Carole Terwilliger Meyers's Blog, page 42

Sights to See: High Line, Section #1, NYC

High Line, Section #1   Gansevoort St. to 20th St., along 10th Ave., (enter/exit by stairways and elevator at 10th Ave. & Gansevoort; also at 14th, 16th, 18th, 20th sts.), Chelsea-Meatpacking Districts, (212) 500-6035.  Daily 7am-11pm.  Free.  Make a beeline to the High Line.  In the 1930s, trains chugged along this elevated steel trestle.  It was abandoned in the 1980s, and a few years ago the track was repurposed as a three-story-high park.  It features attractive plantings, wooden benches, and great views of the Hudson River.










 
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images ©2015 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

Good Eats: Phayul Restaurant, NYC--Queens--Jackson Heights

Phayul Restaurant  37-65 74th St., 2nd floor, (718) 424-1869.  L-D daily; $.  No reservations.  Located up a steep stairwell, past a beauty shop that does “Himalayan Eyebrow Threading,” this tiny Tibetan restaurant would be easily missed if you weren’t aware it is there.  There isn’t usually a wait for one of the few tables, and I like that they are by windows.  I was brought here by someone who raved about the momos, which are good and made even better with the addition of the house-made hot sauce available on the table, but it turns out that I thought the noodles were the prize dish.  I also liked the spicy fried potatoes and the mango lassi, though Tibetan butter tea was also an option.  We ordered all vegetarian, but many other meat-oriented dishes are also available.  







 

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images ©2014 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

Good Eats: Cafe Borgia II and Birdbath Neighborhood Green Bakery, NYC

Cafe Borgia II   161 Prince St./Thompson St., Soho, (212) 677-1850.  This is the perfect place to sit down and while away the time over a sweet and a cold or hot drink--depending on the weather--especially if you can nab one of the tables open to the sidewalk.  Being so small, it is surprising to find they have an extensive menu, with breakfast items, sandwiches and burgers, and ice cream concoctions. 


Birdbath Neighborhood Green Bakery is directly across the street at 190 Prince St.  Operating within the old-time building that once was home to the Vesuvio Bakery, this bakery delivers bread by bicycle-powered rickshaws and gives customers who arrive by bike a discount.  People line up to purchase giant chocolate-chip cookies (a vegan version is available) stacked in the window, pretzel croissants, and other delicious items from City Bakery.  Grab-and-go light lunch items are also available; seating is limited. 

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images ©2015 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

Things to Do: Sabon, NYC

Sabon   123 Prince St., Soho, (212) 982-0968.  The first Sabon in America—it is an Israeli business--is in Greenwich Village and more are located all around the town, but the one I prefer is this tiny one in Soho.  Most visits begin with the hand-washing ritual at a basin in the center of the shop.

Then you can stroll the store and enjoy your smooth hands while your decide what to purchase.

My favorite fragrance is their signature patchouli-lavender-vanilla.  I have this in body lotion, hand cream, foot cream, and a bath bomb that discreetly emits its fragrance throughout the bathroom as it waits to be used.


In addition, I received from my children a gift of the salt scrub—which leaves some oil behind that is a great moisturizer and barrier for skin—and a mineral powder soak that absorbs into the skin.  Happy birthday to me!  C’est bon!

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Sights to See: Whitney Museum of American Art, NYC

Whitney Museum of American Art   99 Gansevoort St., Meatpacking District, (212) 570-3600.  M&W 10:30am-6pm, Thur-Sat 10-30-10, Sun 10:30-6, closed Tu.  $22, seniors/students $18, under 18 Free.  This major museum specializing in American art has closed its Madison Avenue location and moved into the trendy Meatpacking area by the southern tip of the High Line.  The new building is sharply angled, with polished gray stone and plenty of glass.

The recommended way to view exhibits is to take the elevator to Floor Eight, where 1910-1940 is represented by colorful Georgia O’Keeffes, streamlined Machine Age works, and more.  On Floor Seven, 1925-1960 covers Surrealism and Abstract Expressionism, my favorite being Alexander Calder’s large three-dimensional Circus and an accompanying video that shows some of the pieces in action.  I joined one of the popular free tours here, but it was so crowded that I dropped out part-way through.

Floor Six covers 1950-1975 and Pop Art,

and Floor Five covers 1965-Present.  Each floor has an outdoor space with stairways, sculpture, and city views that are themselves worth the price of admission.


Both museum restaurants are operated by Danny Meyer’s Union Square Hospitality Group.  On Floor One, Untitled at the Whitney Museum of American Art provides fine dining, and on Floor Eight, Studio Cafe provides light snacks and meals with inside and outdoor seating and great views.


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images ©2015 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

Good Eats: Schnippers Quality Kitchen and Shake Shack and Madison Square Park, NYC

Schnippers Quality Kitchen  23 East 23rd St., (212) 233-1025.  We wanted to eat outside at Shake Shack, but the line was way long.  So, luckily being with a savvy local, we headed here.  I liked the high ceiling and view of the sidewalk activity, and since it is an order-at-the-counter kind of place the price is certainly right.

Burgers are the menu mainstay.  I ordered the basic but made the mistake of calling it “plain” and so got no toppings.  This was quickly remedied by a roaming server, who delivered lettuce, tomato, onion, and pickles to me with a big smile.  Also on the basically American-food menu are fried chicken, sandwiches (including a BLAT--bacon, lettuce, avocado, tomato), hot dogs, mac and cheese, sloppy joe, fish & chips, and salads as well as very good chicken tacos.  Sides include as assortment of fries—the sweet potato fries with the maple syrup dip is very popular--as well as thick onion rings.  Complimentary chilled lemon-water is available, but I opted for a delicious black & white shake consisting of vanilla ice cream swirled with chocolate sauce.


Shake Shack  23rd St., betw. Fifth & Madison aves., in Madison Square Park, (212) 889-6600.  Rain or shine there seems always to be a line here.  There are several other locations, but this one has the best rep.
  Though I passed on lunch here because of that line, I then wound up enjoying a juicy burger and shake at JFK in the Delta terminal where I endured a minimal line. 



Madison Square Park  Named after President James Madison, this small park has been a public space since 1686 and a city park since 1847.  In the late 19th century it was surrounded by mansions and fancy hotels and relatively unused by the public.  Today it features art displays and concerts and is often crowded with people.

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images ©2015 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

Things to Do: The Lego Store, NYC

The Lego Store   200 5th Ave., Flatiron District, (212) 255-3217.  M-Sat 10am-8pm, Sun 11am-6pm.  Everyone seems to become a kid again when they see all the goodies in this Lego specialty store.  I want to copy the green dragon head at home, and Star Wars lovers will be impressed with their choices.  A play area invites both the young and young at heart to invent.





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images ©2015 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

Things to Do: Flying Tiger Copenhagen, NYC

Flying Tiger Copenhagen   920 Broadway, btw. 21st St & 20th St., Flatiron District, (212) 777-1239.  I first saw a branch of this colorful Danish store in Reykjavik, Iceland.  It grabs your attention with a head-spinning selection of brightly colored home goods and gift items. 



The merchandise is arranged along a zig-zag path through the store, sort of like at Ikea, so you get a chance to eyeball everything.  I wound up buying several packages of colorful dinner napkins for $1 (I love the ones with little clouds on a sky-blue background), and my daughter bought me a really cute birthday card.

I wish now that I had purchased one of the tins of butter cookies but was concerned about getting them home on an airplane; it turns out I had space.


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images ©2015 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

Things to Do: Beecher’s Handmade Cheese, NYC

Beecher’s Handmade Cheese  900 Broadway, btw. 19th & 20th sts., Flatiron District, (212) 466-3340.  Stop in for a meal, a cheese snack to eat on the street, or a chunk to take home for later.  Cheese-making can be observed in the middle of the large, dramatic shop through glass windows, and you can also watch while dining on the main floor or from a cozy upstairs loft where a deli cafe dispenses cheesy specialties.  Items you’ll want to try include the Flagship and aged Flagship cheeses, honey crackers, and what is claimed to be the “world's best” mac & cheese. 


  

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images ©2015 Carole Terwilliger Meyers
 

Things to Do: abc carpet & home shop, NYC

abc carpet & home   888 Broadway, Flatiron District, (212) 473-3000.  The name of this warehouse-size shop is misleading.  Though it does have some lovely home items, it is filled with an interesting inventory provided in sub-areas operated by individual shops.  You’ll find Buddhas galore, plus wonderful light-cotton Indian blouses and even everything to make a birthday party beautiful. 





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images ©2015 Carole Terwilliger Meyers