Friends in Manhattan

from Ben's mom

Living in New York City remains an unfulfilled dream of mine. My first visit to NYC in August of 1997 was a little stressful. The city can be overwhelming and that first visit I struggled with my sense of direction on an island. "Know where the big water is" has always been my motto and my guiding sense. But I couldn't keep the Hudson and East Rivers separate and I was forever taking the wrong subway. But just as I left I started to "get it" and I determined to come back. I have, 7 or 8 times.

So when I heard that friends Will and Christian might possibly move from Texas to the City, I thought it best to not say anything too encouraging. After all, this was MY dream and I didn't want to encourage something that might not be best for them.

But all that is past, as Will and Christian have settled and Will is one of those big NYC attorneys hailing cabs and dodging cars as he crosses to his busy midtown office. I hope they enjoy it and I really look forward to visiting them.

Here are some New York highlights:

Top 5 Views in New York:

5) Highest pedestal at the Statue of Liberty
4) Brooklyn Bridge (sunset is nice)
3) Staten Island Ferry at night (you can see the Statue of Liberty)
2) Rowboat on the Lake in Central Park (all those tall buildings surrounding an oasis of calm)
1) Empire State Building (best tried both in the daytime and at night)

Top 5 Fun Cheap Things To Do:

5) Museum of Modern Art A great collection of modern works with a great gift shop.
4) Leave the Country (Go on an United Nations Building tour) There is a lot to see and usually the tour guide's story is pretty fascinating.
3) Metropolitan Museum Not only is the art amazing but the building located on the edge of Central Park is beautiful. Technically it is a donation-only museum but the pressure to donate is pretty powerful.
2) Shakespeare in the Park--free outdoor theatre in Central Park known for the actors it draws to participate. In the past Denzel Washington and Morgan Freeman have starred. I watched "Much Ado About Nothing" starring Billy Crudup and John Pankow (Ira in Mad About You).
1) People Watch in Central Park (Bethesda Fountain is my favorite)

Top 5 Places to Eat:

5) Olive Tree Cafe Tables are chalkboards so you can draw on them. Old Three Stooges movie are playing and there are often board games at your table. Great Middle Eastern food.
4) Good Enough To Eat Big steaming mugs of coffee and great breakfasts. Try the biscuits and strawberry butter or the Gramery omelette (cheese and apples).
3) Rice Fun Asian cuisine in a tiny narrow restaurant with lanterns and romance atmosphere.
2) Veselka We once had Julianne Moore, her husband Bart Freundlich and their two kids two tables away. Breakfasts are cheap and good. Specials come with coffee and o.j.
1) Cucina di Pesce Best service and great food. Go between 4 and 6pm and you can get soup, salad, bread, entree and a glass for wine for less than $12 each. Great atmosphere and I've seen the same waiters for the last 4 years.