That Bonaparte! What a man! He knows that this time of year I get a bit “homesick” of sorts for New York City. It’s true. I need my fix of going back into Manhattan.
My video plan didn’t go as expected. I was having too much fun to take videos–but I took lots of pics for you!
When I lived in New Jersey, I loved my home. The house had room that the apartment in The City lacked. Each of the children had their own bedroom and we had three bathrooms. The yard was spacious and…. I had a driveway! Having a driveway meant no more dealing with alternate side parking! I also made great friends and the kids have great memories of living a suburban life.
I’m still in the suburbs—and don’t get me wrong, I love my home. The home that my husband and I own is even more special to me because I lost my New Jersey home during my divorce.
The thing is—I’m just a city person. And not just any city. Living twenty minutes away from Philadelphia would seem like a dream—but it isn’t. In all honesty, I’m not fond of Philadelphia. I’ve never warmed up to it. It just doesn’t have the personality of New York.
This. This kind of living makes me just feel happy! I love being in a building surrounded by neighbors. It’s like being in a cocoon. Or a warm blanket. I know the buildings are old but I love that. I love the fire escapes I love the character. I love the dirty windows because that means I don’t have to clean! I don’t love the parking situation though!
Perhaps it’s because I was born in New York and was raised less than an hour away out on Long Island. I’m biased toward cities that don’t sleep. NYC, New Orleans and Paris are my three faves—but let’s focus on New York.
Bonaparte decided that we should have a lunch date. We asked Roman to join us, but he had to work on SNL—the show was being taped that night. With U2 as the musical guests, I would have stayed in the studio to watch rehearsals too! And since Roman was working, it would be a fun trip for the two of us. Since Christmas is in three weeks and we’ll have a full house and a ton of activity, this lunch date would offer a quite respite for the two of us. I also had to stop at Momofuku Milk Bar to pick up more Corn Powder for baking!
Chippy was glad to spend the day at doggie day camp with his buddies as we dropped him off and went on our way. Our plan was to also spend a couple of hours at the Metropolitan Museum of Art after lunch.
This guy. This party animal was more than happy to spend the day with his canine buddies!
Here’s how it rolled. This is photo-heavy so come along on my little journey. OK?
First things first! I wore my Carrie Wig from Uniwigs LaVivid Collection. Since the weather was on the mild side, I didn’t need a coat. I opted for my J. Crew Regency blazer, black Pixie Pants and a toasty scarf. The five-year old Tory Burch boots went well with my Kooba bag that I bought over 13 years ago! See how happy I am?
The drive on the Turnpike was good and timing was perfect. There wasn’t a ton of traffic–which is always welcomed. And when the City skyline comes into view, I always get excited!
Doesn’t matter how many times I see this view–I get excited every single time. Hey. I thought all birds flew South for the winter?
We were also very fortunate that tunnel traffic was at a minimum. I love when this happens!
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Clear day. Sunny skies. Warm weather. Tunnel traffic at a minimum. It’s a great day!
Out of the tunnel and onto my old stomping grounds!
My artistic endeavor of a bowling sign on the West Side. I’m no Jacques-Henri Lartigue–that’s for sure!
One great thing about Bonaparte is that he loves driving in the City. He doesn’t mind the traffic at all. I think that comes from driving in Paris for so many years!
On the way to my first stop. Momofuku Milk Bar!
The infamous Patsy’s Italian Restaurant. Sinatra’s old hangout!
Drive-by (Photo) shootings are so difficult at times–I can never get the photo I want!
As usual, parking on 56th Street was non-existent. Bonaparte parked the car in front of a hotel across from Milk Bar and when I got out, the doorman came running over to me to ask if I was checking in. I explained to him I needed to run into Milk Bar for a moment. I must’ve looked nice to him because he said not to worry and the car could stay there as long as needed.
I scooped up a few bottles of corn powder and went to pay!
That doorman couldn’t have been more helpful. I went to pay in CASH for my Corn Powder then found out that they only took cards. Back to the car for a card and back to Momofuku Milk Bar. Nothing is easy for me!
Card in hand, I was able to stock up…
Some people can’t live without their bottles of wine. I can’t live without my bottles of Corn Powder! Off we go!
City road work. This is a vision of beauty for me. The steam rising from the striped tubes–that’s a chimney to me. Will Santa make it down? Damn, I miss this!
And as we headed over to the East Side, we noticed policemen and women of New York’ s Finest blocking the many side streets. I was to find out this was due to Trump’s visit to New York City. Why did that pig decide to visit Manhattan on the day that I was there? I swear sometimes if it weren’t for bad luck–I would have no luck at all! I wasn’t going to allow that filthy liar to ruin MY day! I took it in stride.
NY’s Finest. None of them look too happy and I know why!!!!
As our route was diverted, I wanted so badly to stop at Sephora–but my driver wouldn’t stop!
An Orthodox Church. Odd thing is that I must have passed this church a gazillion times when living in NY and never noticed it. Funny how you notice things from a car that you don’t when walking!
Finally arriving to lunch, we found a parking space right up the street from the restaurant. My luck was changing!
My chauffeur!! Is he in a pensive mood? Non! He’s just hungry!
We had lunch at Le Ralais de Venise L’Entrecote. This restaurant has the smallest menu ever. Salad. Steak. Fries. Wine and dessert. Since Bonaparte was driving, we opted for no wine–just good ol’ NYC tap water. And might I add, NYC tap water is the best water on the planet. I should have taken an empty milk jug and requested they fill it with water!
The mid-town location offers a great weekend luncheon because it doesn’t get as crowded as the weekdays with business lunches. Locations in NYC, London and Paris, this small chain offers great food at such an affordable price!
We were one of the first parties to arrive at opening. How can you tell this isn’t the Paris location? By the “No Smoking” sign!!!
Our table offered a good view for nosy patrons such as myself!
My eau-de-vie. NYC Tap Water!
The simplest menu on earth!
This salad. Nothing more than lettuce and walnuts but the best salad dressing I’ve ever had. I could have had seconds on this…
The L’entrocote, sauce and fries. Articles have been written on attempts to dupe this sauce. I’VE tried to dupe this sauce. Nobody has been successful. The sauce is bomb!!! I think I did detect a bit of clove–just a hint, and nutmeg. It’s back to the drawing board for me!
Sorry peeps. But any restaurant that serves me steak the way I want it–blue, is A OK in my book. This is red meat at it’s best! And that sauce…
We enjoyed our lunch with conversation and laughs and planning a trip to Paris. And by the time we left, the restaurant was mobbed and we didn’t have time to visit the museum. Perhaps next time…
As we did make our way up the East Side, traffic and lack of street parking would hinder our visit to the museum, but it was no big deal. Next time!
A spectacular view of the 59th Street Bridge brought memories of the day I went into labor with Jake. My dad and I drove out to Long Island to see my grandmother who was in the hospital. We drove back to Manhattan via the 59th St. Bridge. The ride was so bumpy that my dad told me I would go into labor. He was correct. I did!!
Park Avenue. Notice the cops on each corner. Tax money already wasted on Trump!
At one time, the school had a separate entrance for girls…
And one for boys. I can still smell the inside of that school. Old wooden desks, wood floors. It was great!
Here’s a site for a Saturday afternoon….
Another fun site was this group of groomsmen on the way into St. Ignatius Church for an afternoon wedding. Too bad we couldn’t crash the party!
Back over to the West Side to my old neighborhood on Riverside Drive then off to home!
A man and his two beautiful yellow labs. the one on the ground reminded me so much of my Ruby. I can’t count the times I’ve walked along this stretch of Riverside Drive!
And that concludes my day in NYC. I hope you enjoyed it. And if the question of why didn’t I take a photo of the Rock Center Christmas tree? In my heaviest NY accent “Hey. Ya seen one tree–ya seen ’em all”. I’m jaded. I’ve seen the tree too many times. I would rather look at the buildings and their beauty!
This is for you. One of my favorite songs that reminds me of The City! I always feel groovy when I return!
