Meet 37th Street
Starting off near the East River on 37th Street, I sense that I am slowly sidling out of the densely populated medical area and getting closer to the international arena of the United Nations in the upcoming 40s. Although, it was not until Madison Avenue, when I gained entrance to the De Lamar Mansion, now home to the Consulate General of the Republic of Poland, that I felt my journey across 37th truly begin. Built in the earlier part of the 1900s, this building has been restored by Polish preservationists to its original breathtaking grandeur.
Next stops along the way revolved around good food and drink. Members of the Sideways team had lunch at Cafe China, a Michelin star restaurant where I had my first taste of Ma Po tofu – the Chinese take on the spiciest of spicy. One of the most expansive beer halls that I have encountered was Reichenbach, where there is communal seating, a vast list of German beers and a tantalizing menu replete with this country’s classic dishes.
It was nice to find several interesting shops on 37th. West Marine services the boating world while Empire Scout Shop (Lost Gem) caters to scouts and other outdoor adventurers. There are two exceptional magazine shops, Magazine Cafe and Around the World Fashion Publications (Lost Gem), both emphasizing the apparel industry but also providing an array of other periodicals.
It seems that any steak craving can be addressed on many streets in the 30s, and 37th does not disappoint with Frankie and Johnny’s, a steakhouse that has a very long history in the city. Picnic Basket became an instant favorite of mine. The long line out the door drew me in one afternoon…but it was when I got up to the counter that the real fun began. The Israeli owners are friendly and eager to please and their food is simple, to the point, and excellent. I must say the same about Ramini Espresso Bar & Cafe. The owner, the coffee, and the home baked goods were all superb.
The garment district has a very strong presence on 37th, with numerous clothing, fabric and accessories shops. The one that caused the most excitement for the Manhattan Sideways team, however, was Mood Fabrics. One flight up, away from the hustle and bustle is the massive shop that gained its notoriety through the show, “Project Runway”.
Moving further west, I stopped in to chat with Nick, the owner of Stitch. He has been in the neighborhood for twenty years and continues to make the effort to keep his bar current. I was incredibly impressed by the brand new Brooklyn Fare, a food store that opened in late 2013. How fortunate for those living in the area to be able to shop in this immaculate, gorgeous market.
The last few addresses reminded me that I am rapidly drawing near the theater district, as I entered the stunning Baryshnikov Arts Center and the New Perspectives Theatre Company. Stay tuned for our next act!
