Oak Street Ranch

The Big Apple, Recap of Evening Two

Greetings All,
I know you're all curious about the latest from the East Coast. Certainly about the latest meals!
An apology - Facebook has not been accepting the photo uploads, so more of those will follow as we're able.

Here's the quick recap from the evening of Day Two -
When we last left ur story, it was the afternoon blogging and email break. We rested up, and prepared for the evening's adventures.

First, out and about, to the Empire State Building.
On the walk, we passed the New York Public Library. Its a massive building, roman columns, and stone lions guarding the gift of the Astor Family to the city (ok, not entirely paid for by the Astors, but lots of cash from them). After a quick meet and greet with the stone lions out front, up the stairs into the lobby - Massive, two story marble atrium. Hallways leading in all directions with special collections, etc. Up the stairs we go, to check out the reading rooms. The ceilings are coffered, and have various painted scenes not unlike the design of a chapel. In the reading rooms - its a library straight out of central casting. Big oak tables, heavy shelving, and those massive coffered ceilings. We took a few photos, tried to stay quiet, and went along our way.

Empire State Building - if you aren;t looking up - at street level, you'll miss it. It just looks like another office building (which, aside from the 86th and 102nd floor, it is). Long story short - its 20.00 to go up an elevator in a very tall building. But, because we were there on a brisk thursday evening, there were no lines, and we wanted to check out the view. Let me make it VERY clear - NO WAY would I wait the 2 hours they say that normally you have to. Its as if Universal Studios ran an office building. Video screens offering to sell you video tapes of your experience, photos with green screen background, etc.
We sped past all this, because not too many people were there at the hour we were going.
Up the first elevator - Ok. This is creepy. That number just keeps going up and up and up. Its an express elevator going up 80 floors. That's just ...well... high. Really high. And, to tell the truth, I am scared of heights! You get off on a floor with a gift shop, etc - then are routed to another elevator, that goes up 6 more floors.
On the 86th floor, you can either go up to the 102nd floor, or out on to the observation deck. Out we go ...
wow...wow... its quiet a view. It was a clear night, and you could literally look over the whole city - out the harbor to the Statue of Liberty, uptown, across a sea of lights filling the night sky.
But, let me say again - its cold... windy... and very very high up...But, we did it!

Out of there, and then on to other adventures. A cab ride to Scarpetta. (this cab ride was much safer than previous rides).
Scarpetta - What can I say? Most interestingly, was Jen saying, as we were waiting at the bar, that the place had a very "LA" vibe. It had a wooden beamed ceiling with skylights. Candle lit in spots, with dark woods elsewhere, setting a quiet, elegant mood.
We were seated in a corner, and quickly surveyed the menu. This place is constantly written up about its house-made pastas, which made selections easy.
We had a burrata and salad appetizer, and a fresh yellowtail app as well. Both were absolutely delicious. Jen had started with a glass of prosecca at the bar, and I had a glass of red wine.
At the table we had a carafe of Brunello di Montalcino to go with the meal. Bread was served with an absolutely ridiculous eggplant caponata.

The pasta did not disappoint. Absurdly simple and delicious. Jen had the tomato basil spagetti. It was fresh, al dente, and flavorful beyond description. I had the agnolotti with shortrib filling, with a horseradish butter sauce. I'd tell you more about how tasty this was, but you'd cry.
Dessert was a banana budino - kind of a banana honey bread with a gelato and brulee'd bananas.
We left full and happy.

A quick walk down to the waterline, and a couple of grappas at Craftsteak, while watching the end of the football game.
We caught the subway back to Grand Central Station. While walking back, we were going to stop in a drug store for some supplies. Let me tell you - if you have the chance to stop in at a Duane Reede -dont. They are all apparently run by madmen. Computers going out, employees with no idea what was happening. Lines growing surly. It was like shopping in an asylum. We abandoned our purchases, and fled back to the hotel.

Got to rest up for another day's adventure!

posted by Mitch @ 2:23 PM