It was a fabulous Mother’s Day, albeit one day early.
My family flew the coop Sunday morning. They winged their way to Los Angeles.
Saturday was a glorious day. It began with breakfast in bed, catering courtesy of the best smoked fish in the universe from Barney Greengrass along with NY bagels, sliced onion, tomatoes and fresh squeezed orange juice.
For dessert, Mother Day cards with the day’s activities listed. The bonus round includes a 90 minute massage for when I am left to my own devices during a stretch without spousal accompaniment.
Courtny and I had a blowout at 11am at Dry Bar which just opened in the ‘hood…then home to dress for the Broadway hit, An American In Paris.
The dancing and sets were incredible. The story is typical Broadway musical smaltz, but the classic songs such as I Got Rhythm, The Man I Love, ‘S Wonderful, Shall We Dance, They Can’t Take That Away From Me were outstanding. Nowadays, the new musicals are short on memorable tunes.
We dashed out in between slow moving audience members and made our way to the barely opened, opulent Baccarat Hotel on 53rd Street between 5th and 6th Avenue.
This place is beyond gorgeous with attentive and courteous staff, Baccarat chandeliers and a fabulous 2nd floor lobby, bar and outdoor lounging area.
This is pure luxury, translating the legendary, 250-year-old French crystal maker into an elegant lifestyle.
Residences are for sale with all hotel amenities at the owners beck and call. Whose in?!
We surveyed the premises and then headed to the three week old Chevalier Restaurant on the ground floor.
The restaurant, named after the 20th century Baccarat artistic director, George Chevalier, is total pinkie’s up. The waitstaff take their job very seriously.
We perched at the bar with John, the effusive and talented bartender who had spend years across the street at the Modern bar.
We consumed a marvelous Suzette cocktail consisting of Chopin vodka, Suze ( a french brand of bitters flavoured with the roots of the plant gentian), cucumber, mint, fresh lime juice and simple syrup ($24).
I am a martini and wine dame, but the Suzette rocked and was presented in a heavy cut crystal Baccarat Harmony tumbler.
We chatted and toured the elegant establishment.
We engaged in swanky east side ambiance and headed for the more grounded lower east side. We scampered downtown on the heinous F train (named appropriately) and exited at 2nd Avenue and Houston Street.
Stepping into La Gamelle, barely opened three weeks, is like being in a Parisenne bistro. It is tres charming. The baguettes and butter were divine. I never eat bread, but this was a must. We needed to save some to mop up the juices from the divine escargot.
We enjoyed a delightful Bordeaux blend from St. Emilion (2011) and had an amazing dinner that rivaled Cherche Midi and Balthazar.
Our enlightened waiter, Sal, was a real asset. I am not going into too much detail because La Gamelle deserves a full on review.
We did the unusual and cabbed home despite the fact that we only walked five miles yesterday.
What a day. Thank you and much love to my incredible husband and daughter.
I am so fortunate to have such an amazing family…and damn it, Mother’s Day is a special occasion well deserved by mothers all over the world. You go, girls!!
