Getting to know Manhattan

We start our first day with brunch at the 24 hour City Diner, Broadway, Upper West Side. It has the lay out of an 80's sit com and an Art Deco design.  The staff knows J well and get out the red carpet. The food is delicious and plentiful.  Quite an experience and a good way to start the day!  It's also very Hispanic which suits me as I quickly find that, in NYC, I am better understood in Spanish than Northern British English.  

Then we cross Central Park.  It is vast, fresh and green.  More extensive than I had imagined. Lovely. 

We pass through Strawberry Fields, a pilgrimage to an ex-Liverpudlian, John Lennon.   No explanation is needed. 

Then we wander down to the Lincoln Centre.  Or is it Center?  Home of Opera, Ballet and Theatre. 

Next we visit The Frick Collection of European Art.  Situated in the Upper East side, The Frick houses the collection of the Industralist, Henry Clay Frick. The gallery is one of the pre-eminent small art galleries in the US, with a high quality collection of paintings and fine furniture housed in six galleries.  It is within the former residence of Frick, who had always intended the mansion to eventually become a museum after the death of himself and his wife.  It is reminiscent of the Courtauld Gallery where my travelling companion studied. 

Currently, Frederic Leighton's Flaming June (1895)  is exhibited as centre piece.  It is on loan from Museo de Arte de Ponce, Puerto Rico.  It is breathtaking.  

Next is the High Line, a 1.45-mile-long linear park  built on an elevated section of a disused rail road spur.  It is a great place to escape the city while observing it at the same time. 

Now we enjoy a late salad lunch at The Rubin Museum of Art, a favourite haunt of our host and of interest to both of us (myself in the context of my previous life and my little friend is an Art Historian). This peaceful venue is situated in an old department store in  the 'vibrant' Chelsea neighbourhood and inspires visitors to make connections between contemporary life and the art and ideas of Himalayan Asia. 

I always feel at peace surrounded by thangkas and buddhas.  We have a free tour with an enthusiastic and engaging guide who shows us the female buddhas. Amazing. 

We again walk the hot and sunny streets which are full of life and return home for a swim followed by dinner at the excellent local vegan restaurant. The service is attentive and kind.  We discover this is the face of NYC.  Sometimes it gets too much for us reserved Brits and we head home to hide on the balcony and self cater!   But not tonight. I fully recommend Candle Cafe West. http://candlecafe.com/west/