Five days in New York
Central Park
We just returned from five days in New York that were delightful. We make frequent trips there on business throughout the year, but these five days were special because the weather was perfect for walking day or night, and the colors of the foliage were at their peak.
THURSDAY----checked in at THE MARK HOTEL on 77th and Madison. The hotel re-opened about a year ago after a complete redo by JACQUES GRANGE. We had lunch at JEAN-GEORGES’ RESTAURANT there. I highly recommend it---the food is impeccable.
Jean-Georges’ Restaurant at The Mark
The rooms at The Markare understated and extremely comfortable, but the bathrooms are incredible!
One of our favorite concierges anywhere is at The Mark (she moved there from the Carlyle). She is the head concierge and her name is ISABELLE HOGAN. If you stay at the hotel, be sure to see her. She knows all the latest and greatest when it comes to where to eat, theater, etc., and, makes your stay twice as enjoyable.
THURSDAY AFTERNOON----Jim and I visited the new offices of ELLE DECOR in the Time Life Building, and met with MICHAEL BOODRO, the new editor-in-chief. He is doing a fabulous job---the magazine looks great. Michael had a few restaurant recommendations as well as thoughts on some of the special shows at MoMA and The Guggenheim.
We got to see the December issue which had not hit newsstands yet. It was so great to see our HARRISON COFFEE TABLE on the Insider Trading page. This is my favorite coffee table in the JS Collection! It is in our living room in Dallas.
THURSDAY NIGHT---dinner at another Jean-George restaurant (his first in New York), JO JO on East 64th. It is still one of the best restaurants in the city. I love the location and that it is housed in a wonderful brownstone. The service and food are simply wonderful.
Upstairs at Jo Jo
FRIDAY MORNING----a great walk in Central Park which is just a block away from our hotel.
Central Park
View from Belvedere Castle
FRIDAY---1 p.m. Lunch at LA GRENOUILLE---our favorite NY restaurant. As usual, the flowers and food were incredible. Charles, Armel and Jean Pierre create the perfect dining experience.
La Grenouille Charles Masson
FRIDAY AFTERNOON
GAVIN BROWN’S ENTERPRISE---Gavin Brown has one of the most impressive art galleries in New York. He represents many of the best artists, and has recently expanded the gallery. A MARK HANDFORTH brass sculpture was simply stunning!
Gavin Brown’s Enterprise on Greenwich Street
ANTIQUES STORES ON 10TH STREET---we then went to check out the antiques in the shops in the University area. Fabulous pieces at fabulous prices!
SMYTHSON----I love my new iPad cover so much that I had to make a quick stop on 57th and pick up a matching card case and notepad. They have the best iPad cover and in unusual colors. I love their newest color, AMBER.
FRIDAY NIGHT
TIME STANDS STILL----LAURA LINNEY is one of my favorite actresses. She was exceptional in this play. CHRISTINA RICCI was excellent, too. I recommend it for those of you who like a well written, well acted drama.
Time Stands Still at the Cort Theater
THE HARRISON----we always eat at ORSO after plays because it is so convenient and quiet, but took one of Michael Boodro’s suggestions and ate at THE HARRISON in Tribeca. The food was superb and the service good----a good option if you want to go downtown for a casual dinner.
SATURDAY
THE ANTIQUE SHOWS---we spent the entire day shopping for antiques! I will have photos of them in my next Notebook. The pieces I am most excited about:
Pair of ROBSJOHN GIBBINGS signed tables
Pair of iridescent ceramic lamps by MARBRO
An over-scaled Murano chandelier by MAZZEGA with wonderful proportions
Pair of armoires (I never buy armoires!) in the style of JOHN DICKINSON. These are my favorites!!!
4 p.m.----no lunch with all of the shopping so back to The Mark for HIGH TEA and a nap.
SATURDAY NIGHT---it was a dreamy night in New York. We walked to dinner at CARAVAGGIO---one of the best new restaurants to open in the city in years. It’s in the old Coco Pazzo space on 74th. Wonderful interiors and amazing northern Italian food.
Caravaggio dining room
SUNDAY----Another long walk in Central Park, lunch at THE BOATHOUSE (good, but too crowded on Sunday---go another day).
THE GUGGENHEIM---to see CHAOS AND CLASSICISM: Art in France, Italy and Germany, 1918-1936 and KANDINSKY AT THE BAUHAUS. A very impressive exhibit of works from this period showing the influence of WWI and the rise of Fascism in Europe leading to WWII. Students of history and art history will find this exhibit fascinating.
Palbo Picasso Bust of a Woman, Arms Raised, 1922
MoMA---The Ab Ex show is fabulous, tracing the abstract expressionist movement from the 1940’s through the late 1960’s with works by Pollack, de Kooning, Rothko, Tworkov and many more.
Jackson Pollock, Number 1A, 1948
SUNDAY NIGHT-----always love our Asian food on Sunday night. We ordered Thai food and stayed in.
MONDAY
A RUDIN SHOWROOM----at the D & D. We love being in this showroom in New York with the JS Collection. A great visit with Spencer Rudin, Tony Olsen and Leeann Brzozowski.
JS Collection display at A. Rudin
BERGDORF’S---Jim says I cannot make a trip to NY without having lunch here, so that is exactly what we did before leaving for the airport. They were in the process of doing the windows for the holidays, but we did get one peek.
Fifth Avenue window in progress Almost finished
I went by and signed a few copies of GLAMOROUS ROOMS before we left in the book stall next to BG Restaurant.
We never want to leave the city----hopefully, we will have a much longer stay when we return next spring!
