Don't go here...249 E 55th St. on the corner of 2nd Ave...Good Nature

Here's the scoop. I bought the NY Times here yesterday. $5.00...but I bought it. Ok. This morning I realized there was no...MAGAZINE SECTION. Why else buy it??? (Not true...but that is a big reason to spend the money) I went back to the place I bought it(Good Nature...ha!) The girl at the register was beyond nasty. I then spoke to a man (manager???) as they spoke Spanish to each other. I asked them to speak English so they just stopped talking. His take: I read the paper and want my money back. How insulting... I did not bring the paper with me! Obviously I will not be going back. The same sort of deli is one block away on 56th and Second...(I stopped going to Good Nature when I realized they charged $.25 more for a quart of milk than the place at 56th and 2nd...and they are very nice there, too. An added bonus!) I went in for the paper because I was right there on my way downtown...my mistake.

Good Nature...not even close!

After your visit to the Time Warner Center...visit 5th Avenue and look at the Louis Vuitton building at 1 East 57th Street. In my next life, I would like to work for their window display designers...amazing amazing amazing...

Just one of their FABULOUS windows...did Dale Chihuly design this???Dale Chihuly...photos

Now look at THIS!!! The building facade! I swooned when I saw this...

Brunch at The Landmarc...Time Warner Center.

Henry and I went to the Landmarc in The Time Warner Center. Great view. Good omelet. Lousy service. When I went to the lady's room (I'm a lady...) there was a throng of servers next to the bar. I think it was party central. Oh...they are there to wait on people dining in the restaurant? I think not...

Nice table setting....

Two menus..it took some time to figure out they were BOTH menus as the plastic menu was stuck on the side of the table with the HUGE paper menu (seen above...folded) was put in front of you. What was the waiter doing? Nothing. 

Cozy table by the window...very nice. Comes with no service. I guess I've made my point!

After brunch I went to the Museum of Art and Design (next door). I adore this museum! Go and see this (and all) their fine exhibits...

Museum of Art and Design (MAD)

THE MUSEUM RATING...XOXOXOXO.....

THE RESTAURANT RATING

xo=eh

xoxo=ok, just...ok-If you are paying A LOT one (I) expects a lot...call me silly.

xoxoxo=really ok

xoxoxoxo=yes+I'd go back

The FLYING PIG...OXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO

This little piggy was in the sidewalk...now he wants to fly. Now you see it! Fly piggy, fly!

Say hi to the pig. I love this guy. He has been 'begging' to be in my 'book'...NOW YOU SEE IT! Well here he is but where is the book? Wouldn't that be fun? I must get on that...in the meantime, I'll be really really busy for the next few days...so maybe I'll take a break...and leave you with the piggy...

...xoxoJaneoxox

LITTLE INDIA...today I felt like I left NYC for a short while and entered another world...

I went with a friend, who is from India, to Little India. We had a wonderful lunch at Bhojan, a vegetarian restaurant and then went for a head massage...Apparently head massages in India are done by people who know what they are doing; not the case here. But I listened to a lot of Hindi-gab and saw my friend in her 'other' world. From there we went to a little grocery where the proprietor fed us figs and 'cookies'  and could not have been lovelier. His parting words were salaam alaikum. Peace be with you. I needed that. What a wonderful day! Oh...I love New York!!!

A RATING SYSTEM

xo=eh

xoxo=ok, just...ok

xoxoxo=really ok

xoxoxoxo=yes+I'd go back

xoxoJaneoxox

A head massage...that was no massage. I'd love to find a place for a wonderful head massage...any suggestions?

Isn't this gorgeous! So many sweets, so little time. At the restaurant, we had gulag jamun for desert

All the world's food cultures are endlessly fascinating...and there are so many right here in NYC! Where to begin???

xoxoJaneoxox

salam alaikum

PIO PIO on the westside...went for lunch...still full...

Came back from NJ and went to the westside for a walk and lunch at Pio Pio. Peruvian with a twist. The Picantito (the green drink...) was DELICIOUS! The Fried Cali (their word, not mine) was good. Hot dogs and french fries...their idea...not Peruvian. No kidding. Really good, if you like hot dogs and french fries...the seafood was very good.

Fried Cali...

Hot dogs and fries! Oh my aching tummy...I ate TOO much! Plus:Traditional Peruvian yellow corn stuffed with chic hen and peanuts served with salsa and Salsa Criolla

Pan fried Corvina, Scallops, Shrimp and Squid served with "Clasico Salsa Macho" a spicy seafood sauce and a side of yellow rice...yummy!!!

The entrance to Pio Pio with a very 'hot' or very confused guy, eating on the street....

A RATING SYSTEM

xo=eh

xoxo=ok, just...ok

xoxoxo=really ok

xoxoxoxo=yes+I'd go back

xoxoJaneoxox

Bryant Park...'witchcraft lunch, sitting and relaxing...

Go to Bryant Park! What a lovely setting...privately owned and well maintained. 'witchcraft kiosks and, of course, the Bryant Park Grill. I've not eaten there...but will. My daughter and I went to jewelry caster, Roni Casting and to a place that casts only in pewter, Quest Beads...in between stops we ate food from 'witchcraft, in the park. A perfectly lovely day...xoxoxo

Annie's Feet in the park... Follow those feet!!!

Annie's photo #2. Great photo!

A RATING SYSTEM

xo=eh

xoxo=ok, just...ok

xoxoxo=really ok

xoxoxoxo=yes+I'd go back

xoxoJaneoxox

Breakfast today. I walked to the westside to go to Roni Casting with some of my charm models and, as usual, got very very hungry. I walked on to M&J Trim for some ribbon and a lovely salesman sent me to Jimmy's American at 990 6th Avenue. The Yelp reviews are frightening. Most reviewers went for dinner. NOT a dinner place. I had a lovely omelet and...the waitress was spectacular. She could not have been more attentive and lovely...

Need an eye opener? Not a problem...

Their lovely sign...small, yet oval....

My yummy omelet...feta and spinach...I eat this a lot for breakfast...feta...I think of Greece...we did have fun!

And then one has to pay...not too bad.

A RATING SYSTEM

xo=eh

xoxo=ok, just...ok

xoxoxo=really ok

xoxoxoxo=yes+I'd go back

xoxoJaneoxox

Vintner Wine Market, Hell's Kitchen. A very little place with good food and wine and beer...

I ate here yesterday and quite a few times before...I really really like this little place. Service can be a bit slow so don't be in a rush...Hell's Kitchen, again....

Vintner Wine Market... 

A small place...charming.

A RATING SYSTEM

xo=eh

xoxo=ok, just...ok

xoxoxo=really ok

xoxoxoxo=yes+I'd go back

(I've eaten sliced meat and cheese platters..and a really yummy sandwich)

xoxoJaneoxox

Now you see it...and you won't believe it...Hell's Kitchen...

What a night! While everyone in my building and beyond left the city...I stayed right here and I'm thrilled I did...I went to the Algonquin to see the new and improved Blue Bar. It does not open until June 5th. Almost...Not yet the hip crowd they are hoping for. Not even close...perhaps when the blue bar opens. Ugh. Blue Bar. When I was much younger my father's office was on the same street as the Algonquin. I loved going to lunch there, with him. 'They' loved him and I loved that place. Blue. Why?  I had a drink and moved on...to Hell's Kitchen...

First things first. A Goat in NYC. What? A GOAT! On a leash...of course.
Dinner at The Hourglass. Three floors. Ate on the second, at the bar. Very charming interesting place. Not hip just...charming??? Had pork sliders and my dear son had barbecue brisket sliders...yum.  I would go back...for a drink and appetizer and to gab.

Welcome to Fleet Week...!!!

A Smoking Sailor? Soldier?.....

Two Sailors and a mattress...

Fleet Week Sailor...ahoy matey...I'm sorry, I could not help meself....
Stopped at a wine bar near my son's apartment...for sherry and cheese...I'm stuffed AND  tired!!!
HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY one and all...

xoxoJaneoxox

Lunch with friends....

I headed to the westside, with a friend from Connecticut, to meet a friend who came in from NJ...I've known both since I was 9. That is a very long time!!!!.....

It really says 44 & X on the door...the outside space is lovely (we ate inside...it was chilly outside). Of course, the restaurant looks out on a gas station and traffic! I LOVE NY!!!

The indoor space is attractive and VERY LOUD. The LOUD seems to be somewhat universal...loud is ok. Of course when you are older and half deaf...lip reading is a handy skill.

On another (TOTALLY UNRELATED) note: who thought it was a good idea to put Gayle and Charlie on CBS morning news? I cannot bear it! I've had to move on...boo hoo...

A RATING SYSTEM

xo=eh

xoxo=ok, just...ok

xoxoxo=really ok

xoxoxoxo=yes+I'd go back

Not...inexpensive....

I eat a lot of just...ok food. I'd go back if I happen to be in the neighborhood and don't know where else to go! There are tons of other places to go! The name is clever as it is the address...can't miss it. Spend a lot of time on 10th Ave?....I bet you don't. The 40's in Hell's Kitchen is LOADED with restaurants...a wonderful neighborhood. Ninth Avenue is the best...

xoxoJaneoxox

Making up for lost time...if you Blog...time is never lost! My diary...

For the past few days I have been throwing out rugs (more about that later), rearranging space, entertaining an out-of-town friend, eating and more eating...and there was the graduation...xoxoJaneoxox

The Graduation

The Graduate...yay!!!!!

Proud mother and brother! Brava!!!! 

xoxoMomandCyoxox

Graduation dinner at Esca....

My son ordered these after being told they had a metallic taste...needless to say, he ate all of them! He really liked them...???

Mahi Mahi crudo. Of all we ordered, the best, hands down. Thank you Justin!

A RATING SYSTEM

xo=eh

xoxo=ok, just...ok

xoxoxo=really ok

xoxoxoxo=yes+I'd go back...I've eaten here a few times...the crude is the best food they serve. The waitress was quite the salesperson. Go with your 'gut'...you needn't order crude, pasta AND an entree. 

Birthday and Graduation Celebration at The Water Club...lovely.

Perfect weather for lunch inside and drinks outside, at The Water Club. Friends and family...a wonderful time.

Could the day have been more beautiful? I don't think so...a picture from upstairs at the H2O club...looking north.

Happy Birthday and Graduation to you...

A RATING SYSTEM

xo=eh

xoxo=ok, just...ok

xoxoxo=really ok

xoxoxoxo=yes+I'd go back

xoxoJaneoxox

The day before Mother's Day...lovely. A friend and I had lunch at The Smith Restaurant NYC, mid-town. We headed west and met up with another friend at the Museum of Art and Design. This is a fantastic museum. Visit...support...join...XOXOXO. After the museum I met my son went to a street fair (he was STARVING) and then we went for drinks at The Peninsula Hotel in TWO bars...and then home, alone, to the dog. It was a lovely day. xoxoJaneoxox

The Smith...VERY loud, very friendly service, expensive and ALWAYS BUSY!

A street fair on Broadway...isn't he cute???

At the roof bar of the Peninsula Hotel...the sky above...

Mother's Day flowers from Annie and John...aren't they gorgeous...

xoxoJaneoxox

Hair and Fashion Day...a day CHOP TO OFF MY HAIR!

Today...I walked across town to return some things and then up through THE (very crowded and lovely) Park to a hair salon. Carmine Minardi is, for the moment, working out of Salih Salon, located at 20 east 67 street between Madison and Fifth avenues. Lovely. I had a do-over. New do. New color. I feel lighter...he is the best!

Minardi NYC

LONG, ALWAYS UP HAIR...

h

SHORT HAIR! I FEEL VERY BRAVE...

Now for the fashion portion of our show...

Big Green People..on 5th Avenue...they've landed in front of Prada no less...and they are UGLY!

Lennys...ubiquitous Lenny's...

Great Prices...NO ambiance...which is Lenny's ambiance.......

Lenny's on 2nd Avenue and 54th St....
Good breakfast, decent sandwiches...
Good prices...
Ok service...I ordered one egg and crisp bacon on a roll...
She heard egg and ham. I repeated myself...and again.
What's up?

Working in Lenny's...
I cannot, I repeat, get crisp bacon.
Why not?

A RATING SYSTEM

xo=eh

xoxo=ok, just...ok

xoxoxo=really ok, really and I will go back....

xoxoxoxo=yes+I'd go back+I really like it, I really do

xoxoJaneoxox

SOLID GOLD... Pulse

Allison Williams in Ralph Lauren dress....

Solid Gold? And I thought gold was valuable...ugly gold, ugly.

The above copy names the dress-wearer and designer...the ONLY dress in the N.Y. Post article (of the above name) that ANY self-respecting diva would be caught alive in. There are 12 more pictured-one uglier than the next! And this for the Schiaparelli and Prada: Impossible Conversations red carpet kickoff at the Costume Institute Exhibition at the Met!

I could not resist...UGLY UGLY UGLY... One cannot out-do Schiaparelli and Prada, so why not take a new tack with total lack of taste and style?

xoxoJaneoxox

P.S.

A RATING SYSTEM

xo=eh

xoxo=ok, just...ok

xoxoxo=really ok, really

xoxoxoxo=yes+I'd go back+I really like it, I really do

Westside (Hudson River Park) and beyond....

On the walk up the westside...fantastic!

Another view...walking, walking...

Somewhere on the westside...a remarkable view...I added the sky as the day was dark and grey...unlike my mood! Walking...walking....

On the river...keep on walking....

       

Can you imagine a finer city? Don't forget to keep looking up and down and all all around!

xoxoJaneoxox

On the westside heading east....
walking...walking...              

Come with with me and enjoy the pleasures of the Great Lawn in Central Park

ED KOCH

Mayor of NEW YORK CITY 1978 to 1989

 Walking through the park...walking...walking....