nyc experiment: week eight

We are two thirds of the way through our 12-week experiment. We actually only have three weeks left in New York because we are going to Europe to see our daughter who is studying in Copenhagen. We have 21 days to soak in the city and there is no doubt these last days will go fast! 

* We kicked off the week with dinner last Wednesday at 8 pm in the West Village with friends from California. Per usual, the room was dark and loud, the menu font was tiny and all of the other diners were very good looking and fashion forward. I am still shocked how many people are out for dinner every single night of the week. We are often amongst the oldest people in the dining room trying not to attract attention to ourselves with our iPhone flashlight but often can’t resist the urge to illuminate and magnify the menu. Thursday night we had dinner with another couple from California and, once again, I had no idea what the specials were and didn’t hear anything our waiter said. But, the food was excellent both nights and people watching was outstanding.

A husband’s view:  This is about the “oldest” thing that my wife can admit to and after 8 weeks of trying to blend in with the Millennials and Gen Z’ers, it’s extremely disappointing to see her blow our cover like this. But now that she has, does anyone in this town want to invest in both a restaurant and in the lighting it would require to make it so that you can read a menu while there? And really, 20-somethings, at four in the morning, just shut the f*** up and go home – your drama on 7th avenue isn’t nearly as interesting as you seem to think it is given the volume of your conversation.

* In the last two weeks, my husband and I both gave up trying to keep our Peloton streaks. His streak had been going since January 2019! We had squeezed in five and ten minute stretching and light weights classes to try and keep our streaks going but we finally had to give up the effort. After dinner out last Wednesday, we went to our favorite divey, gay bar across the street for our building to singalong for “just three songs” (which is how I get people to agree to go to a piano bar on a weeknight at 10:30 pm). While there, Kendall Toole, a favorite Peloton instructor, came into the bar and we had a spirited conversation with her about business strategy for Peloton. She was very receptive to chatting with us and my husband got a photo with her.

A husband’s view:  To be clear, I did not give up trying to keep my streak. I just forgot – which is a remarkable thing to have happen given that I’m completely and bizarrely OCD about my Peloton. But maybe it’s just good preparation for me in a world without Peloton, as I fear may be the case soon. Two weeks ago, we traveled to Boston and stayed with our friends who have a bike and I was finally able to ride for the first time in two months. I thought I’d have a vast array of new classes to choose from only to find that there were almost none. Not a good sign. Of course, after 20 minutes of in-depth conversation about the business model with Kendall – a topic that did not age me at all – I think there are potential solutions out there.

* For the last week or two, we are often asked what our favorite restaurant is so far. This is obviously a very tough question. My husband has gone twice to Raoul’s which is a classic NY French bistro in SoHo and he absolutely loves it. There is no more perfect meal for him than a steak au poivre and a “brown liquor” cocktail. We also loved Il Buco in Noho. We have been there two times before this fall – including for Thanksgiving in 2018 – and we think it is consistently great. Even though our waiter seemed incredibly annoyed by us, the food and setting were outstanding. My husband and our friend CJ were beyond impressed with Blue Ribbon Sushi. It’s a tight space and the prices are startling but they thought it was worth it. We ate at Carbone this week and were told to get the spicy rigatoni with the special house meatballs. It did not disappoint (unless it bothers you to pay $32 for a pasta dish plus extra for the meatballs!) In terms of bars, we went to Brandy Library in Tribeca last Friday where the walls are lined with liquor bottles and you need a reservation to get in. If you have a tweed blazer with leather elbow patches, fancy yourself an Anglophile or are currently favoring Manhattans, Paper Planes or Boulevardiers, this is your spot.

A husband’s view: I can not argue with this list. Boozie dinners have apparently replaced Peloton as my new OCD obsession, given I’m on a solid 65 day streak. 

* Before we got to New York, several people told us not to ride the subway because of a recent increase in violent attacks. Despite these warnings, we have been taking the subway almost everyday. I have never felt unsafe but I have seen people sleeping in cars and walking through asking for money. I don’t take the subway alone at night and can’t fathom getting around the city any other way. I keep thinking that I will be a vocal proponent of the subway until something goes awry and I have to admit that I was overconfident and a little naive. I feel the same way about riding a Citibike on the Avenues.

A husband’s view: I feel a stinging personal defeat everytime we get in a car instead of taking the subway. 

* Last Saturday, we did a full schedule of tourist attractions/things we probably won’t do at home. We started with getting breakfast at Best Bagel in Midtown (was reminiscent of getting Noah’s Bagels in the Marina in 1992!), then we went to the farmer’s market at Union Square, rode Citibikes west to Chelsea to see a Diane Arbus exhibition, visited an art gallery and ended our day with an e-bike tour of Central Park. After eight weeks, it was my husband’s first time north of the park since we have been here and he commented, “Wow! Every part of the city is so cool.” 

A husband’s view: I live downtown, with all the other young and beautiful people. However, I will admit that our adventure out to the “suburbs,” (aka the Upper East Side), was better than anticipated.

We are excited to see the leaves start changing and experience a real change of seasons. So far, the weather has been ridiculously great with lots of warm, clear days. We have yet to wear gloves or hats and often go out without a coat. There have been about eight days of rain (about 5.5″) in September and October which is more rain than I have seen in California for the last three years. The real surprise is that the temperature typically increases into the afternoon but then only cools slightly at night. I am told this is because the city is an “Urban Heat Island.” Yesterday, October 26, the temperature in NYC was a high of 70 degrees with an overnight low of 64 degrees. But, the high temperature tomorrow is going to be 56 degrees and then I will miss the Bay Area fall weather where you go out during the day in shorts, worried about being hot and sweaty, and then freeze your butt off when the sun goes down.