Happy Birthday to my Love! He has hit another milestone and apparently so has Lady Liberty. Pretty cool, right? Well, hers is not quite "on" the milestone, but three years from 150 is pretty cool.
We are on the hunt for a bakery. The small, wonderfully aromatic, houses of wonder. We just don't have them in Dallas and it's sad. I really don't think it's a western U.S. thing. We drive everywhere and don't need the little market just down the street. I wish, but it's just not the "way" here. Very few people here even own cars, as they are just difficult to get around in and so costly to park - IF you can find a place. There's really no reason though --- you can get anywhere you wish and if a road trip is your hearts desire --- well, there are rentals available. Mister and I only have one car and we make it work - well, some of you know there is another one, but that is a different story. Anyway, back to the bakery. I bet you can almost smell this picture. It's amazing. Welcome to Heritage Grand Bakery.
One look at this case and you KNOW you are not in Texas, lol. Or Montana, for that matter. Just in case you can't enlarge it enough - Bagel and Lox, Tunisian Nicoise Sandwich and Salad, Hummus, Babaganoush, Tabbouleh, Marinated Beets, etc. Even the sandwiches are more "city" - Smoked Turkey and Brie, for example.
I choose a cinnamon roll and it is the best "cinnamon" flavor I've had in a roll before, The pastry is not like a sweet dough - more pastry. Does that make sense? I LOVE it.
Trying to determine how the dough was made so I can give it a try at home.
Okay, the little coffee shop was right around the corner from the New York Public Library. Today is not a holiday and we are giving it another try. The barriers have been removed so that's a good sign.
My picture with Patience. Seems right, I know. Fortitude is on the other side, holding down his own pedestal. The lions have been here since 1911 - that's Patience and Fortitude for ya.
There is a room inside the library that is entitled "Treasures." In contains objects that are treasured for their rich significance, whether imbued with triumph or tragedy. It is for one such object that Mister has his radar on. On his first birthday in 1921, Christopher Robin Milne received a teddy bear purchased from Harrods department store in London. Christened Winnie-the-Pooh, the bear soon acquired several now-familiar companions: Eeyore, Piglet, Kanga, Tigger, and Roo (Roo was eventually lost in an apple orchard.) In time, Christopher's playmates would come to inspire several classic works. Brought to the United States in 1947, the toys remained with Milne's American publisher, E.P. Dutton, until 1987, when they were donated to the Library. Today they stand as a beloved centerpiece of the Library's renowned collection of children's literature, continuing to delight and inspire both the young and young at heart. Here they are.
Kanga and Piglet up close - the lighting is subdued, but you can still see the love they had in the worn areas of their bodies.
Pooh
Tigger
I didn't really get a good picture of Eeyore's head, but his backside was important. Yep, the tail is pinned on.
Mister just enjoying
Now for the Library itself. We leave the "Treasures" room, via the gift shop - go figure. I think a lot of people come here to see Pooh and are done. I want to see the LIBRARY! Oh goodness - the ceiling! Remember, look up when you can. This is the gift shop.
Exiting the gift shop - one can look down (it's a protected area) all the way to the base layers.
We are back in the main entrance -
Now to make our way one level up - We spot a bust of Thomas Hastings and Mister wonders if that is where Hastings-on-Hudson got its name. Nope - according to Google. However, Thomas Hastings was an American architect and founding partner of the firm Carrère and Hastings. The firm's most famous project was the The New York Public Library, There ya have it.
The 3rd floor McGraw Rotunda we enter just makes my jaw drop. The beauty CANNOT be passed to you through pictures. I just want to sit here all day and enjoy.
Even the doors are incredible. Now, before you criticize and say something like, "too ornamental," lets just pause and remember the time and the workmanship. It took 16 years to build and opened to the public in 1911!!! 1911!!! There wasn't even an electric circular saw until 1923. The craftsmanship is incredible.
We enter the Bill Blass Public Catalog Room. Before computers ---- this is the first stop to locate a book.
Next room is The Rose Main Reading Room - Shhhh
The Salomon Room
Descending down one floor - the Rose Gallery looks out over the lobby and towards the street.
It gives us a chance to see the arches up close.
Looking down towards the lobby.
We we pass through the Rose Gallery towards the Visitor Center, this sight just cracks me up. A totally empty space with one lone chair. The Time-Out spot for naughty librarians?
Inside the Visitor Center, this scale model shows the side cutaway of where we have been. No stacks, unfortunately.
Even the drinking fountain is elegant - and works. So does the phone - not as elegant, perhaps, but equally memorable. Check out the flooring in front of the small seat. How many people have stood here to make calls?
Well, that's it, I guess. Probably more than you wanted on the Library, but I am in love and also feeling very inspired to use our own libraries more and read more. Yep, yep, yep. One last look at Beauty, a fountain in front on the south side of the main door. The other side has the male and he is Truth. They go along with Patience and Fortitude to help us every single day.
So, this is cool - as we walk away - the sidewalk has brass inlays leading up to the Library. This is the Library Walk and goes for 2 blocks. Nicely done.
Also, along here, they are working on a building (they are working on ALL the buildings it seems, if you count the vast amount of scaffolding we walk under) and heads of gargoyles are just laying on the sidewalk.
The aim is to the Pershing entrance of Grand Central Station.
From here - a subway to Union Square - on the list, ya know. There is a Metronome Clock here that I read about. Apparently the fifteen large LED digits display the time in 24-hour format. The clock’s seven leftmost digits tell time from left to right, as hours, minutes, seconds and tenths of a second (in military time). The seven rightmost numbers, from right to left, display the time remaining in the day. The number right in the middle represents a hundredth of a second -- and meant to reveal the frenzied pace of life in NYC. For instance, if the clock reads "195641189180304", it means that time is 19:56 (7:56 PM) and 41.1 seconds, and that there are 04 hours, 03 minutes, and 18.9 seconds remaining in the day. Sounds cool, Right? Well, we arrive and apparently I didn't do my research good enough as the clock was changed in 2020 and reprogrammed. The Metronome is currently a Climate Clock with orange-tinted letters that count down the critical time window remaining for humanity to act to save itself and its only home from the ravages of climate chaos. Well, that's a happy moment - Not!
The work also includes concentric circles rendered in gold-flecked brick that ripple outward from a round opening. When it was unveiled in 1999, clouds of steam and musical tones issued from the facade. This part, I like.
Scenes from Union Square -
How about this? Keeping those legends alive.
The whole area -
With a bit of light walking, we are now at NYU and Washington Square Park. It's gorgeous out and we take a break and just sit on a park bench for a bit. Students are busily making their way around, going to class and meeting up with each other.
Washington Park once served as the drilling ground and headquarters of General George Washington and his revolutionary army.
What is this monument dedicated to? This triumphal arch honors George Washington (1732-1799), first president of the United States, and the democratic principles he espoused. A temporary arch of wood and plaster was first placed in 1889 north of the park in honor of a citywide celebration of the centennial of Washington’s inauguration in New York City. The arch is also an expression of the City Beautiful movement, whose proponents sought to create civic structures and public spaces in America whose beauty and stature would rival those of European capitals. The temporary arch was so successful that a citizens committee soon formed to raise funds to commission this permanent arch. Noted architect Stanford White (1853-1906), designed the structure, made principally of Tuckahoe marble. Foundations were laid in May 1890 by David H. King Jr., the well-known builder of the Statue of Liberty’s pedestal, and the cornerstone (concealing a copper time capsule) was laid on “Decoration Day,” May 30, 1890. The grand dedication, slated for April 30, 1895 (to coincide with the anniversary of Washington’s inauguration) was postponed due to torrential rains, and happened instead on May 4. How about that - on my birthday. I feel so special.
Okay - we have yet to eat pizza in New York. That is today's lunch. First stop is at Grandma's One.
Slices look good, but they just weren't. Very sad.
Stop 2 - Percy's Pizza. This is a tiny shop nestled between two buildings. I don't even think it is a permanent structure. Is it?
Check out the floor ---- I think it's an old walkway. I didn't take a picture of the pizza - shame on me, because it was the bomb. So much better and I'll happily go back here. At this point I mention to Mister that I need to find a restroom and he says he knows about a cool coffee spot.
Walking down Houston - I notice another church on a side street. It is St. Anthony of Padua. We can peek in if it's open.
Yep - I love the green marble pillars. I think that is my absolutely favorite shade of green.
So, this building has not been maintained quite as well, but it must have been something in 1840 when it was dedicated by the first cardinal in New York.
Rose Window and organ -
We are off again and arrive at another unmarked building. Strange place for a coffee shop, but okay. Mister has to ask for admission to The Earth Room. I'm usually game for anything, so here we go.
When we arrive at the top, I mention that this is the oddest place for a coffee shop and he looks at me like I'm crazy. It's not a coffee shop -it's an art installation. I remind him of my request and he looks at me funny and says, "Oh, that was back by Percy's." Sometimes. At any rate, back to the Earth Room. I mean - we're here.
An interior earth sculpture.
250 cubic yards of earth (197 cubic meters)
3,600 square feet of floor space (335 square meters)
22 inch depth of material (56 centimeters)
Total weight of sculpture: 280,000 lbs. (127,300 kilos)
The New York Earth Room (1977) is the third Earth Room sculpture executed by the artist, the first being in Munich in 1968. The second was installed at the Hessisches Landesmuseum in Darmstadt, West Germany, in 1974. The first two works no longer exist.
The New York Earth Room has been on long-term view to the public since 1977. This work was commissioned and is maintained by Dia Art Foundation.
This whole apartment has been full of dirt for almost 50 years. I just don't have words for this. Read the top again - it is 22 inches deep. The whole apartment.
There is a live human monitor at the desk. The person who opened the door for us. He marks each days attendance like this and also has one for the week and year. Somehow they use this for funding. I'm so confused right now. Perhaps it is because I really need a restroom.
Making our way back down Houston towards the supposed coffee shop.
There it is!!! It does exist. Caffe Reggio was established in 1927 and is the home of the "Original Cappuccino" and the oldest caffe in Greenwich Village.
It is also crazy packed and we are lucky to get a seat. So . . . my situation, right? See the TINY green door on the left wall? That leads to the smallest restroom I have EVER been in. Honest. I'm so glad I took my coat off at the door, because no way I could have maneuvered that as well. Okay now, back to the table and all is good again.
The Center around which Caffe Reggio revolves is its espresso machine. Out of the spigots and spouts flows espresso: the essence of the twice roasted coffee bean that for centuries has been a staple in Italy. Cappuccino as we know it is a fairly recent invention. With the introduction of the modern coffee making equipment in the beginning of the century, Cappuccino was popularized and brought to America by the owner of Caffe Reggio, hence, "Caffe Reggio The Original Cappuccino". The machine on display was built in 1902 and is the very first of its type made. It is a magnificent example of engineering and craftsmanship, and is quite impressive with its gauges, valve, and specially designed boiler that allows the use of gas or coal. The restoration of the chrome and bronze ornamentation consisting of horses, angels, and intricate metal work was completed in Italy by skilled artisans. It is an excellent example of lost art. Well, now I know why Mister wanted to make this stop as he is definitely a Cappuccino man.
Also around the room are over 80 separate works of art, some of which date back to the Italian Renaissance period. Among this notable collection of paintings, plaques, busts, tables, and chairs a few historical pieces are found. The oldest and most precious article is a recently restored painting from the 16th century school of the Roman artist Caravaggio. As historical as Caffe Reggio, is the surrounding area of Greenwich Village. Directly across the street is a quaint three-story brownstone which once housed Louisa May Alcott, author of Little Women. Styles change and people come and go, but a particular type of individual will always be attracted to the Village and the timeless atmosphere. We're now going to sit back, relax, have a Cappuccino, and cannoli, and enjoy.
Well, believe it or not, it's after 3 and my sweetie is ready for a beer for his birthday. I think our sightseeing for this trip is pretty much done, but one never knows. Next stop, one of the FEW breweries we have found. Torch and Crown.
Once inside -- it's a brewery, but a very sterile atmosphere. Not really "brewery" for those who are like us. We're also the only ones in here -- so odd.
We do have a nice beer, but one and done.
Time to check out a second brewery - about a 20 minute walk away. Bronx Brewery kind of delivers upon entry. YES! This is what I think of when someone says "brewery."
Yum!!!
We have great conversation with the gentleman behind the bar. It's his second night and we're happy to visit and help him feel comfortable.
He has this crazy Australian accent and I love it. Thankfully, we have watched enough Aussie television to understand him. Through our conversation of why he is here and such - he mentions that he is an actor and has been working here in New York, but his job is ending this week so had to find other income until more comes along. He is J.D. Martin. That really doesn't mean much to me since I don't watch network television, but he plays Corey Marks on F.B.I. Most Wanted. Well, that's fun. He happily gives me a pic to show my mother, who does watch the show.
As I'm about to leave, I go to take a selfie with the room and he photobombs me. Well, that's fun too. We've had a great time - but, need to move on.
This is the Alamo 1967! Yep, different Alamo, hahaha. Spotted on the way to the subway. The monumental 15' Cor-Ten steel sculpture, also known as the Astor Place Cube, is without dispute Tony Rosenthal's best-known and beloved public art sculpture, considered a New York and public art landmark, No idea why the name.
We are back at Grand Central Station and I remember that Mister really wanted to go to the Campbell Apartment.
So, we're on the hunt for it. One would think that we merely had to go through those doors. Nope.
We went outside and found the entrance beside the main doors. Tucked away in a discreet corner of Grand Central Terminal, this space began as the office of American financier and member of the New York Central Railroad's Board of Directors, John W. Campbell in 1923. At night, so he could spend more time with his colleagues and friends, Campbell turned his opulent office into a music recital hall. However, after his death in 1957 the space fell into curious times. It evolved from a signalman's office to a jail to the transit polices gun storage and eventually a bar. In 2017, this iconic New York institution was respectfully restored to its original grandeur by Gerber Group. Returning the space back to an era where conversation, laughter, and music fill the room.
The place is PACKED and we are asked if we have a reservation. Sadly, no. However, this hostess gets an award for making one feel special. She says that she does have one table that has a reservation in an hour, so if we don't want to stay longer than that - we can use the table. Yes!!!
She gives us a beautiful location and I give Mister my drink order and go to find the ladies room. The hostess is my angel again and I thank her profusely, telling her that "it's our last night in New York and my sweetie's birthday. This was the last item on his list, so thank you, thank you, thank you." When I get back to the table, Mister still hasn't ordered, but he says neither have the tables near us, so no worries. She also mentions for me to notice the original steel safe sitting in the fireplace (not its original location as it was once hidden behind a wall). We are so close to it, but can't really get a wonderful picture without disturbing others. It's dark in here --- pics are the best I can do without an annoying flash.
I notice the server making their way towards us and when she arrives she has two glasses of Prosecco and a couple of chocolates. She says that she heard "we were celebrating tonight" and delivers the treats, takes our order and is off. The look on my face is genuine and I tell Miser that I truly was just chatting with the hostess. Honest - had no idea this would happen. He is incredibly impressed with this place.
We enjoy our Prosecco and our drinks that were delivered later and then reluctantly give up our wonderful spot. This was a FANTASTIC end to the night (although the post is not over yet - you just wish).
Back into the station for some final looksies.
I give Mister my phone for some fun. This has been a magical time for us and we are back in sync with each other.
At this point, we try a different exit of the station. It is a LONG underground walk, basically the same one we've made outside numerous times. Kinda lonely down here. Leave it to my love to obey the sign and move at a turtle pace. I wish I'd videoed him --- still shots just don't do justice. I'm thinking running must happen in here when people are about to miss their trains.
Up we go. This is the same view I shared in the first post -- only at night. Perfect last photo of the street for the night. Gotta Love New York.
Well, that's about it for this post - here is our breakdown for the week and Mister is enjoying his chocolate. I hope he had a great birthday week --- I sure did. All that's left is our trip home tomorrow. See you in that post.
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