Central Park - Harlem Meer

The changes in Central Park near Harlem Meer over the past Month.  Seems like we had an extended fall, then all of a sudden the trees are bare and we have are in Winter.  The colorful foliage around the Harlem Meer and North Woods has turned into a haunted Winter forest.

Central Park - North

Thought I would take a walk in the North part of Central Park at the first sign of fall.  I started by the Pool and walked thru the North Woods to the Conservatory Gardens and ended my walk at the Harlem Meer.

The Pool

The Central Park Conservancy Gardens

Harlem Meer

Central Park - Harlem Meer

This is one of my "getaway" spots in Central Park.  It's such a great place to lounge with some food and a good book and enjoy the weather!

Postcard Manhattan View

Enjoying good conversation with a good friend while taking in this picture perfect Manhattan view.

I am a New Yorker!

New York's New Yorker hotel.

Rooftops

Looking over the roof tops of Harlem.  West to the Catherdral of St. John the Devine.

Then I swing over to view the roof tops of Central Harlem and Central Park North/Harlem Meer.

Empire State Building

A quick shot of the Empire State Building

from West 34 Street, in Midtown.

The High Line

Prior to visiting the high line I didn't understand the general publics fascination.  I walked from 14 Street to 33 Street.  Now, after my first visit, I'm even more confused as to why this is such a "destination" as Hudson River Park is a block or two west.  In my eyes, its just a big walkway in between buildings with some foliage and sparse public art, that at some points can be obtrusive, to residents.

It's not as though the buildings connect to the high line and you can use it to go in-between buildings.  Give me an old fashioned ground level park over the High Line.

I do think there are some interesting views of New Jersey, The statue of Liberty, the London Terrace complex and the Empire State Building.  There is a mix of reused buildings and modern. It appears nearby office works use this as a place to take a break and detox.  Others may disagree, but based on my experience, is this is more hype that substance.

New York City Lights - Harlem

New York City Lights - Harlem

Columbus Circle

Columbus Circle

 Looking East across Central Park to Fifth Avenue

 Hearst Tower

 Trump Tower & 15 Central Park West

One West 57 Tower

Saturday Morning Over Harlem

Just a few snaps of Harlem in the early morning!  I wish it wasn't so smoggy.

 Looking West to Morningside Hts.

Harlem Meer

 Central Harlem

North to Washington Hts. and the George Washington Bridge.

Inwood Hills Park (North Side)

I don't often travel to the northern tip of manhattan, so after visiting a friend I took the No. 1 train up to 215 street to check out the area.  Most of the subways that run in Manhattan are underground, but the 1 train runs above ground as an EL up here and as it enters Manhattan it's pretty cool.  I love watching a train rumble by.  Yeah, I'm a train geek.

After walking west, I enter a rather large park, that is pretty tranquil and offers great views of the Marble Hill section of the Bronx and the Henry Hudson Bridge.

The Park is much larger and more peaceful than I expected.  It was so quiet - I took a quick nap.

Looks like there is a pretty nice apartment community in the Marble Hill.

I walked south to where to older teens were involved in a baseball game.  I was so enthralled I watched the last 4 innings of the game.  I can tell you it was more entertaining and energetic than a MLB game.

  

Many people only know about Central Park, but this is another quiet oasis in Upper Manhattan that should not be overlooked.  

I'm going to check out the lower portion of the park and the Hudson River front section soon.

Maison Harlem

Meeting up with a couple of friends and try a new place in Harlem.   Haison Harlem, is located on St. Nicholas off of the two “restaurant rows” in Harlem.  The lower level of the building was once an abandoned store.  Now it’s been turned into French Bistro Maison Harlem.

Nothing like a solid restaurant to help revitalize a neighborhood.  The transformation of the street level space to a modern Bistro was well done.  The restaurant is available on my favorite dining point earning site, opentable.  Advanced, reservations are highly suggested as the dining room is not that large and the restaurant, at least for Brunch, is popular.

As a midscale restaurant its low key and there is no strict dress code.

The restaurant is owned and operated by two french guys and it does have a quaint french vibe.  Entering you step up and walk over the word “Bistro”, well duh!  I thought it was overkill.

Inside you're in the bar, which is well stocked, appointed and cozy.  There seemed to be a lot of expensive french wine stocked.  

I love the dark wood.  Although we were there for Brunch there were quite a few people just hanging out at the bar.  The dining room was at capacity.  Those that arrived after our party were told there would be not be seating people after 2pm due to a major issue that affected the entire staff.

At the end of the bar you ascend to a light filled dining room. Tables are tight, but it is a Bistro. Although there is outdoor seating, due to the wind its was not used.  Due to location, size and how busy St. Nicholas is, I feel it may not be utilized.

Since we had a reservation we were seated rather quickly.  The dining room was full.  After being seated and greeted by our server, we ordered.  We ordered French Toast, Eggs Nordique, an Omelette with a side of bacon.

Twenty minutes after ordering, we asked our waiter times, “what’s the delay?” and he came back with “the kitchen is slammed” and mimosas.  We received our food approximately 35 minutes after ordering.

Once our food arrived, we were pleasantly surprised at looked delicious.  

The eggs Nordique was scrumptious.  The french toast had a nice crust on the outside and fluffy on the inside.  My omelette was dense but packed with spinach, mushrooms and bacon.  The only thing missing was bacon.  They ran out of bacon and without our knowledge, substituted canadian bacon.  They lost major points for that.

Although there were “issues” in the kitchen our server was very pleasant and really tried to keep us happy and the other tables in his section.

Overall the price for the meal is in line with other restaurants serving brunch in the area, but they dont have unlimited mimosas.

I think this a great addition to the neighborhood, a nice place for brunch, and I feel that it may a nice place for a date.

Check it out and let me know what you think.


Maison Harlem

341 St. Nicholas Avenue

New York, NY  10027

www.maisonharlem.com