My apologies to anyone who was waiting on a week 5 wrap-up for this delayed, combined post. My daughter and her roommate came to stay with us for the long weekend October 6 to 9 and that, combined with the general exhaustion we are feeling from trying to fit everything into our last week, caused me to delay writing until today. I am composing this post on our flight home and have a lot to report from the last ten days of our second experiment living in New York City.
My daughter was not able to visit us during our three-month stint last fall and so we wanted to pack in as much as we could while she was with us for four days. It felt like a reverse parents weekend as we proudly showed our daughter around our current and former neighborhoods: the building we stayed in last year, The Duplex Bar where we like to sing-a-long with the piano, my new favorite chocolate chip cookie at St George Coffee on 7th Ave, shopping in SoHo, one very cool speakeasy (Raines Law Room), where we walk the dog along the Hudson, dinner in Chinatown, Denino’s Pizza and The Comedy Cellar. We were also able to fit in a few new experiences: Puppy Yoga (thanks for the recommendation Maureen!), shopping at the Vintage Bazaar on the UWS, and dining at Empire Diner, Supper, Wu’s Wonton, Nat’s on Bank, Bubby’s and Grand Banks. We also walked through Central Park and exited on the UWS at 92nd St and rode CitiBikes 70 blocks back to our apartment through some beautiful neighborhoods adjacent to Riverside Park.
In my week 4 post, I made a bold statement about being done with Italian food for the remainder of our trip. Before I had even finished editing the last post, I had eaten two more Italian meals. My friend Mallory gave me some quick advice via text, “Get in all the amazing Italian food while you can!” and so I proceeded to have two more very memorable Italian meals our last week that must be highlighted.
* First, we were invited by friends to Rao’s. If you have never heard of it, like us – here is a little background. The short version of the story is that this is the hardest reservation to get in New York City – because there are no reservations, there are only invitations. If you are chosen, you essentially own a standing reservation at the same table on a specific day of the month (our friends have a reservation on the second Wednesday of every month). On your assigned night, you can arrive wherever you want and stay as long as you want. Originally opened in 1896, there are no printed menus, they only take cash and are open Mondays through Fridays, closed Saturdays and Sundays. We sat in a wood booth in the corner in a fairly small room where all of the walls are covered with framed photos of the owners, mostly with famous patrons. I was dying to look at everyone and everything. I could easily write an entire several blog posts on the three hours we spent at Rao’s detailing the owners (mostly all family), history of the restaurant including the fire in 1995, decor, other patrons, location and food. This was an experience my husband and I will never forget.
* Our second highly memorable Italian meal was at Don Angie – another infamously difficult reservation that I was able to secure by walking into the restaurant on Friday evening and talking with the host who gave us a lunch reservation for Sunday. As expected, the restaurant was packed at lunchtime. I watched several people walk in and inquire about open tables and a few were seated at the bar or offered a table later in the afternoon. I am detailing how I got the reservation because several people have asked, including Frank, my NYC hairdresser, who offered sexual favors to the host in exchange for a reservation. The host at Don Angie did tell me that they want people to walk in and make reservations – same day or in advance – and that usually does work better than online apps. So, my lesson going forward is to go to the restaurants you really want to go to and ask the host in person for a reservation.
Other highlights from this trip that I should have mentioned along the way:
* We went to the Morgan Library, the permanent exhibits at the NY Public Library in Midtown and The Met accompanied by our friend Catherine who is doing her graduate studies in art history at NYU. Turns out that having a personal tour guide with insider info is a huge incentive to get your butt in a museum and learn something about art. We attempted a return visit to The Whitney on our own without Catherine to hold our hands and it was closed.
* We went to the TKTS booth to buy same-day tickets for two shows and got some good insider information. If you buy tickets from them, for the next week you can use the “fast pass” lane to buy additional tickets. Also, the Lincoln Center location is much less busy than Times Square but does not have a “fast pass” lane. Unless there is a show you are dying to see on a specific day, get in line at either location and pick a show. We got fifth row tickets for “A Beautiful Noise” for $100 each and never would have fired up to see that show without discounted tickets.
* On our last night, we saw Michelle Obama speak at the 92Y. She did a Q&A for an hour and her poise and confidence were exceedingly impressive.
With 45 minutes left on our flight home, I am feeling surprisingly ready to get back to the suburbs. I will miss the energy of New York and the endless supply of new experiences. Also, there is something about being away and seeing people from home that lends itself to special interactions. During this time away, I was able to spend one-on-one time with a few people that was really special. Thank you to our west coast friends who made the effort to get together with us while we were on the east coast: Sharon L, Karen K, Robert, Mark & Sharon, Tom, Tamara & Vasiko, Susie, Liz & Jack, Randy & Kathy, Erica, Richie, Jen and MVL.
We will really miss our east coast friends who played key supporting roles in making both of our New York experiments such a success. Thank you to Adrienne for our weekly lunches, Melissa & Eric for our night in Quogue and a fantasy round of golf, Jay & Susie for having us to the shore and visiting us in the city, Scott & Maureen for excellent discourse, Jim O for hosting golf, Debby for showing us the upside of the UES, Devera & Michael for exposing us to Brooklyn and their beautiful views, and Ally for taking excellent care of our anxious dog. I know this is really sounding like an Academy Awards acceptance speech but I have to get in two very big thank you’s to Julie & David for putting on the best “Move to NY” campaign ever conceived and my re-found forever friend Randi for jumping right back in where we left off.
Do I have chalk on my face? by Denise Geschke 
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