Meet 61st Street
Perhaps there are fewer buildings to step into as I walk from east to west in the 60s. There is, however, no shortage of fantastic places to discover along the way. And now each day that I am traversing the streets, I have the extreme pleasure of strolling through another section of Central Park.
Starting out on 61st Street was like being in a time machine. The Mount Vernon Hotel Museum and Garden is a shockingly quaint change from the towering skyscrapers around it. Today, this stone house, built in 1799, is open to the public, offering a rare glimpse inside what was once a “day hotel.” After a multitude of owners, the house was taken over by the Colonial Dames of America and opened as a museum in 1939. Entering Little Picasso (Lost Gem) was another unusual find on this side street. It is a marvelous place where children of all ages can learn sophisticated art skills from an incredible woman who is devoted to teaching youngsters to think outside of the box. Straying away from “cookie cutter arts and crafts,” Isabella Grossman guides her students through new dimensions of geometry, recyclable materials, and creative thinking.
Scattered within a short distance of each other are a number of culinary delights. The first time that I descended the steps into the underground grotto at Scalinatella Ristorante was on February 14th. As my husband and I observed a loving couple sharing an afternoon meal together, we both agreed that this was one of the most romantic spots to visit on Valentine’s Day.
Sant Ambroeus tempted me with their menu of buttery pastries and paninis, and Teuscher Chocolates proved that size is not indicative of success. This tiny shop has been on the corner of Madison Avenue since 1977.
Pushing myself past the enchanting eateries, I entered the realm of hats at Suzanne Couture Millinery, where Suzanne and her staff demonstrated that the Upper East Side continues to be a place of creative excellence. Going behind the scenes into their back room, I had a rare look at the designs and materials that are sourced from around the world to make the boutique’s beautiful and whimsical hats.
Stopping just short of Fifth Avenue, I entered the iconic Pierre Hotel. I was invited back a few days later to participate in a ”pop up” dinner at Two E Lounge where Executive Chef Ashfer Biju presented fourteen extraordinary dishes accenting ingredients from China, Japan and India to a handful of guests in the barroom of the Pierre.
The second half of my walk on 61st, starting at Central Park West, was somewhat featureless, save for the illustrious American Musical and Dramatic Academy. This school has been producing professional, well-trained talent since it opened in 1964. The eclectic mix of businesses on 61st Street, though heavily weighted to the east, has piqued my interest for what lies ahead in the 60s.