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Friday, April 9, 2010

Simply Providential...



Bob and I are in NYC for business (Bob) and adventure (me). Several interesting things have happened to me that seem simply providential. We missed our morning flight out and were able to get on standby at noon. I sat next to a red headed woman that was very sweet. She was from Prescott and going to NY to help her daughter make dresses for her upcoming wedding in June. I told her about Kendras dress that I had made...
and Chelsees reception in my backyard (sorry, she has all the pictures). That got us on to gardening and soon discovered that we were both "Master Gardners"! The similarities in our lives were astounding! Truly a kindred spirit.
We then checked into the Meridian here in Manhattan. It was lovely enough but not very warm and inviting for me. The hallways were dark grey and blue lights and...well I felt like I was in a 1960's bar. Weird imagination. Luckily for us they only had a room for that night and so the next morning I packed up and booked a room and the Omni Berkshire. We have never stayed at this hotel in Manhattan but I love the Omni hotels so off I went with luggage in taxi. As I was walking back to the Omni later that afternoon I noticed a restaurant just two doors down from the Omni. I always look for the narrow frontage but deep restaurants. It usually means amazing food. I suggested as we headed out for dinner that night that we take a look. As we entered we were overwhelmed by the fresh florals that were everywhere! Each table had a small vase with a dozen flowers...roses, ranunculus, berries.
But the most stunning were the large cherrie branchs with full blooms reaching to the top of the ceilings with some white lilies at the base.
It was like stepping into a secret garden. It just took my breath away. The fragrance was amazing. I just kept closing my eyes and taking deep breaths to try and take it all in. We were some of the first people there and so the food aroma had not taken over yet. I would have never found this place if we had not had to move! Providential enough. The owner came to our table and talked all about his flowers. Every season the restaurant is transformed by whatever is in season. This is a must see if you are ever in NYC. The name oddly enough was simply "La Grenioulle" meaning The Frog.
Strange name for such an enchanting restaurant.

One more interesting point of interest. Across the street from the Omni was a
giant blown up rat and cockroach and men drumming on 5 gallon paint buckets.
I thought they were advertising a new Broadway show and ignored it. The problem is that it was all day and getting a bit annoying. Bob came home and said that it was the painters union harassing the hotel for hiring non-union painters. The union paid these guys for the week to stand outside and agitate guests with the noise. It was so disturbing to me to think that a hotel cannot hire who they want. The union will make you suffer if you don't use them. Pro union or not...that is just simply wrong. Is this the land of the free or not.
So today we are going to walk all round the park and see what we can see. I am very excited. Bob doesn't have any appointments today. This would be a first for us when we visit Manhattan. I'll post pictures of our day...