COCKTAILS on the Terrace • NY Athletic club

The location of the NY ATHLETIC CLUB is so convenient……just off Fifth Avenue and a block from Central Park.

The rooftop terrace is……fun….sun….and cocktails………or tea.

It’s fun to see my apartment  there in the tower in the distance……..from one terrace to another.

Tid-bits are served……….blue cheese bruschetta with mango for starters.

CAKEBREAD CELLARS………….ordered that just because the name is so amusing.

 

 

 

LUNCH at the New York Athletic Club

The TAP ROOM……less formal than the dining room……..is perfect for lunch.  You have to be with a member………as no cash is accepted…….it goes on your club charge……[and you will need your stockbroker …..to pay for it.]

CHARLES..…..bartender here for 37 years……remembers who drinks what.

I had an alcohol-free beer…….KALIBER

All of these dishes were delicious …..but the NY STRIP……..over the top.

Desserts are a rather simple affair……..as was the coffee.

 

Bistro Chat Noir……….gone forever!

My favorite FRENCH cafe on the East Side served their last meal today.  Suzanne, the proprietress, can’t make ends meet financially.  Sad.  It was such a lovely cafe.

My friend Diane introduces us to this cafe…..years ago…..simple bistro food…..but oh so delicieux.

WHITBY HOTEL • NYC

The Whitby Hotel on West 56th street……near Central Park and all the other exciting places in the city…Apple, Tiffany, Prada…..all just steps away.

The hotel is rather austere from the outside…..but once inside….you will not want to leave.

The breakfast nook is actually my favorite room……..tho the breakfast is a bit pricey………$30 for granola or french toast………but worth every tasty morsel.

CLICK ON..………. to find your favorite room.

The corner suite with the terrace is on sale right now for $900 per night.

RUSSIAN BRUNCH with Mari Vanna

“SKAZKA“….that’s Russian for brunch.  Heavy and hardy but delicious cooking is what you get when you dine at Mari Anna’s in Gramercy Park.

Very Victorian…….very shabby chic…….very opulently filled with “tchotchke’s”.  Every table has a charming bouquet of flowers.

Don and Tom and Diane……friends for 50 years……and counting.

The menu is limited….but BE WARNED………the food is very very rich……….dripping with cream sauces and butter.

Sweet little change purse……..your bill arrives folded up inside.  Cute touch!  If you have ordered the infused Russian vodka….that is an additional $300.  True!

Lunch at JAMS

JAMS is in the lobby of the #1 Hotel.  Great location.  A few steps off 5th avenue and just one short block to Central park…………also, my dentist has a suite in the penthouse…..just in case you need a root canal.

The rooms tend to be a bit small……….but you get a view into Central Park from the upper rooms.

Barn wood ceiling………..tiny ledge for a writing desk………..and $500 a night……..bump that up to $600 with service and tax.

BUT…………you get that partial view……..

 

That’s Dr. B Ziten and Dr. D. Silver there at the window.

 

The interior of the restaurant…..very smart….very contemporary and very uncomfortable chairs and stools.

This was the RESTAURANT WEEK SPECIAL.……..tomato soup………one half chicken………arancini………..chocolate pudd and a completely tasteless coconut cake.

All this for $100 and wine and tax and tip is extra.

The kitchen is “OPEN VIEW” and the staff works their b _ _ _ off to get the food out quickly…..the restaurant fills up fast…….then the noise level is deafening.  I would suggest you book a table for 2pm.  Will I go back?  YES…..and I will order the hamburger with fries.

RESTAURANT WEEK nyc • Benoit

345 restaurants participated in RESTAURANT WEEK……….but I went to my favorite.  If you are in Paris you can enjoy BENOIT..……or enjoy it right here in New York.  Alain Ducasse knows how to please New Yorkers……..without the typical French snobbery.

Laetitia, Chef de Cuisine and the Executive chef Philippe Bertineau have restored Benoit’s reputation for the finest Parisian bistro cuisine in New York.

Today I got to taste…and enjoy……..creations of Chef Thomas Padovani……..