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- IF YOU GO TO NEW YORK -

                 New Orleans Times Picayune's TRAVEL Section 1/25/04                                 Click to go to the Times Picayune's Website to read article on their site

     Getting to New York by air is easy; just call your favorite airline or travel agent.  Driving into New York is a challenge because of traffic/drivers, but we do it most of the time.  If you want to visit Gramercy Park and want to follow the route taken in my story, start at 15^th Street and Irving Place on the south-west corner and head north on Irving Place.

WHERE TO STAY 

      There are hundreds of hotels in New York; again, check with your travel agent, if you don’t already have a favorite.  Two within the Gramercy Park district are Seafarers and International House and the Gramercy Park Hotel.  Normally, Stella and I stay at The National Arts Club, but there was a last minute plumbing problem in our reserved room;  so, they booked us into the Seafarers and International House.  

     SEAFARERS AND INTERNATIONAL HOUSE – Located at 15^th St. and Irving Place.  Our room was $125.00 per night, simple but clean with twin beds, adequate bath and color television.  If you’re on a budget or are ambivalent about “fancy”, this may fit your needs.  We were in New York for two weeks; so, cost was important.  They may offer better rates at different times of the year or have special packages. Telephone: 212/677-4800  

     GRAMERCY PARK HOTEL – This hotel, is ideally situated at Lexington Ave. and Gramercy Park North; retaining its 1930’s ambiance.  Stella and I stayed there several years ago.  Rooms and baths are large and very nice; the restaurant offers extensive room service.  Doubles are $170.00, deluxe suites $250.00.            Telephone: 800/221-4083 or 212/475-4320

WHERE TO EAT 

     Gramercy Park is known for its fine restaurants; there is at least one in almost every block.  Besides The National Arts Club dining room (for members and guests) a few that we also frequent are:    

     PAUL AND JIMMY’S – 123 E. 18^th St. Italian food, generally light.  Besides a regular menu, a fixed price lunch is served Mon – Fri. 12:00 – noon to 3:30 P.M. for $16.00 per person.  Fixed dinner price served daily from 3:300 P.M. until 6:30 P.M. is $24.50.  We have eaten there many times over the years and it has been consistently good.  Telephone: 212/475-9540.

     PETE’S TAVERN – 129 E. 18^th St.  A fun, casual place with a large bar as you enter and booths, including O’Henry’s, lining the opposite wall.  There are also two dining rooms beyond the bar, as well as sidewalk tables – very nice when the weather is pleasant.  An extensive menu is offered for all meals.  We had Sunday brunch for $7.50 per person, which included Mimosas.  Stella and I each had scrambled eggs with salmon – delicious!                                                          Telephone: 212/473-7646

     SAL ANTHONY’S – 55 Irving Place.  Another Italian restaurant which features food mostly from southern Italy.  This place is another of our favorites; try the stuffed pork chops.  Besides a full menu, they offer a fixed price lunch @ $12.50 and dinner $21.95, same hours as Paul and Jimmy’s.                                                                                               Telephone: 212/982-9830

     ROLF’S GERMAN AMERICAN RESTAURANT – corner of 3^rd Ave. and 22^nd St. Rolf’s serves excellent German food in huge portions; somehow the bountiful decorations work and the German waitresses add to the generally jovial atmosphere.  Definitely casual.  Prices here have risen over the years, but are still modest by New York standards. Telephone: 212/477-4750

     THE LYRIC – Across 22^nd St.  St. on 3^rd Ave. from Rolf’s.  Just your average, neighborhood New York restaurant, but, a very good place for hearty hearty breakfasts, good service, lots of coffee.  Stella and  I like to go on Sunday, when they offer a Sunday brunch’ she likes the Belgian waffles and I order the regular American breakfast with eggs.  Modest prices.  Open 24 hours.

     Practically all restaurants in Gramercy Park post their menus outside; thus, one can stroll and restaurant shop with ease.

WHAT TO SEE

     GRAMERCY PARK is a beautiful, historical and architectural haven within the bustling city – a quieter area in which to walk.  Besides the sites described in my story, there are numerous other landmarks throughout the Gramercy Park area.

     STUVYESANT SQUARE – Between 15^th and 17^th Sts. And 2^nd and 3^rd Ave.  The plot was first laid-out in 1837.  St. Georges Episcopal Church is located at the square and 16 St.   Erected in 1848, it has the second highest ceiling in New York.

     EVYAN HOUSE – 19-20 Gramercy Park South.  Built in 1845, it is thought to be one of the most important houses in Manhattan.  Today, it is part of the estate of Walter Langer, President of Evyan perfumes until his death in 1983.

     THE BROTHERHOOD SYNAGOGUE – 144 E. 20^th St.  Originally the “Friend’s Meeting House”, this Italianate structure was built in 1859 and is a National Landmark. 

     GUSTAVUS ADOLPHUS CHURCH – 151 E. 22^nd St.  It’s the last of the 19^th century churches built in or near Gramercy Park.  The building was dedicated in 1889 and today its grey, stone façade and interesting copper tower, remain much the same.