Grand Central Terminal NYC hidden gems

I still get a thrill when I arrive at Grand Central Terminal. The physical, cathedral like grandeur of the space, plus the hustle and bustle of commuters, always combines to send an adrenaline rush up my spine.

I get myself mentally prepared too: "OK - stay alert; be prepared; up the pace". I find it energizing. 

Most tourists, who come to marvel at the architecture, focus on the beauty of the central plaza and the center clock, or perhaps the stunning gold constellations painted on the sky blue ceiling. Most commuters are too busy rushing to the platforms to make their trains back to the suburbs to stop and take note. It's a shame both groups often miss some of the hidden gems within the building, hidden in plain sight.

"The Campbell Apartment", cocktail bar and lounge, located on the upper level and "The Grand Central Oyster Bar and Restaurant" which is situated on the lower level, are two of these such gems.

"The Campbell Apartment" harks back to the era of prohibition speakeasies. Look for a small sign on the lower level in the terminal next to a bank of elevators that will take you there, or an unprepossessing entrance at 15 Vanderbilt Ave which leads up to it, via a flight of carpeted stairs.

It is totally worth the effort to seek it out. Like the "Tardis" from the Dr. Who television series, the small entrance belies a magical space inside. It is gorgeous.

Though its name suggests otherwise, it was in fact never an apartment, but was rented as an office by 1920's business tycoon John W Campbell from Vanderbilt, who built Grand Central. After the space had been abandoned for many years and fallen into disrepair, it was re-imagined and reopened in 1999 as a swanky cocktail lounge.

Its original architecture, ceiling, moldings and faux fireplace were all completely restored and a bar was installed along one side of the room under the magnificent leaded window.

It's the perfect location to meet friends, as I did there the other month, as long as they can find it! And once comfortably nestled on one of the red velvet couches, order their infamous "Prohibition Punch" and kick back a little. Relax.

"The Grand Central Oyster Bar and Restaurant" can be found on the lower level. 

The once grand space had similarly fallen into disrepair and the marble pillars and high vaulted ceiling had inexplicably been covered with wallpaper, until it was renovated and reopened under new ownership in 1974. 

The original restaurant, opened in 1913 - "The Oyster bar" - had been named for its oyster stew.  The new management updated the restaurant name and completely recreated the menu with emphasis on seafood. Since then it has won many awards both for its culinary expertise as well as its wines. It's a stunning space and I particularly enjoy tasting their selection of oysters on the half shell (they offer a selection of 25 to 30 different varieties) or sipping one of their potent Bloody Mary's.

Check out the "whispering gallery" phenomenon while you're down there too - the effect created by the arches. Who knows what other little secrets within the walls of the Grand Central Terminal will come to light...

"The Beauty Bar" - salon/saloon - NYC

Returning to NYC after a decade away, I am thrilled to find my old neighborhood local, The Beauty Bar, located at 231 East 14th Street (between 2nd and 3rd Ave) is still going strong.

Originally an old 1950's style beauty salon, it was re-imagined and converted into a "saloon" in 1995. The owner installed a bar, but kept all the chrome-dome hair dryers. It draws an eclectic crowd who enjoy the retro vibe. 

In keeping with the history, they also offer a $10 manicure service along with your martini, most nights from 6pm to 11pm.

And if you listen very carefully I'm sure you can hear the spirits of the original blue haired ladies gossiping in their curlers...

Ralph Lauren's Magic Trick

Greenwich Avenue, in Greenwich, Connecticut runs up a hill in the center of town and caters to those with serious money to spend. The residents of this zip code are some of the wealthiest in America, in fact, some of the richest in the whole world, and this avenue is a luxury shopper's paradise. I would say every single luxury brand has a presence here.

None is so prominent as the Ralph Lauren store though, pride of place right in the middle of them all at #265, which opened in November 2009 - incredibly - in the middle of the recession.

Ralph Lauren has created a store that resembles a Grand Residence. It is very imposing, with its Beaux Arts limestone facade, enormous arched front entrance, large windows and balconies with ornate metal work. Inside the nearly 19,000 square foot building, there is a large marble tiled hallway with a sweeping staircase leading to smaller "salon" style rooms on the upper level. 

Not only does the building resemble the kind of mansion that would not seem out of place in F. Scott Fitzgerald's novel "The Great Gatsby", of course the clothes and home interior products evoke that era too.

In Ralph Lauren stores, you have come to expect the merchandise will be beautifully styled, but here it is presented on a higher level all together. 

You feel like you are literally walking into someone's unbelievably fabulous life. I've never seen mannequins that look like they are lounging about in relaxation, but in the formal sitting room, this is exactly what they seem to be doing. Here is one casually leaning against an antiqued mahogany table or another seated in a languid pose, both dressed in the most gorgeous evening gowns. You almost feel like you need to apologize for rudely gate crashing and intruding upon the pre dinner cocktails and hors d'oeuvres they are clearly about to enjoy.

Above the fireplace and marble mantlepiece is a large TV screen that runs loops of the most current Ralph Lauren catwalk shows featuring beautiful models in stunning clothes walking in time to music.

Luxury brand and luxury lifestyle - fantasy and reality - all meshed together in one glamorous place. This is experiential marketing at its absolute finest. I am living and breathing the Ralph Lauren brand and I'm totally emotionally immersed. They're flaunting the American Dream on the grandest of scales.

It's a mesmerizing sales pitch and beautifully executed.

Don't Ban Bossy

Last week I questioned what I felt to be the rather off putting strident, scolding tone of Sheryl Sandberg's current YouTube "Ban Bossy" campaign.

In my blog "Very Bossy Pants"  (3/28/14), I pointed out how Tina Fey had in fact "owned" the word "bossy" - even having titled her April 2011 memoir "Bossy Pants" - and used humor to convey a feminist perspective. 

Today, I happened to find this quote by Tina Fey's friend and colleague Amy Poehler, which I just had to share. I think she makes a very succinct point. 

Of course, Amy being Amy - clever, witty and absolutely hilarious - she also invented a humorous feminist code to live by. Maybe Sheryl Sandberg could reboot her campaign with this as the new tag line? I think it would be far more effective. OK. I'm joking. Sort of...

The ABC's of eating in NYC

"ABC Cocina" opened last year. It's the latest and most affordable restaurant in acclaimed Michelin star chef Jean Georges Vongerichten's stable and I had been dying to go. 

It's housed inside the "ABC Carpet & Home" store on 19th street between Broadway and Park Ave South, and one of my dearest girl friends in NYC met me there for lunch last Friday.

First of all, "ABC Carpet & Home", situated just off Union Square, has always been how I'd imagine Aladdin's Cave would look. It's one of my favorite stores in NYC, as it's unrestrainedly fanciful with a hipster vibe. The first floor is the most interesting to me, having all sorts of eclectic collections of table top items; an amazing array of pillows; unusual clothing; beautiful stationary and one-of-a-kind vintage jewelry. All of these items are artfully and creatively displayed. You might glance in one direction and see a table set for a sushi dinner, with delicate cracked glass dishes and tiny dipping bowls in a range of pastel colors; or in another direction spy a mannequin with intricately carved wolf's head wearing a stunning burnt orange, funnel neck, nubby wool coat - (a wolf in sheep's clothing - get it !?!) - or in another, a large stone statue of Buddha.

It's a visual feast for the eyes, almost to the point of being overwhelming, and a great place to go and hang out and browse. It's pretty fabulous for people watching too - a few months ago I stepped back and nearly stood on the model Amber Valletta.

"ABC Cocina" is located behind stunning Art Deco style glass doors at the back of the first floor (or can be accessed directly from another entrance on the street on 19th).

In contrast to the store,  the decor is funky but minimalist cool. It features interesting light fixtures; distressed and textured concrete on the walls and smooth concrete on the table tops; and a dark beamed ceiling. The menu is inspired by Latin America and features small bites, meant for sharing. The portions are, in fact, perfect for two girlfriends to share for a light lunch. We were in a celebratory mood, and it was Friday, so we ordered oysters on the half shell and a glass each of rose champagne - a fantastic combination and such a treat. 

I had read a review that said the speciality of the house is their range of tacos, so we also ordered one each with sauteed mushrooms, chocolate mole sauce, limes and shredded kale; and one each featuring crunchy fish with aioli cabbage-chili pickle. The ingredients combined in such an incredible way that the flavors just burst on my tongue. The mushroom taco was dark and rich and earthy but the lime gave a little zing; the fish taco light and crispy, clean and fresh but with a little kick from the chili - both absolutely delicious.

The range of tacos - a speciality

Through the window facing onto 19th street, I could see it had started to rain again, a light grey, dreary drizzle. Inside, the restaurant was buzzing; our waiter attentive; our food transporting us miles away to a climate that was vibrant with color.

After lunch we wandered the store a little more and lingered in front of the vintage jewelry cabinets, happy to chat and browse before heading our separate ways on the subway - back to the real world.

Very Bossy Pants

Here's an old joke about feminists and about Feminism:

Q - "How many feminists does it take to change a lightbulb?"

A - "One. And that's NOT funny".

I was reminded of this, after reading Sheryl Sandberg's rather strident, self serious book "Lean In". And then again this week, watching her somewhat joyless YouTube infomercial featuring among others, Condoleezza Rice and Beyonce.

"Ban Bossy - I'm not Bossy. I'm the Boss" #banbossy

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6dynbzMlCcw

Here's my problem, have us feminists lost our funny bone as well as the rib?

Consider this old advertising adage: "Funny sells. As long as the audience smiles, they buy".

You see, it's too easy for a closed minded audience, already feeling defensive, to completely dismiss the tone of an earnest school m'am. But warm them up, make them laugh, make your point while their guard is down - Ah, now you're opening them up to a dialogue.

Case in point - back in April 2011, Tina Fey published a hilarious memoir "Bossy pants", which included the tag line "You're nobody until somebody calls you Bossy".

On the very first page: "If you are a woman and you bought this book for practical tips on how to make it in the male-dominated workplace, here they are: No pigtails, no tube tops. Cry sparingly. (Some people say "Never let them see you cry". I say, if you're so mad you could just cry, then cry. It terrifies everyone). When choosing sexual partners, remember: Talent is not transmittable. Also, don't eat diet food in meetings". 

So the question is this. Though feminist issues are serious, which tone of voice makes the message more palatable, easily digested and ultimately understood?

I know I'm listening to Tina...

Smarty Pants

How gorgeous does Emma Watson look in this photo? Well cut jacket and cigarette pants; the perfect white shirt; metallic clutch; simple black stiletto pumps; hair up; red lipstick. I mean, come on people! 

Her confidence and intelligence shine through - so smart and so stylish. 

And to think, only a few years ago she was saying this?

And only a few years further back she looked like this....