Summer Fun: Visiting the Great Scotts in New York

It is now fall, the summer of 2014 has come to an end.  Before the leaves changed and the morning air was crisp I decided to take a short weekend trip to New York to visit Paul and Meg Scott (aka the Great Scotts) for a long promised visit.  It has been four years since I have been to New York - October 2010 to be exact to see the Great Scotts get married! 

I waited until the last minute to book transportation so I hopped on the Vamoose bus at 11:30am, opting for the direct bus, arriving at Penn Station at 3:45pm.  Not bad.  I slept 3 of the hours.  Upon my arrival I met Paul Scott who guided me through the subway on our 15 minute journey to Harlem.  Much closer / faster than I imagined!  They own a cute condo with an amazing roof deck so why not enjoy?  Meg was not home yet so Paul Scott and I went the roof deck to enjoy champagne (for me) and beers (for him) until Meg arrived.  When Meg arrived we just kept enjoying the view and libations. 

Finally, it was time for dinner.  Meg suggested Maison Harlem (http://maisonharlem.com/).  Located at 341 St. Nicholas Avenue, Maison Harlem is a French bistro with a friendly atmosphere.  The bar scene was lively with a great cocktail menu.  The restaurant was quite, dinner friendly with delicious French fare selection and amazing wine list.  While we waited on a table we enjoyed a few minutes and a cocktail at the bar.  You only need one!  The bartender pours heavy but the cocktail was delicious.  Average price of cocktail is $13.  We were seated within 20 minutes outside at small table lined against the tall, wood fence.  It was nice, homey.  For a starter we enjoyed the truffle mac and cheese.  Good-ness this was delicious!  I still dream about this dish!  It truly was the perfect truffle mac and cheese.  It was hot, flavor was well balanced, the cheese 'crust' on top was divine!

Truffle mac n cheese

Once we scrapped the dish and was sure there was not a morsel of the truffle mac and cheese left, we decided to order.  Meg and I ordered the classic coq au vin which was served with fresh pasta while Paul Scott ordered the lamb chops with a peppercorn sauce served with potatoes. 

How Paul Scott dined

The best coq au vin my lips have ever touched!

We shared two bottles of wine over dinner

After dinner, even though we were stuffed and by this time a wee bit tipsy, we decided we must share dessert.  We opted for the creme brulee which was creamy under a perfectly crisp crust of caramel.  Again divine and worth every spoonful. 

A sweet, yummy end to a perfect dinner!

Paul and Meg after dinner at Maison Harlem

If you are ever in Harlem I would highly recommend you stop into Maison Harlem for a cocktail and dinner.  Find menu here - http://maisonharlem.com/menu. 

On Saturday we woke up (a bit hungover) and prepared ourselves to go to Manhattan to see a show.  We decided to see Cabaret (starring Alan Cumming and Michelle Williams) as none of us had seen this show.  Additionally, we did not know much about the plot and were excited to see it in Studio 54!  We had quite decent seats which we purchased for $100. And what an amazing use of space!  The layout of the theater was as if you were in a smoky s1920s speakeasy named The Kitty Kat Klub which was crammed with small tables were topped with lamps adored with red shades waiting for the sexy singer to perform.  While the seating was ... close ... I liked the atmosphere.  Male waiters walked around in black pants, suspenders and white t-shirts to serve while women walked in a sexier short shirted version of the outfit.  There was even a 'cigarettes girl' who instead of selling cigarettes walked around selling water, beer and candy to theater guests.  To see it in another arrangement would have made the show different somehow.   Back to the show ... Cabaret was great and I highly recommend seeing the show.  What I will say is that the show was a bit of a roller coaster that went up, up, up ... and when it came down, it went down fast and then stopped abruptly.  At the end of the show my mind was racing, my heart was pumping and I felt confused, abandoned.  I felt the need to research the literature, the author, the political message embedded in the theatrical production.  I needed closure.  This article excerpt above explains it best.   Best money I spent all weekend.  If you have the chance to see this show, please treat yourself.

After seeing Cabaret we were in need of a mind numbing drink.  It was raining and so we skipped to the closest bar a few doors down from Studio 54 - Iguana (http://www.iguananyc.com/).  Located at 240 West 54th Street (between 8th and Broadway), Iguana is a restaurant, lounge/bar and dance club.  It was only after 5pm when we arrived so a bit too early to dance but not too early for 1 of their amazing margaritas!  Their menu brags of 26 flavors which include blueberry, guava and "spicy."  I had two:  strawberry / lime for my first and blueberry/raspberry/lime for my second.  Meg decided on a 'skinny' margarita which was essentially tequila, fresh lime and agave nectar.  Paul Scott played it safe and had beer. 

Blueberry/Raspberry/Lime margarita

Strawberry/Lime margarita

While we were not hungry, we were a bit "snackish".  We ordered their guacamole which was prepared to order at the bar!  It was nice to watch all the fresh ingredients being mixed together to make the guac.  And honestly, I have not had guac this fresh, this amazing since my friends made guac in El Salvador!  I was quite impressed.

Yum!

While enjoying the drinks, guac and company I will say this place is ideal if you are a fan of latin music!  The entire time we were there I was entertained with great music - salsa, merengue and bachata - I wanted to dance SO BAD but as it was not the hour I decided against embarrassing the Great Scotts.  It was so hard to keep still though!  However, at 9pm the downstairs opens and becomes a hot, sweaty latin club!  I spoke to the DJ before he opened and they regularly play quite a bit of Dominican bachata classics which made me ... giddy to say the least.  Iguana is a must try if you are in Manhattan over the weekend.  The Great Scotts owe me a dance so let's just say upon my return we shall put on our tight pants, Meg and I shall put on our heels and we shall DANCE!

Sunday we woke up refreshed and ready to enjoy my last beautiful day in New York.  When in New York brunch is a must!  It was an absolutely gorgeous day so we walked to Harlem Tavern (http://harlemtavern.com/) for brunch.  Located at 2153 Frederick Douglass Blvd at 116th Street, Harlem Tavern is a restaurant and beer garden.  There is also plenty of room and televisions for football season!  Brunch was being served in and outside and there was a live jazz band.  The band was a little loud so I was ok when they stopped playing.  Inside was a bit rowdy with the large crowd of men gathered around the bar watching football in their favorite jersey ... the bar on a Sunday is a single woman's dream location! *note to self ha* The brunch price was reasonable:  $15 for a main which included a drink (http://harlemtavern.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/Current-Brunch-Menu.pdf).  I decided on the Cornflake Crusted French Toast.  Meg decided on the Tavern Caesar with chicken and Paul Scott had the Croque Madame.  My french toast was delicious.  The cornflakes provided a crunch which was nice and the toast was perfectly flavored with cinnamon and vanilla.  I could only eat half before I was completely stuffed!  I had a bite of Paul's food.  One word: decadent! 

Croque Madame with fries

Cornflake crusted french toast

When back in Harlem I would definitely love to stop by Harlem Tavern again for brunch and then find my way inside to watch football (by "watch football" I mean "be surrounded by many, many men who are watching football..."). 

After brunch we decided to do that right thing and walk it off!  The Great Scotts pulled out their convertible top vehicle and drive to High Line Park. High Line Park is a public park built on a historic freight rail line elevated above the streets on Manhattan’s West Side. It runs from the Meatpacking District to West 34th Street.  We all walked, single filed, it felt through the park.  Occasionally we would stop to look at the buildings or take a seat and watch the cars go by below us.  In the park there are small stands which sell popsicles which such flavors as blueberry basil (can I just get strawberry?  I found a simple passion fruit one which was nice), ice cream pies (Meg had a red velvet ice cream pie with cream cheese ice cream filling), tacos and other finger foods.  There is also a small open air cafe, Terroir At The Porch (http://www.wineisterroir.com), at which we stopped at for glasses of wine and beer.  The drinks were a bit pricey - for 2 rounds the bill was $75 which was more than what we paid for brunch!  But it was an experience.  It was nice to simply walk, people watch, sip wine and enjoy the view with the Great Scotts.  It was the perfect last thing to do in New York on the perfect last day of my perfect three day weekend.  

That wee small happy Scotts hugging

View over Terroir at the Porch.

Happy in New York face

I will admit that I was not a 'fan' of New York (Manhattan).  I found it loud, busy, everyone racing, pushing to be somewhere, the food overrated and the drinks too expensive.  A place for fashion (and I hate to shop), only to be seen, which is why I have not felt the need to venture back since 2010.  My only reason to go to New York was for Broadway - I love a good show.  But since I have access to shows in Washington DC there was no need to rush back to New York simply for Broadway.  Visiting the Scotts who are now living in Harlem, playing in Manhattan made this an ideal weekend and I will admit that my mind was completely changed after this three day weekend.  I am already planning a trip back to New York in December.  I hear Christmas time is New York is something quite beautiful, magical and ... cold ... but something which must be experienced.  And I cannot wait to experience it again with my friends and amazing hosts, Paul and Meg Scott! XO