A winter evening in ManhattanDec 18 '02 Write an essay on this topic.The Bottom Line New York can and should be had often. Last week my wife and I took the five eleven pm Long Island Railroad train into Penn station from our home town of Freeport. The ride time for us is similar to the song "Only Forty-five Minutes to Broadway". We arrived At Penn station that is on thirty forth street and went directly to the #9local line going uptown. This is all underground. We departed the #9 at fiftieth street and started walking cross town two blocks towards Radio City Music Hall that we could see in the short distance. The subway stop is right at one of our favorite restaurants in the city.Lundy's We have been there for their seafood and fantastic drinks a number of times. It has a bar downstairs and a beautiful, modern restaurant upstairs with a great view of the happenings of the city. Be sure to get a seat by the huge windows. As we approached Radio City Music hall we watched the animated soldiers on top of the marque doing the Rockettes' routine of collapsing soldiers after the cannon is fired. They were just letting the lines in for the Christmas Spectacular Show as we passed. If you have never seen it you must go. It's fantastic and Radio City is such a grand building. It too is a must see especially now after it's refurbishing a few years back. They have tours of the building with it's stage areas, dressing rooms, prop storage areas, and other very interesting features. Tickets can be purchased at the box office. At this time of year reservations may be required. We continued on to the NBC building. Every morning there are lines outside of people waiting for one of the TV shows being taped there. The underneath concourse of this building is a great place to check out. More in a bit. As we turned the corner of the NBC building the famous Rockefeller Christmas tree came into view. It really is quite a site. No matter how many times I have been there the same wonderful feelings still come to me. In this area there are quite a number of opportunists trying to make a few bucks by taking a polaroid picture of you in front of the tree. A few characters are dressed up for photo opts too. You may even see the real Santa! We continued around and watched the ice skaters on the rink below the tree. Anyone can rent skates and do it. In all these years I never have. Maybe one day my wife and I will. It's a lot of fun watching people of all ages and experience on the ice, those who are constantly picking themselves up and the few who are doing their jumps and spins in mid-air in mid-ice. The whole area is lovely and full of excitement. many people, including ourselves, jockeyed for good position for a photo in the area that has the Angels. Many couples took turns taking pictures of each other as momentos. Downstairs here is part of the concourse that runs under the NBC building. It is lined with stores and a good place to get out of the cold and warm up a bit. There are public restrooms down there too. There is a small cafe that has a view of the skaters. On the other side is the Sea Grill Restaurant. It too has a great view of the skaters and of the tree above. The place is a bit pricey but you can cut down on expenses if you happen to need parking in the area. They have a deal with a garage on 48th street where you pay just nine dollars after getting the ticket validates at the restaurant. That saved money, usually about twenty five dollars, can go towards the dinner making it moderately priced. Call them for more details for the times and the correct garage. In the area across from the tree are some high end stores, some with gorgeous jewelry. There is also another store we frequent often. It's the Metropolitan Museum Store. We enjoy looking around and generally find a little thing or two to take home. This time my wife picked up a 2003 calendar with beautiful oriental watercolour. And I might add at half price. After walking around a bit more we crossed the street on Fifth Ave. and having some hot chestnuts from a street vendor we went into the huge St Patrick's Cathedral. We knew they had a show for a donation. The St. Patrick's Cathedral choir along with the Amorartis Chamber Choir and Orchestra entertained us with the Messiah by George Frederick Handel. It was wonderful listening to it with the acoustics of the cathedral holding some of the single notes beautifully. Once the show was over My wife and I went next door to Sack's Fifth Ave and checked out their animated store windows of a winter wonderland somewhere in the north lands of Russia. The windows and the fashions were stunning! With the time now about nine fifteen we had to make our way downtown. Going back in to the concourse area of the NBC building we found our way to the F line. This took us right down to forth street in Greenwich Village right at Washington Square Park. We then walked to Bleeker street. I know the area fairly well having lived on seventh street in my youth. We wanted something to eat and just trusted instinct. The first door we went into almost blew us away with the heavy smell of smoke. Yes, there are places in the village that still have that heavy dark feel with poets orating their feelings. We weren't in the mood for this so we found a place that is more for the tourists and us less adventurous. There are many of these places among the nitty gritty of the village. It had brick wall, tin tile ceiling, and tiffany style lamps hanging. There were small tables with candles and flowers that were mostly empty on this cold Tuesday night. We enjoyed sandwiches from their inexpensive to moderately priced menu. Thirty eight dollars complete for the two of us with a glass of a nice red wine each. I don't remember the name of the place but they are abundant in the area. Now it was just about show time!! That's the reason we went into town that evening. My son, who was touring Europe, Australia, and South Africa with a successful band for the last two years was now fronting his own band called Gordo Gringo. He has had bands before but with this one he is writing all the music and is the lead guy up front. I can't explain the type of music it is but it's been explained as a rock/pop world music, whatever that is. His bands site also happens to be my favorite web site on my page. We went into the place that was just up the block from the eatery. The place is called The Elbow Room and on that night that was about all the room we had. We met up with other friends and relatives. Lots of hugs and Hi's. It was perfect timing. We got a Corona each, made our way up to the front and waited for the show to start. And it did! Hey, being a proud dad I have to say "The guy really knows how to put on a show." His antics up their are wild and fun! The whole band did well. They were rehearsing for months and it showed in how "tight" they were. They all rocked. After the show we gave some congrats and goodbyes. Some friends from our town took us home in their car. It was 12:30am that we walked through the doors of our home. That's what I love about the city. It doesn't take much time or money to have an adventure. For less than one hundred dollars we traveled, shopped, ate, saw two shows, and enjoyed New York City. OIf you are interested in New York see other reviews by Popsrocks about New York destinations. 9/11, Personal feelings and experience in the city soon after. http://www.epinions.com/content_75170614916 Millenium Hilton, yet to reopen after damage 9/11 http://www.epinions.com/content_8125425626o nearby Battery Park and 9/11 memorial http://www.epinions.com/content_80951348868 Philipe Petite's Walk across the twin towers. A book review. http://www.epinions.com/content_80272264836 Central park and all it offers http://www.epinions.com/content_80972779140 Sylvia's a soul food restaurant in Harlem http://www.epinions.com/content_2909839492 Check out other NY reviews of the state, Long Island and National Historic sites in NY. Just click on popsrocks and look around a bit.  |
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