When the dog bites, when the bee stings, we all know the song. Since moving to the Upper West Side, Maq and I have made a point to get to know our neighborhood and I thought I would share a few of our favorite things. Living downtown, I never visited the UWS. In my mind, there was just no reason. Well, I was very wrong! Once we moved, I realized just how many wonderful places there are.
First and foremost is Lincoln Center. It is always such a special treat to enjoy any show there. The ballet is spectacular. Chamber Music makes for a surprisingly romantic date, and the Jazz, oh the Jazz. We recently saw Wynton Marsalis who is an unbelievable musician and super friendly guy. He is performing again this fall and I am already counting down the days until tickets go on sale. And of course, catching a show would not be the same without dinner before or drinks after at Atlantic Grill. The food and atmosphere is always flawless.
With the obvious choices out of the way, I thought I would share a few lesser known treats in the neighborhood. Dizzy's is associated with Jazz at Lincoln Center. It has the feeling of an old jazz club and runs several performances throughout the evening. There is usually a cover at the door and a table minimum but for a live show, it's worth it. The tables are communal and they randomly seat you so it's also a chance to make new friends. The view from the Mandarin Oriental bar is a must see. Overlooking Central Park and Columbus Circle, it is a great place to enjoy a drink. Other great views include Stone Rose and the rooftop of the Empire Hotel. The Empire Hotel has a very Miami feel. Maq lived in Miami while we were dating and though I was happy to escape the heat, sitting on this rooftop brings back some great memories. Zabar's is a neighborhood institution. Of course the food selection is wonderful, but I really go for the upstairs. Upstairs is a magical place filled with kitchen objects and gadgets. Anything beautiful you could ever want for your kitchen lives there. I could (and have) spend hours poking around. Another neighborhood staple is the Boat Basin. A seasonal, outdoor space, it is perfect for a hot summer day. The other great part of the Boat Basin is that we can walk there along the Hudson River from our apartment. There is a great bike/walking path leading up to Riverside Park. Just watch out for those bikers! A young biker rider recently ran right into Maq.
Closer to Columbia, the neighborhood feels like you have walked into a small college town. It's so funny to me when people are nervous about that area. There are students, young families, and faculty members everywhere you turn. The street becomes an outdoor market on Saturday morning and I feel like I am back in downtown Roanoke (minus the honking and traffic). Community Food and Juice has an amazing brunch. Book Culture is by far my favorite book store. They also have a great selection of letterpressed cards (I don't love Papyrus cards and their shops are EVERYWHERE). The basement of the shop is the travel section and children's section. They have an entire collection of children's books in various foreign languages. I suppose all of those Ivy League faculty members have multi-lingual children. When looking for a gift, I can always count on Gracious Home. And of course, what neighborhood would be complete without a Blue Ribbon restaurant?
Surrounded by parks, the American Museum of Natural History, a true college campus in the heart of New York City, countless quaint shops and restaurants, I cannot figure out why I waited so long to explore the Upper West Side. Our friends on the Lower East Side laugh that they will finally book their flight to come and visit us. It is a treck but a great escape.
No comments:
Post a Comment