A Mother/Daughter Getaway

New York City is fast-paced but at the same time very welcoming. If you've a first time visitor to The Big Apple all you need do is step outside your hotel and let the adventure begin!.

MEMORABLE MOMENTS

:
First Trip - Renting a boat in Central Park(only /hr.) We took turns manning the oars and got a little dizzy rowing in circle formations on Central Park Lake!
- Running 10 city blocks, in heels, to see a hilarious Broadway play, The Tale of The Allergist's Wife (see entry).
- A late nite visit to the Iridium Jazz Club on Broadway.
- Dined at the Sushiden on E. 49th St. My daughter rated it a close 2nd to San Francisco's better sushi restaurants.

On our Second Mother/Daughter Getaway:
Met Dan Marino, just by chance, at The Mickey Mantle Cafe, (located at 42 Central Park South)!
Got great 1/2 price seats for a matinee performance of MAMMA MIA! (see entry).Note: This time we only had to run 2 city blocks in sneakers!
Discovered an even better jazz club, Birdland(315 W. 44th St.). They had a whole jazz orchestra vs. the 3 piece combo @ The Iridium.

Quick Tips:

HOW TO MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR TIME IN NYC:
- Don't over plan.
- Get a hotel in a convenient location (see Gorham Hotel & Waldorf Astoria entries).
- Get to know the concierge at your hotel. Thanks to the concierge at The Waldorf Astoria, we discovered that soulful jazz club, outstanding pasta, and a sense that nothing is really that far away in the Big Apple.
- Wear comfortable shoes. Seems like a "no brainer" but so many visitors think they have to dress upscale for NYC. You'll enjoy your visit more if you can keep up the fast pace of the city while hitting the pavement in cushioned shoes.
- Relax and let the city beckon to you.

Best Way To Get Around:

New York City is literally a walker's paradise and a sightseer's dream. Discover boutiquey-type shops, yummy eateries, not so well-known museums, and converse with "real" New Yorkers( who actually stop to ask you if you're lost when you pull out your many maps and look totally confused.

BUSES & SUBWAY: The MetroCards are @/ride for the subway and buses. A better bargain are the "Fun Pass" MetroCards for . This allows you unlimited rides on buses and subway for one day. You can purchase MetroCards @ subway stations throughout the city.

TAXIS: Most of our excursions cost about .50 to /person. If you've leaving from your hotel, ask a doorman to get you a cab. Otherwise, you have to be assertive in hailing a cab. Don't be afraid to step off the curb, wave your arms, and yell loudly - it works!

Warning: When crossing the street don't worry so much about cars, cabs, or buses running you over - it's the guys and gals on bikes who can do you real harm!

Our cab driver barely braked to a stop in front of The Gorham when the doorman greeted us warmly, opened our doors, removed our two overnight bags, and followed us into the lobby. The colorful, mirrored lobby is longer than it is wide. Eye-catching artwork combined with clever flower arrangements in unusual containers got our attention immediately. Check-in was efficient and professional. We requested 2 keys for our 13th floor room. So far, so good.

Our cheerful, tastefully decorated room with vibrant artwork, was fairly spacious and included 2 queen-sized beds, desk space, ample lighting, and overlooked The City Center. We were impressed with the compact, fully-equipped kitchenette. Cleanliness was intrinsic to our accomodations. The bathroom was delightful with its floor-to-ceiling tiles, polished fixtures, rounded mirror, and gold reflective ceiling panels. A whirlpool bath gave us a warm welcome that evening after walking all day in Central Park. Other amenities worth mentioning are ample closet space, a fluffy terrycloth robe(for guests use), and a personal safe.

Next day we worked out in the 24 hr fitness center at no charge to guests. It's small but sufficient to fight off pounds gained feasting on New York City's wonderful array of ethnic foods. Later, we enjoyed a breakfast buffet in the charming Breakfast Room. I received a complimentary breakfast and my daughter paid $11.50. It's self-service but the waiters seat you, offer coffee and tea refills, and are pleasant. Our buffet favorites included succulent, ripe strawberries, mini bagels with freshly made veggie cream cheese, and flaky croissants.

ADDED BONUS: Daniel Kerwin, the hotel's manager, graciously invited us to tour the 2 Penthouse Suites. Both have comfortable sitting rooms and stylishly decorated bedrooms with an oriental-looking dividing screen separating bedroom from sitting room. Each has a roof top terrace with a gate separating them. The gate opens to combine the terrace space for coctail parties, meetings, etc. As we stood on the terraces, it was hard to believe we were in midtown Manhattan!

LOCATION: This 70 year old boutiquey hotel is also about location. It's situated between 6th and 7th Avenues and convenient to all forms of transportation. Walk 1 or 2 blocks in any direction and restaurants and excellent shopping abound.

QUESTIONS: What needs improvement? The lobby can become a bottleneck at times. We experienced this when we tried to exit the elevator onto the lobby floor. #2)Stay here again and/or recommend The Gorham to future guests? A definite "YES". We both completely agreed on that answer(which is quite a feat for a mother and daughter, no?).

The Waldorf-Astoria is all about elegance and pampering - two of my favorite things! What's not to like about a tastefully decorated, all-the-frills, historic hotel with a perfect location in Midtown Manhattan?

As we went up the stairs to the lobby, we noted they were doing some renovations. However, no dust or dirt was in evidence anywhere and it did not take away from the breathtaking, beautiful lobby with its' high ceilings, polished floors, mosaics, murals, and exquisite fresh flower arrangements in huge, ornate urns. Dark, wooden panels carried right through to the reception/check-in spacious area. Check-in was friendly, efficient, and stress free.

We had reservations for two nites. The first nite we stayed in a business class room which had all the usual amenities: in-room coffee service, cable TV, mini bar, 2 double beds, plush towels and toiletries, etc. However, the decor consisted of a highly polished mahogany wood desk, entertainment center, and end tables. Combine all this with thickly carpeted floors, tastefully draped windows, a clean and spacious bathroom area, and ultra comfortable beds and you'll want to stay - permanently.

SURPRISE, SURPRISE

When my daughter spoke with the receptionist the next morning to confirm our 2nd nite accomodations, we were surprised to learn that we were being upgraded to a SUITE. In addition to all the amenities afforded us in the business class room, we also enjoyed the following: a sitting room with a comfy couch, glass top cocktail table, upholstered chairs, 2nd TV, 2nd bathroom, refrigerator, and a wet bar. The bedroom was closed off from the entranceway and sitting room by a door. They also provided us with two thick, terry cloth robes for our use, a complimentary USA TODAY, and bed turndown service in the early evening.

INFORMATION:
It's a historic landmark and part of the Hilton Hotel chain. The original Waldorf-Astoria was located on the site of The Empire State Building
It houses 4 restaurants, 2 bars, and a cocktail terrace(overlooks Park Avenue lobby).
Reservations are a must.
Major credit cards accepted.
The Waldorf Towers is a separate entity and has it's own entrance on East 50th Street, it's own reception area and concierge. (A sample price/room/nite is $560.00.)
LOCATION:
The Waldorf is on Park Avenue between East 49th and East 50th Streets.
An easy walk to famous NYC landmarks like St. Patrick's Cathedral and Rockefeller Center as well as museums and numerous art galleries and shopping emporiums on Madison and 5th Avenues.
TIPS:
Check out their website waldorfastoria.com for an overview of The Waldorf's interesting history, tour of accomodations, etc. You can also make reservations on line.
While you're at The Waldorf, stop in at the historic and best known mohagany bar in New York City - THE BULL & BEAR STEAKHOUSE & BAR. They're known for making the best martini in the city. Be aware, however, that it's a cigar-friendly bar and about a third of the patrons were lighting up while we were there. Hence, we didn't prolong our stay.
Dress Attire is smart casual except at The Bull & Bear(elegant casual).

BACKGROUND:

We came upon IL RODANO by chance as we were checking out the neighborhood surrounding The Gorham Hotel(see my entry). After drooling over their menu posted outside the restaurant, we stepped inside. We liked what we saw and reserved the small table in the front corner, overlooking 57th Street, for dinner that night.

IL RODANO has a cozy, intimate dining room with small tables fairly close together. You immediately sense the same attributes a quaint, neighborhood Italian restaurant presents to diners. The waiters and manager were very welcoming to all and addressed some guests by name.

THE MENU:
The Antipasti and Zuppe were fairly ordinary choices, i.e., fried calamari and minestrone soup.
The ten Insalata choices, however, were not so ordinary, i.e., Insalata Fruitti Di Mare(fresh seafood salad).
Entrees were varied and interesting. I ordered Red Snapper Alla Livornese(made with marinara sauce, white wine,capers, black and green olives) and my daughter chose Shrimp Fra Diavolo(jumbo shrimp cooked in garlic or spicy sauce). Her spicy sauce was perfect if you like very spicy food!
Dessert choices consisted of spumoni, tortini, and assorted cakes. We shared a tortoni and had no regrets.
PRICES:
Antipasti ($5.95-9.95)
Zuppe($4.50)
Insalata($3.50-11.95)
Entrees($8.95-18.95)
NOTE: CREDIT CARDS ACCEPTED

Our next adventure to New York City will definitely include dinner at IL RODANO again. So many wonderful choices left untried, till next time.

This grand old theatre was built by the Shubert brothers in honor of Ethel Barrymore. It officially opened in 1928.

We purchased our tickets online two weeks prior to the show and got 7th row center seats. It was only the third night this new cast was performing.
THE CAST:
Rhea Perlman (of "Cheers" and "Taxi" fame) made her Broadway debut with her role as Marjorie.
Marilu Henner (former co-star of Rhea's on "Taxi") plays the part of Lee in this her 6th Broadway show.
Richard Kind (has been a regular on "Spin City", "Mad About You",etc.) portrays Marjorie's husband, Ira.
Chevi Colton (a star in many Broadway musicals and plays) is cast as Marjorie's mother, Frieda.
Charles Daniel Sandoval (a newcomer to New York City) has the doorman extrodinaire role of Mohammed.

The setting is Marjorie and Ira's apartment. It opens with Marjorie lying on a daybed crying and carrying on - loudly. She sets the mood for the ensuing, outrageous comedy. Confusion and relationship problems weave their way throughout the play and get more complex with the introduction of each new character.

The storyline goes something like this: Marjorie, an insecure wife and daughter, is dominated by her husband and mother. Ira, a successful and egotistical medical doctor, an allergist, broadcasts his self-importance by word and manner to everyone with whom he comes in contact. Frieda, Marjorie's hypochondriac mother, centers all her conversations around herself and her bowel movements. Lee, an old grammer school acquaintance of Marjorie's, happens upon the scene after many years away. Lee plays Marjorie's opposite: Marjorie is short and dowdy - Lee is tall and voluptuous. Marjorie rarely goes anywhere and has no confidence. Lee tells all how well-travelled she is and has basically done all there is to do in life - and done it perfectly, of course!
Mohammed flits in and out of the action. He serves as a diversion when the battles get too overly loud or out-of-control.

The casting directors, Nancy Piccione and David Caparelliotis, deserve much applause. This play works because of them.

NOTES:
The theatre is located between Broadway and 8th Avenue.
Showtime is 8:00PM. There is a 15 minute intermission.
Reserve tickets in advance to get the best seats.(Our 7th row center seats gave us the opportunity to see Rhea Perlman's limitless energy and every-changing facial expressions close-up.)

This elegant, historical theatre was built in 1911. It was completely remodeled years later for the original production of "CATS. This site originally held the American Horse Exchange stables.

My daughter and I approached the concierge at the New Yorker Hotel on Saturday @ l:35pm and inquired about tickets for that evening's performance of "MOMMA MIA!" Tickets cost $180 each but only single, balcony seats were available. For l/2 that price we could get 2 excellent mezzanine seats together, 5th row, center. THE CATCH: They were for the matinee show, which began at 2:00pm! We paid, took a cab to another hotel (where the tickets were), hoofed it two city blocks to the theater, and had 3 minutes to spare!

THE CAST:
Louise Pitre, well-known to Toronto theatergoers, made her B'way debut in this show. In the lead role of Donna, she portrays a vivacious, loving, highly emotional mother. NOTE: She'll be leaving the show on October 20th.
David Keeley is a very convincing Sam, former lover of Donna's. Past performances include a role on Broadway in "Mikado" as well as several Canadian shows.
Tina Maddigan, cast as the youthful bride-to-be, Sophie originated this role in Toronto. She brings an energy and sweetness of voice to this character.
Joe Machota is well cast as Sky, the groom-to-be. He too is making his B'way debut.

THE STORYLINE: The curtain opens to a tiny Greek island. It has been the home to Donna and Sophie for 20 years. Sophie does not know who her father is but is determined to find out and have him walk her down the aisle on her wedding day. There's a playful scene with Sophie and her two friends, Lisa and Ali, reading and acting out Donna's diary. Sophie learns the names of Donna's 3 former lovers and sends them wedding invitations falsely signed, "Love, Donna".
Things take on a frenzied pace when Rosie and Tanya, 2 of Donna's old friends and singing group partners arrive, soon followed by the 3 "candidates for fatherhood". Sophie finds creative ways to get the candidates alone and cross-examines them.
The show has a "surprise ending". The magical music of ABBA makes this show. The voice of Louise Pitre rocks the audience. The humor and pure joy elicited by Donna, Rosie, and Tanya's Dancing Queen number was enhanced by the glitzy, outlandish costumes.

INFORMATION:
Location: between 50th and 51st Sts
Tickets: ph #(212) 239-6200 or #800-432-7250. Website - TELECHARGE.
SHOWTIMES: Matinees @ 2PM, Evenings @ 8PM(except Sundays @ 7PM). 15 minute intermission for all performances.

SUGGESTION: Prior to your New York City visit, go to BROADWAY for listings of currently running shows, ticket prices/availability, locations, reservations, package deals w/hotels, etc.