Cafe Luxembourg and The Grand Bazaar NYC

A few weekends ago, with this amazing mild weather, I headed into the city on a Sunday. I love Sundays in the city as they are usually very calming. I headed up to the Upper West Side for some breakfast, and shopping at the Grand Bazaar NYC flea market. 

The gorgeous building above, The Dorilton, was completed in 1902 at a cost of $750,000. The building had separate servant and passenger elevators, filtered water, separate tenant storerooms and a provision for charging electric automobiles. 

The one- to four-bedroom apartments, four to a floor and renting for $100 to $300 a month, had long halls, unusual paneling and mirrored bathrooms. But there was marginal closet space and a skimpy bath-to-bedroom ratio, both typical of early apartments. 

I really enjoyed staring at this building for a while before I walked on my way to breakfast. What an absolute gem! 

I had wanted to try Cafe Luxembourg for a while, so today was the day.  

My eggs benedict were okay. The potatoes were totally yummy, I just felt it should have been a bit more fabulous than it was. The atmosphere was very New York, many locals dine here as well as the tourists.  

Cute card with your bill! I hate to say I don't think I will be back, there are so many other places to try in this area for a meal, but I am glad I did visit.  

While walking to the Grand Bazaar NYC more lovely architecture along the way!  

I really loved the details here. This city is going to make me take a class in architecture! It makes you become so interested when you walk around a city where it surrounds you!  

Detail everywhere!  

This is up close detail of The Ansonia building, which does offer apartments to rent or buy, and once housed the fabulous Babe Ruth. If I won the lottery, I would look for an apartment here!  

                                                            I just love these types of chairs!  

We are now at The Grand Bazaar, which is located at West 77th Street between Columbus and Amsterdam Avenue. 

How fantastic are these coats? Love !!  

You will find a nice mix here, from vintage to artisans, and a great place for browsing!  

Just about anything can be found here!  

This was only $15 and if the colors were right, I would have bought it! What a steal! 

Who doesn't love a good vintage handbag?  

One of the great artisans at the bazaar is SPJ Jewelry who I was thrilled to meet. Her designs are very dainty, elegant and so unique. I purchased the rose gold earrings in this photo, they are just so darn lovely!  

It was hard not to purchase everything at this table!  

Love, love that half moon necklace. A great layering piece!  

For those who are looking for vintage jewelry, that can be found here as well. I was so proud of myself that I brought none home!  

Those cameos were talking to me, but I didn't listen!  

Fun vintage mixer!  

Records seem to be making a comeback, I see my local Barnes and Noble selling them now. That is pretty darn cool!  

I need to come back for some of these items, just love!  

This candle smelled AMAZING from Harlem Heirloom, I probably will be ordering from them online. I hate purchasing heavy items and then having to carry around all day.  

More original jewelry designs  

Very cool bag!  

Loved these designs with the Beatles, Snoopy and other famous characters  

Open every Sunday, 10am to 530pm

2017 Grand Bazaar Events

March 12 - NYC Food Truck Fest

April 2 - NYC Home Décor & Furniture Bazaar
April 30 - NYC Artisan Bazaar

May 7 - NYC Vintage Classics
May 14 - Mother’s Day

June 4 - International Food Bazaar

July 16 - NYC Artisanal Ice Cream Blizzard

August 20 - NYC Lemonade Challenge

September 10 - Annual Anniversary
September 24 - NYC Artisanal Jewelry Bazaar

October 15 - NYC Artisanal Sweet Treats Bazaar
October 29 - Scary Bazaar

November 12 - NYC Coat Drive Day

December 2, 3, 9, 10, 16, 17, 23  & 24 - Grand Holiday Bazaar

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My 12 Favorite Places in New York City

As much as I tell you to visit different places when in New York City, I do find certain places that I tend to go to on a regular basis when I am there. I usually get a bus in for the day, and the bus leaves me off around Madison Avenue and 48th Street. I tend to patronize places in that area for the convenience of it all. When you do find a place you like, say for dining, you feel comfortable going back because you know it’s wonderful. I do like the idea of walking in a place and knowing exactly where everything is, where to go and what to do. It just feels nice.

Le Pain Quotidien is for sure one of my faves. They have many locations in the city, and they are great for breakfast, lunch, dinner or a snack. Sometimes I don’t want to spend a large amount of money for dinner, or I just want something light, this is always a fantastic choice. I prefer this to say, Starbucks, because I have a Starbucks in my hometown, and I like to visit different places when in the city.

The Food Court at The Plaza Hotel is a place I visit pretty often. I love The Plaza, it’s so gorgeous and has so much history. I have had afternoon tea many times at the Palm Court, never been disappointed. The Food Court is so fun, I love all the selections, but prefer it on a weekday than the weekend, weekends are just so crowded. I like the newer places they have added, and still need to actually try a few of them yet. A nice varied selection of food items from caviar to pizza to crepes. My kind of place!

TopShop is a favorite shopping place. I was thrilled when they opened on Fifth Avenue, because the other location in Soho was not as convenient. They do sell online, but it is fun to pop in and see what new items they have available. I like this store because it's original, based in the UK, and they are not in too many US places. 

The Pomme Palais in The Lotte New York Palace hotel is a gem. The pastry and savory foods are to die for, and it’s a good place for me to grab a bite while waiting for my bus home. I also like to use their bathrooms, you must remember to use the hotel lobby bathrooms when needed. They are always going to be clean and you don’t have to worry about it at all. The crab cake sandwich is oh so tasty and a St Honore makes you grin from ear to ear.

Christie’s is one of my favorite places. A total gem of an auction house, so much history, and it’s FREE! The location in Rockefeller Center is very convenient, and you never know what you will find when you pop in the place. One time I went in, they were doing the auction for Roy Rogers and Dale Evans, I had the opportunity to see a stuffed Trigger! It was pretty darn amazing, and I was able to take photos as well which was even more awesome! I attended the historic Elizabeth Taylor auction at Christie’s, and it was something I will remember forever. It was epic, classic and just over-the-top. We had to pay to attend this one, it was well worth it, and I wished I had bought a second ticket to go one more time. The folks who work at Christie’s are some of the nicest people; they do not make you feel uncomfortable while admiring the historic items on display. If you are a jewelry lover, you can see some most amazing displays of gems, they almost look too much to be real!

Metropolitan Museum of Art is a place I have been going since I was a little girl. I can never get enough of it, and now that I am actually press for the museum, it blows my mind! It is such an honor to be press for one of the best museums in the world. Every exhibit is done with total class and elegance. I was lucky to see the Alexandar McQueen exhibit here, it was really more like an art exhibit than a fashion exhibit. The above photo was taken from the roof, a place when it is a nice day, is a MUST see! 

City Lobster and Steak is a frequent restaurant due to the location. I am a HUGE seafood lover, and their choices are always very yummy. They also offer pre-fixe selections for lunch and dinner, which is helpful if you are looking for a better meal deal. They are pretty popular for those seeing a Broadway show, but I think once you have dined here, you will be back for more. Their salmon just melts in your mouth! My faves are the City's Lobster Chowder, New England Jumbo Seared Scallops and Housemade Profiteroles. I am officially hungry now. (Update: Sad to say this wonderful place closed within the last year. Looking forward to what comes in it's place, but it will be sorely missed) 

Baked by Melissa is probably an obsession of mine. I guess I could be obsessed with worse things! These little cuppies are so darn tootin’ adorable! They make for a great gift to bring back to family and friends, which I do often. I like them because of their size, and they are such a nice small treat to enjoy. They have good taste as well, their February 2016 cupcake flavor is "Cannoli". Don’t be afraid to try the ones that are covered in chocolate, they are such a treat! I am going to be trying their new macarons soon, and cannot wait to tell you all about them. They have added more locations in the city, which makes it easier to pick them up to take home, or just eat while you walk around the city!

Grand Central Terminal is a classic New York City instutition. A great place for a bit of shopping as well as dining is why I love stopping here often. You will find wonderful choices for dining in the lower level, as well as the food market. The food market is great to purchase some items to take home, or back to your hotel to enjoy. I love the fact that you have all these top-notch selections under one roof, makes it easy for a group to dine if they are all looking for different cuisines. It’s a fun place to people watch as well, which I often do when just taking a break from walking all over the city.

Café Sabarsky – A MUST when you are in the Upper East Side, possibly visiting the Met perhaps. A coffee house as those found in Vienna, Austria. I am obsessed with anything Vienna, and I do need to visit there one of these days. This café is located in a museum, the Neue Galerie, home to the famous gold lady painting Adele Bloch-Bauer I (1907) by Gustav Klimt . You can have breakfast, lunch or an early dinner here. The desserts are works of art, makes you feel bad eating them, but you must and the savory is pretty darn good too! The way they present you the coffee is first class. I can’t recommend this place enough and I am anxious to visit again very soon!

Sant Ambroeus is an Italian heaven. I first experienced this place in the Hamptons location. I had dinner with a few friends while on a day trip there, and it was just out-of-this-world! Everything here is done right. They have a few locations in the city, one is near the Met which is a great option for dining before or after your visit. You will find pastries here that will blow your mind, and are fantastic to take home, or give as gifts to family and friends. You can enjoy breakfast, lunch or dinner here and with the nice selection of locations, you have some flexibility. I know you will thank me for alerting you to this place! Your welcome!

Bloomingdales and 40 Carrots is probably one of my most FAVORITE places in the city! I have been going here since I was a little girl, and it is still magical for me when I walk in those doors! Bloomies to me just screams NYC, and nothing beats going to their flagship shop on Lexington Avenue. Their accessory, handbag, jewelry and shoe departments are probably my favorites. 40 Carrots has evolved since I started going there, but I still feel they should have made it much larger. It is so busy most of the time, better on a weekday than a weekend, but it’s worth it to wait in line to enjoy a meal. The yogurt is heavenly, and the peanut butter has to be my favorite. I like the salad trio which gives you chicken, egg and tuna salad to enjoy. The pretzel rolls just make me smile. Whoever invented the pretzel roll, I thank you from the bottom of my heart!

What are your favorite "go-to" places in New York City ? 

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