Our NYC Trip Report, 30 Dec- 4 Jan, days 3-5

The first and second days are previous entries on the forum.

1 Jan, Monday, it is the New Year, our third day

We are not moving fast this morning, outside it is raining and foggy. Only day in New York with rain and it ended in the afternoon. Still had new and different views and atmosphere from our 37th floor with bldgs peaking in and out of the fog. Had breakfast delivered to room, I thought the price was inexpensive and when delivered ,saw why. More like a take out bag delivery service although food was good.

After crosswords, etc, we walked down to Macy%26#39;s with unbrella and raincoats. Enjoyed all of the window displays fronting Broadway. Spent time inside Macy%26#39;s and nearby stores, shopping and having lunch.

Our evening was great. Left hotel by bus to area of 8th/9th Ave and 37th. Area looks bad there but not to worry. Zipper Theater and ';Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris'; are both wonderful. We found a little Trattoria on 9th for our Manhattan pre-show ritual. A Manhattan in Manhattan three days in a row. It certainly puts you in the right mood. About Jacque and the Zipper: We sat in the second row, could almost touch the singers, seats were car seats , ours had headrests - no kidding. Caberet feeling and absolutely the best performances by four very talented singers. I know its an old production but even today I believe would be enjoyed by all, any age.

2 Jan, Tuesday, Monique%26#39;s 68th Birthday and our 4th day

Special for us to be on the Today show this morning. As it turned out this was the only real disappointment of our NYC trip. We arrived before 7AM (by 3min) and had a position at front row with two small printed signs for birthday and greetings to friends out there in TV land. Today was the funeral of Pres Ford and Matt and Ann were in Washington, DC. Roker was off and Meridith stayed in the studio. Willard came out twice for a few moments to introduce the weather but missed our side. Natelie and friend made one brief appearance (2 min) and that was it, again missing our area. Seemed to be the worst day of the year to be on camera. Best part was to have pastries and coffee at Dean and Deluca (sp?) at end of our long ordeal.

We walked all the back to our hotel from Rock Center but it was a wonderful excursion. I needed better shoes for all of our walking and found perfect fit in vicinity of Madison and 44th. Did the Met-Life lobby, back though Grand Central, lobby of hotel(?) next door, lobby of Chrysler Bldg, and through the Waldorf Astoria, left-right and up-down.

It is only mid-day and we think we are up to doing the Brooklyn Bridge. With new shoes we step over to the number 6 subway going downtown. As you walk off, you are at the approach walkway onto the Bridge. We proceed immediately and end up with more pictures in these next two hours then previous two days. This is a great walk, everyone should do it. Then stop and have a NY folded cheese pizza with Coke in Brooklyn before returning to the City side. Near this subway stop are wonderful sites (buildings to photograph). Do the City Hall and Admin complex, NY Bank Bldg and on up near Wall St. We craned our necks looking up like real tourists at every street corner. Now subway back to 33rd and hotel.

Our evening started by bus(s) on up to Central Park and walking to Tavern on the Green. Does anyone else go to Tavern on the Green by bus? Not for dinner but drinks at the bar (naturally Manhattans) and photos of the dining rooms, lighted trees, and corridors. On leaving we walked up to 69th West for our dinner. Telepan was our choice and we were not disappointed. I had great 4 course Prix for $59, birthday girl selected ala carte. Very attentive staff and Monique received a special birthday plate of selective cookies, cakes, and candies. Our overall opinion, Telepan serves food that is of high caliber, prices are not astronom. by NY standards. We would recommend this restaurant to anyone yet could be better. I guess this last statement comes about only because of our last meal the following day. By bus back to hotel, couldn%26#39;t find a taxi sooner.

3 Jan, it is Weds, our 5th and last full day in the Big Apple.

Our day is centered on arriving at lunch at 2PM. This was also to be the day we visited the posh stores along 5th Ave and 57th St. We left hotel mid-morning and bussed to Rockefeller Center area. Picked up photos of our Today non-appearance and proceeded up 5th Ave, entering many stores, admirering but buying nothing. Admonished or warned not to take pictures in stores. Did the roasted chestnuts, loved em. Ended up at Time Warner complex/ Columbus circle area just perfectly for our 2PM lunch. Which was--------

The most perfect restaurant and food we have ever experienced. Jean Georges, located in the Trump International Hotel. I%26#39;m going back again and again. Unbelievable food , presentation and service and this was lunch. $28 for 2 course plus $10 each additional course. Small portions but you will savor each bite for a very long time. Not for one with gross appitite. Started with a amuse before and chocolate sweets after, all gratis of the chef. Still you may want to do a desert from the menu - unbelievable, and I can%26#39;t help but say unbelievable again.

Still had thoughts of skating, we were just next to the Wollman in Central Park. Birthday girl, having the perogative, then decided on a carriage though the park. Loved it no matter what is said on the forum. Happen to have a Armenian driver who had been in Turkey and Armenia, a place we knew (lived) from 25+ years ago. What a conversation, we all knew Istanbul well, couldn%26#39;t stop talking of things we knew in common.

Bus again to hotel, we are liking the bus. But the day is not done. soon we found another bus getting us to around 49th between 7th and 8th. The musical is Spring Awakening, 8PM show, again we had great seats, center 4th row. Slightly pushed forward vulgar language, slightly sexually implicit scenes, catchy tunes but none you might hum going home. We enjoyed the production, and we found that theater goers in NY are generally older. No exception at Spring Awakening, reviews had indicated this show would appeal to a young audience below 30. Wouldn%26#39;t have known that from people I saw in line. A great evening, we walked back to hotel.

Tomorrow we leave for Montreal. That would have been Jan 4th. Will add some further comments soon about our 5+ days in you city/ John

Our NYC Trip Report, 30 Dec- 4 Jan, days 3-5

Sounds like you had a great trip. Just saw Spring Awakening myself and I enjoyed it, maybe a bit more than you did.

How about those bathrooms at the Zipper? I love that little theatre, you are right in the action. And you are right, although the area is not pretty, it is safe, just a more industrial part of town, lots of small theatres and surprises behind some of those doors (including some fantastic loft apartments).

I love taking the buses, too, they are slower, but you sure do get to see a lot along the way.

Our NYC Trip Report, 30 Dec- 4 Jan, days 3-5

Never thought about reporting on bathrooms , in general. Ok, they is swell, bar is swell, car seats are swell. Heard some music flowing from back of old buildings as we walked area after show. Not knowing where from cometh exactly.

Very good TR,glad you had a great time,NYC is one of the best when it comes to sightseeing,been there over 100 times and still have not seen everything.