Touristy Eatings in New York

I love New York City; there is no other place in the world quite like it. I’ve been visiting this great city on a regular basis since I was a baby, way back in the dark ages. When I was in my teens I lived just over the New York State line in Southern Connecticut; a short ride into the “City” on the commuter train. It was wonderful to have such easy access to the City and all it had to offer.

Because of my once close proximity and frequent visits to New York City, I’ve never really considered myself a tourist, although of course I am. On a trip this past May my husband and I decided to play tourist for a couple of days … we had a blast!

We started our trip by checking into the Marriott Marquis in Times Square.

Central Park

After we settled into our room we headed uptown to Central Park; our destination, the Metropolitan Museum of Art. We crossed the park, stopping for a glass of wine and a cheese board at the Boathouse Restaurant’s outdoor terrace. Watching the tiny boats adrift upon the lake on this lovely day, surrounded by greenery and peacefulness, it was hard to imagine that we were in the heart of this bustling city.

Grand Central Terminal

We tore ourselves away and continued on to the Met where we took in two fine special exhibits. In addition to their incredible permanent collection, the Met always produces interesting temporary exhibits. It would take days to enjoy all the art the Met has to offer, but in our limited time we were able to enjoy many of our favorite galleries as well as the exhibits. My cousin had accompanied us this far, but had to return to Connecticut. We left the Met and escorted her to Grand Central Terminal. Once sure that she was safely on board her train, we roamed around this spectacular treasure.

When I was younger, Grand Central was dark and dirty with a huge Kodak photo-mural hiding much of its architectural beauty. But a major cleaning and renovation in the 1990s restored the building to its former glory.

Grand Central Market

There are some fine, albeit expensive, stores scattered about including an O & Co (Oliviers and Company) boutique. O & Co is a French company that bills itself as a Mediterranean food merchant. We first discovered them while staying on the Île Saint-Louis in Paris. They carry all kinds of olive oils and salt and herb mixes.

Also in the terminal is the Grand Central Market. This market is truly beautiful with incredible displays of produce, baked goods, meat, seafood, whatever. If I lived in the City, I would live here.

Rockefeller Center

We walked back toward Times Square via Rockefeller Center. As our New York City visits of late have been at Christmas time, we’re used to seeing ice skaters twirling about, but this day the skaters were replaced with people resting at little tables enjoying the nice day with a cocktail and a bite to eat. We had no other choice but to sit and join them.

We returned to the hotel and began the difficult task of deciding where to have dinner. We were tired and didn’t want to walk too far, so we made a reservation nearby at Blue Fin in the W Hotel Times Square.

Blue Fin was modern and lovely. We were seated upstairs with a view of two musicians playing jazz tunes on the landing. They didn’t play long, but were pleasant to listen to. The menu was innovative and filled with a wide variety of seafood, our favorite. My husband chose to start with the Warm Baked Goat Cheese with ruby red beets, baby arugula and balsamic vinaigrette (where I got the inspiration for my last posting), and I started with the Caesar Salad. Both were very good. The entrée was harder, so many excellent fish choices. Finally he decided on the Atlantic Striped Bass with petite shrimp, manilla clams and mussels in a smoked chorizo broth; which he loved. My entrée selection was the Grilled Branzino with summer beans, olives, sun-dried tomatoes and preserved lemon; also delicious.

The Author at the MCNY

The next day we headed way uptown to a museum we had never been to, the Museum of the City of New York (MCNY). This little museum was a delight, especially the special exhibition currently on display.

It was past the normal lunch hour and we found ourselves back in Central Park, strolling once again past the Boathouse Restaurant. Although we had stopped by the previous day for wine and cheese, we were hungry and decided to have a late lunch. Happily situated at a window table with a view of the lake and skyline, we each ordered a salad and split the Twin Boathouse Burgers and home-made tater tots. It was all good, but I especially enjoyed the Heirloom Tomato Salad with Feta.

Brooklyn Bridge

Next stop, Zabar’s, a stop we always make to pick up Spanish olives and a few other goodies. Then, as long as we were playing tourist, on to another place we had never been … South Street Seaport. A nice view of the river and bridge is about all I can say about it. As my Aunt Betty used to say; “I want to see it all, because I’m never coming back.”

Back in midtown, we wandered down Fifth Avenue peeking in store windows and visiting another beautiful New York City landmark, St. Patrick’s Cathedral.

Once again we were very tired from our long day and returned to the hotel to relax. That night I was treating my husband to a very special indulgence and one of the ultimate destinations for foodie tourists. We were going to dinner at The River Café in Brooklyn. The River Café, as the name implies, is located on the Hudson River at the base of the Brooklyn Bridge. The view of the Manhattan skyline, especially at night, is magnificent. The restaurant has earned a star in the famous Michelin Guide, quite a culinary honor.

Chocolate Marquise
Brooklyn Bridge

And it did not disappoint. From beginning to end, it was a delightful experience. The ambiance, with that incredible view, was wonderful. The service was impeccable, but not stuffy. The food was excellent. We feasted on Wild Rock Lobster tails and Yellowfin Tuna appetizers and a Grilled Dorade Fillet and a Crisp Duck Breast for our entrées. The pièce de résistance, however, was the dessert; a chocolate replica of the Brooklyn Bridge constructed of handmade chocolate with a terrine of toasted hazelnut and Tahitian vanilla ice cream … oh my gosh, I didn’t know a bridge could taste so good!

What a lovely evening. I dropped a small fortune; mainly because we were ordering wine by the glass, since my husband was drinking red and I had white. But it was one of those rare, perfect experiences and it was truly worth it.

Bryant Park

We had done so much, it seemed as though we had been in the City a week rather than just a weekend. We retired to our room, happy and full. The next morning we set off for more walking and window shopping. Eventually we landed in Bryant Park and had a nice little outdoor lunch at the Bryant Park Grill before having to catch our train back to Maryland. A perfect ending to our touristy eating adventures in New York City … it was a wonderful trip.