Dry Steps, Wet Steps, Dry Steps
Oct. 11th, 2007 11:18 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
gerisullivan15,671 steps in all.
Each one taken as part of an utterly delightful day spent in Manhattan with Bobbi Armbruster. Given the weather forecast, I maintained my status as a Staten Island Ferry virgin and we spent the afternoon exploring the mesmerizing exhibit, Provoking Magic: Lighting of Igno Maurer at the Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum. Oh. My. Gosh. Go, if you can. Go. Go. Go! Watch the films. And maybe avoid looking very many of the online photos of the exhibit beforehand. The installations are each far, far better in person, but the sheer visual surprise and discovery of seeing them for the first time in person was a trip all in itself.
Before and after, we filled our stomachs as well as our eyes. Breakfast at Norma's, at Le Parker Meridian. I had the Waz–Za ?, described as a waffle with "Fruit Inside Fruit Outside, Crackly Brûlée Top." Yep. I never even cracked the seal on the little individual serving-sized bottle of Dark Amber Maple Syrup the waiter brought to go with it. Bobbi had "Wagner's Ring of Fresh, Chunky Fruit." I hope at least one of my photos of it turned out -- sleeping pulls rank on finding out tonight. The online menu isn't the one they gave us, perhaps because we were there before 11, or perhaps because it's changed. I'd gladly go back anytime!
We spent the evening dining at the Russian Tea Room. The wine advice was excellent (Bobbi's knowledgeable on that front, so she handled the conversation and I had fun listening in). Our main course choices were entirely satisfactory. I had the Kulebiaka --"Salmon wrapped in pastry with saffron fregola, roasted porcini and a tarragon cream sauce." Bobbi chose Chicken Tabaka -- "Flattened lemon and garlic marinated poussin with glazed carrot farro, roasted brussel sprouts and traditional prune sauce." We were both happy, and shared tastes to discover why first-hand.
The service was far, far better than I would have expected had I first read this review from earlier this year. I hadn't read the review, and I was still struck by the consistent, thoughtful attentiveness of the waitstaff. Then again, several of the prices were lower than those quoted in the review. Upon reading a few other reviews, it's obvious they've made a few changes for the better since January. The only part of the experience I wouldn't recommend is the Crème Brulée infusée á la Vanille de Madagascar. The tamarind-lime sauce that came with it was wonderful, but the dessert could be more accurately described as Butter Brulée that someone once waved a vanilla bottle at...from a couple of blocks away.
Yep; I'd go back. Then again, I was happy with the visual delight of the place, and the people-watching was enjoyable, too.
I've left out the sodden parts thanks to the downpour while we were traveling between 91st and 57th Streets, gift shop delights, and other 4-part harmony, but another full day of New York Adventures awaits. Friday's main event? The National Theatre of Scotland performing The Wolves in the Walls at the New Victory Theatre.
It's in the US for just three weekends. The highest-priced tickets are a mere $35. Five of us have seats purchased this past Monday, and they're in the fourth and fifth rows of this children's theatre. I'm so glad I read the LJ syndication of Neil's blog on my friend's page!
As you can see, life is good.
Each one taken as part of an utterly delightful day spent in Manhattan with Bobbi Armbruster. Given the weather forecast, I maintained my status as a Staten Island Ferry virgin and we spent the afternoon exploring the mesmerizing exhibit, Provoking Magic: Lighting of Igno Maurer at the Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum. Oh. My. Gosh. Go, if you can. Go. Go. Go! Watch the films. And maybe avoid looking very many of the online photos of the exhibit beforehand. The installations are each far, far better in person, but the sheer visual surprise and discovery of seeing them for the first time in person was a trip all in itself.
Before and after, we filled our stomachs as well as our eyes. Breakfast at Norma's, at Le Parker Meridian. I had the Waz–Za ?, described as a waffle with "Fruit Inside Fruit Outside, Crackly Brûlée Top." Yep. I never even cracked the seal on the little individual serving-sized bottle of Dark Amber Maple Syrup the waiter brought to go with it. Bobbi had "Wagner's Ring of Fresh, Chunky Fruit." I hope at least one of my photos of it turned out -- sleeping pulls rank on finding out tonight. The online menu isn't the one they gave us, perhaps because we were there before 11, or perhaps because it's changed. I'd gladly go back anytime!
We spent the evening dining at the Russian Tea Room. The wine advice was excellent (Bobbi's knowledgeable on that front, so she handled the conversation and I had fun listening in). Our main course choices were entirely satisfactory. I had the Kulebiaka --"Salmon wrapped in pastry with saffron fregola, roasted porcini and a tarragon cream sauce." Bobbi chose Chicken Tabaka -- "Flattened lemon and garlic marinated poussin with glazed carrot farro, roasted brussel sprouts and traditional prune sauce." We were both happy, and shared tastes to discover why first-hand.
The service was far, far better than I would have expected had I first read this review from earlier this year. I hadn't read the review, and I was still struck by the consistent, thoughtful attentiveness of the waitstaff. Then again, several of the prices were lower than those quoted in the review. Upon reading a few other reviews, it's obvious they've made a few changes for the better since January. The only part of the experience I wouldn't recommend is the Crème Brulée infusée á la Vanille de Madagascar. The tamarind-lime sauce that came with it was wonderful, but the dessert could be more accurately described as Butter Brulée that someone once waved a vanilla bottle at...from a couple of blocks away.
Yep; I'd go back. Then again, I was happy with the visual delight of the place, and the people-watching was enjoyable, too.
I've left out the sodden parts thanks to the downpour while we were traveling between 91st and 57th Streets, gift shop delights, and other 4-part harmony, but another full day of New York Adventures awaits. Friday's main event? The National Theatre of Scotland performing The Wolves in the Walls at the New Victory Theatre.
It's in the US for just three weekends. The highest-priced tickets are a mere $35. Five of us have seats purchased this past Monday, and they're in the fourth and fifth rows of this children's theatre. I'm so glad I read the LJ syndication of Neil's blog on my friend's page!
As you can see, life is good.
