Destination "NYC - Art, Theatre & Culinary Delights"
Beck Street
Beck Street
Photo credit: Kyle Haines
ff for a long weekend in NYC to do an art gallery immersion, an afternoon with a friend from Connecticut, see my son who lives downtown in Little Italy, and try out a couple (new to me) restaurants with Michelin one star rankings.
WEST VILLAGE
I flew in on a Thursday morning and headed over to West Village for lunch with my NYC loving friend, Janet. We chose Buvette, a charming European style cafe, bar and restaurant. It is the only one in NYC, otherwise you can find them in London, Paris, Tokyo or Mexico City. A bakery, with great coffees, French wine and cuisine, tasty cocktails and an old world atmosphere. We chose to dine outside to enjoy the warm, pleasant day in February!
We decided to do some touristy West Village things and wandered down a block to the corner building that was used as the face of the apartment complex in the show Friends.
To continue our popular show classic locations, we headed over to Carrie Bradshaw's (Sarah Jessica Parker) of Sex in the City, apartment staircase.
The owners of the building have a number of signs that say stay off the steps. I felt for them, being bombarded by tourists wanting to see the famous stairwell. Yet, I had my picture taken, just not on the steps.
The owners of the building have a number of signs that say stay off the steps. I felt for them, being bombarded by tourists wanting to see the famous stairwell. Yet, I had my picture taken, just not on the steps.
My friend had never been to the renowned literary drinking hole, the White Horse Tavern on Hudson Street, our next stop. A storied place for poets and novelists to ponder their works or discuss with others while having their favorite cocktail. The interior remains a basic bar and tavern. They claim to be the 2nd oldest bar in NYC, and opened in 1880.
There is a picture of the very talented and famous poet, Dylan Thomas, at the end of the bar. Known as the greatest poet from Wales.
Legend has it that he was a heavy drinker and had his last cocktail(s) at the tavern before wandering off and collapsing to his death.
I did read somewhere else that his real cause of death was pneumonia, he was born with asthma and his respiratory system was weakened by a couple morphine shots from his doctor. He did not have liver cirrhosis and he died in a hospital, not on the streets of New York. He was only 44.
Legend has it that he was a heavy drinker and had his last cocktail(s) at the tavern before wandering off and collapsing to his death.
I did read somewhere else that his real cause of death was pneumonia, he was born with asthma and his respiratory system was weakened by a couple morphine shots from his doctor. He did not have liver cirrhosis and he died in a hospital, not on the streets of New York. He was only 44.
Janet fell in love with the bartender, Peter. After having a drink and bite to eat, he told us if we really wanted to go somewhere known for cocktails to head down one block on Hudson Street, to Dante.
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Dante offers a Happy Hour from 3 to 5 pm accompanied by a pianist and jazz singer. The place was packed, but we managed to get a seat in the bar area.
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The ambience, serious mixologists, and live music with Marie-Claire Giraud was a delightful way to spend a mid-afternoon.
TRIBECA
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On Friday, I started my art gallery immersion in Tribeca. I recently opened up a contemporary art gallery, KYLEGalleryofArt.com, and wanted to check out what's happening in the expansive art world of NYC.
I had lunch at the Roxy Hotel which is also known for live music (although not at lunch), before heading across to White Street to start my art excursion. The youtube video above shows some of the art work I saw while combing the blocks in search of visual stimulation.
Afterward I met my son, Roth, for dinner a couple blocks away at Bâtard on West Broadway.
Afterward I met my son, Roth, for dinner a couple blocks away at Bâtard on West Broadway.
Bâtard
https://www.batardtribeca.com/
A friend's daughter, Holly, told me she formerly worked at Bâtard, a modern French restaurant, in Tribeca. Her job was in the kitchen.
She said working there felt like being in a movie. All of the staff operated at the highest level of professionalism and perfection. According to Holly, the chef does not cook, he orchestrates the execution of the cuisine.
She said working there felt like being in a movie. All of the staff operated at the highest level of professionalism and perfection. According to Holly, the chef does not cook, he orchestrates the execution of the cuisine.
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Given her description of excellence, and that it is a Michelin one star ranking, we decided to check it out. Roth said the beef tartare was the best he had ever eaten. I took a bite of his strip steak, which was cooked perfectly. My pate was flavorful, complimented by the zing of the tart dijon and accompanied with sourdough toast. The Artic char was tender and mild tasting, with a little pop offered by the smoked trout caviar.
MADISON AVENUE AND THEATRE DISTRICT
On Saturday I spent the afternoon strolling down Madison Avenue, checking out art galleries on the Upper East Side.
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The majority of galleries are around the low 80s, 70s and high 60s where you can find more traditional as well as contemporary art. The video above captures some of the art I immersed myself in on a lovely, sunny 40 degree day.
Later, I met my son for dinner and a show. We went to the well received Off-Broadway show "The Wanderers" by Roundabout Theatre. The quality of the acting, twists and turns of the plot were well executed. Katie Holmes is one of the stars, and offered a solid performance, but her character was secondary and less impactful than some of her co-stars. The show is extended to April 2nd in case you are headed to New York.
NOLITA
On Sunday, I headed back downtown to meet my son and his date, Josie, for lunch. I made reservations at Estela in Nolita. Estela was recommended by a couple of my German Village area friends, Pam and Lynn. It too holds an esteemed Michelin one star.
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The Youtube video by Where Hollywood Eats highlights two of the dishes we chose for lunch.
Scallops with date and uni
Traditionally a Japanese delicacy, uni is still considered there to be an aphrodisiac. It has a strong ocean smell, and is thick, creamy, rich, ... FoodandWine.com |
Oysters with yuzu kosho mignonette
Yuzu kosho is a pasty Japanese condiment made from fresh chiles (most often green or red Thai or bird's eye chiles) then fermented with salt ... BonAppetit.com |
Endive w/ walnuts, anchovies and ubriaco rosso
Ubriaco Rosso Piave (or simply Ubriaco Rosso) is made from pasteurized cow's milk, made by Moro Latteria di Moro Sergio, Veneto, Italy. The cheese is immersed for about two months in tuns full of red wine and then enclosed in linoleum towels and then aged from 6 to 10 months. Cheese.com |
Ricotta dumplings w/ pecorino sardo
Aged for 20 to 30 days, Pecorino Sardo Cheese is a cheese produced with organic sheep's milk from Sardinia. The cheese has special and unique features, ... Dolceterra.com |
Josie studied film at Syracuse University. While in school, she watched the original seasons of Sex and the City, which aired when she was very young. The series influenced her desire to move to NYC. Her dream job upon completion of her degree was to work at HBO.
Today, she lives in NYC, works for HBO, and is part of the production team for the new season of Sex and the City.
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GO NYC ART | THEATRE | CUISINE Issue XXVI
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