Walk on by (New York)

And today the mop-up begins.  This is where we slow the pace and return to places that we have liked or places that we didn't quite get to the first time around.

BTW the Mets smashed the Dodgers 13-7 last night and I'm backing up tonight for what, hopefully, will be the last game of the series.

Katz's Deli #3

The easy thing to write here would be to tell you dear reader, to see my review on Trip Advisor. Scathing would be the word.  I was prepared for the place to be over-hyped, hey this is New York, but it went beyond the hype and plumbed depths I couldn't believe.  Clearly they are still in business because of tourism, walking tours and the like, because the service and food both belong in the minus rating zone.

Katz without the crowds

You would know faithful reader that we have attempted to get into Katz's twice before to sample their legendary pastrami on rye sandwich, but both times have been defeated by crowds.  Queueing is not something I am keen on, queueing for food is anathema to everything I believe in.  We therefore devised a cunning plan to arrive before the lunch crowd and duly turned up on the doorstep at 10:30am.  No crowd, plenty of tables.  So far, so good.

We read the board briefly, only interested in the classic sandwich, but I decided we should be brave and order coffee as well.  We know the language now, a double shot Americano.  I secured a table, no, not that one, and Jayne ordered the sandwich and coffees.  The sandwich wasn't a challenge, but it took three of them to discuss the coffee order before they came to the conclusion that they didn't understand.  Obviously putting hot water into a cup and then topping it with two shots of espresso is more complicated than acquiring a doctorate.  We opted for two plain espressos. 

That is when the first problem became apparent.  Despite the fact that we were 'eating in' the espresso came in a plastic cup.  What is that!  Then the sandwich.  We knew it would be big, which is why we only ordered one, but there was enough pastrami piled between the two thin slices of rye to feed a family of four.  Then there was the plate of pickles which is apparently a mandatory inclusion with the signature sandwich.  Now that's just strange.

I was watching one of the servers set tables in the 'table service only' section of the deli.  He was a real charmer; at one point, he leaned over two people who were eating and threw a menu into the place setting next to them.  This place is all class, something confirmed when Jayne returned and talked about how difficult it was to have her server engage with her because he was too busy chatting with co-workers in a foreign language.  Rude.

If I did it wasn't here

Needless to say that neither of us had a When Harry Met Sally moment.  In fact, for sub-standard service, coffee and food (neither of us finished our half of the sandwich), we paid over $30.  That is over $41 in the land down under.  Upon reflection the biggest disappointment was the lack of a queue at Katz's this morning, because, had there been a queue, I would have made like Dionne Warwick and 'walk(ed) on by'.  We later laughed as we left the iconic scene via the subway, heading uptown and reminiscing about what Jayne's father, John, would have said if he had heard what we got for what we paid: "They didn't see you coming, they sent for you...."

Radio City Music Hall

This was not on our original list of things to do, but the CityPass only lasts for 9 days so we had to pack a lot into those days - in fact, we would probably have factored in a few rest days but were not able to because once the CityPass was activated you are on a mission to see everything to get the value.  Anyway, it was fascinating to see the opulence of the old building, particularly considering it was built during the Great Depression of the 1930s.  It came close to being demolished at one stage since it was operating at an annual loss of $1 million and had been allowed to deteriorate significantly but public outcry saved the icon and it was faithfully restored in the 1990's with a price tag of $70 million.

Aluminium statue

Painting in the Men's Room

Costumes in the change room

The view from the top mezzanine level

Looking down at the foyer

Jayne behind the table at which Judy Garland and Vincent Minelli worked

The tour came complete with a photo op with a Rockette (graciously declined) and an opportunity to ask questions.  One young lady in our group was very focused and her questions were all career centred.  Good luck - only 80 Rockettes employed, all between 5'6" and 5'10" and not much natural attrition from the ranks despite gruelling schedules of up to 5 daily performances when a big show is on such as the annual Christmas special.

Grand Central Station

We visited here not to catch a train but to have a look around.  I'm not sure when it was redeveloped but there are certainly some art-deco sections, albeit not as opulent as the Music Hall.  We wandered around, being careful to stay out of the way of commuters, taking photos.  There is a fresh food market and the food looked delectable.  Amongst the other shops there was a top end wine shop - too expensive for me, a craft beer store and the usual news agents.  There were also multiple bars and restaurants - try doing this at Central.  So, we pulled up a barstool, accepted the advice of the barman and ordered a bottle of Prosecco, a surprisingly dry drop, and chatted with him about what other sights of New York we should see.  The result?  Tickets to see Fuerza Bruta (recommendation seconded by another bar patron) tomorrow night.

The hall at Grand Central Station

The ceiling

And that is about it for the day.  We have commenced researching London while still ticking our list of things to do here.  Tonight will see us re-visit Via Della Pace Pizza - the best I've had outside of Italy, to be home in time to watch game #4 of the series between the Mets and Dodgers.  I really considered going tonight, but at US $200 a ticket (standing room only), I'll settle for a seat on the lounge.

Until tomorrow.