Today’s Matchbook Monday is from Tavern on the Green, located in Central Park on the Upper West side of Manhattan (Central Park at West 67th Street).  It is one of the most successful independently owned restaurants in the U.S. 

Tavern on the Green is a frequent haunt for the famous and infamous of Manhattan, including actors, entertainers and politicians.  It’s been the site for many opening night receptions for Broadway shows and movie premieres, and has been featured in tons of movies and television shows.  Perhaps you remember seeing the restaurant, in all its glass and twinkling lights glory, in Ghostbusters, Hitch, or Wall Street (among many others).

The restaurant is also known for its connection to the New York City Marathon.  On the eve of the Marathon the restaurant hosts a huge pasta party.  Runners attend at no charge, perhaps having that final chance to carb up.  The evening also feature lives entertainment and fireworks.  The day of the race runners get to visit the restaurant again as they cross the finish line.

Lots of special events have happened at Tavern on the Green, and lots of memories made.  It seems like everyone has a special story about the restaurant.  If you do too, please feel free to share it in the comments.

Thanks to Anita for sharing this matchbook.

Photo credit:  personal collection

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  Although you’ll find C.O. Bigelow products sold in other stores, there’s nothing like visiting the original store in Greenwich Village.

Founded in 1838, C.O.Bigelow’s is the oldest continually operating apothecary-pharmacy in the country.  That’s 170 years!

C.O. Bigelow’s is located at 414 Avenue of the Americas (between 8th & 9th Street) in Greenwich Village.  It’s is accessible by subway (West 4th or Christopher stop) and the PATH (9th Street).

The store still fills prescriptions at the back of the store, but as you work you way back there you’ll pass through goodies galore.  There’s a focus on homeopathic products and remedies, along with hard-to-find and specialty cosmetic lines.  You can find something for your body here, whether that’s inside or out, and they have a great assortment of products perfect to pack for your travels.

Here is a sampling of what you’ll find:  hair and body products, shaving creams and accessories, fragrances, specialized toothpastes, baby care, and all sorts of wonderful accessories and gifts.  Bigelow’s also has their own product line, many made from recipes that are generations old.  Their Rose Salve (pictured above) is one of the store’s best selling items, and it’s touted as a remedy for everything from chapped lips to diaper rash.

You can find a sampling of their specialized products available for purchase online, and while that’s nice – it’s nothing like spending quality time milling about the store.

Photo credit:  C.O. Bigelow

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This matchbook is one that I found in the back of a drawer, but still one that brought back some fond memories.  It’s from a restaurant that no longer exists, Citarella, the Restaurant, although it’s parent company still remains in business as a terrific venue for gourmet shopping and food, including take out.

The restaurant was located at 1240 Sixth Avenue (corner of 49th) near Rockefeller Center in New York City.

My experience there occurred on a layover one Christmas Eve.  Working, and being away from home, on a holiday is never a fun event, but you make the most of it by finding some place special to stop off.  That year, Citarella was the place for my celebration away from home.

As I sit today and try to figure out the specifics, all I can remember was stopping in for a glass of champagne to toast the holiday season, and then heading over to Rockefeller Center and Fifth Avenue to watch the holiday events.

I’m not certain when the restaurant closed, but as an alternative for today, check out Citarella’s gourmet markets at various locations around NYC.

Photo credit: personal collection

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The Manhattan skyline is one of the most recognizable in the world.  Whether view from an airplane as you are flying in, from Central Park, the top of the Empire State Building, or from a downtown ferry, the New York architecture is some of the most photographed around.

This photo was taken while on a ferry ride out to see the Statue of Liberty.

Photo credit:  personal collection

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The American Institute of Architects announced the results of its annual poll and named the top 150 favorite structures across the United States. 

Here are the Top Ten on the list:

1. Empire State Building
2. The White House
3. Washington National Cathedral
4. Thomas Jefferson Memorial
5. Golden Gate Bridge
6. U.S. Capitol
7. Lincoln Memorial
8. Biltmore Estates
9. Chrysler Building
10. Vietnam Veterans Memorial

As I browsed through the list, I noticed that although I have visited 59 of the buildings on the list, I have only written about a handful.  Those that I have written about include:  Empire State Building  (1), Lincoln Memorial (7), Washington Monument (12), Supreme Court (15), Rockefeller Center (56), TransAmerica Pyramid (61), Corning Museum of Glass (136), and MoMA (146).

You can get the full list of 150 at the AIA 150 website.  AIA member architects provided the nominations, and voting was conducted via a Harris Interactive poll.

How many of these buildings have you seen?

Photo credit:  wikimedia

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It’s been awhile since I’ve made a trip to New York City, and looking through recent information about current museum exhibits, it’s clear that I must plan a trip soon. 

High on my list of things to see will be the Louis Comfort Tiffany Exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Louis Comfort Tiffany was the son of Charles Tiffany, of jewelry fame.  While he embraced a variety of artistic mediums (mosaic, pottery, metalwork, enamel, jewelry, glass, etc.), he is probably best known and recognized for his decorative stained glass work.  The name “Tiffany” now evokes not just the thought of gorgeous jewelry, but of gorgeous stained glass work as well.

The Met has long had Tiffany’s work in its collection, both as items donated to the museum, and pieces on loan from Tiffany himself.  Additional purchases and gifts over the years have expanded the collection, and it has become one of the most comprehensive Tiffany collections.

The current exhibit, “Louis Comfort Tiffany and Laurelton Hall ““ An Artist’s Country Estate” features some of Tiffany’s earliest work and experiments with interior design, using his homes in New York City as showcases.  Some notable items include:  immense carved teakwood doors, Steinway piano design inspired by a Damascus chest, the Daffodil Terrace from his home at Laurelton Hall, and leaded-glass windows inspired by and reflective of the landscape surrounding Laurelton Hall.  The exhibit as a whole presents a retrospective of his leaded-glass work throughout Tiffany’s lifetime. 

The Tiffany exhibit runs through May 20th, 2007.

Location:  Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1000 Fifth Avenue at 82nd Street (Upper East Side) in the Iris and Gerald Cantor Exhibition Hall, 2nd floor.   Subways:  6 to 86th Street, then walk three blocks west.

Hours:  Tuesday ““ Thursday and Sunday, 9:30 am ““ 5:30 pm; Saturday and Sunday, 9:30 am ““ 9 pm.  Closed Mondays.  Check for special holiday hours.

Admission:  $20 recommended for adults, $15 for seniors (65+), $10 for students, and free for kids under twelve accompanied by an adult.  These are recommended admission fees, and while not required for entrance, paying the suggested amount helps cover the cost of special exhibitions, for which there are no additional charges.  Tickets are available online.

Trivia Note:  Even though you may never have been to the Met, you may recognize it from the movies.  “When Harry Met Sally,”  “A Perfect Murder,” and “Maid in Manhattan” all has scenes that were filmed there.

Photo credit:  Wally Gobetz

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A few years ago, while on a layover, I became very seriously ill.  Although I thought everything would be okay once I woke up in the morning, it became clear in the wee hours that I was wrong. 

Fortunately my airline has some pretty good procedures in place for getting medical attention for ill crewmembers.  Once I realized that my situation was serious, I was able to get help from a co-worker who helped get me to a hospital for emergency intervention.  I was treated and released later that same day to return home. 

The situation was unpleasant, but I had help, and there was a happy ending to the story.

But I’ve never gotten the helpless feeling that the situation evoked in me.  The feeling that I remember most distinctly is the terrible feeling of being alone, and unable to really make any decisions or take care of myself.

Thankfully, most of the time getting sick on the road does not require a visit to the emergency room.  It still can be a helpless feeling, however, as you attempt to navigate the front desk or concierge service to try to find a doctor or a nearby clinic.

If you’re traveling in Manhattan, Sickday can help you out, by making a house call to your hotel room, allowing you to get prompt medical attention while bypassing the need to spend hours in an emergency room.  It’s medical care for the busy traveler.

Founded in 2001, Sickday provides medical treatment for acute, episodic conditions at locations in Manhattan (home, office or hotel), seven days a week, 6 am - 7 pm.  They can perform diagnostic exams, prescribe medication, renew prescriptions, order tests, and make referrals when necessary.  They are affiliated with major New York hospitals. 

Following each visit, Sickday follows up by phone, just to make sure that you are up and around and feeling better.

Sickday currently charges $275/visit; that fee is reimbursable by many major health insurance providers.

The best course of action is, of course, just not to get sick at all.  When that doesn’t work, Sickday may be a real lifesaver.

Photo credit:  PenelopeB

UPDATE:  The hours for Sickday are 6 am-11 pm, seven days a week, and the cost is $250.  I hope you don’t ever have to use them, but still, you may want to keep the information handy.

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A holiday shopping excursion in New York City is not complete without checking out the decorated windows.  I spent one Christmas Eve on a layover in the city, and enjoyed a trip to look at all the beautiful lights and decorations.  It made being away from home on a holiday a little less depressing.

What is there to see?  Here are some of the major displays that I’d recommend:

• Rockefeller Center:  The tree is lit, and the Swarovski decorations are up.  There are lots of other decorations to see in the area, and there’s skating at the ice rink.   Rockefeller Center is located between Fifth and Seventh Avenues and 47th and 51st.
• Sak’s Fifth Avenue:  Directly across from the Fifth Avenue entrance to Rockefeller Center, is Sak’s (5th at 49th).  This is one of my very favorite stores ““ any time of the year ““ but even more so during the holidays.  You’ll find the line to look at the windows snaking around the block.  The theme this year is Snowflakes, and includes animation and music.
• Lord & Taylor:  Just down the street from Sak’s you’ll find Lord & Taylor (5th at 39th).  The windows this year on based on an Antique Postcard theme, with each window decorated to reflect the era of the postcard.
• Macy’s:  These are some of the most famous holiday window displays around (Broadway, between 34th & 35th).  Every year the windows feature scenes from the classic Christmas movie Miracle on 34th Street, as well as another special theme for the year.  The theme this year is Trees, with each display tree decorated around a different theme such as peace (in photo above), friendship, joy and love.  The lines are long during peak viewing times.

There are, of course, lots of wonderful smaller displays scattered around the city, but these are the ones that always work their way to the top of my list. 

Photo credit:  flickr

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Happy Monday!

Here are this week’s money saving travel tips:

• Travel seems to be one of the few remaining areas where it’s okay to discriminate based on age.  And this time, that’s a good thing.  Look for “senior” discounts at restaurants, attractions, and various events where admission prices may be lower if you are senior.  The age that you become a senior varies from place to place, but if you think you might be in the general age range, be sure to inquire.
• On the other end of the age spectrum, there are frequently discounts for young children and infants.  Most attractions allow an infant (usually defined as under 2 years of age) in at no charge.  Other discounts are frequently allowed for children under the age of 12.  There are also lots of student discount options, so be sure to bring student ID for the kids.
• Take advantage of FREE or DONATION policies at museums.  Many museums offer hours during the week, or perhaps once a month, when there is no admission charge.  Others offer similar time frames, when admission is “pay what you want.”  Other establishments always have a “suggested donation” entrance fee that allows you to pay what you want at any time.  While I am not suggesting becoming cheap and miserly on your next museum visit (I do appreciate the culture that they bring to us), taking advantage of these policies is a good way to save a few shekels.  NewYorkology has a great listing of museums, hours, and policies for reduced rate admissions in New York

When ya gotta go, you gotta go!  And Charmin makes it a little bit easier if you’re in Times Square when you gotta go.

Charmin (the toilet paper people) has installed 20 clean, accessible, public restrooms in New York’s Times Square, right next to the Virgin Megastore.  Charmin says that it’s a holiday gift to New Yorkers and tourists ““ family-friendly public restrooms in a location where they are desperately needed. 

This isn’t your typical outhouse, either.  The restrooms are staffed with attendants who provide cleaning after every use.  Additional amenities include:  baby-changing stations, stroller parking, lounge area, tourist information, entertainment, and aromatherapy.

If you’ve ever looked for a public restroom that wasn’t disgusting to use, you’ll appreciate how big this news is for travelers.

The restrooms are open daily from 8 am-11 pm, and until 6 pm on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve.  They go away January 1st.

Photo credit:  Mr. Smith