Today we headed out to have a New York treat, a corned beef sandwich on rye. We decided to share a sandwich after our experience yesterday at Carmine’s. The waiter at the Majestic Delicatessen (200 W 50th St, New York, NY 10019) asked if we wanted mustard to which I said “Of course”. Patrice then asked if we could have Russian dressing. I quickly looked around to see if anyone heard this sacreligious request. Luckily no one was nearby and apparently the waiter was used to dealing with people from California and said “No problem”. Patrice here: Maybe I don’t know what is the proper dressing for a corned beef on rye when eating in New York but I do know how to spell “sacrilegious”.
After lunch we headed to Broadway and saw “Neil Diamond, A Beautiful Noise”. The show was a bit of a downer. I didn’t realize that his life wasn’t just filled with love and happiness. The music was incredible of course. Well, with the exception of the guy behind me who would join in at times. I guess he didn’t realize Diamond was a solo act.
Neil Diamond’s life had so much more than mine in many ways. He created a myriad of successful records, earned millions of dollars, and attained international fame. But there’s one category he exceeded me in that doesn’t make me at all envious. Diamond has had 3 wives. I am happy with just one. Patrice here again: “He better say that!”
After the show we headed to dinner. Patrice is in charge of dining selections when we travel and she always does a great job. “Tonight” she said, “we are going to USC for dinner”. I said, “Fight On!, that sounds great”. To which she replied, “The Union Square Cafe”. Patrice here again: Did I really think it out when this guy asked me to marry him?
We arrived early and they were happy to tell us that they would seat us promptly. Promptly at the time of our reservation that is. I’d like to tell you that they had a comfortable place for us to sit and wait. I’d like to tell you that but unfortunately that wasn’t the case. Well, we had the option to take a walk around the neighborhood. With the current temperature being 41º that would be a no. So I decided to use my influence and told them “I’m Robert Reiss, author of REISSTRAVELBLOG.COM”. The hostess immediately replied “What?” So I repeated myself a little louder suggesting that she might not have heard me. To which she replied “I heard you allright, I just never heard of your blog!” I was duly insulted and told her that my followers will have a word of two for her. To which she replied “Really? All 12 of them?” Ha! Not only had she heard of my blog she knew how many followers I have.
As it was she did seat us early. See I am an influencial blogger. Patrice here again: “The person Robert spoke to must have been on a break because someone else led us to our table, 2 minutes early.”
The dinner was spectacular. I think the restaurant might be trying to conserve energy in that three of the appetizers were uncooked (tuna crudo, steak tartare, and seared scallops).
We shared a Caesar salad.
Patrice had the trout.
I had the duck.
We shared the Brussels Sprouts.
For dessert we had Baklava Sundae.
Overall USC, I mean Union Square Cafe was delightful. Very good food, excellent service, lovely dining hall, but prices to match.
We took a cab back to the hotel and I have a little travel tip here. Friday night we took a cab back to the hotel from Gramercy Tavern. The driver did not appear to take a direct route. Tonight’s restaurant was one block further from the hotel. When we entered the taxi I put on Google maps with the volume audible. I don’t know if it influenced the driver but tonight we took a direct route which resulted in a lower fare.
Tomorrow we will be waking early to head home. This was a short trip so I didn’t get a chance to collect a series of interesting photos for my final post as I usually do. So this is it. Not sure when we will be posting next but if you are subcribed to the blog you will be notified.
Ciao,
I mean sayonara,
I mean bye.
Robert Reiss Travel Blog and Other Ramblings 