Girls' Trip 2016!

Sunday May 22

Our annual girls' trip this year began with one of us missing.  Jane joined us on Wednesday.  Lynn and I hit the ground running upon our arrival Sunday, May 22.  We wanted to get tickets to hear Renee Fleming and the Met orchestra at Carnegie Hall so we went by the box office first and then stopped in for lunch at the iconic Russian Tea Room.  Neither of us had ever been there.  The food was ok but we were thrilled we stopped in for the experience because these days you never know how much longer an iconic restaurant or shop will be around.  We asked the hostess about the other dining rooms and she took us to the second floor where we were able to see the giant crystal bear with goldfish swimming in his belly!

The famous Russian Tea Room on W 57th Street

 Twelve-foot tall crystal bear fish tank on second floor of Russian Tea Room

Renee Fleming and the orchestra were both fabulous although I will say that our seats weren't the best for hearing even a voice as strong as hers.  

 Renee Fleming and the Met Orchestra performed an all Strauss program (yes,Tony, ALL Strauss)

On our way home from dinner at Alta that evening we stopped by the Bergdorf windows.  Several windows were being installed.  I loved this one!

Monday May 23

Monday was a full day that wasn't over until after midnight.  We began the day by visiting the Kips Bay Decorator Show House on E 61st Street.  It was pretty fabulous.  The proceeds from the ticket sales to view the house go each year to the Kips Bay Boys and Girls Club.

 This room was quite exceptional.  The walls and ceiling are "chalk board" and the designs are done in, yes, chalk.

We had lunch and then strolled over the Central Park to wait in line to enter the Hallett Nature Sanctuary.  When I read about this new section of the park opening, I assumed it must be somewhere in the northern reaches of the park but, to my surprise, it was in the southeast corner, adjacent to a part of the park I have been to many times.  

 View from the Hallett Nature Sanctuary looking east toward 5th Avenue

After dinner at Amelie Lynn suggested we go over to Rocco's for a little dessert.  We shared the wonderful little ameretto cookies and then a big hunk of peanut butter and chocolate cheese cake.  The cheese cake was piped in peanut butter!  It sounds a little over the top (and yes it was) but the peanut butter cut the sweetness of the cheese cake and truly it was delicious!

Ridiculous assortment of options at Rocco's in Greenwich Village

While at Rocco's I was looking at google maps on my phone and realized we were very close to Smalls Jazz Club, a jazz club I follow on Instagram.  We decided it would be a perfect end to the night to walk over and hear some real jazz!  The first show was sold out so we were advised to cross the street and go to the Mezzrow and then bring our ticket stub back to Smalls...which we did.  All ages of people listening to jazz.  Afterwards we caught a cab right at the front door and headed back up town for some much needed sleep!

Ari Hoenig Nonet at Smalls

Tuesday May 24

On Tuesday we had lunch at Eataly's LaVerdure.  Yummy beyond words.

We walked around Madison Square Park and then hit a few galleries in Chelsea, including Gagosian and Metro Pictures.

Richard Serra installation at Gagosian

We walked over to Gramercy Park and walked around it admiring all the blooming flowers and foliage. No key to get in so we just took pictures from the sidewalk.

 Sometime during the day we walked by Rockefeller Center where we stopped for a picture of "Van Gogh's Ear" which took the form of an upright swimming pool.

Wednesday May 25

On Wednesday we went to the New York Public Library on 5th Avenue and looked around. Then at noon we gathered with others to hear the author/artist Leanne Shapton speak about her book Swimming Studies.  We headed to the West Village then for lunch at the cutest place, Jack's Wife Freda, for the most incredible mint lemonade.

Leanne Shapton speaks about her recent book Swimming Studies.

 Ceiling Mural in McGraw Rotunda

 Jack's Wife Freda

After lunch we headed to the Whitney off the High Line.  Here we are on the roof with some of the local flavor.  We've got friends in high places.

Thursday May 26

Jane arrived last night so we're off today to our personalized (with help from the Bowery Boys History of NY podcast) Lower East Side walking tour! Here are our stops:

• CW Pencil Enterprise (100B Forsyth St):  Yes...It's a pencil store and it's fantastic!  Tony read about it in a WSJ article and it was added to The List.  I loved this place!

 CW Pencil Enterprise

• The Pickle Guys
• The Tenement Museum: We arrived early enough to catch the 30 minute film beforehand then we did the Sweat Shop tour.
• Russ and Daughters

 Russ and Daughters

• Katz's Deli: Pastrami sandwiches, pickles, matzah ball soup, and a Cel-Ray

 Katz's Deli

• Essex Street Market
• Economy Candy

 Economy Candy

• DiPalo's Fine Foods
• Ferrara Italian Bakery

 Parmesan cheese wheels at Di Palo

 Farrara Italian Bakery

• Bowery Restaurant Supply
• John Varvatos Bowery (Old CBGB)
• John Derian Company
• Bonnie Slotnick Cookbooks
• McSorley's Old Ale House

 McSorley's Old Ale House

• Dinner at Cherche Midi

Friday May 27

The new World Trade Center observatory opened last year and we had not been up for the view so that was a big thing on our list.  The elevator ride is very quick and gives you a fast view of the city as it grew over the years, from a small Dutch village to the city it is today.  Here's an incredible view from atop the spire itself with Jimmy Chin, the world renowned  mountain climber. Click here.

One World Trade Center

 Brooklyn Bridge as seen from observatory

Looking northeast

Looking north toward midtown

Here we are 1776 feet high!

We then checked out the new subway station at the World Trade Center and took a train up to the Meatpacking District for lunch at a favorite, Spice Market.

The Oculus, One World Trade Center train station

After lunch we took a train up the west side to the Cloisters.

Hudson River view from Ft Tryon Park

That evening we had Korean BBQ in KTown with our friends Aaron and Soo.  It was, as my dad says, a very large day!

Saturday May 28

Saturday's first stop was The Met for the fashion exhibit Manas x Machina.

Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel wedding ensemble

Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel wedding ensemble

The Psycho house on the Met's rooftop

After lunch in the Met dining room and stopping by to see "Tony's lady," we walked over the Met Breuer, located in the old Whitney Museum on Madison Avenue.