A wonderful trip to New York and Washington in May 2008

Steph and Denis went to the US during our break in May, whilst Tiff held the fort. The highlight was meeting up with some Tiritiri Lodge guests.

Stopover in Los Angeles

We loved the Getty Centre, particularly Richard Meier’s architecture - enjoyed wandering around the building and the landscaping - some great use of Australian native plants. A highlight was a Mahler concert at the Frank Gehry designed Walt Disney Concert Hall We ate at Comme Ca in West Hollywood – a great recommendation from Travel+Leisure Magazine and it was superb.

New York

Apart from all the must do things in New York like shopping and art galleries (the Frick is still my favourite), some highlights were a dinner at Babbo’s with previous guests Charlie and Tina – what a fabulous restaurant – both the food and service were exceptional.

Caught up with friends - Jill and Michael Lester at Hell’s Kitchen - had the most marvellous food – a thick cut slow roasted pork chop that was so delicious. Jill is now CEO of the Hunger Project – such a wonderful initiative and is loving both the job and living in New York.

Wednesday was the most perfect day- the New York Botanic Gardens are a must see. A marvellous Darwin Exhibition which included a recreation of Charles Darwin's garden in the middle of a magnificent glass conservatory - so beautiful and an added bonus was the installation of a number of Henry Moore's sculptures in the gardens. Back into town for afternoon tea at Cafe Sabarsky in the Neue Gallerie - with real Viennese pastries!

We pretended to be Eloise and enjoyed a glass of champagne at the newly opened Rose Bar at the Plaza Hotel.

2 great musicals- Passing Strange which was very good and then after standing in the cancellation line for South Pacific at one minute to eight we got tickets!!! The show was the best thing I have ever seen - I was in seventh heaven.

De rigueur is a breakfast at Balthazar in Soho - a wonderful place where we caught up with Max, one of guests from last Christmas. Had wonderful oysters (Hama Hama) at the Oyster Bar under Grand Central Station.

We wandered up a street fair on 9th Avenue and found so much marvellous food we wanted to try everything from pirogis and a Cuban empanada of slow roasted pork to alligator sausages...

The finale was a superb dinner hosted by Max and Leyli at Wallse -an Austrian restaurant - the best Wiener Schnitzel I have ever eaten, stunning Austrian wines and for desert -Salzburger Nockerl with huckleberries - a magic concoction - so light – absolutely divine.

Amazing Washington

We were overwhelmed by the grandeur of the buildings, the magnificence of the collections in the array of amazing museums and the richness and depth of American history! Historic Georgetown was delightful – even a great cupcake shop and we found the best hat for Denis.

A private tour of both Congress and the White House, thanks to our guests Meredith and David, was so wonderful. They then joined us for our 28 th anniversary dinner at a fabulous Indian restaurant Rasika– it was all wonderful.

<< Back to Main Blog Page