New York City Weekend - Day 2

We had a great time yesterday afternoon and evening with the high point being seeing Hello Dolly with Bette Midler.   We had dinner in the theater district before the show and came across an interesting looking restaurant for dinner tonight.  After the show last night I had a chance to talk briefly with Gavin Creel - one of the cast members - as a collection for Broadway Cares (Creel is on the board of trustees) was taken up. We finished the evening with drinks at the Monster Bar located 1/2 block up the street from where we are staying. 

Today's agenda includes shopping, including some consignment shops where we have found great cowboy boots - we like them in the winter months - vintage formal wear and accessories.  This afternoon we are meeting the daughter of one of the husband's clients who lives here in NYC and works in the fashion industry.  Then it will be dinner followed by a gay themed off Broadway show.  Odds are we will end the day at the Monster Bar where there will likely be creative Halloween costumes based on what we saw last night (a guy in full Maleficent regalia was over the top).

New York City 2014 - Day Three

We are actually home in Virginia now after traveling much of the day, hence why I did no posts this morning.  But I did want to continue with my travelogue if you will.  Yesterday was another fabulous day and I greatly enjoyed the production of Phantom of the Opera at the gorgeous Majestic Theater.  The cast was great as were the stage effects.  If you haven't seen the show, it is definitely worth seeing.  Ironically, we had better seats for less cost that if we had seen it in Norfolk when the tour arrives on January 8th.  

The other highlight of the day was dinner with my brother, my niece and a friend at Mission Chinese Food at 171 E. Broadway near Chinatown.  My niece is the assistant to the owner/head chef.  A recent New York Times review said in part as follows:

[T]he new space at 171 East Broadway, which housed the restaurant Rosette, is more civilized. With cozy banquettes, big round tables equipped with lazy susans, a Mylar-festooned private dining chamber that looks like something out of Andy Warhol’s Factory and two elegant cocktail bars, it feels like a luxe Chinese banquet hall for the same audience that clamors for Carbone. This is the Mission Chinese you can bring your parents to.

Or your children. In keeping with that banquet-style atmosphere, the new menu is vast. Customers who snag one of its 130 seats will be able to order à la carte, but they’ll also have a chance to select a feast along the lines of an Asian-Rabelaisian smorgasbord ($69 for the smaller spread, and $99 for the full monty).

The food was amazing as was the decor.  We had two rounds of drinks on the house compliments of the owner, Danny Bowien, after having already downed a cocktail called "An Imitation of Love" - something akin to a vodka version of the French 75.  Suffice it to say, we did not make it to the Monster Bar last night for a final nightcap, especially since we had to head out early on the trip home. Thankfully, we had stopped by for a drink before we headed off to Mission Chinese Food.

One last side note: how we got to and from New York City.  Since the husband decided he wanted to get out of town after Thanksgiving, it was near impossible - not to mention insanely expensive - to book airfare.  The solution?  We took the Chinatown bus which my son has taken on several occasions.  It gives new meaning to the concept of no frills travel.  The amenities on the bus? NONE.  That said, we arrived in New York and back in Hampton pretty much on time (we actually got back early) and all for less than what we spent at the Old King Cole Bar or at Chez Josephine.   I'm not sure if we'll do it again, but it allowed us to have an amazing get away and to see family. 

A final note: Thank you Douglas for letting us use your apartment!!!

 

Christmas in New York!!

After much delayed travel, the husband and I arrived in New York City where we will spend the holiday weekend.  One of the husband's brothers is staying at our home and dog sitting the two Chihuahuas, so all is safe on the home front.  We are staying at a friend's apartment on Christopher Street in the West Village (he uses it two nights a week and we have the place to ourselves). The location is wonderful and is just down the block from the Stonewall Inn and The Monster Bar.

This afternoon we are having Christmas dinner with my brother and one of my nieces and one of my nephews and possibly some of their friends at my brother's place near 48th and Third Avenue.  On our way over, the husband wants to hit Rockefeller Center and some of the beautifully decorated stores.   Tomorrow evening we are going to "Beautiful" compliments of some of the husband's amazing clients who bought us tickets when they were in the City earlier this month.  Saturday night we will be going to the new restaurant where my niece is a chef which should be great fun too.   The rest of the weekend, we will visit out usual haunts and some wonderful vintage clothing shops on Greenwich Avenue and 14th Street.

As for my children, we had a wonderful Christmas Eve eve dinner with my daughters and their families and did an early gift exchange (the grandson and granddaughter are below).  My son is in Olympia, Washington and hopefully received his FedEx package on time for today. 

New York City Weekend - Day Three

One of the highlights of yesterday was seeing the Broadway show, Kinky Boots.  The show was amazing and a wonderful experience.   The performances were superb.   I can see why the show won Best Musical.  Following the show, we went with friends for drinks at Becco on 46th Street for drinks and appetizers.  Later in the evening, we met my niece and one of her friends for dinner at Balaboosta at 214 Mulberry Street.  The food and company was great.

Following dinner my niece headed home to her apartment and the boyfriend and I and one of our travel companions made our way to the Monster Bar in the West Village.  I spend a couple of hours dancing at the club level while the boyfriend and our friend enjoyed the piano bar and the show tunes and local singing talent.

This morning, we started the day with brunch at the Yale Club's roof top dining room (photos of views below) and shortly we will head out and make our way around Manhattan some more before heading to the Williamsburg area of Brooklyn to met a friend and have dinner.  Not sure what the rest of the evening will bring as yet.More details to follow tomorrow.