Our long-awaited return trip to New York City started with a late Sunday afternoon rendezvous at LaGuardia Airport with daughter Sarah and son-in-law Paul. We quickly shared a cab into the city where we picked up keys to the apartment we rented through VRBO (Vacation Rentals By Owner). Our charming three-story Brownstone was conveniently located on the Upper West Side - just one block from Central Park and close to the subway.
After dumping our bags and changing our shoes, we hit the streets to see Rockefeller Center's famous ice skating rink and festively-lit Christmas tree. We battled the holiday crowds for awhile before buying a 7-day subway pass and hopping a train to our first dinner in the City.
Fortunately, we had made reservations at popular Union Square Cafe a month ago through Open Table. We ordered red meat all the way around (steak, lamb, venison, and veal), so we searched the wine list for a full-bodied merlot that none of us had tried before. Our waiter recommended a local favorite "Long Island Merlot." After sending back two bottles, we settled on a good old Walla Walla standard - L'Ecole No 41 Merlot. Apparently, you can take the Thilos out of the Northwest, but you can't take the Northwest out of the Thilos.
Great recap of our first night in NYC, Mom! I'm looking forward future posts. Other "Leaving Tracks" readers: *Spoiler Alert* - stay tuned for my mom's narrative on the 30th anniversary of John Lennon's murder and some interesting pictures of NYC subway rats.
ReplyDeleteAwesome pictures! Truly some NYC classics. It sounds like you started the trip off right- though that's a bummer that it took two reject bottles of wine before settling on an old favorite. I can't wait to hear about more of your New York adventures (and beyond!). Count me in on the next NYC trip!
ReplyDeleteGreat to see that you are writing again!
ReplyDeleteHave a ball in NY! Duane
So glad to follow you again. You are an amazing writer and I feel like I am with you. Thanks for doing this Sue.
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