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Published: June 13th 2017
Geo: 40.7528, -73.9853
DAY FIVE
River Café, Brooklyn
Our plans were altered dramatically on Sunday morning. The bombing the night before and the discovery of additional bombs throughout the area, closed bridges, roads and subway stations so we were concerned about logistics and timing.
Our original plan: Mass at St. Patrick's Cathedral with Cardinal Dolan (formerly of St. Louis) at 10:15, brunch at River Café in Brooklyn at 11:30, return to the condo by 3 to retrieve luggage and use Uber to get to Laguardia.
Our revised plan: Mass at nearby St. Malachy (see photo from Day One) at 9 am, return to condo and transfer ourselves and our bags by Uber to the River Café, then take Uber directly to the airport. The revised plan worked without a minute to spare. It turns out that because of the bombing, TSA precheck was off and security was on higher alert. So it all worked out in the end.
Mass at Saint Malachy was lovely. And the music was provided by professionals who work in the theatre district. Pretty good substitute for Archbishop Tim.
Our Uber experience in NY was iffy. We were a large crowd (6) so we had to have an XL SUV (Suburban, Yukon, etc.). Seems 
River Cafe entrance
Thanks to those who recommended River Cafe: John Foley, Jill Noel and Nancy Ackenhausen (all Maritz friends), Lee Gunn (whose children are in the theatre/entertainment business) and Anne Grutkowski (Florida neighbor from Connecticut who spends a lot of fun times in NYC with her sister). the quote only matched actual 2 of 3 times. Some might have been Uber-user error. I am in the process of appeal on two issues. Our ride from our condo to River Café was $130! It was an 11-mile trip downtown and across the river. 30 minutes max on Sunday. It was quoted at $78 ($15/person). Trip took 60 minutes and a lot more money.
But let's face it, almost everything in NYC was expensive. A pack of cigarettes at the local market was $14! Taxi ride across town mid-afternoon (about 15 blocks) was $25 with tip. We were continually amazed.
But there were also bargains. Fallon and Live with Kelly were free. The Halal Guys' food was under $10/person. We ate breakfast in, which saved us a bundle. Even “The Humans” tickets were half-price due to a Broadway Week two-for-one special.
What was NOT a deal but was so worth it was brunch at River Café on Water Street in Brooklyn, looking at the Manhattan skyline. The restaurant has been there a while and hasn't always been as upscale as it is now. Many said it was reasonable but I guess they haven't looked at the menu recently. Dinner is a
PRIX FIX $125. Brunch was $55. We opted for the Sunday brunch and were delighted.
Truthfully, although it cost us a lot for the food and the transportation, most of us would choose to go back. It was a lovely experience.
The restaurant, located under the Brooklyn Bridge, has grounds that are exquisitely landscaped, with a garden, a flowered wall (see photos) and many, many plants in the lobby and restaurant.
The restaurant is quite formal – most guests were dressed up for the occasion. The staff certainly was too. There were fresh flowers on the table, beautiful china place settings and live piano music.
Our brunch included a choice of an appetizer and an entrée. And we all were served an egg custard with fresh banana and granola in a fresh egg shell before we even ordered.
There were probably 10-12 appetizers and 10-12 entrees. Appetizer selections included Scottish salmon, steak tartare, pork belly, foie gras, crisp duck egg, scallop ceviche and more. Entrée selections included lobster, branzino, mushroom Wellington, Niman Ranch strip steak, waffle eggs Benedict, French Onion omelet and more. We even ordered the signature Brooklyn Bridge dessert, a delicious concoction of chocolate and raspberry.
A second Uber SUV promptly delivered us to
Farewell photo at River Cafe
Siobhan Brace, Kathy Leach, me, Kathryn Snodgrass, Debby Fleming Wurdack Laguardia. It's under construction, of course; I've been traveling there 45 years and it has NEVER not been under construction. But the additional complication this day was the aftermath of the Saturday bombing. All TSA-precheck privileges were gone and lines were longer. We were pleased we had arrived early.
The flight back to St. Louis was uneventful – we like it that way. We bid our friends farewell and we look forward to deciding on a destination to celebrate Vanna's 60th in two years. Kathryn has suggested Tahiti. Whaddya think?
Updates:
Uber just notified me they have credited me for the overage; the charge has reverted to the $78 quote. “Awesome. Wow.” – with a nod to King George.
CNN headline Monday afternoon: “NY, NJ bombings: Suspect found sleeping outside bar, survives shootout”. New Yorkers breathe easier.
StubHub just sent me a survey, asking how pleased I was with their ticket service. Really?
I asked for a partial refund for panic and inconvenience. Stayed tuned.
Hamilton notations: “You'll Be Back.”
Hamilton audiences adore King George III, the mad king who prances on stage, singing songs reminiscent of the British Invasion of the 1960s. OK, they sound like they were written by John and Paul in their early days.
In his first appearance, George sings a sort of “break up” letter to the colonists, saying he's loves them (you're my favorite subjects!) and telling them that when they are over this revolutionary nonsense, “You'll be back.”
“And when push comes to shove, I will send a fully armed battalion to remind you of my love!”
In his second song, when the war is over and America has won, George queries:
"What comes next?
You've been freed.
Do you know how hard it is to lead?
You're on your own.
Awesome. Wow.
Do you have a clue what happens now?"
His third and final song, about John Adams, is also a winner.
"They say George Washington's yielding his power and stepping away
'Zat true? I wasn't aware that was something a person could do."
My time with the girls, with Hamilton and King George, and with New York City (“The greatest city in the world,” according to The Schuyler Sisters) was ever so much fun. Like King George, New York is telling me, “You'll be back.” I am sure I will.
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Helen Kula
non-member comment
I am very glad that you were safe. It certainly concerned me to hear the news but not know how close or far you were.The trip seems to have been successful. I am so glad you and your friends enjoyed the adventures and celebrated the birthda
y.In two weeks I will be at NY airport. I guess I had better consider life without TSA. Should be used to it. There was no precheck in Scandinavia.