Sharing the Hx3..

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

After an intense couple of weeks, I headed down to NYC Friday mid-afternoon with a very Dear Friend, Cathy.  Kristi went to the conference “Be the Change” in Orlando, so I was able to invite a friend to the Hx3!

We arrived with no drama, and walked about ten blocks to 1742 Wine Bar on 2^nd Avenue.  I had bought a Groupon (something I very rarely do), and it was so worth it.  We had a wine tasting throughout dinner, and chose the antipasto appetizer, and delicious skirt steak over a bed of spinach, and were sent home with a bottle of wine!  A true deal!

Cathy on The Highline

Saturday morning I went up the street to my Philosophy class.  Cathy happily poked around the neighborhood and people watched.  Mid afternoon we headed to Tribeca to check out the Family Street Festival that was part of the Film Festival.  I still always get lost Downtown, but it was a beautiful spring day, so the meandering was enjoyable.  When we finally found the Street Festival we realized it truly was for young families.  When Cathy’s not with her Grandkiddos, we’re beyond that.  So, we walked…

When we finally got to the Highline, we indulged in a wonderful frozen yogurt, and loved it while we walked the Highline.  We walked up to Chelsea to 23^rd Street to see a free screening and talk back of the 1993 film about the beginnings of the Aids/HIV crisis, “And the Band Played On.”  It was part of the Tribeca Film Festival and it was excellent.

The Intrepid from The Press Lounge

Sunset from The Press Loinge

We then headed West again to find a rooftop bar Kris had recommended, The Press Lounge (653 11th Ave
between 47th St & 48th St).  It was a wonderful place to thoroughly enjoy the sunset over the Hudson.  Not cheap but we beat the “scene” that I’m sure it becomes late night.  We then decided to munch and “bar-hop” our way home.

Jazz @ The Campbell Aprtment

We left the Press Lounge and made our way to Grand Central (by cab as a treat for all the walking we had done), to one of my favs, The Campbell Apartment.  It did not disappoint, as there was a small Jazz Duo playing.  We had a lovely light dinner of quesadillas.  From there we walked up Park Avenue to 55^th Street.

Another of my top favs, the King Cole Bar at the St Regis Hotel (55th St between 5th and Madison Avenues) had a small table waiting for us in the corner.  We had a wonderful nightcap, and chatted with neighboring tables, all of whom we so kind and empathetic when they heard we were from Boston.  One Couple had just gotten engaged.  We knew before her Mom!  She shared some of her favorite places on the UES with me, great tips!

Orsay

Sunday was another picture perfect spring day.  So we meandered over to the Park (Central, that is), and had our cup of coffee at the Kerbs Memorial Boat House and watched people as they played with the motorized sail boats you can rent.  From there we went for brunch at Orsay (Lexington Ave and between 75th St & 76th St).   Both of these recommendations were from the newly engaged Lady, and were awesome (usually I get cards from People, forgot to get hers..).



Cathy @ Bemelman's Bar

Then we finished up the tour of my fav 3 places for a cocktail in New York City, at Bemelman’s Bar at the Carlysle Hotel (Madison Ave @ 76th Street).  It was wonderfully and luxuriously quiet on this Sunday afternoon.  After, we just walked to the East River so Cathy would have seen my entire neighborhood, from West to East, from almost the southern tip of Manhattan to the to Upper East/West sides.  A wonderful weekend, so delighted to have been able to share it!