I love going to a matinee performance in New York City.  You still have the whole evening to enjoy a leisurely dinner at a favorite restaurant or try a new one.

We left the performance of Jersey Boys and headed back to the hotel to change for dinner. However, we got a little side tracked, and decided to have a cocktail on the Surrey Hotel’s observation deck and watch the sunset. The observation deck was extremely busy, so we offered to share a table with another couple. As it turned out, they were from Santa Monica, California. They were in New York City for a few days visiting relatives and to pick up their children in a camp in upper state New York.

During the conversation, the man mentioned that they live in California because he is a screen writer. After a bit of probing (one of my many talents), we found out that he was dominated for an Academy Award for “Toy Story”. Not to be outdone, his wife is an art photographer had has her work displayed in galleries on the East and West Coast.

Now tell me that is not exactly the experience you would expect when visiting New York City!

Oh, and not to be forgotten...we had a wonderful dinner at an Italian (image that!) restaurant not far from the hotel.  The Sant Ambroeus at 1000 Madison Avenue.  This Italian restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner and has an irresistible bakery.  www.santambroeus.com I love going to a matinee performance in New York City.  You still have the whole evening to enjoy a leisurely dinner at a favorite restaurant or try a new one.

We left the performance of Jersey Boys and headed back to the hotel to change for dinner. However, we got a little side tracked, and decided to have a cocktail on the Surrey Hotel’s observation deck and watch the sunset. The observation deck was extremely busy, so we offered to share a table with another couple. As it turned out, they were from Santa Monica, California. They were in New York City for a few days visiting relatives and to pick up their children in a camp in upper state New York.

During the conversation, the man mentioned that they live in California because he is a screen writer. After a bit of probing (one of my many talents), we found out that he was dominated for an Academy Award for “Toy Story”. Not to be outdone, his wife is an art photographer had has her work displayed in galleries on the East and West Coast.

Now tell me that is not exactly the experience you would expect when visiting New York City!

Oh, and not to be forgotten...we had a wonderful dinner at an Italian (image that!) restaurant not far from the hotel.  The Sant Ambroeus at 1000 Madison Avenue.  This Italian restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner and has an irresistible bakery.  www.santambroeus.com