belated birthday celebrations in NYC

For my [very belated] birthday celebration my sister and I chose dinner and a show in New York City.

Our early dinner or merienda cena was at Épicerie Boulud - Chef Daniel Boulud’s eat-in and take-out market on Manhattan’s Upper West Side at Broadway and 64th Street. Since it was a glorious day, we changed our indoor reservations and opted for an outdoor table under their sidewalk parasols. 

We ordered their summer menu special which offers three courses for $25 each. My sister chose tomato gazpacho, chicken tagine and a trio of homemade gelatos – mango, dark chocolate and ricotta. I had grilled octopus, duande fish on a plank and a frozen grapefruit sorbet topped with floss-like sesame-flavoured tahini halvah. 

Every bite was a gastronomical delight! After dinner we bought a bag full of goodies from their take out section. 

From there it was a quick walk to the New York City Center to watch the Sydney Theatre Company production of Jean Genet’s “The Maids” with Cate Blanchett, Isabelle Huppert and Elizabeth Debicki performing. 

The beautifully restored 70 year old New York City Center

The NYC Center was built by the Ancient Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine in 1923. Known originally as the Mecca Temple, in 1943 it was transformed into the first NYC center for music, drama and performing arts by Mayor LaGuardia and City Council President Morris. In 2011, a two-phase renovation project costing $56 million was completed - restoring and modernizing this historic icon. 

Indeed a most fitting celebration of my 58^th birthday. Here’s to many many many more!