We’ve always loved New York City and so it was with great anticipation that we organized a quick weekend trip to the Big Apple along with some good friends several years ago. We started our journey from the Raleigh Durham Airport aboard a Bombadier CRJ-900. It was operated by Delta Connection carrier Endeavor Air and we completed the trip to LaGuardia Airport in a quick, one hour and thirty-two minutes. This aircraft carries 70 persons with thirty-eight seats in the Main Cabin and twenty seats in Delta Comfort. Our First Class cabin featured twelve seats with four rows with a 1 x 2 configuration and each seat measured 19.6” in width with a 37” seat pitch. A beverage and snack service was offered on this relatively short trip and we landed on time in the mid-afternoon. Taxis from this airport are metered and we were charged about $40 (plus tolls and tip) for the forty-two minute ride to the New York Marriott Marquis.
This fifty-one story hotel is a now iconic feature of Times Square and brings the energy of Manhattan right to its door. The hotel’s located in the heart of the Broadway Theater District and was perfect for our weekend getaway. Boasting 1,966 rooms and 57 suites, our 480 square-foot king-bedded room was equipped with a 42-inch Smart TV with premium channels (and Netflix) , upgraded bedding, a down duvet, turndown service and high-speed Wi-FI. After settling in, our group met in the Broadway Lounge on the eighth floor. It boasts sophisticated, comfortable décor, attentive bartenders and rather spectacular views of NYC’s Times Square. For us, the Broadway Lounge proved to be the ideal spot to enjoy pre-dinner drinks before heading out for dinner and the theatre.
On our first evening, we left the hotel and walked the short distance to Carmine’s Italian Restaurant at 200 West 44th Street. This family-style restaurant has become a favorite of theatre goers and offers exceptional value to guests through its many menu dishes of Southern Italian cuisine. With “wow-factor” sized portions, dining at Carmine’s felt like we were guests at an Italian-American wedding feast! Platters of home-style antipasto, pasta, delicious seafood and meat entrées, and of course, decadent homemade desserts, are all staples at Carmine’s meant for sharing among friends and family. When great food and good wine are supported by knowledgeable service, the results are perfect and everyone in our group left with a full tummy and a smile on their face. Carmine’s has been closed for business since last March but reopened on September 14 coinciding with the return of Broadway theatre. Jeff Bank, CEO of parent Alicart Restaurant Group, reports that, while they’re facing the same supply challenges as others in the industry and paying more for ingredients, Carmine’s is not currently raising menu prices. “The goal is to get everyone and everything back up to speed,” said Bank. We couldn’t be happier on hearing the news.
Following dinner, we made our way to the Brooks Atkinson Theatre at 256 West 47th Street for a performance of Waitress. This musical is based on the 2007 film of the same name, written by Adrienne Shelly. It tells the story of Jenna Hunterson, a baker and waitress in an abusive relationship with her husband, Earl. After Jenna unexpectedly becomes pregnant, she begins an affair with her doctor, Dr. Jim
Pomatter. Looking for ways out of her troubles, she sees a pie baking contest and its grand prize as her chance for change. We had excellent mezzanine seats in the first balcony and were delighted to see Katharine McPhee perform that evening. McPhee originated the role of Jenna in the show's London West End staging and starred in the Broadway-themed TV series Smash. The performance was excellent that evening and, though we battled the rain returning to the Marriott after the show, that didn’t curb our enthusiasm for being in New York City and having fun as tourists.
At breakfast time the next morning there was no question we’d end up at Junior's Restaurant & Bakery located directly across the street from our hotel at 45th Street between Broadway and Eighth Avenue. In fact, it was so good, we returned the following day as well. Famous since 1950, the menu at this Broadway-themed locale is extensive and their breakfast offerings are outstanding. Starting with Brunch Cocktails and Egg Platters, it also includes Omelettes, French Toast and Griddle Cakes, and breakfast specialties such as Eggs Benedict and Eggs Florentine, along with yogurt, grains, and fruit as well as toast, rolls, and danish. There was a great variety of food available here - all made fresh and all very tasty, The sizable menu literally offered “something for everyone” and we enjoyed the New York buzz with waiters scurrying about as we fortified ourselves for the busy day ahead.
Following breakfast, we strolled down to Rockefeller Center, an Art Deco landmark in Midtown Manhattan spanning twenty-two acres and comprising no less than nineteen commercial buildings. It’s one of the most popular attractions in the city and a beautiful destination all year long. Rockefeller Center is home to numerous events, including the lighting of the famous Christmas Tree which is broadcast live on televisions around the world each year. Built in 1939, Rockefeller Center was the vision of famous NY businessman and philanthropist, John D. Rockefeller. The iconic landmark has been featured in dozens of films and TV shows over the past century and is now home to the legendary NBC Studios and Saturday Night Live. In winter, ice skating at the Rink is a great experience. It’s also one of the most popular seasonal attractions, drawing more than 150,000 skaters every season. Although it may be a bit touristy, there’s something undeniably magical about skating in the center of Manhattan underneath the Christmas tree on the very same ice rink that’s appeared in countless holiday movies. With its serene statues and beautiful murals, visiting Rockefeller Center in Midtown Manhattan was a must for our group. Of course, it was also exactly where we needed to be next.
I’m convinced there‘s no better way to see the city than from Top of the Rock, and I encourage you to believe all the hype. Soaring 70 floors above New York City, Top of the Rock’s three levels of indoor and outdoor observation decks deliver breathtaking, unobstructed 360-degree views of the city skyline. No trip to NYC is complete without a visit to this ultimate observation deck. The address is 30 Rockefeller Plaza and the entrance is located at 50th Street between Fifth and Sixth Avenues. It’s open daily from 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM, with the last elevator going up at 9:10 PM. We had pre-arranged General Admission tickets costing about $32 each, giving us immediate entry (even if tickets were sold out), priority elevator access and admission to three levels of indoor and outdoor observation decks as well as 20 per cent off Top of the Rock merchandise. Built in 1933, the building itself is an Art Deco masterpiece, and the three-tiered observation deck was originally built to resemble the deck of an ocean liner. The views are ranked by many as the best in the city, surpassing the observatory at the Empire State Building, fifteen blocks to the south. I don’t think the city ever looks better than it does from Top of the Rock. The striking, unobstructed views from the Observation Deck stretch from New York Harbor to the south, to Central Park to the north, from the Hudson River to the west to the outer boroughs eastward and beyond. It was a wonderful experience and one of the highlights of our visit to the Big Apple.
For our final dinner in the city we headed out to Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steakhouse at 1221 Avenue of the Americas. Always one of our favorites when we’re in town, Del Frisco’s is an energetic, luxurious three-story restaurant located in the heart of Midtown Manhattan just a few blocks from Rockefeller Center and Radio City Music Hall. Featuring floor-to-ceiling windows with views of Sixth Avenue, Del Frisco’s is well known and highly regarded for providing an unforgettable New York steakhouse experience through its chef-driven cuisine, world-class wine list, and warm hospitality. We had a wonderful and memorable evening here with very good food delivered with attentive service among the best of friends. But be forewarned, it is expensive.
Sadly, it was time to return home on Sunday afternoon. Arriving back at LaGuardia Airport we had time to visit the Delta Sky Club located in Terminal D after the TSA security screening on the Concourse level before Gate 2. Our flight back to the RDU Airport was on time, capping our excellent weekend getaway to the Big Apple.
Until next time…safe travels.
Reads like a fantastic trip George, and I have made a mental note to check out the Top of the Rock on any future NYC visit!
Wow
Carmines, Juniors,and Broadway…makes me long for NYC the way it was! I miss it! Thank you for bring back the memories.