A Sunday Afternoon NYC Meet Up (9/8)
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1kidzdoc
Several of the folks in the 75 Books group have decided to meet for lunch on the Upper West Side of Manhattan next Sunday, September 8th at noon at Jacob's Pickles, which is located on Amsterdam Ave between 84th & 85th Sts. It's a short walk from 86th St station (B'way & 86th), which is served by the number 1 subway.
After lunch Suzanne (Chatterbox) will see the National Theatre (NT) Live rebroadcast of the award winning play The Audience, starring Helen Mirren as Queen Elizabeth II, which will be shown at Symphony Space, on B'way & 95th St, at 3 pm. Katherine (qebo) and I plan to travel to Brooklyn. I'll go to the Brooklyn Museum (pictured above), as there are several current exhibitions that I'd like to see there; she will go to the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, which is next to the museum.
Here's a list of the attendees:
Bob (vpfluke): Bellmore, NY
Darryl (kidzdoc): coming from Bucks County, PA
Jane (janepriceestrada): Brooklyn, NY
Jim (magicians_nephew): NYC
Judy (ffortsa): NYC
Katherine (qebo): Lancaster, PA
Peg (plt): NYC
Suzanne (Chatterbox): Providence, RI
Zoë (_Zoe_): NYC
2kidzdoc
Peg kindly offered to look into reservations for the Popover Café. This was her reply to me earlier today:
I'm fine with that plan. I know that Barney Greengrass, "The Sturgeon King", is next door to the Popover Café, but I can't remember how large its restaurant is. It's probably best that we stay in the Upper West Side, as Suz needs to go to Symphony Space to make the 3 pm showing of Almost English. Katherine and I (and others?) will proceed to Brooklyn, so the location won't matter much to us. Thoughts?
ETA: I forgot to mention that I was planning to visit Book Culture, one of my favorite NYC bookshops, which is located on 112th St between B'way and Amsterdam Ave, before we met for lunch. It opens at 11 am on Sundays, and it has a great selection of literature and academic books, as it is affiliated with nearby Columbia University. It's easy to get to by subway; the nearest station is the 110th St station on the number 1 line. From there we can take a southbound 1 train to 86th St station. Anyone who wants to join me is more than welcome to come!
Hi Darryl,
So here's what I've learned:
Popovers doesn't take reservations. In response to my question about the likelihood of getting a table for 8, the manager advised me to call 10 minutes before arriving for an estimate. There are bunches of places nearby, so we could either chance it at Popovers or try other places. I am happy to arrive a bit earlier to get a spot on line at Popovers. Might help a bit. If the line is too crazy, there are a lot of places very nearby that we could try. Up to all of you.
I'm fine with that plan. I know that Barney Greengrass, "The Sturgeon King", is next door to the Popover Café, but I can't remember how large its restaurant is. It's probably best that we stay in the Upper West Side, as Suz needs to go to Symphony Space to make the 3 pm showing of Almost English. Katherine and I (and others?) will proceed to Brooklyn, so the location won't matter much to us. Thoughts?
ETA: I forgot to mention that I was planning to visit Book Culture, one of my favorite NYC bookshops, which is located on 112th St between B'way and Amsterdam Ave, before we met for lunch. It opens at 11 am on Sundays, and it has a great selection of literature and academic books, as it is affiliated with nearby Columbia University. It's easy to get to by subway; the nearest station is the 110th St station on the number 1 line. From there we can take a southbound 1 train to 86th St station. Anyone who wants to join me is more than welcome to come!
3Chatterbox
I think if Peg doesn't mind getting there earlier and putting her name on the list, that would be very helpful. That said, we need to be sure about the # of people because they are very strict about only seating incomplete parties. So at some point we'd have to say, OK, everyone who is coming is here already and take the next table that is offered. I've eaten there very frequently and there aren't a lot of tables that can accommodate large groups, so we'd need to bear that in mind, too.
So please, if you're thinking about joining the group, or can't make it after all, please let someone know via PM or by posting on this thread so that by midnight on Saturday we have a firm count.
ETA: I'm not a big fan of Barney Greengrass, and the space isn't large.
So please, if you're thinking about joining the group, or can't make it after all, please let someone know via PM or by posting on this thread so that by midnight on Saturday we have a firm count.
ETA: I'm not a big fan of Barney Greengrass, and the space isn't large.
4Chatterbox
If Popover's may not work, can I suggest as alternatives Sarabeth's West (Amsterdam at around 80th) or Nice Matin (79thish, right by the Museum of Natural History, I think), both of which are excellent and both of which, I'm fairly sure, do take reservations. I know that Nice Matin has a very large dining room. The more I ponder this, the more I think it might make more sense to nail down a place in advance, given that most of us don't have open-ended days/evenings. These are midway between the 1 train and the C line (on Central Park West).
5kidzdoc
Here is Peg's second message to me:
I looked at the lunch menu for Jacob's Pickles, and I'd be happy to dine there. I'd suggest a vote, to see if the majority is okay with Peg's plan.
Thanks to Peg for a great job in investigating restaurant options!
Hi Darryl,
I've called bunches of places and here's what I've learned:
Popovers - no reservations and wait times vary.
Barney Greengrass (which, btw, I love too!) doesn't take reservations, or credit cards (cash only). It's sort of small, so I don't know if they will accomodate us. They are only open during the day, so I'll have to call tomorrow, but I am positive about the cash only and no reservations policies.
Jacob's Pickles - 509 Amsterdam b'twn 84th and 85th). I made a reservation for 8 people for noon. I can always cancel if you folks aren't keen on it.
Fred's 476 Amsterdam on the corner of W83rd - I've never been here but passed it thousands of times. Looks okay. No reservations, but they were really nice and suggested that we send an "advance" person to give the name and wait earlier than the rest of the crowd to cut down group wait time. She implied there wouldn't be a huge "group wait" this way. I'd be happy to be the advance person.
Other places I tried:
Nice Matin - no reservations. Said wait time depended on many factors.
Sarabeth's West. They don't take reservations for Sunday brunch and the woman on the phone wasn't sure she could accomodate a group.
I will keep looking around, but at least we have some options: an advance person at Fred's, a reservation at Jacob's Pickles and a possible advance person at Popovers.
I looked at the lunch menu for Jacob's Pickles, and I'd be happy to dine there. I'd suggest a vote, to see if the majority is okay with Peg's plan.
Thanks to Peg for a great job in investigating restaurant options!
6qebo
I'm fine with wherever. Seems definitely best to keep the reservation regardless because everything else is so iffy, and might be ideal if we could decide on just this so nobody has to stake out a place in line elsewhere.
7kidzdoc
I agree, Katherine. So that's three "yes" votes and zero "no" votes for Jacob's Pickles so far.
8Chatterbox
This may not be great for me, just from a food perspective, given my neurologist's new rules & some other issues, but I can meet you there for some fruit & coffee later on, if that's OK.
10janemarieprice
I think I can make it as well. I have tentative plans with a friend but not till later - in Brooklyn so I can train down with you Darryl. Jacob's looks fine to me as well. See y'all soon!
11kidzdoc
Great, Jane! I'm glad you can make it.
So, we're set: Jacob's Pickles at noon. See you then!
So, we're set: Jacob's Pickles at noon. See you then!
12vpfluke
There is a possibility that I could come if I were to come late. My wife & I usually go to church (9th Av & 28th) in Chelsea at 11 AM, so couldn't be out of there before 12:30 PM. But the Eighth Ave subway is pretty close, the 7th ave line a little farther away.
13kidzdoc
Sounds good, Bob. We have a reservation for eight at Jacob's Pickles at noon, and I imagine that we'll be there until roughly 1:30-2 pm. I'll add you and your wife to the list.
ETA: I still plan to go to Book Culture, on 112th St between B'way and Amsterdam Ave at 11 am when it opens, and proceed to Jacob's Pickles from there, if anyone would like to join me.
ETA: I still plan to go to Book Culture, on 112th St between B'way and Amsterdam Ave at 11 am when it opens, and proceed to Jacob's Pickles from there, if anyone would like to join me.
14janemarieprice
I'll see what time I get up, but I may meet you there Darryl. Just not sure I'll make it (I'm about an hour and half ride away I think).
16ffortsa
I was thinking of joining you at Book Culture, just because I've never been there, but we can check in by phone that morning, if you don't mind.
Sorry I wasn't paying attention to this thread earlier. Jim and I have been to Fred many times - it's a great place and would probably have something that Suz could eat. Not trying to upset things again, but we might consider it
Sorry I wasn't paying attention to this thread earlier. Jim and I have been to Fred many times - it's a great place and would probably have something that Suz could eat. Not trying to upset things again, but we might consider it
17magicians_nephew
Fred is a very doggie themed restaurant ("Sit! Stay!") with photos of dogs everywhere. Good casual pub grub and some nice plates at brunch. When we go to Shakespeare in the Park in the summer we always end up there. We've never seen it really crowded.
OTOH a confirmed reservation for a large party on the upper west side on a Sunday is not to be sneezed at.
One of these days Judy and I will take Caro to the Popover Cafe
OTOH a confirmed reservation for a large party on the upper west side on a Sunday is not to be sneezed at.
One of these days Judy and I will take Caro to the Popover Cafe
18kidzdoc
I think we should keep our reservation at Jacob's Pickles. It doesn't matter to me where we eat (as long as the menu has something other than turnips and stewed prunes), but, as Jim intimated, a confirmed large group reservation shouldn't be cancelled unless we're certain that we can get another one elsewhere. And, I'd like to be respectful to Peg, who spent several hours researching these restaurants and making the reservation. If Suz can't find anything she likes at Jacob's Pickles her plan to join us for coffee there is a reasonable compromise IMO.
Your idea of meeting up at Book Culture sounds good, Judy. I assume that I'll get to NYC in time to go there, but I'll send you a text message to confirm that I'll actually make it.
Your idea of meeting up at Book Culture sounds good, Judy. I assume that I'll get to NYC in time to go there, but I'll send you a text message to confirm that I'll actually make it.
19qebo
I might trek up to Book Culture, depending on when the train gets in and weather and whim of the moment, but I don’t want to get all formal about it, so don’t wait for me, and I won’t be troubled if you’re not there. Regardless, I’ll see you at the restaurant. Whichever restaurant, but I agree that the reservation should be held onto.
20plt
Hello all!
It's been quite a summer and I've been out of the loop, so it's wonderful to "see" you all again.
Please don't think for a minute that I am insulted by any other restaurant suggestions - I am happy to see you all anywhere in NYC.
I'd be glad to be the advance person at Fred's (or another place) if that's the preference. Judy -- do you know the name of the restaurant on W. 83rd across the street from Fred's? It's on the street not the avenue. I'm drawing a blank and I think they also may be able to accomodate us.
I do think we should keep the reservation, just in case, but, again, any place is fine with me.
Just let me know what works best for everyone.
Looking forward to attaching faces to names.
Peg
It's been quite a summer and I've been out of the loop, so it's wonderful to "see" you all again.
Please don't think for a minute that I am insulted by any other restaurant suggestions - I am happy to see you all anywhere in NYC.
I'd be glad to be the advance person at Fred's (or another place) if that's the preference. Judy -- do you know the name of the restaurant on W. 83rd across the street from Fred's? It's on the street not the avenue. I'm drawing a blank and I think they also may be able to accomodate us.
I do think we should keep the reservation, just in case, but, again, any place is fine with me.
Just let me know what works best for everyone.
Looking forward to attaching faces to names.
Peg
21kidzdoc
I looked at Fred's menu; I'm willing to eat there, but the menu at Jacob's Pickles looks much more interesting to me.
I still think we should stick with Jacob's Pickles. I'm not eager to relive the painful restaurant merry-go-round that we went through the last time we got together in NYC in 2011.
I still think we should stick with Jacob's Pickles. I'm not eager to relive the painful restaurant merry-go-round that we went through the last time we got together in NYC in 2011.
23kidzdoc
Hi, Zoë! I'm glad that you'll be coming. I'm not completely certain if I'll keep to my plans to go to Book Culture before and the Brooklyn Museum after we meet. I've been dealing with a moderate URI (upper respiratory infection) and another asthma flare up this week, which has kept me indoors. I think I'll be fine by Sunday, but I may want to go back to Penn Station after lunch if I'm still significantly symptomatic.
24Chatterbox
I'll probably meet you later just for coffee, so please don't wait for me in terms of ordering. I will need to eat something, so will grab something that I know I can eat without problems and then meet you guys. I'm meeting a non-LT friend, Tammi, for "The Audience" at Symphony Space -- is anyone else thinking of going? I certainly don't want to be responsible for causing some kind of kerfuffle relating to restaurants, and apologize that that is the way that sounded. But given the frequency of migraines & the prevalence of food triggers, combined with the fact that I'll have two four-hour trips that day, I really can't take the risk of either skipping a meal or eating something that could cause problems for me later. I called this place, and they told me they can't accommodate custom orders (like an omelette without onions or cheese) during peak periods like brunch, unfortunately. Last month, I lost a total of 13 days to migraines and as I'm sure you understand with your asthma, Darryl, I don't want to do things that increase the risk.
25kidzdoc
>24 Chatterbox: Sounds good, Suz.
I've updated the attendee list in message #1 to reflect who is coming. Eight of us are definite, and Bob (vpfluke) and his wife may join us later.
I would suggest that we meet in front of Jacob's Pickles at or before noon, and from there we can decide where we want to eat. I have cell phone numbers for everyone except Bob, and I'll send private messages to each of you shortly, so that we can touch base with each other if need be.
See you soon!
I've updated the attendee list in message #1 to reflect who is coming. Eight of us are definite, and Bob (vpfluke) and his wife may join us later.
I would suggest that we meet in front of Jacob's Pickles at or before noon, and from there we can decide where we want to eat. I have cell phone numbers for everyone except Bob, and I'll send private messages to each of you shortly, so that we can touch base with each other if need be.
See you soon!
26ffortsa
Oh, I didn't mean to start anything either - I was just letting everyone know that we like Fred. The reservation is worth a lot on a Sunday in that area, definitely. Suz, I'm surprised that this place can't accommodate a simpler dish than is on the menu. But I'm glad you can make it for coffee.
27kidzdoc
Today's LT meet up began at Book Culture, a superb academic and general bookshop on 112th St between Broadway and Amsterdam Ave, which is affiliated with nearby Columbia University. Jane, Judy and Jim bought only one book each. I, on the other hand, showed my usual lack of restraint and bought eight books:
Mom & Me & Mom by Maya Angelou (a gift for my mother)
The Bridge of Beyond by Simone Schwarz-Bart
The Sculptors of Mapungubwe by Zakes Mda
Hypothermia by Álbaro Enrigue
Operation Massacre by Rodolfo Walsh
Rice: Poems by Nikky Finney
We Will Shoot Back: Armed Resistance in the Mississippi Freedom Movement by Akinyele Omowale Umoja
Unprecented: The Constitutional Challenge to Obamacare by Josh Blackman
From there we took the 1 subway to 86th St station and walked to Jacob's Pickles, a Southern themed restaurant on Amsterdam Ave between 84th & 85th St, where we met Katherine, Peg and Zoë; Bob and Suz joined us later.
Here are the photos I took; Zoë took several others
Left to right: Jane (janepriceestrada), Peggy (plt), Bob (vpfluke)
Left rear to right front: Bob, Katherine (qebo), Jim (magicians_nephew), Judy (ffortsa)
Left to right: Suz (Chatterbox), Zoë (_Zoe_)
It was a very busy and lively restaurant, and I think we all enjoyed our meals. I had the salmon platter, a Southern variation that consists of smoked salmon, cream cheese, onions, etc. on a biscuit pancake in place of a bagel, cheese grits, and Abita root beer.
Jane decided to get pickles to give to friends of hers, and I thought I would get some, too. I thought I had ordered a jar of four different pickles; however, our waiter brought a large bag which contained five jars of pickles (one jar served as lagniappe, since the restaurant was out of one type of pickle). So, my parents and I will be eating little more than pickles for the next week; all recipes containing pickles, including stews, soups, cakes and pies, would be greatly appreciated.
From there we walked to a secondhand bookshop (name?) on Broadway near 81st Street, and we all went our separate ways from there. It was a short meet up, but a very enjoyable one, on a perfect late summer Sunday afternoon in NYC.
Mom & Me & Mom by Maya Angelou (a gift for my mother)
The Bridge of Beyond by Simone Schwarz-Bart
The Sculptors of Mapungubwe by Zakes Mda
Hypothermia by Álbaro Enrigue
Operation Massacre by Rodolfo Walsh
Rice: Poems by Nikky Finney
We Will Shoot Back: Armed Resistance in the Mississippi Freedom Movement by Akinyele Omowale Umoja
Unprecented: The Constitutional Challenge to Obamacare by Josh Blackman
From there we took the 1 subway to 86th St station and walked to Jacob's Pickles, a Southern themed restaurant on Amsterdam Ave between 84th & 85th St, where we met Katherine, Peg and Zoë; Bob and Suz joined us later.
Here are the photos I took; Zoë took several others
Left to right: Jane (janepriceestrada), Peggy (plt), Bob (vpfluke)
Left rear to right front: Bob, Katherine (qebo), Jim (magicians_nephew), Judy (ffortsa)
Left to right: Suz (Chatterbox), Zoë (_Zoe_)
It was a very busy and lively restaurant, and I think we all enjoyed our meals. I had the salmon platter, a Southern variation that consists of smoked salmon, cream cheese, onions, etc. on a biscuit pancake in place of a bagel, cheese grits, and Abita root beer.
Jane decided to get pickles to give to friends of hers, and I thought I would get some, too. I thought I had ordered a jar of four different pickles; however, our waiter brought a large bag which contained five jars of pickles (one jar served as lagniappe, since the restaurant was out of one type of pickle). So, my parents and I will be eating little more than pickles for the next week; all recipes containing pickles, including stews, soups, cakes and pies, would be greatly appreciated.
From there we walked to a secondhand bookshop (name?) on Broadway near 81st Street, and we all went our separate ways from there. It was a short meet up, but a very enjoyable one, on a perfect late summer Sunday afternoon in NYC.
28SqueakyChu
Glad you had fun! Thanks for the pics, Darryl.
Looking forward to the DC meet-up at the end of this month. See you all soon!! :)
Looking forward to the DC meet-up at the end of this month. See you all soon!! :)
29ffortsa
Thanks to Darryl who inspired this meetup and Peg who found us this very interesting place to meet. Book Culture left me moaning about all the books I don't have time to read - it is a lovely place, and according to its website, it has a slightly less academic branch only two blocks away! Very dangerous.
30plt
It was so lovely to meet you all in person. The afternoon was a lot of fun and I'm looking forward to doing it again sometime soon! Thank you Darryl for coordinating this fun afternoon.
31Chatterbox
Sorry it was such a rush... But "The Audience" was definitely worth seeing, especially at the price! (only $22; when I was in London, scalpers wanted 190 quid for a single seat...)
Confess that I'm so overwhelmed by books that I can't face the prospect of buying more right now. At least, not deliberately succumbing to temptation by walking into a bookstore...
Confess that I'm so overwhelmed by books that I can't face the prospect of buying more right now. At least, not deliberately succumbing to temptation by walking into a bookstore...
32kidzdoc
>28 SqueakyChu: You're welcome, Madeline. Sorry that I won't join you guys in DC later this month, but I look forward to plenty of photos from LT's favorite shutterbug (Zoë) and descriptions of the book festival.
>29 ffortsa: Yes, a big thanks to Peg for making reservations in advance for Jacob's Pickles, which was packed at the time we met there. The line for the Popover Café extended out the front door when we passed by it, so we probably wouldn't have gotten a table for eight people there.
>30 plt: It was great to met you, Peg, and I look forward to meeting you again in NYC in the near future!
>31 Chatterbox: I'm glad that you also enjoyed the NT Live re-broadcast of The Audience, Suz. I'd highly recommend it to anyone who has the chance to see it, in NYC or elsewhere.
>29 ffortsa: Yes, a big thanks to Peg for making reservations in advance for Jacob's Pickles, which was packed at the time we met there. The line for the Popover Café extended out the front door when we passed by it, so we probably wouldn't have gotten a table for eight people there.
>30 plt: It was great to met you, Peg, and I look forward to meeting you again in NYC in the near future!
>31 Chatterbox: I'm glad that you also enjoyed the NT Live re-broadcast of The Audience, Suz. I'd highly recommend it to anyone who has the chance to see it, in NYC or elsewhere.
33qebo
27: lagniappe
Well I learned a new word. I was on the train home when I read this post and I had to look it up.
Here's a recipe for pickle cupcakes.
Well I learned a new word. I was on the train home when I read this post and I had to look it up.
Here's a recipe for pickle cupcakes.
34janemarieprice
So nice to see/meet all of you. Secondhand shop on 81st is Westsider Used Books. Anyone snag anything good there?
35magicians_nephew
I bought two books at Book Culture BTW.
Enjoyed talking with qebo and enjoying a perfect day in the neighbourhood
Enjoyed talking with qebo and enjoying a perfect day in the neighbourhood
37qebo
36: 137 of those are one member, a cancer resource library in Louisiana: "Items may be checked out for 4 weeks and renewed as needed. Many items are provided "lagniappe" and may be kept." Sez Wikipedia: "The word entered English from the Louisiana French adapting a Quechua word brought in to New Orleans by the Spanish creoles.". Perfect.
Not to digress or anything.
Not to digress or anything.
39kidzdoc
>33 qebo: I first heard the word lagniappe when I moved to New Orleans to attend Tulane University. It generally means an extra something that is given to a customer for free after a purchase. The best example is the baker's dozen, where the person gets an extra doughnut (or roll, muffin, etc.) after purchasing 12 of them. In this case I paid for four jars of pickles, but was given an extra jar of sour pickles because the restaurant was out of one of the types that I had requested (I assume Jane also received an extra container as well, since we ordered the same thing).
Pickle cupcakes? Sure, why not.
>34 janemarieprice: I think only Bob and Zoë went into Westsider Used Books. I was originally going to go in, but I felt overloaded with my tote bag filled with books from Book Culture, and especially the bag filled with jars of pickles.
>35 magicians_nephew: Ah; I thought I was the only one of the four of us who bought more than one book at Book Culture. BTW my mother, who doesn't read very much, is loving Mom & Me & Mom by Maya Angelou, which I bought for her there. She'll finish it tonight, if she hasn't already done so.
It was a great day to spend outdoors in NYC. The Upper West Side is my favorite neighborhood in Manhattan, so I'm glad that we decided to meet there.
>36 vpfluke:-38 Lagniappe is one of my favorite words, so I'm glad to share it with others.
Pickle cupcakes? Sure, why not.
>34 janemarieprice: I think only Bob and Zoë went into Westsider Used Books. I was originally going to go in, but I felt overloaded with my tote bag filled with books from Book Culture, and especially the bag filled with jars of pickles.
>35 magicians_nephew: Ah; I thought I was the only one of the four of us who bought more than one book at Book Culture. BTW my mother, who doesn't read very much, is loving Mom & Me & Mom by Maya Angelou, which I bought for her there. She'll finish it tonight, if she hasn't already done so.
It was a great day to spend outdoors in NYC. The Upper West Side is my favorite neighborhood in Manhattan, so I'm glad that we decided to meet there.
>36 vpfluke:-38 Lagniappe is one of my favorite words, so I'm glad to share it with others.