A Weekend in New York City

Welcome.

“She has become a wicked and wild bitch in her old age has Manhattan, but there is still no sensation in the world quite like walking her sidewalks. Great surges of energy sweep all around you; the air fizzes like champagne, while always there is a nervous edge of fear and whispered distant promises of sudden violence.” ~Tom Davies

When I was offered the chance to spend a weekend in Manhattan with the cost of the hotel for two nights and tickets to a Broadway show already paid for,

I had to accept.  My friend was given a nice bonus at work and her husband didn’t want to go so she asked me to.  I’ve always wanted to spend a couple of days in New York and I really wanted to see a Broadway show.  So the two of us got on the internet and started planning how we were going to get there.  It turned out that traveling by bus would be the best way for us to get there and it was only $54 round trip.



Hotel Chelsea was my friend's "Must Do"



The hardest part of planning our trip was figuring out how to fit in what we wanted to do in the few hours we’d have.   We had a couple of hours Friday evening (we got to the hotel at 6pm) and then much of Saturday (we had until about 3:30pm to fit in what we could).  We each picked one “must do” and then spent the rest of the time close by the hotel and stumbling upon stores and sites.


We also managed to fit in Central Park, Rockefeller Center, Times Square, and saw the Broadway lights at night.  We visited the stores; Michael Kors, Tiffany’s, Saks Fifth Avenue (got some make up done at the Chanel counter), FAO Schwarz and Dylan’s Candy Bar.  We walked up and down 5^th Avenue, Madison Avenue and Park Avenue.  We took the subway a few times and managed to come out in one piece.  We had a blast and were exhausted by the time we got home on Sunday evening.  I can’t wait to go back again.



Mood Designer Fabrics - my "Must Do"
This is the silk that I picked out

Exercise.

“Everywhere is walking distance if you have the time.”  ~Steven Wright



Walking the streets at Times Square



We walked, we subwayed (ha – not really a word I don’t think), we lugged luggage.  I got a great workout being in the city.  I could lose my gym membership completely if I lived in New York.  With all the walking and stair climbing I did I surpassed my usual workout.  And the subway was like a sauna because it is without air conditioning.  My body was quite worn out by the time we got home.  I was up 3 ½ pounds Monday morning compared to Friday morning.  All of that was water weight that my muscles were holding onto while they repaired themselves.  The water slowly went away during the following week.



Eat.

"My contribution, I hope, is to get people to eat full-flavored food.  If I could come away with that alone, that would be a fantastic accomplishment." ~Bobby Flay 

Shelfish Cocktails - Tasting of All Three
Lobster-Avocado, Shrimp-Tomatillo & Crab-Coconut

While in New York, we stayed at the Omni Bershire Place on East 52^nd Street. To keep things easy on us Friday night, we had dinner in the hotel restaurant, Fireside.   For breakfast and lunch we were able to find inexpensive (and uncrowded) cafes close by.  Dinner on Saturday night was our main meal and we wanted it to be at a nice restaurant prior to the show we were attending.  We also wanted something within walking distance between our hotel and the theater.  Once I got online and found that Bobby Flay has a restaurant in the area we were looking at, the decision was easy.  We went to Bar Americain on West 52^nd Street.  I had a dinner of a shellfish cocktail tasting and their version of French Onion Soup - fantastic.  My friend could have used bigger or more filling portions though.  She had a shrimp cocktail appetizer and the ricotta crepes.  She ended up eating the bread basket to fill up on.  Her meal was as much as mine and not nearly as satisfying.  All in all, though we had a nice meal.  I’d like to try Mesa Grill some day.

Have Fun.

“The most wonderful street in the universe is Broadway. It is a world within itself. High and low, rich and poor, pass along at a rate peculiar to New York, and positively bewildering to a stranger.”  ~Frank Rich

“Wicked” was the highlight of the trip.  We had great seats at the Gershwin Theater for the Saturday 8pm show.  The show went on for 3 hours (including the one small intermission break).  It was spectacular.  I enjoyed it much more than I expected to.  After reading the book I was a little hesitant because the book is very dark.  The musical was much more upbeat and wasn’t based closely on the book.  They kept the basic ideas but made it much more enjoyable.  The performers were amazing.  The show was humorous at times, very entertaining and thought provoking.   I completely understand now why people see this show more than once.  I highly recommend it and would happily go see it again.