Hello, Gwendolynn: we stayed in the 400 block of East 85th. Our group tries to stay in new neighbourhoods each time and it was the UES's turn. I enjoyed the neighbourhood as a visitor but not where I'd stay next.

I'm not sure we're so hip as middle-aged, but thank you. And yes, it was Gracie's diner we breakfasted at - terrific.

Aduchamp, pretty well everywhere including Daniel's. Ah, well.

L

Linda, I think that vrbo mansion is one I recommend so would like to hear what you didn't like about it apart from the location. Was it this one? http://www.vrbo.com/138897

Next to Normal will be closing in Jan. for anyone who wants to see it.

Blinda

Our experiences are the opposite of yours. We have eaten at Lupa a few times and found the food oversalted and just a step above ordinary. And although we have only once at Cafe Boulud, we found the food exceptional and the service professional.

But then again I am in the minority because none of Mario's restaurants have met expectations and that includes Cafe Mono and Del Posto. I have read that we ate Del Posto when even they admitted it was inconsistent. But that was a lot of money to pay for a mistake for someone who was not a relative.

I strongly recommend Next to Normal to everyone - great performances especially by Marin Mazzie as the mother.

Mclaurie, vrbo 138897 isn't the one we stayed at, rather vrbo 91928. I think the older couple who own it are fodorites and I understand from one of my now infamous s-i-law that they are very strongly emotionally to their property. The positive attributes to 91928 are: price to # of people it can sleep, a large kitchen area where we could all sit together, and a nice neighbourhood (just not my cup of tea). Negatives are: condition of lower floor (unacceptable), condition of both bathrooms (ditto), noise from other suite, general maintenance needs doing to two floors, the smell from the indoor hot tub, and that the web photos do not resemble the property... but we still had fun... L

Aduchamp, our group ate at Mario's Esca (sp?) last year. We had the tasting menu with accompanying wines. Two of us thought it exceptional, one thought it v. good and the fourth didn't enjoy it (she likes very clean flavours). This year we really stumbled across Lupa and we all thought it a solid 4 out of 5 (and I really loved the wine selections). But some of us thought Alloro either on par or better than Lupa(including me). My complaints with Cafe Boulud were nominal but important to me - we probably had the last possible sitting and our service was rushed. We constantly had staff asking if we'd make our choices, that kind of thing. And our main waiter was an ass at times - he would look at us in an amused, condescending way if anyone asked a question. Life's too short for that.

The place looks amazing!

As far as Cafe Boulud is concerned, when I put on clean clothes and shave I appear deceivingly respectable. Maybe that helped.