Another Winter storm..

                                "Any place that we love becomes our world."  Oscar Wilde

Scene upon waking Friday

With yet another storm approaching (so much for the easy start to our winter), I packed my bag before heading to work Wednesday thinking I may try to leave that night as the thought of another 3-4 days stuck behind a wall of snow alone was not at all enticing.  As soon as I walked into the office, my Boss asked if either I or my Co-worker wanted to take Thursday off due to the impending storm.  After conferring with her I took him up on his offer and changed my bus ticket.  Sleeping yet again the whole ride down, I arrived rested and hungry.  I walked across the street to Sojourn and had a lovely light dinner of lamb meatballs with a delicious Sauvignon blanc.  And, I spent a fun few hours chatting with neighbors.  One very friendly David, invited me to his place to watch TV.  I thanked him, but declined.

Another view from home

Slept blissfully late on Thursday and then went to The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf to do some more reading and writing.  After a few hours, I walked the couple of blocks home in the mild rain, stopping along the way for dinner provisions. Kris and I enjoyed chicken stir fry, and the quiet together.

Friday we woke to about an inch or two of snow, and it continued all day, but not really accumulating too much. (Thank God I escaped the two more feet at home..). We went to the East Village and had a perfect winter afternoon lunch, french onion soup, cassoulet with a lovely bottle of red wine at Lucien, yet another great French bistro on1^st Ave @ 1^st Street. I then went shopping and poking around Soho, finding some great treats for the Ladies @ Ina and Variazioni NYC #3 on Prince Street. I brought the loot home, and Kris had a new outfit for her Girls' Dinner with Friends followed by a party in Brooklyn.

Sardi's

The Lottery Guy

I headed right back to the theatre district and tried my luck in the Book of Mormon lottery again. Still unlucky in that department, I walked down to 44th Street to the Theatre to see if any tickets were available. Lucky Guy is Tom Hanks' Broadway debut in Nora Ephron's last play. Sold out for Friday night, I decided to really treat myself, and bought a ticket for Saturday. Since Sardi's was right across the street, I decided to have a glass of wine and spent a lovely time chatting with some of the workers. I then headed back to the UES and went into Sojourn for a salad, and met yet another neighbor to have a nice chat with.

Saturday morning I took my time reading, etc. In the early afternnon I met a friend at the FIT (Fashion Institute of Technology) Museum where there was a great, if somewhat crazy shoe exhibit. Crazy in that most of the shoes seemed totally un-wearable, but they were works of art. Enjoying the show at the same time was Tim Gunn and a Friend so we politely said hello and chatted for a few minutes!

Then my NYC Friend shared some of her favorite spots in Chelsea, since it’s her home base.  We had a wonderful cup of coffee and a sweet at La Maison du Macaron on W23rd Street.  We meandered around Chelsea a bit and finally decided to have a light dinner of salads before my play at Rafaella Café on 9^th Ave (between 23^rd and 22^nd).

Off I went to see one of my favorite actors in his Broadway debut.  Nora Ephron was also a favorite.  Who doesn’t love her chick-flicks?!  The rest of the cast was great as well.   Joining Tom Hanks were Maura Tierney, Peter Scolari, Courtney Vance, et al.  I am sorry to say that while I thoroughly enjoyed myself, I wasn’t blown away!  From the theatre I just started walking. 

Sited while walking

Randolph's Bar

While reading the Boston Globe earlier in the day,  Kevin Cullen, had written about Randolph’s Bar in the Warwick Hotel near the MOMA in Midtown.  He claims it is still the picture of understated elegance and the historical haunt of Elvis and the Beatles (Paul McCartney is still seen there when he is in New York City).  So, since I found myself heading on that direction, I decided to check it out.  It is indeed very nice, and I had a couple of nice hours chatting with some locals.  (It is amazing, trust fund Ladies truly do still exist..).  Lining the halls are pictures of the rich and famous who called the Warwick home: Cary Grant, Irving Berlin; and many who stayed when in New York: Liz Taylor, Audrey Hepburn.  William Randolph Hearst built the Warwick for his paramour, Marion Davies!

Another pretty site

Cafe Mogador's postcard

Sunday, Kris and I met a great friend of hers in the East Village for a true NYC institution, brunch.  We had a long luxurious one at Café Mogador on St. Mark’s Place.  I had eaten a winter lunch here myself a few years ago.  It’s Moroccan in theme and very good.  Kris then went off to do some work at her favorite coffee shop downtown.  I went home to read, write, and relax.  (I am hooked on reading my Uncle’s letters to my Grandmother!)