Boulud Corner

That would now be the southeast corner of West 64th Street and Broadway.  Épicerie Boulud opened on that corner at 1900 Broadway, across the street from Lincoln Center, this spring, and it's a great addition to the pre-theater dinner scene.  More importantly, it's the best alternative yet to the grab-a-quick-sandwich-before-theater-or-film near Lincoln Center.  

This is one of prolific chef Daniel Boulud's recent openings on that block.  It is adjacent to Bar Boulud, the Lincoln Tunnel shaped tube of a dining room that has been a beautiful and civilized restaurant spot for a few years now and is one of my favorites for dinner before Lincoln Center.  And it's also next door to Boulud's newest and fabulously reviewed restaurant, Boulud Sud, which I have not yet had the opportunity to try.  But, all in the name of research, of course, I'll be making an effort...

One sunny and temperate summer evening a few weeks ago, before a film at Lincoln Plaza, I arrived early and hungry (this is often the case; luckily, New York is so easy for curing that situation, in just the right form and price range).  It was my first glimpse of the épicerie, its glass front completely open to the sidewalk, where sit-down tables and standing bar tables had been placed outside to permit the take-out process to end about five steps from the wine-by-the-glass bar, oyster bar, charcuterie, fromagerie, patisserie, and fresh sandwich and salad display cases.

And so, one purchase of a glass of rosé and a lobster roll later, I was contently seated at a table right on Broadway, watching the passing scene and listening to my three bling-laden table mates discuss their recent "holiday" in England and the financial troubles in Europe. (It was all a bit incongruous, but that's New York!)

I even had time after my impromptu sidewalk picnic to wander over to check out the music that was wafting over from Lincoln Center Out of Doors.

The Magical Met

Not the Mets, sorry baseball fans (as if anyone reading this blog wouldn't know I don't mean the Mets).  

What a transporting experience an evening at the Met can be.  And it always is for me, for all 30 years I have been a subscriber.  (Silly note, but true - when I first came to NY in 1980 to intern at a law firm that summer, I told myself then that, should I decide to take a job and live here, I would make sure I took advantage of the opportunities before me to see world-class ballet and subscribe to ABT every Met season.  And I have, even through the years of raising children (perhaps leaving before the third act to relieve a babysitter), performances missed due to late nights at the office (or a snooze during the third act to make up for lost sleep), and (best of all) the chance to enjoy an evening at the ballet with many, many people dear to me over the years.)

Feeling nostalgic for my last ABT performance of the spring 2011 Met season, I sneaked in a few photos before the curtain came up.

ballet lovers pouring in (or relaxing with dinner above)

the Met's ubiquitous chandelier

one of the two fantastical Chagall tapestries

fountain meeting point for many seeing something at Lincoln Center

entrance as seen from the balcony terrace

orchestra warm-up

it was a full house for Swan Lake

and when the chandeliers ceremoniously rise to the ceiling, the magic begins

Lincoln Center Anew

With the last of my ABT series completed last night (a wonderful farewell performance by Jose Manuel Carreno in "Swan Lake," with Julie Kent and Gillian Murphy dancing Odette and Odile), and my visit to this season's start of Midsummer Night Swing, it got me thinking about Lincoln Center and its rejuvenated appearance and changes, major and minor, that have rolled out over recent years.  Enough time has passed, and the changes substantial enough, to consider them with a close look.

One of the stated goals for the recent renovations in Lincoln Center was to create a more lively public space, for even those not attending performances.  From what I have seen, I believe that goal is being met.  There is now outdoor seating (yeah chairs!) in various areas of the complex, trees for shade, free wifi, a grassy area for sunning that also serves as the roof over a new high-end Italian restaurant, Lincoln, the fountain at which people seem to be meeting at all hours and other gathering spots.

The Lincoln Center Plaza and Fountain, café seating in foreground

People always sitting on that new sleek fountain rim

Pianos sprinkled throughout the plaza (this kid was incredible!)

New spots and chairs for shade and relaxing

Grassy roof atop the new Lincoln restaurant

Outside Alice Tully Hall

Another piano, with pink gelato cart in the background

Another view of Lincoln and its grass roof

Dancing Alfresco

It's one of the best things about New York City in the summertime - Midsummer Night Swing at Lincoln Center.  Last night was Opening Night of the season, and it was summer in full swing, literally and figuratively.

I can't tell you how much fun it is to be a part of such a huge dance party, seeing people of all ages and abilities simply having the best time, enjoying the live big band music, and being as friendly and asking each other to dance in just the same manner as you might imagine would exist in a small town.  New York as small town - shhh, our secret! 

Last night was free admission to the dance floor because of Opening Night, but even if you don't want to buy a ticket, the dancers spill out onto Damrosch Plaza, where the speakers carry the music loudly enough to dance to or just to sit, enjoy and watch.  There's a full bar, plenty of water and a few food vendors, too.  But the main draw is the music and opportunity to dance as the sun sets.

And when it's all over, a pleasant stroll past the Lincoln Center fountain caps the end of a perfect New York summer evening.  To me, it doesn't get much better than this.

Midsummer Night Swing runs through July 16 this summer from 7:30 - 10pm.  Group dance lessons are offered before the bands begin, at 6:30pm.