Experiencing MoMA and the beautiful Omni Berkshire Place in New York City Travel Spotlight MIKE COHEN NEW YORK CITY: If you are headed to New York City anytime soon, here is a good tip: purchase the CityPASS (www.citypass.com/new-york). New York sure does appreciate its Canadian tourists. By logging on to www.nycgo.com you can begin planning your activities. We were only in town for a few days and while the other two members of the family saw some Broadway shows, I wanted to do some exploring. But where does one start? New York CityPASS includes admission to NYC’s top six attractions: the Empire State Building Observatory, The Met, American Museum of Natural History, MoMA (The Museum of Modern Art), Top of the Rock or Guggenheim and the Statue of Liberty or Circle Line Cruises. It is valid for nine days from first day of use. Not only do you get to skip ticket lines, you save 41 percent. I had never been to MoMA (MoMA.org) before, described as the foremost museum of modern art in the world. Established in 1929 as an educational insti- tution, MoMA is a place that fuels creativity, ignites The large one-bedroom Madison Suites are well appointed with views of downtown Manhattan minds, and provides inspiration. With extraordinary exhibitions and the world’s finest collection of mod- conversation between the past and the present, the es- highlight the second floor. Near the lobby, on the ern and contemporary art, MoMA is dedicated to the tablished and the experimental. Its mission is helping main floor, you will find an art lab and a sculpture you understand and enjoy the art of our time. garden. There are theatres down below showing dif- MoMA is located in midtown Manhattan, at 11 ferent films. You must go to the film desk to find out West Fifty-third Street, between Fifth and Sixth av- the schedule and get a special ticket. enues. MoMA’s holdings include more than 150,000 Unquestionably “the draw” in New York City remains individual pieces in addition to approximately 22,000 its extraordinary Broadway productions. Be prepared to films and four million film stills. Upon arrival, pick up pay big dollars, even for a seat that is the second to last a mobile device free of charge on floors 1 or 6. Photo spot in the house at the top. Here is a tip though. Go ID is required. You can also use your own handheld online via Ticketmaster or Telecharge, check out the pre- device via MoMA’s public Wi-Fi network or download cise availability and call the toll free number so that you the free APP at MomMA.org/mobile. can get a more accurate route of what is available. While It is best to start off on the 6th floor to see any spe- they offer to mail the tickets at least 48 hours before the cial exhibitions on and then work your way down. show, we recommend that you either print them out on- The fifth and fourth floors feature paintings and sculp- line or ask to pick them up at will call. In some cases tures from the 1880s to the 1940s and the 1940s to the you can even buy cancellation insurance. We purchased 1980s respectively: the likes of Henri Matisse, Pablo tickets for Beautiful, the Carol King Musical. Picasso, Claude Monet, Vincent van Gogh, Roy Li- We stayed somewhere new on this trip, the Omni chtenstein, Jackson Pollock and Andy Warhol. Floor Berkshire Place (http://www.omnihotels.com/hotels/new- th Starry Night20140695-KingDavid-TheMontrealerAd-OF.pdf by Van Gogh is on the fifth 1 floor 2014-07-04 at 3 5:38focuses PM on architecture and design while contem- york-berkshire) at 21 East 52nd Street between 5 and MoMA. porary galleries (prints, illustrated books and media) Madison - a great location. I was particularly impressed 24 The Montrealer, February 2015 • theMontrealerOnline.com Morton’s and China Grill should top Big Apple restaurant list NEW YORK CITY – If you are generous portions of sides, we shared headed to New York City anytime the sour cream mashed potatoes and soon, here are three specific dining tips the hash brown potatoes. Morton’s 5th Avenue (www. They have a number of specialties mortons.com/newyork) is located for dessert. We were ever so tempted in the heart of Midtown Manhattan by the Chocolate Molten Cake, served (551 5th Avenue, at 45th Street). We in a bowl covered with ice cream, enjoyed an absolutely outstanding whipped cream and sundae sauce. It is dinner at this 280 seat two tier es- a good thing the three of us shared it tablishment. Our server John made because I do not know how one person sure to explain the menu to us in de- can consume this decadent offering. tail, including the specials. A fresh Reservations are recommended: 212- loaf of bread, with whipped butter, 972-3315. arrived at the table as we began the China Grill: During this trip we also task of deciding what to order. One dined at the fabulous China Grill (www. member of our party started off with chinagrillmgt.com) at 60 West 53rd a glass of champagne. Street, which happens to be the birth- While there were a lot of appeal- place of this extraordinary dining spot. ing appetizers, we opted instead for a China Grill Management and its affili- chopped salad which was more than ates own, operate, create concepts, and / large enough to share. For the main or consult in some of the most acclaimed course focused on what Morton’s is and innovative restaurants in Miami, The interior of the China Grill New York, across the street from MoMA. known for. Two members of our party New York, London, Mexico City and We toasted the evening with some two fully stocked bars and a centralized shared an eight ounce center-cut filet now Dubai. We experienced the China champagne and then ordered a pair of open kitchen. It is right across the street mignon while I favored the center- Grill in Miami five years ago and were starters: the fall off the bone lamb spare- from MoMA. You can call 514-212- cut prime rib eye. Both of these items excited to get a reservation in the Big ribs, plum and sesame glazed and the cur- 333-7788 for reservations. were cooked to perfection. As for the Apple. ried chicken satay, with chilled sesame Hard Rock Café: I have always been noodles and toasted peanut sauce. For our a big fan of the Hard Rock Cafe (www. main course, we opted for the curry miso hardrock.com) chain and enjoy check- black cod, with sweet soy glazed Chinese ing out the different incarnations when broccoli and yuzo-miso butter sauce and I travel. Last summer I did so in Nice, the grilled Szechuan beef, with sake soy France, so when I found myself in the spicy shallots and cilantro. As for sides, Times Square area on a Saturday night I we had the five vegetable fried rice and could not resist stepping inside the 1501 the lobster mashed potatoes. Broadway location to rock my senses We did save some room for dessert with tantalizing food and drinks and and the chocolate seduction and the enjoy their awe-inspiring rock memora- mandarin ginger crème brûlée won bilia collection. The main cafe seats 708 out. Our server, Pedro, was excellent people. I had the delicious legend burg- at describing all of the dining options er, topped with smoked bacon, cheddar available – and there are plenty. We cheese, a golden fried onion ring, crisp thoroughly enjoyed every morsel of lettuce and vine ripened tomato. It came food that came our way. This venue it- with crispy fries. For dessert I had the self is very pretty, with soaring 30-foot sensational Oreo cheesecake. The 24 oz. porterhouse steak at Morton’s ceilings, multi-level dining platforms, – Mike Cohen with the live chat assistance available on San Antonio at the Colonnade who was their website as I planned the trip. With the at the New York location on an interim simple click of the mouse there was some- basis. A day later he gave me the good one at the opposite end answering all of news that he was being asked to move to my questions in real time. I also signed up the Big Apple full-time. free of charge for the Select Guest Loyalty We stayed in a spacious Madison Program, which provides you with com- Suite, overlooking 52nd Street and plimentary perks such as free Wi-Fi Inter- Madison Avenue. These magnificent net service, access to a 24-hour business 781-square-foot suites feature a large center and a state-of-the-art fitness cen- master bedroom with an oversized bath ter with a sundeck overlooking midtown that includes separate shower and soak- Manhattan. You also get a free shoe shine, ing tub along with generous counter pressings, the newspaper, morning bever- space. There are two telephones in the age of your choice, express check-in and bathroom. We very much appreciated check-out, customized room preferences the in-room safe. The separate living and bottled water. area has an extremely comfortable pull- This luxury Omni Berkshire Place is out sleeper sofa, club chair, desk and an steps away from Fortune 500 companies iHome© audio system. The hotel has and some of the city’s most illustrious a very helpful concierge desk. Across sites like Fifth Avenue Shopping, St.