Exploring Gramercy Park and Flatiron
Morning
Book-lovers should start on 12th Street, where
the city’s biggest used book-store, the Strand, is located at No. 828.
From here, head north up Broadway to Union Square, visiting the
Greenmarket
. Continuing up Broadway brings you to the Paragon Sports
superstore, 867 Broadway at 18th Street, and Fishs Eddy, 889 Broadway at
19th, selling all but indestructible vintage and new china. The
fascinating
ABC Carpet & Home
awaits at No. 888.
At the Flatiron Building, turn east to
Madison Square
, then have lunch at Tabla or the gourmet
11 Madison Park
. Several restaurants on “Curry Hill” also offer inexpensive lunches, including Pongal, No. 110, and Saravanaas at 81 Lexington Ave.
Afternoon
While you are in the neighborhood, check out the intriguing spices at Kalustyan’s, 123 Lexington Avenue.
More shops can be found on Fifth Avenue between
14th and 23rd streets, including Anthropologie, No. 85, Zara, No. 101,
Juicy Couture, No. 103, and H&M, No. 111.
End your day in the civilized oasis of the Gramercy Park neighborhood. Be sure to stroll
East 19th Street
, known as the “Block Beautiful,” for its handsome 1920s houses.
Statues and Monuments
George Washington
The
city’s first major outdoor statue was created in 1856 by Henry Kirke
Brown. The statue is a 14-foot (4.26-metre) equestrian figure on a
granite pedestal.
George Washington
Abraham Lincoln
This pensive figure by Henry Kirke Brown was commissioned shortly after the president’s assassination in 1865.
Marquis de Lafayette
A
larger-than-life 1873 statue of Lafayette pledging his heart to the
American Revolution by Frédéric-Auguste Bartholdi, creator of the Statue
of Liberty.
Marquis de Lafayette
Mohandas K (Mahatma) Gandhi
The
site for this 1986 statue of the hero of Indian independence was chosen
because the park was frequently the site of protest gatherings.
Edwin Booth as Hamlet
The
founder of the Players Club is shown in his most famous role, about to
give Hamlet’s soliloquy. The 1917 statue faces his former house.
Fantasy Fountain
Greg Wyatt’s 1983 smiling sun and moon flanked by dancing giraffes, from whose mouths water flows in warm weather.
Worth Monument
An
1850s obelisk marks the grave of the only public figure buried under
the streets of Manhattan, General Worth, hero of the Mexican Wars.
Farragut Monument
This
1880 memorial to a naval hero established Augustus Saint-Gaudens as the
nation’s foremost sculptor; Stanford White designed the base.
Chester Alan Arthur
Arthur
became the 21st President when James Garfield was assassinated. George
Edwin Bissell sculpted him in 1898, standing in front of an elaborate
chair.
William Seward
In
1876 Randolph Rogers immortalized the secretary of state under Lincoln,
best remembered for his much-criticized purchase of Alaska in 1867.
Restaurants
Union Square Café
One of New York’s most popular restaurants uses ingredients from the neighboring Union Square Greenmarket .
Gramercy Tavern
Unpretentious fine dining where the inventive American cuisine is universally praised. Great desserts .
11 Madison Park
Danny Meyer has made 11 Madison Square chic with his imaginative New American cuisine in an elegant Art Deco setting.
Tocqueville
French cuisine is prepared with Japanese touches in this hidden gem.
Tabla and Tabla Bread Bar
Another Danny Meyer success on Madison Square; New American with Indian seasonings, served in colorful surroundings.
Tabla Bread Bar
Blue Water Grill
The
ultra fresh seafood (plus sashimi and sushi rolls) isn’t the only draw;
there’s also the bustling sidewalk café, and downstairs jazz bar.
Olives
This
restaurant for the beautiful set is in the W Hotel. The menu features
modern Mediterranean dishes, and they serve afternoon tea.
Veritas
An amazing wine list is the big draw, but the New American cuisine is also outstanding. Reserve ahead.
Novitá
This chef-owned Northern Italian restaurant is warm and intimate. Try the pan-roasted sea bass with artichokes.
Craftbar
Tom
Collichio’s scaled-down version of Craft next door ives diners the
chance to experience the chef’s take on flavor, but at cheaper prices.
