Central Park, NY, in the snow
Carole and Naomi shopping
Sex and the City style, outside
Carrie Bradshaw’s apartment
(Sarah Jessica Parker’s real home)
New York City – so different from perceptions of dark, deserted, dangerous, neighbourhoods gained from too much bad US TV when growing-up. Greenwich Village, where we are stayed with our very good friends Naomi and Neil, is one such example. A gay neighbourhood in all senses of the word with an eclectic range of shops, cafes and restaurants that feels perfectly safe day and night. Our 4-days in New York fly-by as we squeeze in a lot of fun, here are the highlights.
Central Park in the snow: like a scene from a romantic movie everywhere is covered by a good 150mm (6in) of snow. We stroll through white grounds watching children sledging in the still falling snow.
Museum of Modern Art part 1: forget the art (good though it is) and head straight to the Carroll and Milton Petrie Café (level 5). The desserts are to die for, as is the beer list. Try the scrumptious Coffee Carmel Sundae (with pecan nut pastry) paired with a Smuttynose Baltic Porter, the sweet dessert and dark beer go perfectly together – just make sure the beer is at room temperature, not served in a wine cooler!
MoMA part 2: As for the art….. The Tim Burton retrospective confirms a darkly humorous mind at work. The collection of 1960’s Pop and Fluxus art contains examples of probably every significant artist from that period. I just love the balance of formal structure and underlying rebellion. Finish at Monet’s “Lilies”; a beautifully displayed set of canvases in their own warmly lit room, incredibly soothing.
Top of the Rock: great views across New York from the top of the Rockefeller Centre.
Shopping: when in NY, shop! Carole and Naomi hit Greenwich with enthusiasm and Neil and I in tow as faithful Sherpas.
Radio City: a vast auditorium seeped in art deco nostalgia with an excellent backstage tour.
Hi-Line: a good stroll in crisp morning sunlight along the former elevated railway converted to a public space of meandering paths and snow covered planter beds. Inventive use of a derelict structure to create community space in this dense city.
We conclude our stay with dinner and dancing at the New York Athletic Club, another of those establishments so much grander than City Tatts back in Sydney.
With thanks to Naomi and Neil for providing a roof over our heads and 4-days of fun.
Central Park in the snow: like a scene from a romantic movie everywhere is covered by a good 150mm (6in) of snow. We stroll through white grounds watching children sledging in the still falling snow.
Museum of Modern Art part 1: forget the art (good though it is) and head straight to the Carroll and Milton Petrie Café (level 5). The desserts are to die for, as is the beer list. Try the scrumptious Coffee Carmel Sundae (with pecan nut pastry) paired with a Smuttynose Baltic Porter, the sweet dessert and dark beer go perfectly together – just make sure the beer is at room temperature, not served in a wine cooler!
MoMA part 2: As for the art….. The Tim Burton retrospective confirms a darkly humorous mind at work. The collection of 1960’s Pop and Fluxus art contains examples of probably every significant artist from that period. I just love the balance of formal structure and underlying rebellion. Finish at Monet’s “Lilies”; a beautifully displayed set of canvases in their own warmly lit room, incredibly soothing.
Top of the Rock: great views across New York from the top of the Rockefeller Centre.
Shopping: when in NY, shop! Carole and Naomi hit Greenwich with enthusiasm and Neil and I in tow as faithful Sherpas.
Radio City: a vast auditorium seeped in art deco nostalgia with an excellent backstage tour.
Hi-Line: a good stroll in crisp morning sunlight along the former elevated railway converted to a public space of meandering paths and snow covered planter beds. Inventive use of a derelict structure to create community space in this dense city.
We conclude our stay with dinner and dancing at the New York Athletic Club, another of those establishments so much grander than City Tatts back in Sydney.
With thanks to Naomi and Neil for providing a roof over our heads and 4-days of fun.
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