On scales of parks, it is being refurbished, but I would call it more quaint than others, despite being one of the more well known parks in NYC and located in the Village.
It is home to a number of chess players, people bathing in the fountain (Ha…imagine that in Victoria Square!!) as well as a dog run, which is a popular choice for Village residents. Although it has more sidewalk and pavements than grass, it seems smaller than the others. Sadly I didn’t have the same level of music entertainment as August Rush, but I did have the tunes of an old fashioned radio on a man’s shoulder.
I was kept amused not only by the theatrics of the ‘running man’ who didn’t actually run anywhere but just went through the motions in slow motion as well as some Italian tourists more obsessed with the squirrels than me.
One particular Italian girl had a fear of pigeons (doubt she frequents St Mark’s Square!) so every time she tried to take a photo of the squirrel and a pigeon came near her, she would squeal at the top of her lungs and then of course frighten away the squirrel. It was quite funny to watch! Thankfully the squirrel didn’t run too far away so I could take his picture!
After a gorgeous day in the park, what better way to celebrate the homeward bound part of my adventure with rooftop cocktails and dinner at Hotel Indigo; a boutique hotel near mine I was trying to stay at but sadly far too expensive.
I headed up the lift to R for yes you guessed it Roof to a very cute little rooftop bar called Glass. Not sure what I was expecting, and given that every other article in the New York Times related to rooftop bars and parties as the ‘hip’ thing to be doing this summer, perhaps I was expecting something far grander that it was. Don’t get me wrong, it was awesome, but smaller than I expected. Although Math’s has never been my strong point and I know the dimensions of the bar can only be as big as the roof, it just seemed quite small. I would be interested and should have asked how many people they could have on the roof at any one time as you will see from the photos.
A glance at the drinks menu had me completely undecided between a Blu Martini and a Cosmopolita.
“Can I get you a drink” says the waitress
“Well actually, I can’t decide between the Blu Martini and the Cosmopolitan” I said.
“You mean the Cosmopolita…we took of the N because it’s not vodka.” Says she as I wonder what an N has to do with Vodka…
“Really” she says dramatically as she leans across the bar a tad close to my personal space “do you feel like Tequila or Vodka? As the CosmpolitA” … with a heavy emphasis on the A, “is Tequila, and as you know the Martini is vodka.” She says matter of fact.
“Well then it is decided” says, I… “Let’s go Vodka please!”
“Oh so you don’t want either drink then...just vodka?” she says looking not too pleased...
Oh my, what planet did this conversation venture too…? “No, I mean I prefer vodka over tequila this evening, so I will have the Blu Martini please”
“Oh sure, so no vodka” she says nice as pie as I am more confused than ever.
“No thanks, just the Blue Martini”
“Sure sweet, take a seat and I’ll bring it over…and you can pay when you are done.”
Fffewww! I take my seat and shake my head waiting for my Blu Martini with house infused Blueberry Vodka, St Germaine, Cranberry, Lime and fresh blueberries, rather than a CosmopolitA with Corralejo Reposado, Cranberry, and fresh Lime.
Out comes my rather glass New York martini glass filled with a lethal concoction and like nothing I have ever tasted before. Lovely, tart blueberries mixed with mega strong vodka had me seeing stars just after the one glass! I may have been very quick to respond no when asked if I wanted another…I still had dinner downstairs to get to!
Dinner at Restaurant Blu (described as new age Italian) originally attracted me because of their Prix Fixe menu for $24 for three courses. I had made a booking for 7pm, and when I arrived the restaurant was completely empty! My Russian waiter asked where I would like to sit! I think it was an attempt of a joke, so I chose a corner little booth near the kitchen and pass…no point giving him extra work!
Feeling a bit ‘peaky’ the Russian in the Italian restaurant asked me what I would like to drink…although my head was thinking Diet Coke...the word Rosé came out my mouth!
“I’m sorry ma’am, we don’t have any of the Rosé left but can I offer you a glass of chilled red, similar to the Rosé?” Wouldn’t even know how to begin to type that with a Russian accent, but I blinked a few times at him with really no idea what he actually said and was only guessing that was what I heard… “Sure, why not!” says a ‘peaky’ me!
He brought over the most gorgeous red wine that I really wish I had been sober enough to remember! After enquiring about the Prix Fixe menu, I was sadly informed that it was a lunch time special. Given I was already seated and had consumed my weight in bread, as well as part of my glass of wine, I carry on to order what would have been part of the Prix Fixe menu anyway. Scallops crudo (raw) with mango and tomato and an ‘authentic’ olive oil followed by Risotto with wild mushroom and leeks (topped with fried chanterelle mushroom) and for dessert an espresso semi fredo with mascarpone ice cream that I only got half way through. (All photos in the NYC Munch & Bevies section of the holiday snaps).
The dinner and wine was absolutely scrumptious, and the conversation I think was enjoyable, but had a really hard time trying to decipher things with his accent and my brain drowning with alcohol. Not sure if it was the heat, or because I tended not to have too much alcohol while I have been away, but what a Cadbury! One cocktail and one glass of wine sent me completely over the edge. Somehow I managed to sign my cash card account for the bill and leave…I felt like I did it without embarrassing myself, but who can tell!
Home is located on 29th street between 8th and 7th avenue….Blu restaurant is located on 29th street between 7th and 6th. To walk there took 10 minutes. To walk home took…..yes well let’s just say trying to pretend I was sober as well as in control and walk back home was like walking in a wetsuit with flippers! Somehow I got…hmm lost is the wrong word, let’s say ‘disorientated…’ fortunately I did make it back home and woke up just after 1am, (yes it would have been about 1030pm when I got home so not a late night!!) still fully dressed and had face planted on the bed. What was worse was that my makeup had melted off my face onto the bed! Thank goodness for a big glass of water and a spoon of vegemite even in New York!!
Until the next one,
Lots of love Bee xxx
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