Oak Street Ranch

The Big Apple, Day Three

Buon Giorno!
Ok, today's going to be a busy day! Strap in and hold on!

Let me say that today, (like many days) is dedicated to Jen's fine sense of direction and map orientation. She's been a mini tour guide, figuring out the fastest ways to places. Today puts her to the test! (and she passes with flying colors).

The day starts at Grand Central Station. There's a dining level - basically a food court.
We grab some breakfast and coffee for the road, and head out for the Whitehall line - to head to the Staten Island Ferry.
We got a little taste of morning rush hour on the subway system. Its pretty much what everyone who has seen a subway on TV would expect - Lots of people, jostling, pushing. People reading the paper, balancing their packages, book bags, or briefcases. Folks jumping off and on the trains.
At the Ferry stop- you walk up out of the subway station right at the Ferry Station. Very convenient.

We waited a few minutes for the next ferry, and when it arrived, off we went. Its not particularly glamourous, but its efficient, its free, and it takes you right past the Statue of Liberty.
Along the way, photos were taken, sights seen, and then a quick landing at Port St. George, on Staten Island. I'd be lying if I told you that we spent more than 10 minutes on Staten Island. Its just not on this visit's itinerary! Basically hopped off one ferry and onto the one coming back.

Upon landing, we hit another subway stop, a few transfers, and off to Brooklyn!
I'll say Brooklyn's a whole different vibe than the city. Calmer, a little slower, a little more spread out. Still a city, but not quite as hectic.
In Brooklyn we walk around, check out Brookly Heights. Make our way past the Supreme Court of New York (for non-lawyers, actually the Supreme Court in New York is the lowest court. I don't know why. Its a random thing. Its like going to your local city or county courthouse). We also went past the City Center, and the Federal Courts building. Ok - law geek moment, over.

We made our way to Giribaldis - famous for pizza. Here's the thing though - its too famous. The freakin' line was a block long. Sorry. Its Brooklyn. Its not like we're going to get BAD pizza down here! So, we went to the corner and got a great table at a busy little place called Pizza Iganzia. We got the traditional pie. For those who saw the Facebook mobile upload - you saw. It was delicious. Fresh, crispy crust. Basil and cheese and tomato. ummm...we destroyed that pizza... nothing left but crumbs.

After lunch, we walked down through DUMBO - Down Under The Manhattan Bridge Overpass (or something). Its a gentrifying area right between the end points (on the Brooklyn side) of the Manhattan and Brooklyn Bridges.
We made a quick stop at a known chocolate place here: Jacques Torres. Freakin delicious.
While there, we picked up the hot cocoa with chili - it was a rich, chocolate-y, slightly spiced, sort of southwestern style cocoa. It did not suck.

We had these in hand, for our next big adventure - walking back into Manhattan, across the Brooklyn Bridge. We certainly weren't the only ones thinking this - the pedestrian walkway is packed. People biking, tourists, commuters, all walking on the elevated pedestrian path, above the car lanes. Again, let me emphasize that Mitch is not a huge fan of heights! Yet, we braved heights, winds, and sore legs, to make the scenic trek.

On the Manhattan side, you leave off right at the City Hall area. Lovely buildings, roman columns, etc. Amusingly enough, there was a large set of television production trucks nearby. We speculated as to whether it was Law and Order...

Back to the hotel, for more email, blogging and resting up.
Tonight is Illili (sorry for the probably mispelling). Its a mediteranean place that's well reviewed. We're considering a little visit to Times Square and/or Rockefeller Center. We'll see.
Also, tommorow should be interesting, as its the day they speculate it could snow.

We hope that everyone is doing well there.

Cheers.

posted by Mitch @ 2:46 PM