Destination "NYC Holiday Spree" with Kyle Haines
Beck Street
Beck Street
very year in December, a part of my celebration of the holiday season, is a trip to NYC.
This year, I decided to make it a two-day trip flying in early on a Sunday morning and leaving late on a Monday evening.
Photo credit NYC Facebook
I met my son, Roth, who lives in NYC for lunch at The Ragtrader. It is a restaurant located on W 36th Street near Fifth Avenue in a building originally operated as a clothing factory and tailor shop in the garment district. We enjoyed a tasty lunch coupled with NYC quality service.
Next time, I am going to head downstairs and check out the Little Bo Peep Cocktail and Highball Store's cocktail and piano bar.
Next time, I am going to head downstairs and check out the Little Bo Peep Cocktail and Highball Store's cocktail and piano bar.
Photo credit The Ragtrader
From The Ragtrader website
Honoring those who stitched together the fabric of yesteryear, The Ragtrader harkens back to the nostalgia of a forgotten time—when things were created by hand, and craftsmanship mattered. A time when neighbors gathered to share their stories over good food and even better drinks.
The Ragtrader, evokes the old garment factory that once was, complemented with quirky details that unfold on each level. Executive Chef Justin Ottervanger has created rustic yet elegant dishes that showcase the restaurant's relationships with local farms and purveyors. Speaking to time-honored techniques with a focus on offerings best shared amongst friends. Together with a careful selection of wine, beers and our bespoke cocktails, we are reminiscent of the building’s humble beginnings alongside newer creations.
A peek downstairs will reveal Bo Peep Cocktail & Highball Store, a cocktail and piano bar that will make your heart smile.
Honoring those who stitched together the fabric of yesteryear, The Ragtrader harkens back to the nostalgia of a forgotten time—when things were created by hand, and craftsmanship mattered. A time when neighbors gathered to share their stories over good food and even better drinks.
The Ragtrader, evokes the old garment factory that once was, complemented with quirky details that unfold on each level. Executive Chef Justin Ottervanger has created rustic yet elegant dishes that showcase the restaurant's relationships with local farms and purveyors. Speaking to time-honored techniques with a focus on offerings best shared amongst friends. Together with a careful selection of wine, beers and our bespoke cocktails, we are reminiscent of the building’s humble beginnings alongside newer creations.
A peek downstairs will reveal Bo Peep Cocktail & Highball Store, a cocktail and piano bar that will make your heart smile.
Photo credit Little Bo Peep Cocktail and Highball Store
Afterward, we walked up Fifth Avenue to Rockefeller Center, enjoying all the holiday splendor along the way!
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Photo credits NYC Facebook
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Then we taxied up Madison Avenue to the Carlyle Hotel for a drink and bite at Bemelmans Bar!
HISTORY OF BEMELMANS BAR
The Carlyle is an integral part of New York history. As the city’s premier luxury residential hotel, it was a famous gathering place for socialites, world leaders and celebrities when Ludwig Bemelmans began to create his masterpiece murals at the hotel bar. Bemelmans was a successful artist for The New Yorker, Vogue and Town and Country and had achieved enormous success with the Madeline children’s books series. Using his distinct style of art, he transformed the bar with whimsical scenes of Central Park that included picnicking rabbits and ice skating elephants. Rather than be paid for his art, Bemelmans exchanged his work for a year and a half of accommodations at The Carlyle for himself and his family.
The Carlyle is an integral part of New York history. As the city’s premier luxury residential hotel, it was a famous gathering place for socialites, world leaders and celebrities when Ludwig Bemelmans began to create his masterpiece murals at the hotel bar. Bemelmans was a successful artist for The New Yorker, Vogue and Town and Country and had achieved enormous success with the Madeline children’s books series. Using his distinct style of art, he transformed the bar with whimsical scenes of Central Park that included picnicking rabbits and ice skating elephants. Rather than be paid for his art, Bemelmans exchanged his work for a year and a half of accommodations at The Carlyle for himself and his family.
The smoked salmon was delicious. Bemelmans is pricey, but a favorite!
Monday morning I decided to have Breakfast at Bergdorf's (Tiffany's is under construction). I grabbed a coffee with a danish and taxied off to see the windows. As usual, they did not disappoint.
Some favorites from Bergdorf Goodman's windows.
After taking in the decadent windows, I Ubered down to SOHO to Balthazar to meet a girlfriend from Connecticut and enjoy a heartier second breakfast.
My Uber driver drove a Tesla. I asked him how he liked his car and he said he did. But he told me I should check out other electric carmakers because Elon Musk has not yet figured out the shock absorber component of building a car. When the road gets rough its a bouncy experience. Luckily our journey down Fifth Avenue and beyond was on smooth surfaces.
My Uber driver drove a Tesla. I asked him how he liked his car and he said he did. But he told me I should check out other electric carmakers because Elon Musk has not yet figured out the shock absorber component of building a car. When the road gets rough its a bouncy experience. Luckily our journey down Fifth Avenue and beyond was on smooth surfaces.
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The savory Mushroom On Toast with roasted wild mushrooms, caramelized onions, sunny-side egg, and arugula may be the best breakfast I ever had. Every bite, scrumptious.
Balthazar is a forever favorite. Open all day long with deliciousness, French ambience, and professional service.
The first time I went to Balthazar was in November, 1999. I met a girlfriend that flew in from San Francisco and we chose to go there, because it was all the rage. We didn't personally witness it, but Jerry Seinfeld proposed to Jessica Sklar that same evening at the restaurant.
Balthazar is a forever favorite. Open all day long with deliciousness, French ambience, and professional service.
The first time I went to Balthazar was in November, 1999. I met a girlfriend that flew in from San Francisco and we chose to go there, because it was all the rage. We didn't personally witness it, but Jerry Seinfeld proposed to Jessica Sklar that same evening at the restaurant.
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I love SOHO's cast-iron architecture! It has the largest concentration of that style of building not only in NYC, but in the world!
We spent a delightful afternoon shopping the plethora of well-known store brands sprinkled here and there throughout the neighborhood.
A few years ago, I met a girlfriend that worked in SOHO for a bite and drink before we walked to another event. While we were strolling, we noticed a party was going on in a storefront. We knocked on the door and asked if we could join. They said yes! It was a pop-up party for the launch of Valentino's Resort 2018 Collection! The people were beautiful, the collection fabulous, the champagne and bites a delight! You never know when you meander around NYC who and what you may bump into!
We spent a delightful afternoon shopping the plethora of well-known store brands sprinkled here and there throughout the neighborhood.
A few years ago, I met a girlfriend that worked in SOHO for a bite and drink before we walked to another event. While we were strolling, we noticed a party was going on in a storefront. We knocked on the door and asked if we could join. They said yes! It was a pop-up party for the launch of Valentino's Resort 2018 Collection! The people were beautiful, the collection fabulous, the champagne and bites a delight! You never know when you meander around NYC who and what you may bump into!
Later we dined at Bistro Les Amis on Spring Street. It is known for having the best Onion Soup in NYC. I decided to check it out. Judgement? I agree with the New Yorkers, whatever the spin on the components of the soup, the result is delicious!
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I love New York!!
Flights to Laguardia from Columbus are only 1 to 2 hours and typically on time. With some effort, if you plan in advance, you can find reasonably priced airline tickets and hotel lodging. Even in December.
Go NYC Holiday Spree
Issue XII
Issue XII
Click on pictures below for other articles!
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