As we're sitting in front of the New York Stock Exchange, I'm admiring the giant American flag draped over the columns of this neoclassical building. It's a powerful symbol of American capitalism. Yet, I can't help but notice the emptiness of the streets in front of it. I remember [pre-9/11] taking a tour of the exchange floor and the orderly chaos of all the suits coming in and out of the building. Now, Wall St. is closed to thru traffic and no one is allowed to pass the barricades posted outside the entrances. There's an old subway exit that used to let people out right in front of the exchange, a relic of days long gone. Perhaps one day they'll reopen the NYSE to the public. Until then, we'll just have to admire the armed guards from the outside. 
Speaking of stocks, I'll always think of my nephew, Andrew, as that 11-year-old pipsqueak who came to visit us in SF years ago. Now, he's a 25-year-old pipsqueak who works for some hedge fund. Personally, the wifey and I think it's more like some boiler room, but he denies it. One thing we know for sure, though, the kid knows where to eat, and on our past 3 trips here, he's recommended what have become some of our favorite spots to dine in the city. Tonight is no exception. 
We're smack dab in the middle of Greenwich Village at a place called Numero 28 enjoying some of the best pizza we've had since Italy. Seriously, this is some really good stuff... 18 inches of rectangular shaped heaven. A crispy, thin crust topped with mushrooms sauteed in truffle oil rosemary on one side and classic Margherita on the other. Mmm...mmm.. if my momma was here, I'd slap her silly. Yeah, it's that good. This place is run by two guys from Naples and it sorta has that run down, rustic look like you'd find on a side street in Rome. Throw in a friendly waitress with a thick Italian accent and you really do feel like you are in Italy. This one's a gem. 28 Carmine Street in the Village. Go there. 
Anyhoo, it's a nice, warm Friday night and the Village is hoppin' with life. I can't think of a better way to soak it all in than by grabbing a bench at nearby Demo Square and enjoying a cup of ice cold gelato while people-watching the night away. It's just so... New York. I could do this all night.Random Stuff:
- Shopping at Filene's Basement and Century 21. These are two of our favorite discount stores in NYC. Filene's is like a Ross but much nicer and with better stuff. Century 21 is like Filene's but with even better stuff. It's like a shopper's wet dream. The wifey comes here for Gucci or Prada. I come here for... Kelly Hu. This is where I saw her last year. Maybe I'll bump into her again. Maybe.
Lunch at Good Enough to Eat for pancakes and corn beef hash. - We take a stroll along Amsterdam Street in the Upper West Side. Nice area... we'd totally live here.
NYSE
0 comments:
Post a Comment