Instead of going to Europe this year we decided that a week in NYC would be interesting since we really haven't spent much time in the city since we lived there in the 70's (Jeez). Back then we lived on E. 91st street and we thought getting a place near there would be fun. Sylvia searched the VRBO website and found a one bedroom apartment on E. 86th and First avenue that seemed to fit the bill.
The easiest way to get to New York from where we live was to go to Baltimore and take the Amtrak. We left Solomons yesterday afternoon and drove to a Comfort Suites hotel near the Amtrak station where we could keep the car parked there for the week. After checking in, we drove to the Fells Point neighborhood in downtown Baltimore. I was interested in trying the food at The Point in Fells pub. We weren't disappointed, it has probably one of the more creative pub food menus I've ever seen. Sylvia had Seared Scallop Sliders which were seared scallops and instead of bread, the scallops were between a thin slice of beet on the bottom and seared ahi tuna on top. I had Olive Oil Poached Fish with artichokes, olives, potatoes, and tomatoes. Everything was very good and this is in a loud, beer drinking crowded Pub. Highly recommended and the fries are terrific. A stop at John Stevens for one finished the evening. Early to bed.
A pleasant train ride got us to the city by noon and a typical NY cab ride got us to the apartment in good time. We knew the apartment was on the second floor, but what we didn't know was that there were 34 steps up to the second floor. At least we would get some exercise. We unloaded our bags and immediately began walking the neighborhood that we lived in almost 40 years ago. Many changes but some things are still here and it still seems to be the same old great neighborhood. We were surprised to find a little bar on Second Ave. where we (I) used to hang out called Rathbones. Do you think we went in? You bet! It was exactly like it was when we left only older and a little dustier. Not very hungry we just ordered a bowl of chili and vegetable quesadilla. Didn't expect much, but wow, the chili was just a normal chili with cheese and onions but was perfect for what it was. I could never ever duplicate it;same for the quesadilla. That and a couple of drinks for thirty dollars. It's tough to beat. But that's New York, you've got to be good to be in business for 40 years. We then stopped at the best grocery store I've ever been in called Fairway and picked up stuff for the apartment - butter, coffee, vodka, and wine would be sufficient for the week.
Except for a short time back at the apartment to unpack, we walked the area from Lexington Ave.to First Ave. and from 91st street to 75th street an area called the Yorkville neighborhood. After passing 200 restaurants, pubs, and cafes that looked exactly like a place I'd like to eat, we settled on an Alsatian place called Cafe D'Alsace (http://www.cafedalsace.com/) on 2nd and 88th. Not surprisingly it turned out to be excellent. To go with a bottle of Alsatian Pinot Blanc I had a unbelievable Cassolette (white beans, fois gras, duck confit, braised lamb shoulder, garlic sausage, and duck sausage). It was not exactly something you could get back in Solomons Island. Sylvia had a sensible Trout Almandine with mashed potatoes and leeks. Dessert followed and I waddled back to the 34 step apartment. I think food will not be a secondary item on this trip.
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