Catch It: Bluestone Lane Café

Posted on June 5, 2015 by W.D. Moore

Three things I adore: the blue sky, my antique stone dining table and sumptuous coffee. It is especially why I am enchanted with Central Park. I can enjoy the magnificence of the park while walking six miles.

Saturday past, I saw the Bluestone Lane coffee cart. It was kitty-corner to the Church of the Heavenly Rest (2 E. 90th Street, New York, NY 10128). The Australian-style coffee kiosk was holding court on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan.

I decided to take a short detour from trekking—so far five miles. I spoke to two charming ladies, Phoebe and Angela, about Bluestone Lane Café in its new location on the Upper East Side and my dear friends who lived in Sydney.

“Try our coffee,” Phoebe said.

“No, but I will another time,” I declared, “I have just one mile to go.”

Yesterday, I met my friend Amy for lunch at Bluestone Lane in Bryant Park. We sat at the counter, catching up on an Alumni event. I had a cappuccino with a Ham Wrap, and Amy sipped on her Scarlet Herbal tea and feasted on her Quinoa & Veggie Wrap.

“I like this café,” Amy said, “I never knew it was here.”

“I know,” savoring my delicious coffee.

Catch it if you can at www.bluestonelaneny.com

 

Posted in Australia, Cafes, Central Park, Coffee & Tea, Fifth Avenue, Museum Mile, Upper East Side | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Catch It: Photography of Life

Posted on May 1, 2015 by W.D. Moore

It is springtime and a great time to take in the passions of artists at NYU Tisch School of The Arts| Photography & Imaging (721 Broadway, New York, NY 10003).

Last week, I wondered in the ground level and took a visual voyage with a new wave of photographers from modern and memoir to historical and cultural.

The spirit of their creative eye is the beauty of a photographer’s life. And the collection of their experiences is fascinating for a lifetime.

Works By:

Rodrigo Cañedo-Gattegno

Mallory Corr

Mark Davis

Emily Doerner

Lindsay He

Layla Kovacevic

Saskia Kivilo

Melanie Landsman

Rachel Liu

Gregory Locsin

Olivia Manno

Cameron Mattis

Mariel Victoria Mok

Andrew Nunes

Bobbie Richardson

Jonah Rosenberg

Hannah Snyder

Catch it if you can at www.photo.tisch.nyu.edu/object/ShowTwo2015.html

 

Posted in Broadway, Lower Manhattan, NYU Tisch School of The Arts, Photography Event | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

ABC Kitchen

Posted on April 1, 2015 by W.D. Moore

And so I swept in from the cold one snowy afternoon and decided to have something sweet.

ABC Kitchen is located at 35 East 18th Street in the Union Square neighborhood of university students and universal smiles. I certainly felt cheery, embraced by the dreamy white décor, having dessert and coffee. I pulled out my book, The Spy Who Came in from the Cold by John Le Carré, and relished the simple peace of my bun, black coffee and the beauty of a moment.

Catch it if you can at www.abckitchennyc.com

Posted in Books, Kitchenette, Union Square | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Catch It: Little Pie Company

Posted on March 3, 2015 by W.D. Moore

From the first bite of my Applesauce Carrot Cake, I said out loud that I would order another slice and not have dinner. My friend Julia and her daughter Anna giggled—and so did I. They were taking me out to thank me for cat sitting their Pepper while they vacationed in Los Angeles last week.

The Little Pie Company is located at 424 W. 43rd Street, New York, NY 10036. It is an old-fashioned café, with old-fashioned cakes and old-fashioned charm in the Midtown West Neighborhood.

As we sat having tea with our scrumptious desserts, eight-year-old Anna said, “I really like when Mommy brings me here.” Julia and I had no doubt based on her joyful smile as she ate her apple pie.

“I love my apple turnover too,” Julia remarked, making our delight unanimous.

Catch it if you can at www.littlepiecompany.com

 

Posted in Apple Pie, Bakeries, Cafes, Midtown | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Catch It: Claudette

Posted on February 11, 2015 by W.D. Moore

Romance is the language of love. Valentine’s Day is a vine of grapes and amore.

The other evening, I was on a sentimental walk on Ninth Street with a friend. We came upon a charming place: Claudette at 24 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10011.

We sat at the elegant bar for drinks in the alluring, lively restaurant. I asked the hostess about Valentine’s Day and she said they have a St. Valentine’s Day Dinner.

“How nice,” I replied smiling.

Claudette is an enchanting establishment in the Lower Manhattan neighborhood. It has a sense of specialness and the flavor of being home.

Catch it if you can at www.claudettenyc.com

 

Posted in Authentic French, Bars, Cafes, Valentine's Day | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Catch It: Gotham Scoop 2015

Posted on January 7, 2015 by W.D. Moore

“Love must be learned, and learned again and again, there is no end to it,” words by Katherine Ann Porter. With love I created Catch It from my voyages throughout the city, where I would sit in charming restaurants and cafés and work on the manuscript for my first novel, Journey Back When.

In the evenings, I would discover a new restaurant with a friend or by chance walk alongside a unique place just by being in the neighborhood. Either way, our city is a utopia of culinary taste. To start the new year, I asked five friends over the past holiday to name a restaurant that gives them a fabulous dining out experience. Here are their recommendations:

CHURCH LOUNGE

2 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10013

www.tribecagrand.com

NEKA

Kitchen & Bar

1410 Madison Ave., New York, NY 10029

www.nekanyc.com

DEL FRISCO’S DOUBLE EAGLE STEAK HOUSE

1221 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020

www.delfriscos.com

BLVD BISTRO

239 Lenox Avenue, New York, NY 10027

www.boulevardbistrony.com

LUCIEN

Restaurant & Bar

14 First Avenue, New York, NY 10009

www.Luciennyc.com

Catch it if you can at www.tribecagrand.com, www.nekanyc.com, www.delfriscos.com, www.boulevardbistrony.com, www.Luciennyc.com, and Journey Back When at http://www.amazon.com/Journey-Back-When-W-Moore/dp/0615746365/

 

Posted in Authentic French, Avenue of the Americas, Bars, Books, Cafes, Gotham Scoop 2015, Madison Avenue, Restaurants, Tribeca, Upper West Side | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Catch It: Amélie

Posted on December 15, 2014 by W.D. Moore

What connects the West Village to Paris, France, is Amélie. This intimate wine bar is located at 22 West 8th Street, New York, NY 10011. The ambience is warm and lively; the staff is easy going and friendly, and the restaurant is a delightful surprise.

Last week, my friend James invited me for drinks at Amélie. It was a snowy night and yet—it felt like a cool summer evening in May.

Catch it if you can at www.ameliewinebar.com.

Merry Christmas!

 

Posted in Authentic French, Greenwich Village, Restaurants | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Catch It: Sweet Potato Pie at Auntie Sarah’s

Posted on November 26, 2014 by W.D. Moore

Last summer, I visited my Auntie Sarah’s house in Atlanta, Georgia, and I noticed three Sweet Potato Pies on the mahogany dining table. No special occasion, she likes making pies for her family, friends, and unexpected travelers—like me.

While my mom, Uncle Junior, and Auntie Sarah conversed about Lena (mom’s Poodle); I only thought of the Sweet Potato Pie.

“Auntie Sarah,” I said, interrupting the flow of Lena’s barking. “May I have a slice of pie?”

“Oh sure, sweetie,” she replied, “go right ahead and take a pie home to your mom’s house.”

The next morning, my mom walked Lena, and I sat in kitchen drinking Starbuck’s Italian Roast coffee and a slice of homemade sumptuous pie.

Yesterday, I telephoned down south and asked Auntie Sarah what was on the menu for Thanksgiving. She chuckled. I visualized.

Main Meal Dishes:

Old Fashioned Roast Turkey, Baked Ham, Barbecue Ribs, Corn Bread Dressing, Collard and Turnip Greens, Lima Beams, Squash and Cheese Casserole; Old fashioned Squash and Zucchini, Cranberry Sauce, Potato Salad, Macaroni & Cheese; Southern-styled Gravy, Corn muffins and Dinner rolls.

Desserts:

Lemon Sour Cream Pound Cake, Carrot Cake, Peach Cobbler, and Sweet Potato Pie.

Happy Thanksgiving!

 

Posted in A Thanksgiving Story, American Comfort Food, Sweet Potato Pie | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Catch It: Cake, Coffee & Chocolate

Posted on November 13, 2014 by W.D. Moore

How astonished I was this past Monday, when I saw my three favorite luxuries on West 40th Street just south of Bryant Park. My southern cheeks smiled as I sauntered on the bustling street and savored the view of this jewel of green space—which is even more appetizing with a little cake, a little chocolate, and lots of coffee.

                                                                           LADYM

Confections

36 West 40th Street, New York, NY 10018

www.LadyM.com

BLUE BOTTLE COFFEE

54 West 40th Street, New York, NY 10018

www.bluebottlecoffee.com

ROYCE’

Bryant Park Boutique

32 West 40th Street, New York, NY 10018

www.royceconfectusa.com

Catch it if you can at www.ladym.com, www.bluebottlecoffee.com and www.royceconfectusa.com

Posted in Bakeries, Bryant Park, Chocolatier, Coffee & Tea, Gift Shops | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Catch It: The Weave Tree in Central Park

Posted on October 28, 2014 by W.D. Moore

Sunday afternoon, I strolled through Central Park. The autumn trees are full of beauty, and the bluest sky is a silk fabric of silent peace. I thought of my poem, “The Weave Tree,” which I had written some years ago. As the words wafted through my mind, the splendor of each step reminded me of why I love being a writer living in New York City.

THE WEAVE TREE

There was a big tree in Central Park.

I walked by it for years at one hundredth street.

Then a giant storm appeared, swept it away.

I remember lovers fought, friends would meet.

Shocking eyes of runners, mommy strollers stopped to see.

Thunderous rains, Indian leaf butterflies flow in the mist.

Parents pondered, how did I forget to take a picture.

Suddenly, in disbelief, the next day, sunshine arrived amidst.

Tourist asked what kind of tree for your sadness.

Squirrels search for their nest, hurly burly they go.

Red-winged black birds sing songs of grief.

Dogs are aghast they don’t see their favorite relief.

The wind blows peacefully by the once weave tree.

As if my darling friend is standing high, timeless and free.

                                                               —W.D. Moore

Catch it if you can www.centralpark.org

 

Posted in Central Park, Tree Poem | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment