Happy Thanksgiving!

Photo courtesy of Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade 2011

As I stated in my Design in Cozumel blog I try to be grateful every day, not just on Thanksgiving Day. Today is my favorite holiday of all. Today I would like to remember New York and New Jersey, pray for the people still affected by Superstorm Sandy. Happy Thanksgiving to all, but a special hug for our friends in the north east. Here in Cozumel, we know what it feels like to lose almost everything. We were devastated back in 2005 with Hurricane Wilma. 

I included a photo of the Thanksgiving Parade in New York last year. Happy Thanksgiving, everybody!

Sardi's Restaurant New York: Still Great

Postcard from Sardi's Restaurant

What's not to like about a restaurant that's been around for 90 years and hasn't changed much in 30. Don't get me wrong! The carpet and furniture are new, the waiters top-notch and the food is delicious. What I mean is the same level of quality and wonderful ambiance I found at Sardi's as a naive 30 year old still exists today. 


My friend Lisa had planned a wonderful lunch for us in the theater district of New York. I found the area too crowded and run down. The restaurant we attempted to eat at was too crowded and loud. And then, there it was ... a place that holds a special place in my heart. We left the first place, each of us dragging one of my suitcases, fighting the crowd, the wind whipping around, looking like rain. Like an oasis in the desert, I saw the sign ... wow, Sardi's. 


I had a romantic dinner there 30 years ago before going to a show on Broadway. The food was still as good, the atmosphere divine. Lisa had Caesar salad and I had the tomato and mozzarella salad. They were both perfect. If you would like to try it out when in New York, here is a link to their website. Enjoy and tell them I sent you! (Just joking, they would have no idea who I am.)

New York, New York

My friend Lisa at a midtown diner 

My travel to Rome included a stop at New York. I had not been to the city in over twenty years, and I was excited to see it again. I watch scenes every week in one of my favorite shows, Gossip Girl. Unfortunately I saw neither Blair nor Serena, but I did meet up with a good friend and client, Lisa.


The taxi ride in was quite eventful. The driver, who was new to the city and from Africa, kept asking me where my hotel was located. I kept telling him I had no idea. I gave him the exact address, and the whole way there he sweated if we were going the right way. When we finally arrived on the street in midtown where the hotel was located, he told me we had passed it. But I told him no, as I fortunately had google mapped the location earlier and knew it was next to Ruth's Chris steak house. I saw the steakhouse a bit up the street. I have to say I was never so glad to get out of a cab. 


I stayed at a four star hotel which was fine, but the price seemed outrageous to me for what I got. Welcome to New York! The bed was comfortable and the room was decorated tastefully. I did get a kick out of where they locate the safe though.As you can see in the picture below, it was located on a shelf in the closet way over my head. I had to get on a chair to use it.

Safe location at the hotel

Lisa met me at the hotel the next morning and we went to breakfast and did some shopping. The little diner we went to had a great omelet and even better service. I snapped a few photos going to the bathroom though. It was really creepy and felt like something out of Criminal Minds. I kept waiting for someone to pop out and grab me.

Staircase to diner bathroom

Written on the inside of the stall at diner bathroom

Thanks again, Lisa, for your hospitality and taking me shopping. Per my pleading, we even took a ride on the subway!

Me in the subway NYC