New York City

I received the coolest assignment back in April because I got to go to New York. I had only been to NYC once before, for two days, and I definitely wanted to visit again. While the downside to the assignment was that I had to work and couldn’t spend all my time out on the town, the upside was that work allowed me to visit Manhattan in style. Here is a breakdown of the trip:

I stayed at the Millennium Hilton which is located in the Financial District. My room overlooked Ground Zero so I got up close and personal to the construction site. It does not bear any resemblance to the Ground Zero (thank heavens) that I saw in October 2001. It looks just like any other construction site that also serves as a tourist attraction. The restaurant in the Hilton, Church & Dey, is unremarkable. The food was on par with an Olive Garden. What really angered me is that they used Hershey’s Chocolate Syrup on my ice cream. For heaven’s sake, spring for some hot fudge people!

Monday night one of my students recommended a restaurant called Brasserie Les Halles. I have since learned that there is one located in DC (and is owned (?) by Anthony Bourdain). It was wonderful, although too dark to read (I know, I know but what are you supposed to do when eating out by yourself?), and I would highly recommend the steak, the amazing French fries (soooo good), and the chocolate mousse. I am told that the service at the Les Halles on Park Avenue is better than the downtown location (I went to the Park Avenue café).

Monday was also my first solo foray onto the NYC Subway. I have lived to tell that it is a very convenient and accessible mass transit system. That being said, I found it to be dirty, especially in comparison to the DC Metro system. I only took the wrong train one time (to which I received applause from my students). I also saw a small child fall between the platform and a departing train. Luckily his mother was able to pull him onto the platform before he was hurt. The child was totally fine, but I think his mother lost a few years off her life. She was sobbing and hugging the boy like crazy. I was glad to see so many concerned citizens try to help as I expected that New York apathy. I have also decided that the grossest dare in the world would be to lick a step on a NYC subway station stairway. I gag just thinking about that.

Tuesday I got tickets to Young Frankenstein. It was hilarious, smart, goofy, and very well acted. Roger Bart, who you have all seen but don’t know by name, played Frederick Frankenstein and Megan Mullally (of Will & Grace) played Elizabeth. Both are excellent comedians and wonderful singers. I had 3rd row center, orchestra seats that blew my mind. Good times!

I had a pre-theater dinner that night at a place called Barbetta. It was okay, if overpriced, with very good polenta. Apparently it used to be one of Sinatra’s old haunts and the restaurant is housed in home at one time owned by the Astor family.


Wednesday I went to Serendipity (yes the one from the movie) and had a lovely ham and brie sandwich. The highlight was the frozen hot chocolate, which was very refreshing. Be warned that it causes severe brain freeze and the serving is too large for one person. Otherwise I just walked all over Midtown, stopping at Bloomingdales, the Plaza, and Rockefeller Center. I walked down 5th Avenue and looked at all the amazing clothing and jewelry that I cannot afford. I really want to participate in wanton consumerism (at times).

Thursday I saw Mary Poppins. The two leads in the show are so talented. I enjoyed the story and the child actors we much better than I expected. They had some lame back story about Mrs. Banks and her attempts to find herself and reconnect with Mr. Banks. I found it boring and longed for the suffragette Mrs. Bank singing “Votes for Women.” There was one number in Mary Poppins that freaked me out a bit. It was like a combination of Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer’s Island of Misfit Toys and Dumbo’s Huffalumps and Woozles. I didn’t like it at all. Although I had front row seats, I had no leg room. I am not tall and I was dying. I don’t know how tall people can sit that long in seats that are worse than economy class.

Before the theater I had pastrami and corned beef rolls at Junior’s off Times Square. I also had some of the best cheesecake ever at Junior’s. I guess they are well known for their cheesecake and it is not without reason. I was going to go to Roxy's but all the online reviews said the staff was rude and the restauarnt was unclean. Junior's was the exact opposite, go if you want good food, although it is very busy.

On Friday I just walked around the Financial District until I had to catch my flight. I went to St. Paul’s and saw George Washington’s pew, Trinity Church (of National Treasure fame), the Stock Exchange, and to the Federal Hall museum which is a national park.

I had a blast and I would love to go there again. I would happily live there, if I had the paycheck to make living in Manhattan fun and exciting. For now I will just let work send me.