If you look back through this blog you’ll see that we always go away at this time of year to celebrate ny birthday. Well, this year it’s one of those ‘milestone’ birthdays so I thought something a bit special was called for …. in a few hours time we’re off to New York for 6 days!
I’ve been before but this time we intend to do things which we haven’t got round to before like visit Coney Island and Brighton Beach. The High Line has also opened since I was last there and I was unaware of the Roosevelt Island tramway. I’ve stood and stared at the Brooklyn Bridge, this time we’re going to walk it and then explore Brooklyn Heights. A highlight, I hope, will be dinner on Saturday night when we’ve managed to get an invitation to an underground supper club, these are ‘occasional’ restaurants opened up in the host’s home. You hear of them by word of mouth and the location is only disclosed once you’re invited and have accepted. I’ve got the address now and it’s a loft apartment in Brooklyn with catering by an invited chef. More conventionaly lunch on Wednesday is booked at L’Ecole, “Nestled in the heart of SoHo, L’Ecole is the only restaurant of its kind in New York City: a dining experience where tomorrow’s top chefs, currently students at the prestigious French Culinary Institute, serve the very best in classic and contemporary French cuisine. We also hope to get tickets to see Jersey Boys on Broadway. Even though the songs are 50 years old I remember every word, they were great times to be a teenager!
Will report back next week :-)
Happy Birthday Malc – I’ve never been stateside but it’s on the ‘to do’ list when I get a long enough break from work – I fancy two or three weeks so as to fully relax.
Hope the trip fully lived up to expectations, and as you were a teenager 50 years ago I think I’m safe to say happy 65th!
Oh hell – I missed the main point;
HAPPY BIRTHDAY (you old git!. I’m 40 in September, so a huge ‘party’ needs to be sorted out.) NY and Paris are tying for top place … ;)
Regards,
Matt
Have a good trip – I’ve always had a good time in NY, but keep your camera hidden as much as you can (needless to day – passports and any cash/TCheques should be locked up in the safe at reception unless you and your family NEED them – most US Hotel/Motels have “safes” in rooms; but use the reception if you can; might cost a few dollars a day, but at least you’ll get a receipt, and that’ll pacify your travel insurance people if anything goes wrong and you need to make a claim).
Broadway is great – “Les Mis” last month was outstanding – but be prepared for rude locals who will deliberately get in your way; just shrug it off and carry on (if you intend to see a show, book online – much cheaper than ‘on the day’ tickets from local “agents” (ie – touts) – and remember that a missed photo is better than a bullet in the neck; obviously.
Holiday Inn on W39th is my usual crash-place – cheapish, clean and cool or warm (as dictated by the weather). If Marie-Suzanne is on the bar, say “hi” from me!
Cheers,
Matt