Today is Monday, and it is the beginning of eight straight days of visitors for me. The first set is the “Vermont 6,” but not the entire crew this time. Initially, it was going to be the Vermont 6+1.
I should begin by explaining who the “Vermont 6” is. Twenty-one years ago, after many drinks at the Centro Basco in Chino on Basque Easter, six of us decided to go to NYC. The more drinks we had, the more we swore we would do it. Every time we saw each other, we renewed our vow, and it eventually became a 50th birthday party for Gracie that October. Little by little more ladies jumped on our bandwagon, and before we knew there would be 11 of us heading to NYC on October 4, 2002. However, the original six decided to go to Vermont for a few days and incorporate it into a “walking” trip after NYC; this way, we wouldn’t feel guilty about all the eating and drinking in NYC. Hence, the “Vermont 6.” Over the past 21 years, the six of us have made some other trips, such as to Napa and Santa Barbara, and since COVID, we have zoomed every Monday night.
For this NYC trip, since the plan was to once again celebrate Gracie’s birthday, Gracie asked her sister-in-law, Patricia, to join along, hence the “Vermont 6+1.” In the end, one of our original “Vermont 6” was unable to join us, so it became the “Vermont 6-1+1.”
The ladies would be staying at the Doubletree, a five-minute walk from me. They took a red-eye, and I was elated to be at the hotel bright and early to welcome them.
After they checked in, we walked around my neighborhood, showing them some of the historic spots I have fallen in love with. We went in front of the Stock Exchange, and I jumped in and had everyone pose with the “Fearless Girl.” My friends were mortified; there was a line of people waiting to take the same photo. I was unaware, as usual.
We had an early lunch since we were going to Pierre and Grant’s by 5:30 p.m., and then dinner. This may come as a surprise, but I took them to Fraunces. They LOVED it… the ambiance, the food, the history. We had a leisurely lunch, and after freshening up, we took a car to 5th Avenue near Central Park.
Our goal was to walk around 5th Avenue to engage in some retail therapy. I had just been in this area, but I had not noticed the scaffolding over Tiffany’s. Scaffolding is rampant throughout the City. In fact,
there was a story about it in the local news in recent weeks. New legislation was introduced to reduce delays caused by permitting requirements and hold business owners accountable for failing to complete the work needed in a timely manner. Scaffolds are everywhere, and other than providing shelter when it is raining, I find them annoying and distracting. All, except for what I saw over Tiffany & Company.
A walk around the block put us on Park Avenue, where we picked up a car to drive us to the Upper East Side to Pierre and Grant’s. It was perfect timing. I love going to Pierre and Grant’s; it is so beautiful and well-decorated, keeping in line with the age of the building (the 1920s). I especially love seeing it again through the eyes of those who have never seen it. It’s like taking a child to Disneyland for the first time.
We walked to the restaurant, a classic French bistro called “Quatorze.” It opened in 1990 and is a central part of the neighborhood—a “Cheers” atmosphere where “everybody knows your name.” Pierre shared with us that they often go on Sundays and have made “friends” with the patrons as well as the staff. Doesn’t that just sound perfect? Yet another thing I love about NYC.
We so enjoyed the night. The food was delicious, and there was an excitement in the air. You know, the kind of excitement where you have just arrived in a great city, you know you are going to be there for several days, good, close friends surround you, and you are just taking it all in. Imagine how we felt when someone blurted out that it was snowing outside! How much more picturesque could it have possibly been?