New York City - Part 2 ... there’s no place like it. Like it? I do!
Written by: Janet Pope Photography by: Donald
Janet revisits her New York City roots from the perspective of a tourist.
The Gorham offers a buffet breakfast of fresh waffles, New York lox and bagels, fresh squeezed orange juice, a fresh fruit salad and more.
Armed with tour guides and a transit map, we ventured off into the "Big City" thinking we would take in about three or four museums. Our first stop proved to be our one and only museum for the day. It seems our goals were a little too lofty for reality. The American Museum of Natural History is definitely an all day adventure. It took us half an hour just to get past security and in the doors. At first I didn’t recognize the Museum of my childhood, but once we got to the older section, I saw the familiar dinosaur bones and a flood of memories came back. We explored the animal exhibits and passed the elephants.
Once inside, we happily avoided an even longer line by
hopping over to the desk that sold City Passes. A New
York City Pass is a bargain and a time saver. For one
low price you purchase a book of tickets, allowing you
to access over seven major city attractions. If you
are visiting even two of those included in the
package, it becomes worth it. The City Pass is also a
time saver because there is a separate admission desk,
thereby avoiding the longer wait. Don loved that part.
We felt like V.I.P.s as we made our way past the
crowd, showing off our City Passes. Your better off
checking out the City Pass ahead of time on the
Internet, if you don’t, then buy one at the first
museum you see it advertised. Get in on this deal.
Don, having been on a recent assignment to Malaysia wanted to see the display depicting the Asian people. There he reminisced about his trip. Scheduling in a few Imax movies, lunch and, of course, time for the gift shop, The American Museum of Natural History is a full day of exploration.
This day, we were on our own exploration of the neighborhood, so we decided to eat a late lunch outside the museum and walked a few short blocks to SQC. The restaurant is decorated in a "techno" style utilizing the tables and chairs and even the wait staff uniforms to enhance the mood. SQC specializes in "The Brunch". You know the morning time after the morning time for late risers. Their menu today featured baked goods, eggs, pancakes, sandwiches and salads. We asked our waiter for recommendations and without hesitation he suggested the House Smoked Cheddar Cheese and Ham Omelet and a cup of hot chocolate. I tried both. The omelet was large and filling. The hot chocolate, listed in the menu as "life in a cup", was like drinking a melted chocolate bar topped with fresh whipped cream. Don ordered the Eggs Benedict that disappeared quickly. As we ate, wait staff came around with a tray reminiscent of the cigarette girl from the Night Clubs in the 50's. Not that I remember them first hand of course, but I have seen them in the movies. " Cigars, Cigarettes?." The tray was filled with fresh pastries and I guess the premise is if you see it, you'll buy it. And a lot of folks saw them. Chef Scott Campbell makes all the desserts, pastries and sorbets on site.
We gave into temptation again and I ordered the chocolate hearts with Ice cream and sauce, while Don enjoyed the more exotic Tahitian ice cream and pear sorbet. Rested and refilled, we decided to walk the 20 something blocks to our hotel ,window shopping and stopping along the way. New York City is brimming with universal and interesting sights and sounds. By happenstance we passed the American Folk Art Museum and among a collection of handmade materials we saw a stunning quilt in dedication of 9/11.
The quilt takes up the entire entrance wall, and can be viewed without a fee. It is comprised of smaller sized quilt squares that are embroidered with the name of someone who passed during that tragedy.
The quilt square forms a beautiful mosaic of the World Trade Center, and the skyline. We immediately searched the grid for a friend who perished that day and like so many others, found comfort in finding his name and knowing that he is still remembered.
Browsing and window-shopping we made our way back to the Gorham. We relaxed a bit, freshened up, and headed over to the piers on the West Side in order to board the World Yacht Cruise for dinner. Entering the boat, you feel like you are about to attend an elegant wedding. The mood is festive, the DJ is playing music, and there’s an excitement in the air. We were lucky to have a window table, and the view of the harbor was thrilling.
Our dinner was no less spectacular. Usually, whenever you are at even the best places for a wedding, the food being served must be good and hot for the first person to the last. On board the yacht, the movement of the ship multiplies the difficulties. The dinner was unrushed and elegant. Every course was timed to allow a break between each course to roam the deck or dance the night away. The wait staff actually tells you the time your next course will arrive, so you can be back to your seat in time. The menu is dubbed " The best of New York" and chefs from some of New York City's finest restaurants contributed a recipe to the making of the menu.
For an appetizer, I ordered the cavatelli in cream sauce with fresh asparagus. Though delicious, it was very filling and I was jealously eyeing Don's dish which he let me sample. It was shrimp with julienne vegetables in carrot juice. It tasted lighter than mine and sparkled.
Next came an appetizer trio, featuring b-b-q beef, grilled chicken and a spinach puff. For dinner, Don had the roasted bass filet and I, being the less adventurous of the two, had a chicken dish.
View from World Yacht
Service is a top priority here with both servers and maitre'd asking continuously if everything is all right. They cover all bases and let you know when you are passing the sights off the boat. The deck was filled with passengers, despite a rain drizzle, as we passed fairly close to the Statue of Liberty and God Bless America could be heard over the loudspeakers.
The highlight of the cruise was a short visit to Captain Craig S. Kojak, who gave us a little story about our 20-year-old boat and the lower New York Harbor.
Back downstairs it was 9:30 p.m. and the party on the dance floor looked as if it could go on all night. If you like to dance, or just enjoy watching those who do, ask for a table on the lower deck where the DJ is located. The music started the evening with Frank Sinatra's "Strangers in the Night". As people were relaxing over drinks and appetizers by the end of the night "Baby Take Your Clothes Off" was blaring and the dance floor was filled.
We collapsed in our hotel room after our busy day and night being tourists in New York City.
