Some Old, Some New

As I mentioned yesterday, one of the great things about being in New York for several days is the opportunity to visit some of my favorite spots as well as having time to explore some new places. During this trip in particular, I am also spending time with people who know the city very well as well as people who have never been here before. This opens up the chance to learn a little more about a city that I am just a frequent visitor and also act like I own the place and show off the city that I almost decided to live in.

Last night, a friend who has lived in four of the five boroughs and spent most of his life in the greater NYC area took me to two outstanding spots. One was new to both of is, The Press Lounge at Ink48. The bar was nice and, as even my camera phone pic from last night showed, the view was AWESOME. A great rooftop bar that is probably better in July than it was in last nights chill... I'll go back. The next spot was one that he has frequented for lunch and dinner and which I would probably not have found on my own.

With the exception of a short trip to Lyon over a long Easter weekend a few years ago (which did include an actual fight inside a roman ampitheater, thank you Ross... and lots of car bombs, thank you Guiness.), I've never been a huge fan of "French Cuisine"... but last night I had a great meal at Marseille. We walked from Ink48 over to 9th, made a right and within a block decided we were ready to eat.... luckily this spot with great service and a creative menu was on his list of "places your should try." I had duck and it was really good. Conveniently, there was a great bar across the street from the place called The Irish Rogue, where we grabbed a beverage and got the French-ness off of us.

Tonight, I get to be in charge as I'm heading out with friends who are new to Manhattan... First my favorite NYC sushi spot (Sushi Zen) and then.... we'll see...

Both the Empire State Building & the Chrysler Building
can be seen from West Facing Rooms... these pics are from
the 39th Floor of the Millenium UN Plaza.
. 

Tonight is also my last night at the Millenium UN Plaza... it has been a great hotel with an INCREDIBLE view. Tomorrow, I head downtown.


-RJP


Hotel:
Millenium UN Plaza


Restaurants:
Marseille on 9th Avenue


Bars:
Press Lounge at Ink48
The Irish Rogue

A Great Steak & One of The Best Bars in the World.

There is no doubt that being in New York City gives me an opportunity to eat well. While I have my favorite spots, I do like to go out on a limb sometimes and try something new. Of course, it's not hard to find plenty of highly recommended restaurants in Manhattan... especially when it comes to steak houses, so trying something new doesn't really require going too far out on that proverbial limb.

I've probably had world class steaks in the city in a dozen places over the years. My favorites are Keen's, Gallagher's and the Ruth's Chris on 53rd (consistently the best in a chain of consistently great steakhouses).

I don't know when I first heard about Ben & Jacks, but when I saw that it was about a block from my hotel, I knew that I would have to try it. I'm glad I did. Ben & Jacks is a small place on 44th Street. The service was great and the steak was outstanding.

I've got another favorite steakhouse in NYC.

Afterwards, I jumped in a cab and went up to Bemelman's at The Carlyle Hotel. Bemelman's has to be one of the best bars in the world. It is not the best bar for Irish Car Bombs (O'sheas), it is not the best bar for a Windex (Protocrat 007), and it probably isn't the best bar to catch up with a good friend over a Coors Light (seriously, almost any bar will do for that...), but if you are looking for a dark, old wood & leather type place to enjoy a rocks glass full of whiskey while listening to great jazz, then Bemelman's wins. I stumbled into this classic upper east side bar when I was staying at a hotel in that part of town many years ago and I always make it a point to stop in when I'm back in Manhattan. Mind the dress code and don't worry about the price of the drinks. It is a cool spot. Try to go when Loston Harris is playing, seriously amazing music.

Today was a work day and tonight I'm out with a friend. Spending several days in town gives me a chance to check in at my favorite spots, go exploring and get some tips from the locals on where to go... that's tonights agenda.

-RJP

Restaurant:
Ben & Jacks on 44th Street between 2nd & 3rd.


After Dinner Bar:
Bemelman's at The Carlyle.

America's High Speed Business Train.

I hate to sound like the cliche' jaded American who raves about traveling in Europe on a train and laments the lack of rail infrastructure here in the US.... but it is a cliche' for a reason. Rail travel in Europe generally kicks ass. (Except for the night I got stuck at a train station in Chomutov). Granted, I've never bothered to travel by rail in the US outside of subways and the Disney Monorail... so, it was about time I tried it. This week offered the perfect opportunity. I was in South Jersey, needed to get to NYC and I'm flying out from LGA on Sunday. Options: 

1. Get someone to drive me. 
2. Leave my car at LGA for at least 12 days before I could get back.
3. Flight from AC.
4. Bus.
5. Try out that new Acela High Speed Train that "the new" Amtrak has been pushing. 






Option 5 pretty much blew everything else away. Even if the train sucked, it would be the best story for the shortest time investment (remember what I said yesterday about collecting stories ??).


So, here's the marketing on the Acela:

Acela Express is Amtrak's high speed train operating in its Northeast Corridor from Washington, DC to Boston via New York City.  The 20 Acela Express trainsets were manufactured by a Bombardier Alstom consortium for 800 million dollars. Each trainset has two power cars, four business class cars, a cafe/bristo car, and a first class car. The Acela Express is the fastest train in North America. It reached speeds of over 160 MPH during testing, and reaches speeds of up to 150 MPH on several sections of track between New Haven and Boston. The trainsets also have a tilt system, modeled after a technology used on some other high speed trains. This system allows the cars to tilt slightly (up to 4.2 degrees) while traveling on curves, providing a smooth ride at faster speeds.


In my opinion, Rail travel is generally cool for trips of 1-4 hours. Longer than that, and I hope its a sleeper, shorter than that and a ride with a friend might be less hassle. Having hopped around Europe on trains a fair bit since 2006, I think I generally have the hang of it. Big Luggage is awkward (it all goes in the cars and aisles with you) and if you don't have a reserved seat you might have a lot of changing on a train with lots of stops. Furthermore,  given the relatively low upcharge (not at all like airlines), the upgrade is usually worth the price in comfort and convenience. The company is usually better also. Seriously.

Enough Juice for the entire Mobile Office!

So, how did the Acela rate up against the ICE and TGV trains of Europe. It was very much the same. Not much difference at all in fact, except for the one VERY COOL difference of a conveniently placed two outlet 120 volt AC adapter right at my very comfortable (Business Class) seat. Okay... there was a downside: two jackasses in seats near me wanted to conduct business meetings by phone during the 1.5 hr trip... and they seemed to be trying to out-loud each other. There is a "quiet" car which doesn't allow cell use, but it wasn't worth moving by the time I really got to the incredulously annoyed level.


I'll travel this way whenever I get the chance on the east coast.


Meanwhile, I arrived in NYC and went for a bit of a walk. I'm staying at the UN Plaza and I "needed" to make a trip to B&H Photo... so I made the trek from Midtown East down to the area of Madison Square Garden to hit one of my favorite stores on the planet to pick up a Vertical Battery Grip for the Canon 7D. Expect Good Pics this week. (And, I got my fitness in for the day!)






The view from my hotel room is spectacular... more on the lodging as the week goes on. I'm off to have a great steak.


-RJP


Today's Travel:
Amtrak Acela High Speed Rail from Philly to Manhattan.