Trip report - September 13-23 Days 3 and 4

Two more days wandering and eating my way through New York!

Trip report - September 13-23 Days 3 and 4

Day 3 – Sunday September 16th

Another spectacularly beautiful day in New York. Today, Dave and Les planned to meet their son Glen and his girlfriend near their apartment in Brooklyn – since both are very busy, it’s easiest to get time with the “kids” if you head out to their ‘hood. Anne and I were invited, but didn’t decide to tag along until Sunday morning; so I called Dave %26amp; Les to tell them that we would meet them so that we could travel together to get to the restaurant by 11AM. Glen chose Sweetwater Restaurant in Brooklyn, a really fun restaurant that used to be a bar – a great outdoor patio in the back, but for a party of six, only inside tables. A really cool older building - loved the atmosphere, the choices of food were great, and the food was excellent.

After a couple hours of sitting and chatting, Glen and his girlfriend headed off to work and appointments, and the rest of us headed back to Manhattan. I had discovered Tudor City with its the beautiful parks during my visit last year, but none of the rest of my group had been there before. We took the subway to Grand Central, then walked the couple blocks east to the lovely, secluded area of Tudor City. We wandered past all of the buildings, took in the views of the UN and the water, as well as the traffic below us on 42nd, then grabbed a couple teas and juices at the local store, and sat and relaxed in the park. What a gorgeous day.

One can only relax so long when in the city, so we headed back to the subway, and our neighborhood. Anne, Les and I wandered through the Columbus Avenue Street Festival to check out all there was to see and buy, and Dave headed back to Jack and Judy’s to rest since he was fighting a nasty head cold. We shopped for a few hours – up to 90th and down to 66th, over to Amsterdam to try to find an Italian restaurant that had been recommended by a friend, then stopped back by Rose Wine to pickup another bottle of the great Merlot that we’d tried Friday night, and a bottle of Cabernet. We stopped for a coffee and cookie along the way, and really enjoyed a great band that was playing in front of Senior Swanky’s - very fun, enjoyable day.

As the festival was winding down, we headed back to the B%26amp;B to catch up with Dave and make sure he was doing okay without us (HA). We met some Canadians that seemed really fun who were moving into apartments 7, 9, and 10 – we talked about TripAdvisor, and she said she was at Jack %26amp; Judy’s because of Daisiegee!! After a fun visit with our new neighbors and tours of each others apartments, Dave, Les, Anne and I headed over to Popover Café on Amsterdam for a rather early dinner - they do have good food, but their popovers are truly spectacular. Then back to our apartment for some more wine on the lovely patio until we were too tired to talk.

Trip report - September 13-23 Days 3 and 4

Monday, September 17

We received an 8 AM phone call from Judy saying that the hot water heater was flooding the downstairs, and there wouldn’t be any hot water for a while. Since Anne was still in her bed, I headed downstairs in my PJ’s to chat with Dave and Les for a while – who had been up a while and had already showered. After a while, I thought I’d venture up and just take a cold shower, but when I got upstairs, Anne was boiling water to mix with cold to wash her hair. Lucky that she did that, because the plumber arrived and the water was shut completely off, so not knowing how long we’d be dry, we opted for sponge baths (ick!) and headed out.

Dave had an appointment with a knee doctor on the Eastside on Tuesday, and I (“being the tour director”) wanted to be sure he was comfortable with the way to get there. We “practiced” with the 79 cross-town bus to Lexington, then headed down to Serendipity, which I’d heard all good things about, but had yet to visit. It was fun to checkout the “other” side of town, and we walked down Lexington for a while, then 1st for a change of pace, then 2nd – on the way we made sure that Dave was comfortable with his planned trip for the next day. We could have switched to another bus – or subway - but what fun is New York if you don’t walk?

What a fun, interesting restaurant Serendipity is. Sometimes I do the stupidest things, though – we’d been eating quite a bit of high-calorie food, so now, at this restaurant (why?!) I decide to eat healthy – I must be nuts! I had a wonderful fruit salad that was fantastic, and a pink ice that was superb – but next time I’m getting dessert and frozen hot chocolate! I felt sorry for Dave at first, as he was the only man in the room (upstairs), but soon others were there with their wives, so he wasn’t quite so outnumbered.

Debbie planned to come back into the city to meet with us again – Anne and I wanted to treat her and her brother and sister-in-law to dinner, because they had bought us lunch when we met in May. I called her as we left Serendipity to tell her to park somewhere near where her brother works (across from Bryant Park), as we planned to eat dinner in the same area – and it would make it easier for her to get home afterwards. Les, Dave, and I agreed to meet her near Bryant Park, and Anne headed out for some shopping with plans to call later to see where we would meet for dinner.

After meeting up with Debbie, we caught the bus downtown and the girls headed for ABC Carpet and Home Store (one of my favorites) while Dave hit the outdoor gear store. We shopped for a couple hours, didn’t buy anything, then met up with Dave at the chocolate counter in ABC where we picked up some delicious chocolates - - then wandered over to the tables in La Pain Qoitidien , picked up some drinks – and sat and relaxed for a bit.

We wanted to checkout Kiehl’s for lotion and such, so we walked over there and shopped a bit, then wandered around the area before catching a bus back to Bryant Park. Glen had a print on display at the Library that we wanted to check out, but after going through the purse and bag-search, we realized that the print area was already closed – so back through the bag-search and out to sit in Bryant Park to wait for Debbie’s brother to get off work. Anne called from Macy’s, so she walked over and met us.

The plan had been to eat at Bryant Park Grill, but it was closed for a private party, so we decided on the Oyster Bar at Grand Central, so wandered over there. It’s such a beautiful building – I just love the ceiling - and the restaurant was lively and fun, the food was excellent, and the company was great. Nothing better than spending time with old friends AND new friends! After dinner, Debbie’s brother and wife took the train home to Queens, and we walked Debbie back to her car, then back on the subway and home to Jack %26amp; Judy’s. The water was working when we returned – yeah – but I couldn’t believe another day had ended.

I%26#39;m going to stop recommending Jacks as it%26#39;s getting harder to get a reservation! I do so love your ';wandering'; tales, it%26#39;s like being on them with you.

Another 2 wonderful days and I agree, felt like I was there with you.

Wow, everyone knows Daisiegee! I think J%26amp;J ought to keep an apt. available for their star, free of course.

I love your reports, but I have to say I%26#39;m a little disappointed that you chose to start counting calories at Serendipity!

Bettina - that was one of the stupidest things I%26#39;ve ever done, I don%26#39;t know what I was thinking!! That will be the FIRST place I go when I return, and I won%26#39;t even think about the calories.

Daisiegee - The Canadians wanted out Apt #8, but were happy with their rooms - when she said she read about J%26amp;J on Trip Advisor I said Daisiegee, and she said, Yes, Daisiegee - were your ears burning?

Hi Chissis, it%26#39;s your Canadian friend from Jack and Judy%26#39;s! I%26#39;m enjoying your trip reports...sounds like you had a wonderful time in New York. So did we...loved Jack and Judy%26#39;s too....and thanks to Daisiegee for her suggestion! Hahaha...don%26#39;t worry, I %26#39;m sure you%26#39;ll always have %26#39;priority%26#39; there, Daisiegee!

I can%26#39;t believe after all this time of %26#39;lurking%26#39; at TA, I%26#39;m finally making my first post! I definitely will write a trip report in the near future.

My family and I had a great time in New York...what an amazing city. %26#39;We%26#39; were 7...myself, husband and daughter in room 7, and son and bride from Edmonton room 9, and our good friends from Delta in room 10. We loved our rooms, and the area.

RIght now I%26#39;m having my morning coffee...Zabar%26#39;s of course!

Chissis, I sure wish we could have enjoyed some wine with you on your cute deck...maybe next time? We kept so busy, and were hardly %26#39;home%26#39;.

Our trip was an annual %26#39;family%26#39; vacation...imagine travelling with your kids in their late 20%26#39;s! How lucky are we!

And to your New Yorkers...we loved your city, and especially the people. We were so taken care of...everyone was so helpful.

To all you TA city experts, it was because of you that our vacation was a success...all your tips, suggestions were so appreciated.

bcdiva--so glad you enjoyed Jacks. It%26#39;s a very personal thing choosing somewhere to stay, and what I am happy with might not necessarily suit others but I LOVE JACKS. Counting down the days till my New Year visit

Great chissis.

Bcdiva - so glad you posted! I was feeling guilty because we weren%26#39;t around to share our patio with you, so glad to hear you were busy as well. It was so much fun to meet you - hopefully we%26#39;ll meet again at Jack %26amp; Judy%26#39;s!!

nars