In New York there are still a few department stores that can afford to revel in the glory of their past, having remained superficially unchanged since the 1960s. One is Bergdorf Goodman at which, I’ve read, the cost of clothes from a shopping spree might exceed your market-rate rent.
The ‘museum’ experience can be had with a breezy walk-through to the escalator stack, then up to the Seventh Floor where there is, on the uptown side of the building, the catchily named Seventh Floor Restaurant with its Madeline (Bemelmans) and Eloise (Thompson and Knight) charm, further rent gouging prices and spectacular view through wood sash windows over Sherman Square (recently restored), Pulitzer Fountain (now undergoing restoration) and the corner of Central Park usually used for major art installations. It's also almost within view of the ‘time capsule’ zoo---yes, there is a fine zoo in New York City, and it’s right there, slightly farther uptown within easy walking distance.
I sometimes bring visiting friends to either this café or the one at the Park’s other downtown corner at Columbus Circle --- ‘Robert’ in the Museum of Arts & Design.
I was once walking by Paris’ Le Printemps when I remembered reading about the 1920s Brasserie Printemps café on its sixth floor; I popped inside to take a look. Never had I seen such indulgent glory! This is not that, but it is similar, being also a time capsule, and very much a refuge from its chaotic surround.
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Color World sets up on the corner of 116th and 2nd Avenue, rain or shine. There they serve beef, pork, goat, oxtail, and chicken for $10 a plate.
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Their prices are in keeping with the neighborhood: a plate of two eggs, two pancakes, 'home' fried potatoes and your choice of sausages or bacon, is $12.
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There are three houses not far from each other in NYC of three icons: James Dean, James Baldwin, and Dorothy Parker...
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"Heckscher Field" in Central Park, New York, is used for softball. Here you can see games played for the Broadway Show League. Celebrity stars may be seen.
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Among its offerings are a $10 breakfast special and its enormous $15 lunchtime hamburger, a price unobtainable anywhere else within walking distance.
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This sun soaked park bench is a destination neighborhood residents know, spending time there in observation. It’s one of the more fabulous NYC stages.
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"Monumental Women" has erected this monument in Central Park, NYC to especially important figures in the United States women's equality movement...
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"Der Krung" in Hell's Kitchen in New York City is by far my favorite Thai place around. One of the best things about it is the $9.75 lunch special...
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"Apthorp Cleaners" in NYC is different from the dozens of other neighborhood cleaners by its permanent but ever-changing window display of Barbie dolls...
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Taco toppings include cheese (Cotijam, oaxaca and mozzarella), pineapple, jalapeños and pico de gallo. Norteñas & Cubanos sandwiches are not to be missed.
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"Dinastia" is a great Cuban-Chinese restaurant in New York City. They definitely make soul food here. Consider the squid and rice: it's always good...
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"Studio Museum in Harlem" in New York focuses on local, national and international artists of African descent and other work inspired by black culture...
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308 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
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