In search of Eggs Benedict

Day 3 with Anne and last full day in NYC :(

Having helped Anne decide that her luggage choice whilst not cheap, was rather splendid, we had to head out to actually purchase it and had decided to do so after breakfasting on eggs benedict at a local diner. We walked up Madison checking out possible venues and rather sadly, it looks as if eggs benedict was a 90's fad after all as we didn't have much joy in finding anywhere that cooked them :( However, sadness soon replaced by luggage purchase and the spots of rain motivated my own purchase of a particularly splendid and gadgety umbrella.

Toyed with the idea of seeking eggs benedict at the Waldorf as we knew it was close ... however not exactly sure where and given that it was raining and we were with luggage, there was a distinct probability of aimless wandering in the wet and my tummy wanted feeding ... now!

Plan B came into action and we walked the luggage back via a traditional diner that we had found on the way and breakfasted on coffee and pancakes with scrambled egg and bacon. Best coffee I'd had all month so whilst not as benedictine as might have been ideal, a good choice none the less.

So, back to the apartment, dumped the luggage and then hopped in a taxi for shopping part deux. Up to Tiff's to collect the newly lengthened pendant and then on to FAO Schwartz for some toy shopping. Complete with wiggly giggly etc, we headed to the sculpture garden for a small and friendly cup of tea. Strolled back via some other shops and found the downtown branch of Crate and Barrel ... so were forced to do some more shopping :) Headed back in time for a spot of relaxing ... or at least we would have if we'd been walking in the right direction - somehow I'd managed to take us due North rather than South and as time was wearing on, we hopped in a taxi to get us back in time. Brief relax and change and then on out for the evening - this time dining 65 floors up in the Rainbow room and then on to broadway for a show.

Anne was looking gorgeous as usual and so the Rainbow room was a most suitable venue for our last dinner in NY. Were forced to have a champagne cocktail and watch the sun set over Manhattan ... what excellent timing the meal turned out to be. Sadly the food didn't quite match the rest of the evening, more in my case than Anne's I think as I had to send mine back as (and my mum will NEVER believe this), the mash was cold and the vegetables distinctly luke warm! Actually they weren't much better the second time and I think it's safe to say that I would be reluctant to eat there again. Far better to pop in for a cocktail before an evening out I think - as the venue is indeed magnificent but the food is average to say the least. Maybe the a la carte is better than the pre-theatre ... but you'd assume the same chefs do the menu so perhaps not.

Anyway, the night was still young and we had a short walk to the St Jame's Theatre to see "The Producers". Just about made it in time as we'd talked rather too much over dinner (hmmm, no surprises there then) but as everyone else had also decided to arrive at the same time, it was clearly the thing to do. The theatre staff somehow managed to get us all in at the same time (it was an impressive bit of organisation) and a few minutes after we were seated, the lights dimmed and the show began.

I can't begin to tell you how much I laughed at the Nazi saluting dove!

Brilliant show and a great highlight of the trip.

We ambled back (along with what felt like the rest of the world) through times square and up 6th Avenue to the apartment. Lots of people in fancy dress heading out for Halloween parties.