We and the Ranchers headed to the city to see the fabulous production of “Ann,” written by and starring Holland Taylor. We can’t recommend it more highly. We also took Mary’s recommendation for dinner at a Cassis, a bistro nearby Lincoln Center. Everything was scrumptious, and we’d wished we’d had… Read More →
Before Broadway, once more, at Don Antonio’s. Since it was Kelli’s first time, we got the classic “fried” pizza. And for Sarah, ever the picky eater, we went with a white pizza with roasted grape tomatoes. Both were delishy! And Kelli and I so enjoyed our salad, too. This… Read More →
After our trip to see the Matisse exhibit, we stopped at Red Rooster in Harlem for lunch on the way home. We are certainly glad we did. Especially after this burger: Yes, my friends, those are Parmesan fries. Say no more. Red Rooster is a new-ish (a year or so?)… Read More →
I know I’m late to the party, but I’m loving this new #instagram, aren’t you? The elevated above 125th street in Harlem: Related posts: Portrait of Samantha
We went to see Matisse: In Search of True Painting at the Met, and came away learning so much about the artist and his process. The exhibit shows you how he painted in pairs and trios, how he saw light (sometimes in black) and how he even photographed the process… Read More →
Casellula, a cozy little wine and cheese bar, really is an oasis in midtown for pre-theater dining, especially if you’re heading to a theater that’s a little north of Times Square. I’ve covered Casellula several times already, so I won’t go into the nuts-and-bolts, but I will say that we… Read More →
If you’ve been to Times Square, you’ve probably walked past this: Big glass windows that look out onto Broadway. The room is great for people watching, but not very comfortable. Here’s a little secret. Walk up the stairs and you’ll find this: A nice quiet bar, perfect for meeting someone… Read More →
We used to like bourbon Manhattans. We have seen the err of our ways. Now we only drink them with rye. Yes, for one thing, our tastes have matured. Bourbon is sweet. I mean, it has its place, certainly. Mint juleps wouldn’t be the same without them. But consider this:… Read More →
This is not a food recommendation. But if you’re going to the theater, and you just want a quick drink and a little something to hold you over, Brasserie Athenee is a pretty darn convenient spot. There is a nice rose on the menu, and you can order a cheese… Read More →
With Karen in town covering the UN General Assembly, we thought it a good time to visit the 9/11 Memorial for the first time. We met her down there for a quick visit. Related posts: On a Hot Memorial Day, A Barbecue in the Orchard The Les Paul Trio at… Read More →
In the little park off to the side of Madison Square Park — sometimes home to a Christmas Village or another such pop-up — there is right now a garden of eating. Food trucks, including one from Roberta’s in Brooklyn, line up around a central area with tables, and you… Read More →
For years, Les Paul, the inventor of the electric guitar, played every Monday night at the Iridium, the jazz club in Manhattan. Paul died in 2009, but his trio continues the tradition. Greg is doing a story on the Monday night show, which often has illustrious guests. The show we… Read More →
We only had time for a small snack before we were to meet someone for a show at the Iridium. I thought a few oysters at the bar at Oceana would do the trick. In-and-out and nobody gets hurt. We were happy to discover that there is an outdoor patio…. Read More →
Those of you, especially, who know how much I enjoy a glass of wine (or two) will find this factoid interesting: it was at Isabella’s on the Upper West Side that I first ordered a glass of red wine. A merlot, of course (this was the early 90s). I haven’t… Read More →
Let’s see: Somewhat near the Cloisters? Delicious food? Kid-friendly? Bingo: Dinosaur BBQ. That is my lovely combo platter with pulled pork, brisket and ribs along with salt potatoes and an iceberg wedge. Man oh man was that delicious. Sam had some, too! Sarah, Sari and Brian, and the kids, after… Read More →
I’ve been trying to visit the Cloisters since, oh, probably the mid-1990s. Finally. We made it. Very happy we did, especially after seeing the gardens. And the unicorns. The Cloisters is a branch of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Here’s an overview, from the Cloisters Web site: The Cloisters museum… Read More →
After the Mario the Magician show, we walked through Chinatown a bit to find this dumpling place I’d heard tell about on Serious Eats. Serious Eats, which I trust implicitly when it comes to this sort of thing, lauds the place for both its fried dumplings ($1 for 5!) and… Read More →
We went to see our new neighbor and friend Mario the Magician perform in the city, and to Mae’s great amusement, she was chosen as a helper during the show. Well, criss-cross, applesauce! (Sorry about the blur, but it was dark and we were far away.) Here’s a video of… Read More →
A quick pre-theater supper on my own tonight: at the bar at Casellula near 9th Avenue. I’ve been before and loved it. This trip is no different. The asparagus dish is especially impressive. Its served with a hollandaise-y but more hard boiled-y egg garnish, rhubarb vinaigrette and hazelnuts. Brilliant! Related… Read More →
I don’t curse too often here on SCF, but here is a time when the words are well deserved. Here we are, heading to see Clybourne Park and it’s 715 p.m., 45 minutes before curtain. We walk into Joe Allen, wondering if we can get two seats at the bar…. Read More →
Our good friend David, whom SCF fans may remember from this summer in Charlottesville, is in town for a holiday. We met him for a delishy lunch at Pastis, which we chose because 1. David is a Francophile; and 2. It’s near the High Line and we wanted to walk along… Read More →
After our brunch at the Breslin, Boo and I headed over to the Morgan Library to check out the Dickens exhibit. We also saw good ol’ Pierpont’s library. You’re not supposed to take photos (and I didn’t know that), but I got this one off before they asked me not… Read More →
Wanting to take a look at an apartment that Boo might buy, we headed in to the city to check out an open house on the place. (Thumbs up!) Afterward, we were planning on having Korean food for brunch, but as we were walking there, I remembered we were awfully… Read More →
So we tried to go to the top of the Standard for drinks. Yeah, that doesn’t work with a stroller. At the Standard Grill, though, you can sneak in to a table near the bar. But not at the bar. If you have a baby at the bar, they won’t… Read More →
On my last day of maternity leave, we went back to the city for a little walk along the High Line and a then had a supper of soup and oysters and the Standard. Here’s Srimp enjoying her milk along the High Line. And will you just look at that… Read More →
Terroir, a wine bar that first opened in the East Village, has a newish outpost in Murray Hill. Owner Paul Grieco, wine geek extraordinaire, is known for his passion — but also his crazy-good wine lists with encyclopedic descriptions and fun storytelling. We didn’t get much of a chance to… Read More →
Another visit to the Museum of Modern Art? Sure, we’re members, so why not. As Greg points out, MoMA is a convenient way to spend time waiting for cocktail hour to begin. While I was spending my time, I enjoyed this piece. I wouldn’t mind emulating its layout in my… Read More →
The Metropolitan Museum of Art just reopened its renovated American Wing, which displays, according to the Met, “one of the finest and most comprehensive” American art collections in the world. It has George Washington Crossing the Delaware, for one, and two galleries dedicated to the Hudson River School. The wing… Read More →
Samantha’s first trip to MoMA was to see the Diego Rivera exhibit. Six of his murals were on display; they were ones for which he was brought here to the museum in 1931 to create. He ended up created portable frescos on a lime-enhanced cement, which is pretty cool. It… Read More →
I must have walked past the main branch of the New York Public Library a hundred times, but I’ve never been inside. Today, that all changed. We took in the sites, including those famous lions, a Gutenberg Bible that was on display inside, and, of course, the Rose Reading Room…. Read More →