn of the 19th century early 20th. If you look at the thumbnail with people in it, you can get an idea of the size of the works. I spent time going in a circle taking shots and admiring. Google ‘sorolla murals hispanic society america’ and poke the underlined words for the thumbnails.
Next I returned to the entry and took the stairs (no lift) to the gallery that was the balcony around the main gallery. I saw a Sargent, some by Velazquez and 3 El Grecos. Good grief. Here’s a nice review: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/barbar...b_7496264.html
In addition to the artwork, in side galleries there were tiles, pottery, furniture and various pieces of hardware. You could see the Arab influence in some of the pottery designs.
Stomach rumbling takes me back to the entry and I ask the greeter about food within walking distance. She directs me almost across Broadway to La Libertad. She suggests trying a pupusa (or 3). So I walk over and pull up to the bar. I order an iced coffee and discuss pupusas with the barkeep. We settle on 2; one with pork and cheese, and one with beans and cheese. They are served with slaw whose dressing has a fermented taste.
The café had better AC than HS! Neither the barkeep nor a workman outside ever visited HS but promise they will.
I cross back to nearest bus stop on Broadway and see that the M4 will be going south so I hop on it after asking if it will pass 58th St. We pass older buildings with outside fire escapes and many signs in Spanish. It isn’t until 135th that the first skyscraper appears. And not too long after the bus takes a left and then a right on to Amsterdam Ave. Then a left and we are riding next to the northern most part of Central Park.
There is a very handsome man with powerful hands on the bus. I think about writing a romance novel as I take surreptitious looks at him. He gets off at the corner of Central Park and 5th Avenue and the bus turns right on 5th. I watch him, standing and talking on his phone. He is telling someone that he has fallen for a fat white haired woman he met on the bus…
We pass the Guggenheim, the Met and everything else on the Museum Mile. And I enjoy watching locals (talking on phones) and tourists (eyes skyward or keeping their families together). I missed 58th St. but got off on 57th and stroll back toward the hotel.
Oh, I saw a gal with short lime green hair. It actually looked great. There was a huge antique store (Metropolitan) and Rare Vintage. A 90% off sale in the window of Cleo & Patek drew me in. 90% off what high price, eh? I got a gorgeous purse for less than $90 and will try to remember to take it to the DC WFD in October!
Back to the room to check emails, bus routes to Eataly, rest and then take a shower that felt wonderful. Around 8, I went out for dinner. Passing the front desk, I ask about something simple but near and desk clerk says Brooklyn Diner would be OK. He also suggested a Russian place at St Mark’s Place and 2nd Ave. I put that in my memory bank for a later day.
Brooklyn Diner ( http://www.brooklyndiner.com/ ) on 57th is a bustling place and I ask for the bar in order to chat with strangers. Barkeep, Julian, is in his 20s. Tall and blonde with a Scandinavian “look” and very slight accent. He is looking for work having just graduated in “business”.
I experienced some sticker shock at the prices for burgers, pastrami and other diner foods here. I ordered a Bellini to soothe my shock and ordered up a turkey dinner. It will have a heavy kugel, broccolini (really good), sweet potatoes and 4 thick slices of turkey. I order a prosecco to go with it. Julian buys me a second (but I am still true to my handsome bus stranger). Turns out he has a Brazilian mother and a German father. He speaks Portugese, German and English fluently. We both think he will have no trouble finding work with those languages.
Back to the room to watch tennis and again, fall asleep before Colbert gets started.
Sep 15th, 2015, 05:12 AM
#47
You were lucky to see Goya's Duchess of Alba, as she's been or will be on loan most of this year. First for the MFA Boston Goya show and now the National Gallery London Goya show. Her story is wonderful. I loved the HS, a hidden gem, hard to get to but worth it, I feel! So glad you got there.
Can't wait to hear your Sargent experience at the Met!
Can't wait to hear your Sargent experience at the Met!
Sep 15th, 2015, 08:37 AM
#48
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Hi amyb. HS doing so much renovating, it's a wonder it's actually open! I was shocked at the famous artists there.
------
Day 3, 9/10, Showers during the day, steady rain in evening.
Breakfast: At Met, croissant, orange brioche, OJ, Cappuccino, $15.75. B
Lunch: Le Pain Quotidien, Cappuccino,feta frittata with tomato and leeks, greens. $19.49. A-
Dinner: Robert at MAD, 2 Columbus Cir., 9th floor. Rioja, duck with cherry/grand marnier reduction, Bombolini*, Cappuccino, $75.67. A- (WOW view, neat setting, great service, one piece of duck not perfect.)
Site/Entertainment: Met for Sargent, Avenue Q
Slept until 8 and decided to eat at the Met at 10 (cafeteria opens at 11 but café at 10 when museum opens).
At 9:37 I was hailing a cab on 6th Ave. and 58th St., and at 9:55 I faced 2 long, long lines of wet folks waiting to get into the Met. BTW, cab took us through Central Park up to around 85th St. to get a right turn onto 5th Ave. that is one-way going south. On the day I was there, there was NO SPECIAL LINE OUTSIDE for those of us who thought we were so smart to get advanced tickets. Please, someone in the know confirm or clarify that.
The advanced ticket line INSIDE was relatively quiet except for the woman who butt in line. I gave her The Look (instead of the tongue lashing she deserved) but I was able to get my audio and turn in the ticket in no time.
At 10:30 I finally found the café. Despite guards directions, I missed the turn and got distracted by some Bonnard’s. Getting to the café early was smart as it was filling up when I left at 11. Nice view of an outside courtyard to my left and a statued indoor one to the right. The food was pretty good. I forgot to say that my croissant was au chocolate and it was almost as I remembered from Paris. I wanted to sample an orange brioche and this one was a tad dry.
But to Sargent. Up big stairs, turn left, turn right and go down looong corridor (with Impressionist work beckoning from rooms on the left), and finally left again. Such a huge facility. There are elevators. The Sargent exhibit was really quite fine. There were 4 or 5 rooms of his works.
The audio had 2 ways of enjoying the artwork: 1 was to punch in the numbers that corresponded to those on some of the paintings; 2 was to punch on “Tour” and more works were described. I did both and walked the exhibit twice. Most I had seen in DC and Boston (old friends, eh?) but there were quite a few from private collections that were new to me. Also, some preliminary sketches and drawings that I found quite interesting.
“Carnation, Lily, Lily Rose” remains at the Tate Britain, but another of 2 children with lilies was there along with some info about the Vickers family (Sargent’s host for these works, I think).
I guess I stayed for 2 hours but really went through the exhibit twice. “Lady in Black” (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portrait_of_Madame_X ) lives at the Met but she didn’t merit a special number (or I missed it). The wiki article doesn’t mention that Sargent originally had one of the straps off her shoulder. The resulting furor over the work hastened Sargent’s planned visit to London. Once there, the women lined up at his studio in droves for portraits.
By now I am hungry again and have raised a blister. This is a very unwelcome surprise as Crocs got me through 5 hours at the Prado with nary a squeak. No more Met for me. Cabbed back PS for band-aids then went to a nearby Pain Quotidien for a nice frittata. Nicely dressed greens on the side.
Back to room to take stock and I called successfully for Avenue Q tickets for tonight. ($95 + or – there were some taxes). I remembered that I wanted to check out the Museum of Arts and Design so I go there. They suggested I come back when there was more time to view the 6 floors, so I looked in the gift shop and then checked out the 9th floor restaurant “Robert.” It is a modernly-decorated space with a great view of Columbus Circle and part of Central Park. I asked the greeter about my chances for an early reservation and she said yes!
So back to the room (maybe a 10-minute walk—not bad) and put on my theatre clothes. A black vee-neck T, a frothy skirt and dress up crocs that look like ballet slippers. It is raining steadily but not heavily. I pass a guy with two Spaniels wearing rubber capes and tiny rubber shows. So cute. Have I said I saw all types of dress? Enough short dresses to think they are a trend. Some fitted, some with A-line skirts. Nice in the heat. AND, some really short shorts on the young women. With heat and then the rain, there was no way I could keep my hair in place, so I didn’t worry about it. Fortunately, I didn’t run into my stranger again. I didn’t want to disappoint him.
Off to dinner and it is excellent. My photo doesn't do the room justice. Nice server who is looking to produce indie movies. The first piece (see photo) of duck was perfect; the second less cooked and had a piece of gristle running through it (tsk tsk). The server offered an alternative but I had eaten what I could to justify dessert! The bombolinis looked like hush puppies but they were wheat-based fluffy balls and very good. *They also sent out 2 sweet cookies and a dish of cinnamon/cookie crumb ice cream as an I’m sorry about the less than perfect duck. I made them promise to tell you I didn’t order all of that dessert.
Off to the New World Stage (NWS). The traffic was so snarled, I just walked the last couple of blocks. Behind NWS is a large patio area. It looked inviting for good weather. The theatre part of NWS is underground (at least we went down escalators to reach the orchestra level). One of the ushers told me that there are many activities going on. See this link if you are interested: http://newworldstages.com/
The orchestra level is maybe 2/3 filled. When I had queried my New Yorker friends about what to see, they all chose “Avenue Q” over “Kinky Boots”. I enjoyed them both but had a difficult time comparing them. Both would get PG ratings (unless cross dressing and F bombs would cause you to move them to R). Q’s use of hand puppets was a very clever device. Some of the parts were sung by the same actor. When that happened, another person simply held the second puppet! I’d say it is a story of finding oneself despite adversity as seen through the eyes an 18 y.o. Very well acted.
Oh boy it is still raining! Few taxis along 50th so I go out to Broadway and walk a few blocks north. Since it is no longer so horribly hot, walking in the rain doesn’t feel too bad. In Hints did I suggest you have a plastic bag for your fold-up umbrella? I did and it was received gratefully in the places that didn’t provide them.
Back “home” by around 10:30. Another good day but I still can't stay awake for Colbert.
------
Day 3, 9/10, Showers during the day, steady rain in evening.
Breakfast: At Met, croissant, orange brioche, OJ, Cappuccino, $15.75. B
Lunch: Le Pain Quotidien, Cappuccino,feta frittata with tomato and leeks, greens. $19.49. A-
Dinner: Robert at MAD, 2 Columbus Cir., 9th floor. Rioja, duck with cherry/grand marnier reduction, Bombolini*, Cappuccino, $75.67. A- (WOW view, neat setting, great service, one piece of duck not perfect.)
Site/Entertainment: Met for Sargent, Avenue Q
Slept until 8 and decided to eat at the Met at 10 (cafeteria opens at 11 but café at 10 when museum opens).
At 9:37 I was hailing a cab on 6th Ave. and 58th St., and at 9:55 I faced 2 long, long lines of wet folks waiting to get into the Met. BTW, cab took us through Central Park up to around 85th St. to get a right turn onto 5th Ave. that is one-way going south. On the day I was there, there was NO SPECIAL LINE OUTSIDE for those of us who thought we were so smart to get advanced tickets. Please, someone in the know confirm or clarify that.
The advanced ticket line INSIDE was relatively quiet except for the woman who butt in line. I gave her The Look (instead of the tongue lashing she deserved) but I was able to get my audio and turn in the ticket in no time.
At 10:30 I finally found the café. Despite guards directions, I missed the turn and got distracted by some Bonnard’s. Getting to the café early was smart as it was filling up when I left at 11. Nice view of an outside courtyard to my left and a statued indoor one to the right. The food was pretty good. I forgot to say that my croissant was au chocolate and it was almost as I remembered from Paris. I wanted to sample an orange brioche and this one was a tad dry.
But to Sargent. Up big stairs, turn left, turn right and go down looong corridor (with Impressionist work beckoning from rooms on the left), and finally left again. Such a huge facility. There are elevators. The Sargent exhibit was really quite fine. There were 4 or 5 rooms of his works.
The audio had 2 ways of enjoying the artwork: 1 was to punch in the numbers that corresponded to those on some of the paintings; 2 was to punch on “Tour” and more works were described. I did both and walked the exhibit twice. Most I had seen in DC and Boston (old friends, eh?) but there were quite a few from private collections that were new to me. Also, some preliminary sketches and drawings that I found quite interesting.
“Carnation, Lily, Lily Rose” remains at the Tate Britain, but another of 2 children with lilies was there along with some info about the Vickers family (Sargent’s host for these works, I think).
I guess I stayed for 2 hours but really went through the exhibit twice. “Lady in Black” (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portrait_of_Madame_X ) lives at the Met but she didn’t merit a special number (or I missed it). The wiki article doesn’t mention that Sargent originally had one of the straps off her shoulder. The resulting furor over the work hastened Sargent’s planned visit to London. Once there, the women lined up at his studio in droves for portraits.
By now I am hungry again and have raised a blister. This is a very unwelcome surprise as Crocs got me through 5 hours at the Prado with nary a squeak. No more Met for me. Cabbed back PS for band-aids then went to a nearby Pain Quotidien for a nice frittata. Nicely dressed greens on the side.
Back to room to take stock and I called successfully for Avenue Q tickets for tonight. ($95 + or – there were some taxes). I remembered that I wanted to check out the Museum of Arts and Design so I go there. They suggested I come back when there was more time to view the 6 floors, so I looked in the gift shop and then checked out the 9th floor restaurant “Robert.” It is a modernly-decorated space with a great view of Columbus Circle and part of Central Park. I asked the greeter about my chances for an early reservation and she said yes!
So back to the room (maybe a 10-minute walk—not bad) and put on my theatre clothes. A black vee-neck T, a frothy skirt and dress up crocs that look like ballet slippers. It is raining steadily but not heavily. I pass a guy with two Spaniels wearing rubber capes and tiny rubber shows. So cute. Have I said I saw all types of dress? Enough short dresses to think they are a trend. Some fitted, some with A-line skirts. Nice in the heat. AND, some really short shorts on the young women. With heat and then the rain, there was no way I could keep my hair in place, so I didn’t worry about it. Fortunately, I didn’t run into my stranger again. I didn’t want to disappoint him.
Off to dinner and it is excellent. My photo doesn't do the room justice. Nice server who is looking to produce indie movies. The first piece (see photo) of duck was perfect; the second less cooked and had a piece of gristle running through it (tsk tsk). The server offered an alternative but I had eaten what I could to justify dessert! The bombolinis looked like hush puppies but they were wheat-based fluffy balls and very good. *They also sent out 2 sweet cookies and a dish of cinnamon/cookie crumb ice cream as an I’m sorry about the less than perfect duck. I made them promise to tell you I didn’t order all of that dessert.
Off to the New World Stage (NWS). The traffic was so snarled, I just walked the last couple of blocks. Behind NWS is a large patio area. It looked inviting for good weather. The theatre part of NWS is underground (at least we went down escalators to reach the orchestra level). One of the ushers told me that there are many activities going on. See this link if you are interested: http://newworldstages.com/
The orchestra level is maybe 2/3 filled. When I had queried my New Yorker friends about what to see, they all chose “Avenue Q” over “Kinky Boots”. I enjoyed them both but had a difficult time comparing them. Both would get PG ratings (unless cross dressing and F bombs would cause you to move them to R). Q’s use of hand puppets was a very clever device. Some of the parts were sung by the same actor. When that happened, another person simply held the second puppet! I’d say it is a story of finding oneself despite adversity as seen through the eyes an 18 y.o. Very well acted.
Oh boy it is still raining! Few taxis along 50th so I go out to Broadway and walk a few blocks north. Since it is no longer so horribly hot, walking in the rain doesn’t feel too bad. In Hints did I suggest you have a plastic bag for your fold-up umbrella? I did and it was received gratefully in the places that didn’t provide them.
Back “home” by around 10:30. Another good day but I still can't stay awake for Colbert.
Sep 17th, 2015, 07:50 AM
#49
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September
11: Awoke to singing of the National Anthem and the reading of the names of those who died 14 years ago. RIP.
Day 4 - More Short
#8232;
It was overcast and cool at first but sunny and 80 in the afternoon.
Breakfast: Petrossian Breakfast, scrambled eggs, smoked salmon rose, bacon, toast points, OJ, Cappuccino, $27.22. A (would have been A+ if cheaper!)
Lunch: Hot dog and water at Columbus Circle, $5. A+ Just right!
Dinner: Loi Estiatorio, 132 W. 58th St., Branzino with greens, Baklava with yoghurt, 2 Xinomavro syrah/cab blend, a brandy (from cute bartender), $76.21. A-/B+ Of interest: Eataly, Museum of Arts and Design
Last full day, a coolish morning, and more food splurges. Entering the Petrossian Café, one passes glass cases of lovely breakfast breads on one side and prepared savories on the other. Perhaps a good place to buy some expensive caviar for your pals? There are only a few tables and chairs up a few steps at the end of the long room.
The smoked salmon was rolled up to make a rose—very pretty. Crusts were cut off white bread and carefully arranged on the plate. I can hear DH now. “$27 for eggs???!!” It was all very tasty.
I took the M104 bus on 7th Ave. and W. 57th after asking if he stopped at 23rd. I settle back for what I knew would be a slow trip to Eataly. Googling didn’t show the M104 going that far—perhaps 9/11 memorial activities changed the route.
At 23rd, I stroll on my way to 5th Avenue. At Brooklyn Roasting Co. (and a wifi sign), I stop for an iced coffee and pit stop. Checked email while watching the world go by. I have been trying to decide who is a tourist and who lives here. Could natives be those walking with purpose and with telephones to ears?
I noticed enough folks with walkers and canes to suspect that a medical facility must be near. And do see one on my way back. There is a gorgeous ornate Home Depot. It looked too new to be real. Do google it—very pretty and big building. If there was a market at Madison Square park, I either missed it or couldn’t see any activity so didn’t walk over.
Eataly façade covered for rehab and Leggo store is right on the corner of 5th. A little confusing as Eataly address is 200 5th Ave. It is mobbed with people eating and gawking. I see another exit so wonder if it empties onto 5th and I’ve entered via the back door. It is stuffed with food, books, kitchen/cooking “stuff” that are close enough to satisfy the fire marshal but almost overwhelming to me. I looked for souvenirs but nothing called out.
Back outside I strolled some more. People coming from Home Depot made me wonder if there are lots of places to live in this area. My back is beginning to ache so I hopped on the M7 (which was mentioned in the bus planner). Another slow trip until after the tourist areas.
The M7 bus has a portable ramp and front seats that fold up for wheel chairs. If you need assistance, do check out the bus service online. My seat mate is going to Columbus Circle so I’ll get out with her and return to the Museum of Arts and Design (MAD). If you find a bus that goes to your destination, in addition to being waaaay cheaper, you may find that almost everyone defers to the busses—even taxis!
It is now sunny and in the 80s. Food trucks encircle Columbus Circle and I stop for a hot dog and water from one. $5 is a huge and welcomed departure, eh? A man is playing drums, there is a metro hub and it looks like good shopping all around.
On to MAD and I start with the resident artists on the 6th and work my way down. Not armed with lots of advance info about this venue, I missed the link here:
http://madmuseum.org/exhibitions
MAD has residency programs for artists and I was lucky enough to speak with 3 of them. One was producing street and building views done in plywood and balsa and lightly colored. Although not to scale, their perspective sends you eye to the distant end. Another artist is making a scale-model of a rotating umbrella that will be very large and will morph the light and colors around you if you stand beneath it. A third makes sculptures out of found objects—painted parts of an egg carton are the top of a tree.
The floors 5 & 4 were galleries and 3 and 2 for particular artist’s exhibits. The bubble-blowing lamp is shown in my photos. The paintings of Richard Estes (http://www.madmuseum.org/exhibition/richard-estes ) are so realistic this digital artist was having a difficult time believing that they weren’t photos. Very interesting.
Another exhibit was the mannequins of Richard Pucci (see link above). Their cleverness made them exhibit-worthy.
I go back to the gift shop and think there are some wonderful pieces of jewelry. None of it cheap but all hand done and pretty, imho. I did buy a booklet about Estes to see if it explains more about his process.
All of a sudden, I am pooped so decide to go back to the room and go to bed. But wait! I am passing an ice cream store called GROM. I buy a salted caramel cone ($5.25) and sit at a table outside. It is delish. A woman with an 8-year old cockapoo waits for her two tweens to return with their ice creams and we chat about her wonderful (“nicer than my children”) pup.
Back to room at 4:30 and I decide to take a nap. I fully expected to awake to a new day but it was only 8:30 and I was hungry. Serena has lost? I will watch the news later to confirm this news. How about something small to eat. I throw back on today’s clothes and take a right on 58th for once.
I had passed Loi the other day and noticed that it served Greek food. DH and I ate our way through a 1985 tour of Greece so passing it again provided more nice memories. Will they let me in?
The greeter is a lovely man who says he doesn’t even have a chair at the bar. “But wait, Madame. Let me see what I can do.” In minutes, a gentleman at the bar gets up, kisses folks on the way out and shakes hands with the greeter. “You’ve kicked him out?” The answer was, "Yes—but never fear, he’ll be back."
Per the advice of the young man on my left, I ordered the Branzino and it was good. A quick look at that day’s “New York Times” revealed an article about the owner of this very restaurant! Because I am taking notes (?), she actually comes by to say hello. I didn’t write down the name of the dessert I chose because I thought I’d find it online (but couldn’t). Anyway they were out of it so I ordered baklava and barkeep gave me a brandy to taste. It didn’t sound like he said Metaxa but it could have been. A good meal and fun time remembering how much fun DH and I had in Greece. http://www.loiestiatorio.com/
Back to the room. Had plenty of time to pack in the a.m. and you can see Day 5 way above. I hope you can take enough trips to NYC (or stay long enough) to take advantage of her incredible gifts.
Day 4 - More Short
#8232;
It was overcast and cool at first but sunny and 80 in the afternoon.
Breakfast: Petrossian Breakfast, scrambled eggs, smoked salmon rose, bacon, toast points, OJ, Cappuccino, $27.22. A (would have been A+ if cheaper!)
Lunch: Hot dog and water at Columbus Circle, $5. A+ Just right!
Dinner: Loi Estiatorio, 132 W. 58th St., Branzino with greens, Baklava with yoghurt, 2 Xinomavro syrah/cab blend, a brandy (from cute bartender), $76.21. A-/B+ Of interest: Eataly, Museum of Arts and Design
Last full day, a coolish morning, and more food splurges. Entering the Petrossian Café, one passes glass cases of lovely breakfast breads on one side and prepared savories on the other. Perhaps a good place to buy some expensive caviar for your pals? There are only a few tables and chairs up a few steps at the end of the long room.
The smoked salmon was rolled up to make a rose—very pretty. Crusts were cut off white bread and carefully arranged on the plate. I can hear DH now. “$27 for eggs???!!” It was all very tasty.
I took the M104 bus on 7th Ave. and W. 57th after asking if he stopped at 23rd. I settle back for what I knew would be a slow trip to Eataly. Googling didn’t show the M104 going that far—perhaps 9/11 memorial activities changed the route.
At 23rd, I stroll on my way to 5th Avenue. At Brooklyn Roasting Co. (and a wifi sign), I stop for an iced coffee and pit stop. Checked email while watching the world go by. I have been trying to decide who is a tourist and who lives here. Could natives be those walking with purpose and with telephones to ears?
I noticed enough folks with walkers and canes to suspect that a medical facility must be near. And do see one on my way back. There is a gorgeous ornate Home Depot. It looked too new to be real. Do google it—very pretty and big building. If there was a market at Madison Square park, I either missed it or couldn’t see any activity so didn’t walk over.
Eataly façade covered for rehab and Leggo store is right on the corner of 5th. A little confusing as Eataly address is 200 5th Ave. It is mobbed with people eating and gawking. I see another exit so wonder if it empties onto 5th and I’ve entered via the back door. It is stuffed with food, books, kitchen/cooking “stuff” that are close enough to satisfy the fire marshal but almost overwhelming to me. I looked for souvenirs but nothing called out.
Back outside I strolled some more. People coming from Home Depot made me wonder if there are lots of places to live in this area. My back is beginning to ache so I hopped on the M7 (which was mentioned in the bus planner). Another slow trip until after the tourist areas.
The M7 bus has a portable ramp and front seats that fold up for wheel chairs. If you need assistance, do check out the bus service online. My seat mate is going to Columbus Circle so I’ll get out with her and return to the Museum of Arts and Design (MAD). If you find a bus that goes to your destination, in addition to being waaaay cheaper, you may find that almost everyone defers to the busses—even taxis!
It is now sunny and in the 80s. Food trucks encircle Columbus Circle and I stop for a hot dog and water from one. $5 is a huge and welcomed departure, eh? A man is playing drums, there is a metro hub and it looks like good shopping all around.
On to MAD and I start with the resident artists on the 6th and work my way down. Not armed with lots of advance info about this venue, I missed the link here:
http://madmuseum.org/exhibitions
MAD has residency programs for artists and I was lucky enough to speak with 3 of them. One was producing street and building views done in plywood and balsa and lightly colored. Although not to scale, their perspective sends you eye to the distant end. Another artist is making a scale-model of a rotating umbrella that will be very large and will morph the light and colors around you if you stand beneath it. A third makes sculptures out of found objects—painted parts of an egg carton are the top of a tree.
The floors 5 & 4 were galleries and 3 and 2 for particular artist’s exhibits. The bubble-blowing lamp is shown in my photos. The paintings of Richard Estes (http://www.madmuseum.org/exhibition/richard-estes ) are so realistic this digital artist was having a difficult time believing that they weren’t photos. Very interesting.
Another exhibit was the mannequins of Richard Pucci (see link above). Their cleverness made them exhibit-worthy.
I go back to the gift shop and think there are some wonderful pieces of jewelry. None of it cheap but all hand done and pretty, imho. I did buy a booklet about Estes to see if it explains more about his process.
All of a sudden, I am pooped so decide to go back to the room and go to bed. But wait! I am passing an ice cream store called GROM. I buy a salted caramel cone ($5.25) and sit at a table outside. It is delish. A woman with an 8-year old cockapoo waits for her two tweens to return with their ice creams and we chat about her wonderful (“nicer than my children”) pup.
Back to room at 4:30 and I decide to take a nap. I fully expected to awake to a new day but it was only 8:30 and I was hungry. Serena has lost? I will watch the news later to confirm this news. How about something small to eat. I throw back on today’s clothes and take a right on 58th for once.
I had passed Loi the other day and noticed that it served Greek food. DH and I ate our way through a 1985 tour of Greece so passing it again provided more nice memories. Will they let me in?
The greeter is a lovely man who says he doesn’t even have a chair at the bar. “But wait, Madame. Let me see what I can do.” In minutes, a gentleman at the bar gets up, kisses folks on the way out and shakes hands with the greeter. “You’ve kicked him out?” The answer was, "Yes—but never fear, he’ll be back."
Per the advice of the young man on my left, I ordered the Branzino and it was good. A quick look at that day’s “New York Times” revealed an article about the owner of this very restaurant! Because I am taking notes (?), she actually comes by to say hello. I didn’t write down the name of the dessert I chose because I thought I’d find it online (but couldn’t). Anyway they were out of it so I ordered baklava and barkeep gave me a brandy to taste. It didn’t sound like he said Metaxa but it could have been. A good meal and fun time remembering how much fun DH and I had in Greece. http://www.loiestiatorio.com/
Back to the room. Had plenty of time to pack in the a.m. and you can see Day 5 way above. I hope you can take enough trips to NYC (or stay long enough) to take advantage of her incredible gifts.
Sep 18th, 2015, 03:03 PM
#52
great report! I've yet to get to MAD, but you've made me think about it.
We were in London in early December last year. Carnation Lily Lily Rose was on our list. Went to the Tate, they told us it was on loan to the National Portrait Gallery. We raced there in a cab on a Sunday, just before it closed, only to find it WAS there but that it was for the London exhibition of this same show, which was not yet open. So another trip to London with no Carnation Lily Lily Rose. And then for it not to come to NYC ...sob. Just a reason to go back!
I absolutely loved the vibrant red gent from the Hammer Museum in this Sargent exhibition. We'd seen it at the Hammer and were thrilled to see it here. His story was he was a famous gynecologist, but Sargent's use of red was just stunning, and that's what made this memorable for me. His presence was just so impressionable.
http://hammer.ucla.edu/blog/2014/10/...zi-comes-home/
We were in London in early December last year. Carnation Lily Lily Rose was on our list. Went to the Tate, they told us it was on loan to the National Portrait Gallery. We raced there in a cab on a Sunday, just before it closed, only to find it WAS there but that it was for the London exhibition of this same show, which was not yet open. So another trip to London with no Carnation Lily Lily Rose. And then for it not to come to NYC ...sob. Just a reason to go back!
I absolutely loved the vibrant red gent from the Hammer Museum in this Sargent exhibition. We'd seen it at the Hammer and were thrilled to see it here. His story was he was a famous gynecologist, but Sargent's use of red was just stunning, and that's what made this memorable for me. His presence was just so impressionable.
http://hammer.ucla.edu/blog/2014/10/...zi-comes-home/
Sep 19th, 2015, 07:05 AM
#53
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Thanks, amyb. I only wish my TRs were as amusing as maitaitom's! Carnation was in the NGA in DC where I first saw a huge JSS exhibit. Yes, Dr. Pozzi's portrait was quite evocative. JSS sure does capture his sitters' personalities doesn't he?! Although it was his "bread and butter," I read in one of his bios that portraiture became a burden to him later in life. His work in the Boston Public Library and MFA gave him a lot of satisfaction.
BTW, his great nephew is speaking at the Torpedo Factory 5 November, 2015. In case anyone wants to order tickets, link is below. It is free.
http://torpedofactory.org/event/an-e...ichard-ormond/
BTW, his great nephew is speaking at the Torpedo Factory 5 November, 2015. In case anyone wants to order tickets, link is below. It is free.
http://torpedofactory.org/event/an-e...ichard-ormond/
Sep 20th, 2015, 01:24 PM
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I forgot to tell you that at "Kinky Boots" I sat next to Simon Woolf and his family. He is also a Councilman and answers his own phone!
http://www.woolf.co.nz/
http://www.woolf.co.nz/
Sep 20th, 2015, 06:03 PM
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Thanks for the report on The Museum of Art and Design and the heads up on the other thread 
. I was particularly interested as it's on my list for my upcoming trip. In addition a very dear friend (Elisa Bongfeldt) is exhibiting there very soon at their fall show "Loot" featuring craft jewelers.
http://madmuseum.org/loot/loot-2015
As you mentioned the museum seems to be a place where you can meet the artists and craftspeople and I know the jewelers will be at this particular show Sept 28th-Oct 3rd. I'm so sorry to be missing it but it may be better for my bank account!
. I was particularly interested as it's on my list for my upcoming trip. In addition a very dear friend (Elisa Bongfeldt) is exhibiting there very soon at their fall show "Loot" featuring craft jewelers.http://madmuseum.org/loot/loot-2015
As you mentioned the museum seems to be a place where you can meet the artists and craftspeople and I know the jewelers will be at this particular show Sept 28th-Oct 3rd. I'm so sorry to be missing it but it may be better for my bank account!
