NEXT STOP....MANHATTAN!

Whenever I tell someone I am going to New York that only means one thing...the island of Manhattan!  All of my hip friends extol the virtues of Brooklyn and now even Queens, but for me New York is that long skinny island jam packed and lively 24/7.  

As a creature of habit (Taurus), I have certain "must do" things each time I visit.  Bemelman's Bar for "one too many" starting around 5pm and continuing until the crowd or the conversation gets boring.  I must do Philippe Chow for lunch since La Goulue has been shuttered, and always Bergdorf, Cartier, and Tiffany for wedding and baby gifts!

Once I have the basics covered I revert to my college days and head downtown to the West Village.  For me there is nothing like a stroll through the leafy side streets of the village to put things in perspective...a walk down memory lane if you will.  Memory Lane is quickly becoming a shopping mall just like what happened to Soho and Chelsea.  Very sad.  The one place I can always feel right at home is Madison Ave. in Carnegie Hill. First Sarabeth's then over to Fifth for the Met (where I could spend days) followed by a stroll along the park.

This is my New York.  Thanksgiving lunch at Swifty's with my gal pal ATP...see ya there?

As always...xx.DT