Well, it’s been too long since my last update on my adventures in NYC, so I thought I would try and bring you up to speed. Since I last wrote, I’ve experienced the most oppressive heat wave I’ve ever felt (including last year’s summer in TN where it was regularly over 105 degrees). When it gets over 95 in the City with high humidity, hell starts oozing up through the subway tunnels and grates in the street. With all of the pavement, concrete and buildings holding in the heat, the City becomes like a convection oven. Plus, everyone sweats profusely…including all 4 million people crammed into the subway cars (which are thankfully air conditioned). Waiting on a subway, in a suit, in oppressive heat and humidity makes me realize why everyone leaves the NYC for the Hamptons in the summer. The good news, it only lasted 8 days. Then weather like this week (high 70’s to low 80’s with low humidity) sets in and the world is suddenly transformed back into “amazing”.
Other things that have happened, I broke a tooth on some bacon and had to find a dentist….and get a crown. Thank God (literally) that healthcare in NYC is some of the finest in the world. I found a great dentist 1 block from the apartment which is wonderful.
Jessica Garmon, Christopher Garmon and Conor Hale all visited last week which was exactly what the doctor ordered (not the Dentist mentioned above, the Doctor in this case would be a metaphor). As I say every time I write, if Laura were here (only 5 months to go…yeah), life would be perfect. In lieu of her being here, the visits from the kids really gave me a boost. I love having company here, especially family. It not only reconnects me, but it also lets me play tour guide and see all the wonders of the City through their eyes.  Things like Central Park with the waterfalls, gardens, carousels, carriages never grow old. We also took in a game at Yankee stadium. I must say, I am turning into a Yankee fan. At one point in the game, 22% of the Yanks on the field were from the deep South (Alabama, South Carolina and Kentucky). They were playing Sweet Home Alabama, Sweet Southern Comfort and Country Music Jesus over the PA system between innings…in the Bronx! Really nice of them to make us feel so welcome. Conor and I (and his friend Pip) found a new favorite site of mine down in Lower Manhattan. Stone Street is like a time warp. The buildings are all from the 1700 – 1800’s and set right in the middle of wall street. There is an amazing pub there with great food called the Dubliner. This quickly became a favorite place for me and Conor.
Last week, I went to see “Peter and the Star Catcher” off Broadway. This reconfirmed how great the level of talent is in this City. What a great show. They’re about to go on tour, so if it comes to a city near you, go!
Let’s see, being the foodie that I am, I can’t write about the last two months without mentioning my culinary adventures. Other than the Dubliner, three other places have crept into my top twenty all time restaurant list: (1) Keen steak house – the food is off the hook good, but there is more coolness to this place than the food. It used to be a pipe/cigar lounge and its over 128 years old (new meaning to “aged” steaks). Because the pipes were all ceramic, the customers would leave them at the lounge and hang them from the ceiling. All of the pipes are still there…over 48,000. They have Teddy Roosevelt’s pipe, one from Babe Ruth and many other famous dead people. (2) Meli – Greek cuisine like I’ve never had before. (3) Ai Fiori – Italian place on Fifth Ave that was so good it made me want to slap my momma (not really mom, that’s just a saying…you know I would never slap you…hard anyway :)). Next on my to do list is to stop by Dominique Ansel’s bakery in SoHo to see what the fuss about the CroNut is all about. I’ll let you know. Summer is a great time to hit the restaurants on weekends because everyone is in the Hamptons!
Well, that’s enough for now. I’ll try to do better and write more. Until next time…stay cool!