Tuesday, 15 April, 2014 – USA Food and Wine Tour

Yes, it has been raining over night and continues to do so. It is our second last day, really the last for any functions. It is a totally free day with a grand finale of another 3 Star restaurant tonight.

The morning walk was cancelled so we all make it up to Breakfast.

Julie had gone to a pharmacist to get some stuff for her health problems. The pharmacist recommended that She go to a Doctor not too far away instead. So she leaves Breakfast early to go to a Doctor’s place near Eatitaly from the first day. Later on Jeremy and Chris also go up there. She is analysed as having Bronchitis and prescriptions for $200 worth of various drugs. This does not stop her from prancing around the shops. She finally gets back to the Hotel about 3:30.

There had been lots of ideas on what we might do on this last day off but the weather has scotched most of them. The team, sans us and the sick Boys, decide to go up to the Guggenheim. They are taking off at Noon and it becomes convenient for me to join them for a ride in a Taxi up there. All I want to do is take pictures of the outside. When I get there, I can’t get really good angles as the building is crowded in amongst others.

I don’t go inside, sorry Peter, but take the subway back towards the Hotel. I get off at 23rd Street where there is a diner that Julie had mentioned. I got the gourmet treat of the trip (NOT), a couple of small hot dogs and a coke for the princely sum of $3.50. I took a photo but somehow seem to have lost it.

While in the room, the maid knocks on the door to clean it. I go down to the Lobby where there is a welcoming fire lit.

Since it is to be our last night, I would like to say a few more words about the Hotel. This place has been great, there were some photos on the first day that show what I mean. One of its features is its large art collection, supposedly worth $30 million or more. It features Andy Warhol paintings among others. Refer to: http://www.gramercyparkhotel.com/hotel/art_collection. Of all the Hotels we have stayed in New York City, I think I rate the Sherry Netherland marginally higher but GPH has been very good too.

http://www.gramercyparkhotel.com/

Tonight we are going for our last Supper at the 3 Michelin Star ‘Eleven Madison Park’. Our final grand dinner. Six courses paired to wines by our private Sommelier. Jacket required. Our gourmet de-briefing.

http://elevenmadisonpark.com/

[[Loyal readers, you probably are wondering – “What has happened to the Blog?” There has been nothing for 12 days. Especial apologies to the Tour Group who are no doubt hanging on for the finish of at least the NYC part. Any way, here goes again.]]

We meet in the lobby to make the shortish walk to our 3 star restaurant of the night. The weather has turned cold, wet and miserable. I was the only one dumb nough not to bring an umbrella. We finnaly reach 11 Madison and are escorted to our private room upstairs.

Before the food service, Colin asked the group to nominate their two favourite meals of the tour. There were a number of interesting choices but I think the general agreement was for the Korean Fusion and Per Se. Julie of course threw in Russ & Daughters (not on the official tour).

The following is a cascade of the matched wines served with the courses.

Prizes were awarded during the meal:

* The tour of the Kitchen with Doug – Christopher Leddy

* Emily – went to Di

* The Autograph Book – door prize won by Julie

Most that I talked to were disappointed in 11 Madison, perhaps in comparison with some of the other stars. However, going over these pictures, I began to appreciate it more. The service was fantastic, the matched wines providing good variety and the food quite well presented and pretty good. I still think Per Se was more interesting but this was quite OK too.

Any way, while we were eating it began to snow outside. So we walked back in the cold, the wind, the rain and the snow.