“Is it time to relax yet?” - New York February 2022 Day 3

[Clarica]

Tuesday 22nd February 2022 - Day 3

A few months ago, I signed up to have a Big Apple Greeter but had only found out we’d been selected 5 days before we flew out.

We met Sandy, our Big Apple Greeter at Grand Central Terminal at 10am. Sandy is an 82 year old native New Yorker from Manhattan. We first went for a coffee in Grand Central as it was raining and she explained the history of New York and how Jackie Kennedy helped to save Grand Central. Sandy said she’s part of Murray Hill alliance and opposes a lot of the new sky scrapers being built. She told us she bought her apartment in the 90s with her late husband, Joe, who was an artist and set designer. She showed us the talking tunnels where you talk into a wall and on the opposite side your partner can hear what you’re saying. Dan’s mind was blown!
We went to Capriani for a look in, which was setting up for an event for Chinese bankers.

She took us to the “best public restrooms in New York” in Bryant Park.

They had fresh flowers and a huge bouquet as you walked inside and classical music playing, exactly what you need when you’re trying to do your business. 😂

After a quick bathroom break, we headed to Flat Iron district and wandered inside Eataly, where Sandy gets some of her groceries from, inside was almost like department store’s food hall, quite pricey.

We walked past Theodore Roosevelt’s birthplace close to Gramercy Park and finally into the exclusive Players club, which Sandy was a member of. Gave us a tour around, told us about some of the members.

I felt so underdressed in jeans and a jumper as Players is quite fancy!

Sandy gave us some final tips and recommendations for places to go and restaurants, which I’ve attached below if anybody’s interested. ☺️ Sadly we didn’t quite get to any because of timings/locations but hanging on to the list for future trips!

Our final stop was Breads bakery, just off Union Square. Sandy recommended the babka.
We spent a total of 5 and a half hours with her.

While we were in the area, we walked to Washington Square Park and around Greenwich Village.

I stopped by at Magnolia Bakery for a slice of Red Velvet and C.O. Bigelow for some lip balms.

I love Greenwich Village. It’s one of my favourite areas of New York. The little streets are so beautiful, I’d definitely want to live here if I could, money no object!

Carrie Bradshaw’s stoop - there was quite a few people standing in front taking pictures so wanted just a quick snap on the way past.
On to the Friends’ building, on the corner of Bedford St and Grove St. Dan was underwhelmed (of course).

It was raining so we headed back to the hotel and after a few hours wandered over to Ellen’s Stardust Diner.

I didn’t tell Dan anything about this place but was horrified when he spotted the waitresses singing on the stage while we were in the queue. 😂😂

We waited about 45 minutes in line for a table. We were seated right next to the platform. Me and Dan felt so awkward! Dan ordered a beer to try enjoy it more, I stuck with a refillable Pepsi. I had a Beyond meat burrito with waffle fries which was DELICIOUS.

Dan had a mac n cheese burger, which he really enjoyed too.

The waiters and waitresses performed songs from American Utopia, Hamilton, Anastasia and other musicals I wasn’t familiar with. The highlight was My Heart Will Go On from Titanic where the waitress stood on the balcony, another server used a fan to blow her hair and she threw ice down. Everyone was crying with laughter.
We settled up the bill which was around $75 including tax and tip and made the drizzly walk back to the hotel.

Fell asleep after midnight from all of the excitement of Ellen’s. 😄
Step count: 20,174
8.9 miles

Day 4

[ClaireNJ]

Looks like a really good tour with Sandy
Love Grand Central
Absolutely love Magnolia Bakery too, sad there’s no pic of the red velvet 😩😢😬

[P&S]

Sandy sounds amazing I've never tried to get a greeter but sounds amazing.

I just love Grand Central I could look at it for hours and those rest rooms are sooooooo nice I tried to use them at least a few times

Greenwich Village is just so pretty and charming

[sotagals]

Sandy walked 5 1/2 hours at 82 ? ! Those New Yorkers are tough.

[Clarica]

Originally Posted by sotagals

Sandy walked 5 1/2 hours at 82 ? ! Those New Yorkers are tough.

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Yes! I thought she was in her early 60s, fit as a fiddle!