Even More New York Fun! — Patti Part Two

So much to do and so little time! Saturday we were up early again and off for a real New York bagel. My favorite spot is Murray’s Bagels and I figured out it’s only a 10 minute walk away. Did I mention we are doing a lot of walking? At least 8 or 9 miles a day and that’s with taking the subway. Always bring comfortable shoes.

My favorite is the cinnamon raisin with plain cream cheese. Boiled and baked!

There is a special fashion exhibit on display at the Metropolitan Museum called Heavenly Bodies: Fashion And The Catholic Imagination, and it is in two of their locations. The Met Fifth Avenue and The Met Cloisters. I have heard you need to see both so we headed way up north in Manhattan to the Cloisters. Take the A train uptown and be prepared for an amazing experience. The Cloisters are set on a hilltop with a spectacular view of the Hudson River. It is designed in a medieval architecture that feels like a monastery or church. Amazing gardens also. It was primarily funded by John D. Rockefeller and opened in 1938.

The exhibit features the work of fashion designers who for the most part were raised Catholic. While they don’t all profess to be Catholic now, they acknowledge its influence on their imagination. The trip to the Cloisters was worth it just to see the building, let alone the art it holds plus the fashion exhibit. A feast for the eyes.

Dresses were by all top world famous designers.

My favorite dress is top left by Chanel. Would love to wear that dress!

The gardens were beautiful also and reconstructed from the Romanesque and Gothic Cloisters.

The most memorable part of our visit there was meeting Tim Gunn on our way out! Yes! Tim Gunn most famous from Project Runway. He couldn’t have been nicer or more gracious to Cheryl and I when we asked to take a picture with him. He had a friend with him and said he had seen the exhibit but was giving his friend a tour. They were heading down to part two at the other location. Cheryl and I were “working it”!

Next up - the Met on Fifth Ave to see the second part of the fashion exhibit. The subway left us off on the west side of Central Park, so we got to walk across the park to get to the east side where the Met is located on 81st St. Unfortunately I forgot to bring along my portable phone charger 😫 so I needed to conserve my battery in lieu of taking a ton of pictures. It was an amazing day and the park was full of people having fun!

Shakespeare’s Garden and horse drawn carriages through the park!

The Met was packed. Of course it was! Better to go during the week if you can, but we still had a great time and there were tons of amazing dresses in the exhibit. We did not run into Tim Gunn again though! I hope to get back again later this week and will post pics then. When I have my charger with me! Don’t miss the Roof Garden Bar on the 5th floor overlooking the park.

The Met is MUST if you are visiting New York City!

Our plan next was to head to Rockefeller Center, but we were passing the famous Plaza Hotel right on 59th St at the south end of the park and decided to stop so Cheryl could see the gorgeous interior. She had the brilliant idea of ditching Rockefeller Center and having a drink instead in the Rose Bar at the plaza. I was all in immediately so that’s what we did. Excellent idea Cheryl! Some of the best memories are from the spontaneous decisions. Yes even I can detour from the plan😊

Our delicious wine came with fun snacks too.

We made it back home for a quick change and off to arrive for our dinner reservation on time. Another awesome restaurant in the West Village called Market Table. It is Tom’s favorite new spot and it lived up to our expectations. Great service and amazing food.

Halibut in parchment paper and a delicious chicken over peaches and veggies. Shared sides of zucchini and broccolini with roasted garbanzo beans - all delicious!

Sunday morning we headed early to a recommended spot called Buvette. Want to feel like you are in Paris? Head to Buvette! Tiny tiny place on Grove St in the West Village. So great! They don’t even serve regular coffee. The closest would be the Americano, and great cappacino’s and espresso etc. Everything online says to get there early or be prepared to wait quite awhile - so we followed direction and got right in. But if you had to wait it would be worth it!

They said the location in Paris is identical.

We shared the waffle with creme fraiche and berries and the eggs with prosciutto and fresh Parmesan cheese.

Cheryl had to head home but it was so great to have her here to share all the fun!

A Penny update. She seems to be doing fine. We’re playing lots of fetch and she’s really a sweetheart.

Penny! A fan favorite in the neighborhood.

Still lots more to do, see and eat in New York. Check back soon!