Blog Archives

No trip to NYC would be complete without a hot pastrami sandwich (on rye, of course) from the Stage Deli. Our friend Chris introduced us to the Stage Deli several visits ago, and we’ve been ever time since. Now, Jeff prefers the hefty chicken salad sandwich…but for my money, this piled-high pastrami delight is pure sandwich perfection.

We actually had a few delightful meals yesterday, our first “free day” in NY. We also visited with Cheryl and Curt and Loren…one last visit to their apartment before they move into their exciting renovated co-op along the East River. We got a chance to see the new digs pre-renovation…with a side trip to the roof-top deck, which on warm NY days will make them the envy of all their friends. Cheryl and Curt took us to the cozy John’s Pizza near their apartment. We sat out back and shared a REALLY nice bruschetta pizza from a wood oven. Really really hit the spot.

After leaving them to tuck Loren in for the evening, Jeff and I strolled down 1st Ave. to pass by the United Nations buildings. We had not seem the UN before…and the complex isn’t that “impressive” from the street…but you can get a sense of the grand things that go on inside.

After resting our tired feet a bit, we ended our day with a few drinks at a lounge called Therapy. Hip music. Hip decor. A fun time…and we could actually sit…bonus. After our Therapy session, the temperatures were too lovely not to walk back to our hotel…not a short walk, but worth it. We found a Ray’s Pizza along the way and stopped in for a slice.

A cool shower and soft bed felt REALLY good after a long day of walking.

One curiosity for the day. While we were in SOHO, we did run across the Apple store, where a couple hundred (maybe?) people were camped out waiting for the release of the new iPhone. It was like a scene from Let’s Make a Deal…everyone dressed up with signs trying to get noticed by the swarming news cameras. I’m sure the place was a TOTAL zoo by 6pm when the phone went on sale.

I had hoped to post a shot of my NYC hotel window yesterday, but the Internet connection in the room wasn’t functioning…and I was tired. But today…success! This is my 16th floor view from the W Tuscany…there is NOTHING remotely Tuscan about this hotel…but it is quite nice. I’m going to go out on a limb and call this my BEST hotel view to date. (My apologies to Chicago, that had a really strong Window Photo.)

Today is a tad bit cooler. My client meeting was much more receptive and productive. And Jeff is finally here…his flight from SF was VERY late (1am) due to horrible weather delays. (Before you have too much sympathy, Jeff did get upgraded on his flight and got extra wine and champagne as his flight circled JFK.)

Oh, and before I forget to mention it: a really nice lunch today at Ecco, a really nice Italian “saloon” in the Financial District. I had a really tasty lobster ravioli.

Can’t WAIT for dinner!! I really do love NY.

Some days, its best to focus on the positives and ignore the things that just don’t go your way.

The positives: my morning latte, a yummy lunch at Boston’s cozy Green Dragon Tavern (roots back to 1657), catching an early train to NYC, catnaps brought on by the gentle sway of the train, a fantastic hotel room at the W in NYC with a view of the Empire State Building, hip cocktails with my traveling companion Ellis, and a grand lightening show out my window as I drift off to sleep.

All great stuff 🙂

I’ll leave the rants for another day.

[Note to Curt: I know I haven’t written you yet…I’m a bit behind…I will…don’t flame me on my blog for being a bad friend 🙂 ]

Matthew snapped a few pictures of the pine tree when he and Jeff arrived home this evening. The progress is dramatic…albeit not complete. I guess this is a 2-3 day process. [Thanks for the photos, Matt.]

Also, a hearty THANK YOU to my buddy (and avid blog reader) Sean for his Boston food tips. At Sean’s recommendation, we tried Durgin-Park in the Faneuil Hall Market. These folks love to draw attention to their 100+ years of existence…”YOUR GRANDFATHER & PERHAPS YOUR GREAT GRANDFATHER DINED WITH US TOO” and “ESTABLISHED BEFORE YOU WERE BORN”. Its unabashedly kitschy, but their simple but hearty seafood dishes held up nicely to the hype. We were offered a spot on the outside terrace, but the hot and sticky air drove us downstairs to the cool (and lively) bar area. We topped off dinner with a house specialty, the strawberry shortcake. Yum.

Temporary red and white No Parking signs dotted our tiny street today, signaling the imminent demise of the already-demised pine tree next door. As luck would have it, I hopped on a flight this morning for Boston…so I won’t have pics of the lack-o-tree for a week! Talk about timing.

Over the past week, since we learned the tree was going to be removed, I’ve been noticing the tree more. There is one particularly loud bird that perches on the longest of the limbs. Every morning, his complex song greets the sun as it peeks over the hills. I think he will miss the tree most of all.

Nevertheless, I don’t think the world will take any notice. It seems that we’re a bit preoccupied with Paris Hilton’s jail departure outfit: “a sage jacket with white trim over a white shirt and skinny jeans”.

So, rather than dwell on the fate of the tree [its probably down by now], I will share the view of my Hilton window in Boston’s Financial District. In a large city, a corner room is a bonus, although a view would help 🙂