I will be in NYC one day for a 5:15PM doctors appointment (Columbia Presbyterian Hosp (second opinion)need something to keep my mind occupied- was thinking of a museum and great lunch (husband says cost is no issue / he must be more scared then me!) any suggestions??? ( we will have access to a car)

Tara,

If I were you, I'd spend an hour and a half at the Phillips Collection museum on the UES, eat a fantastic lunch, then stroll up 5th, past the Metropolitan, to the Guggenheim for another short-ish museum visit.

Two world-class museums and a great lunch in between. Should keep your mind occupied : )

Good luck!

Good luck to you Tara

Kit, thanks for the suggestions, I love the idea of strolling up 5th avenue! What would you recommend for a restaurant?
Minimoo, if you said, "you too" you are in my prayers!Cancer sucks! (Thank goodness for Gilda's Club!)

Tara you will be in my prayers. Enjoy New York City. I will be there next week from Wednesday till Saturday. The weather looks like it may be great for strolling. God Bless ~~~~~

Carol

Tara,

I'm running out the door (for a few days even), but will get back to you on Tuesday about this if you can remember to top it a few times so I can find it. It's been a year since I lived on the UES, so I just want to re-research it a tiny bit.

Hopefully, other NY'ers will toss some ideas your way!

Kit, travel safely and I am looking forward to your suggestions!

I can usually lose myself for a few hours in the Metropoloitan Museum. Try lunch at the Boat Yard in Central Park. Last time I was there the rowers on the lake looked to be playing bumper carsBest wishes

Don't go looking for the Phillips Collection -- it's in Washington, D.C. I think that Kit meant the Frick, and I agree that the Frick plus the Met would make for a nice, distracting day. Good luck.

Good luck to you. You could try Cafe Boulud at 20 E. 76th Street for lunch. There is a website that you can check out to see if you like the menu--http://danielnyc.com

It would be in between the Frick and the Met. But, there are many fabulous restaurants in that area.

Enjoy your day and good luck.

ttt (FOR kIT)
i'M WAITING TO HEAR YOUR IDEAS TOO!

The Frick would also be my suggestion. It's beautiful art and furniture in a home setting. It has a gorgeous (and serene) pool set in the middle.

How about lunch at Atlantic Grill on 78th & 3rd Ave? It's yummy seafood for ladies who lunch (during the week).

I think the Frick and the Metropolitan are a perfect plan. I think the Boat House in the Park would be a soothing place to be but maybe logistically difficult--fine if you can get rid of the car and give yourselves lots of time for walking into the Park and out.

If money's no object--use it to pay for parking--or you won't be glad to have the car.

You're probably ahead of me on this--but I'd leave the Upper East Side by--at--3:30 to be in the doctor's office in time (by 4:30 or 4:45). Driving, parking, finding somebody's office in a hospital complex, signing who knows what, etc., I'd be wanting lot of time.

And--if you're going to the Metropolitan--a nice distraciton could be planning what two exhibits or collections to see, as that will be enough. And you can have coffee and dessert there if you've had lunch somewhere else.

And good luck with your health problems, many of us are thinking of you.

Madly, sadly, my team lost on Saturday, so I'm back early... and boycotting CBS tonight!

Back to Tara: Yes, I meant the Frick. Here's my suggestion for a leisurely day.

The Frick Collection, 70th Street and Fifth Avenue -- Get thee to the Frick! It is fabulous, and small enough so that you can see the entire collection in about an hour and a half. It's primarily Renaissance, so ogle hard at the Vermeers, Renoirs and Whistlers. Open 10-6 Tuesday thru Saturday. 1-6 on Sunday.

Lunch is next! Yes, the Boathouse in Central Park is an excellent idea, if the weather is right. Casual, with views of the park, the one called Central. Enter the Park from Fifth avenue at 72nd and walk just a short way. You'll see it. The fare is American. At this point, should you be inspired by the others doing so, you might find it fun to rent one of the rowboats to the south of the restaurant. They're only $10 an hour (sliding scale) with a $30 deposit.

Should you not wish to dine in Central Park, here are some other suggestions, two of which others came up with. All are excellent:

1. Cafe Boulud: 76th and Fifth Avenue. Open for lunch T- Sat from noon til 2:30. The fare is French/eclectic. Definitely visit the website, www.danielnyc.com to see if it appeals to you. It does to most! Gets a 27 from Zagats.

2. Cello -- 77th Street between Madison and Park. Open W-Sat noon to 2:30. They have a $35 prixe fixe lunch. Fare is French seafood. Beautifully sited in a brownstone. You may reserve online at www.cellorestaurant.com Gets a 26 from Zagats.

3. Atlantic Grill -- as Lisa notes, this is a favorite, too, though I think it's between 76 and 77 on Third. Great seafood in a large, bright spot. Gets a 22 from Zagats. (Definitely go to www.zagat.com for the real reviews.)

After lunch, mosey back up Fifth Avenue. Pass the Metrolitan, but do not be lured in (tough to do with only a few hours). Instead, stroll up to 88th where the Guggenheim is located. Picasso, Degas, Manet! And that Frank Lloyd Wright building -- hard to top.

Finis! Your day is done. Time for that second opinion that negates the nasty news of the first. Have a fabulous time, Tara!

I think the suggestions that have been made are all excellent and I would like to second, or perhaps third, the idea of the Frick and wandering down 5th Ave. Just another idea that you might want to consider for lunch is Tuscan Square, an Italian restaurant at Rockefeller Center. It's been a favorite of ours for a long time. Good luck!