NYC IN SEPTEMBER
NYC in September, the best time of the year to explore, renew and experience “the city that mesmerizes visitors from all over the world.” NYC has it all … it’s thriving, despite many challenges, is safer than it’s ever been (the crime statistics have improved exponentially) and it offers something, actually, many things for everyone: every culture, every age, and every person who is ready to enjoy it! Follow us on our NYC mini week in September and plan a day’s outing, or better yet, a week’s outing. You will not be disappointed.
First stop: Shaver Hall, located in Midtown on 38th St. & 5th Avenue. The location might sound familiar, it’s the home of the flagship location department store, Lord & Taylor. After being closed for almost 6 years, the ground floor was transformed into a 35,000 sq. ft. food hall in 2026, featuring 11 food vendors and three restaurants. Dorothy Shaver was a well-known leader of the fashion industry and became president of Lord & Taylor in 1945. She was the first woman in the United States to head a multimillion-dollar firm and was given a salary of $110,000. This was the highest salary on record for an American woman at that time, although it was noted that the salary was only a quarter of what some similarly placed male CEOs earned. I’m happy to say however, that her salary was commensurate with what Lord & Taylor paid its top executives. I knew I liked that store, ever since my mother and I spent many Saturdays in the city to do some clothing shopping. Lord & Taylor, B’Altman, Saks Fifth Avenue and Bloomingdale’s were our stores of choice, all within a square mile in the heart of NYC.
Shaver Hall has two memorabilia walls featuring photos of the former department store, fashions from that era, and historical letters from Dorothy Shaver. The central bar is lively, surrounded by TV screens, with larger screens and a stage at the front of the hall. Vince and I enjoyed ramen from Tonchinette while watching the final set of the U.S. Open women’s quarterfinal tennis match. The ramen was excellent. The food hall offers a wide range of cuisines, with fairly priced menu items, and the guests seemed very pleased. It was a young, diverse crowd, many working on laptops—very much in keeping with the times and the NYC vibe.
Why not hop into a cab and shoot up to Bloomingdale’s, my home away from home, my first job, from 1974, straight out of high school to 1980. Walking around the store always brings back fond memories and the beginning of my understanding of retail business, innovation in fashion and the power of boutiques and imports. I explained to Vince, that back in the late 70’s, Bloomingdale’s was the first department store to travel the world and import from many countries, including shoes, clothing, and home furnishings. They made their name with their import concept and creating boutiques within the fashion floors by designer. Ralph Lauren was one of the first to have his own boutique on the 3rd floor, along with all the best. Ralph Lipshitz (Lauren) made his name and gained his fame at the Bloomingdales, on 59th/60th St. & 3rd/Lexington Ave. – a full square block. Don’t miss it on your next visit to the city.
On our way back to our apartment, we stopped in Shun Lee Palace, a fine Chinese Cantonese style restaurant for a quick drink, with our favorite waiter, Chaun. The restaurant was recently renovated and has a wall of memorabilia of celebrities who have dined there. They have a wonderful, happy hour from 12-5PM every day.
Our evening began with an Uber to So & So’s Piano Bar, located at the heart of Hell’s Kitchen on 52nd St & 8th Ave. It’s a hidden gem for nightlife enthusiasts, locals, and theatergoers enjoying live entertainment in a supper-club atmosphere. The menu is interesting with creative cocktails and classic continental dishes with a playful twist. Vince and I enjoyed a cocktail and a grilled gem salad, as we listened to some fine live piano jazz-like music.
Off we went to a favorite restaurant of ours, Osteria Delbianco, on 49th St off Madison Avenue. At this time of year, the US Open tennis stars frequent this restaurant for dinner with their team and family during their off the court time. Spotting Tien in the crowd while watching the women’s semi-finals match at the bar was a treat, as we enjoyed traditional northern Italian fare.
Our next day started out with Vince having some zoom work calls and me doing my daily morning reading and writing. We headed to Woodbury Commons Outlet, about an hour’s drive from midtown Manhattan. There is an area with the higher end brands, which is different than most outlet malls. We both did a bit of shopping, not too much and were pleased. It’s a lovely drive, too soon for the foliage, and got hairy as soon as we entered NYC on the FDR drive. Is there ever NO traffic???
We returned to Osteria Delbianco for another fine Italian meal. We love that restaurant, feels authentic from northern Italy. Unfortunately, we left a bit too early; Carlos Alcaraz and his dad, mom and brother stopped in for dinner. He’s very engaging with the crowd, as they applaud him.
The Roxy Hotel, downtown, bordering SoHo and Tribeca (triangle below Canal) is a hot spot for sure. It is an electric destination for music, film and art enthusiasts; it’s a hub of creativity. The Hotel houses several venues including the Roxy Bar, The Django Jazz Club, Roxy Café and Roxy Cinema New York. The Roxy Barcaters to the action-seekers, attention-getters and dynamic movie and financial world customers. Their motto is: “Fare and Music that Hits All the Right Notes.”
Vince and I enjoyed an Old-Fashioned cocktail while listening to some good jazz music, surrounded by a crowd of artsy and musical people. Another wonderful evening; Vince always finds the best places to experience in our favorite city.
Our next day was a day to catch up with some chores at our apartment, phone calls and daily emails and reading and writing. I’m grateful for our 2-bedroom apartment; it’s a good size, very easy and comfortable. We are fortunate to have a large terrace with a view looking to the East River and West at the Empire State Building. I enjoy the simplicity of our NYC home and being in the heart of the city, with several transportation options to reach other districts and neighborhoods.
Our friends joined us at our apartment for some lite bites this afternoon. They were on their way to the US Open, and we had a much sought after dinner reservation at Casa Cruz. Casa Cruz is a beautiful 6 story townhouse on 61 St. off Madison Avenue. It’s beautiful, was the family home of the Cruz’s, transformed into a private club. It now has two floors remaining as a private club, including a rooftop (the only one in the neighborhood,) and the 2nd floor’s bar, very comfortable yet an elegant atmosphere, featuring meticulously designed cocktails. One of the floors is dedicated to a few different rooms for private parties.
We enjoyed a fine dinner on the third floor, a beautiful room, with Brazilian cherrywood paneling and copper finishes, in Beaux Art’s style. The experience is intimate, comfortable, redefines elegance with fine service and inventive and meticulously crafted menu items, prepared by Michelin-starred chef John Fraser. The best way to describe this Manhattan dining experience: It’s an Upper East Side classic menu infused with global influences.
A must visit, and certainly a repeat visit is in our future. It was a lovely evening with my guy Vince, on the cuso of our 41st anniversary. Another wonderful NYC week with new experiences and notable places to enjoy. We’ll be back soon; always love our time in NYC, the greatest city on Earth.
Occupying a historic six-story Beaux-Arts townhouse on Manhattan’s Upper East Side, Casa Cruz Occupying a historic six-story Beaux-Arts townhouse on Manhattan’s Upper East Side, Casa Cruz New York epitomizes refined elegance. The meticulously designed interiors boast an array of Occupying a historic six-story Beaux-Arts townhouse on Manhattan’s Upper East Side, Casa Cruz New York epitomizes refined elegance. The meticulously designed interiors boast an array of Occupying a historic six-story Beaux-Arts townhouse on Manhattan’s Upper East Side, Casa Cruz New York epitomizes refined elegance. The meticulously designed interiors boast an array of intimate dining rooms, sophisticated bars, and versatile event spaces alongside the neighborhood’s only year-round rooftop. The culinary vision of Michelin-starred chef John Fraser offers a menu that is both inventive and meticulously crafted. Paired with masterfully designed cocktails and a curated wine list, Casa Cruz presents an unparalleled experience—one that redefines dining in Manhattan.
intimate dining rooms, sophisticated bars, and versatile event spaces alongside the neighborhood’s only year-round rooftop. The culinary vision of Michelin-starred chef John Fraser offers a menu that is both inventive and meticulously crafted. Paired with masterfully designed cocktails and a curated wine list, Casa Cruz presents an unparalleled experience—one that redefines rooms, sophisticated bars, and versatile event spaces alongside the neighborhood’s only year-round rooftop. The culinary vision of Michelin-starred chef John Fraser offers a menu that is both inventive and meticulously crafted. Paired with masterfully designed cocktails and a curated wine list, Casa Cruz presents an unparalleled experience—one that redefines dining in Manhattan.
New York epitomizes refined elegance. The meticulously designed interiors boast an array of intimate dining rooms, sophisticated bars, and versatile event spaces alongside the neighborhood’s only year-round rooftop. The culinary vision of Michelin-starred chef John Fraser offers a menu that is both inventive and meticulously crafted. Paired with masterfully designed cocktails and a curated wine list, Casa Cruz presents an unparalleled experience—one that redefines dining in Man
Great time in NY!