As we conclude our most recent trip to NYC, I thought I’d finished with anything blog-worthy, and then we went on a brunch cruise around Manhattan with Classic Harbor Line.
There are plenty of ways you can navigate around this amazing island and there are options for every pocket-book. But you do get what you pay for, and today we had a really special experience. 
The Classic Harbor Line uses old-world style yachts in the Roaring Twenties-style. For the brunch cruise, the maximum number of guests is 40, and everyone has a window seat. Their brochure states they are “classically designed for contemporary experiences” and that is very well said.
Our trip was on the Manhattan II, just one year old, but built to resemble a vintage yacht. I’ll let my photos tell that story.
As we cruised up the East River and down the Hudson, we ate. Brunch was a delicious four-course affair, served buffet-style. First with bagels, lox, pastries and self-made waffles, followed by frittata and incredibly good pork sausage (which we are seriously trying to locate for purchase). Spiral-cut ham, potatoes and salad were followed by a wonderful fruit assortment, puff pastries, small napoleons and cannolis. A glass of Champagne, Mimosa, or Bloody Mary was included along with soft drinks and coffee; a full bar was also available.
The author & husband, Fred.
The crew was amazing. They could not have been nicer or more helpful. The Captain’s commentary was interesting but not intrusive. Many of the passengers also asked the knowledgeable crew for more information about what we were seeing.
It didn’t hurt that it turned out to be an incredibly beautiful day. We ventured outside for some photo-ops, and often pulled back the large sliding picture windows by our comfortable table to snap a good iPhone shot.
The entire 2.75 hour trip was quiet, relaxing, un-hurried, interesting and very scenic. A perfect adventure for all the ages in our group, from 30-something to 85.
Notes:
Classic Harbor Lines is the same company that offers architectural harbor tours narrated by the AIA NY and sailings on majestic schooners. Boats leave from Pier 62 at Chelsea Piers, and Pier 5 at the Brooklyn Bridge Park Marina. Check out the options at: Sail-NYC.com or call 888.215.1739. You may also be able to find a discount voucher if you search on-line. BTW, the bathrooms on board are comfortable and pristine.
This was a great tour. Led by fourth generation Italian-American, Eric Ferrara, we really gained an insight and understanding into the origins and evolution of the five major New York crime families and the history of New York City’s Little Italy.
Eric founded the Lower East Side History Project and has consulted on several projects including programs for TV’s History Channel, HBO’s Boardwalk Empire, the recent Great Gatsby movie and the Mafia Museum. He has written several books including the Manhattan Mafia Guide. Eric has not only researched his topic, he has lived it. He was clearly very comfortable in the area and able to tell many personal stories about his life and that of his family members.
There are a lot of similar tours available, but what I liked about this tour was the focus on fact versus sensationalism and media-driven urban legends. Eric set the record straight about many misconceptions and put a face on the daily struggle faced by the vast majority of the men involved with the Cosa Nostra. We learned about the speakeasies, the social clubs, early investment in the drag clubs of NYC, and the lynching of Italians. Eric had photos and newspaper articles to help tell the story and visualize the past.
I was surprised that what was once known as Little Italy is really now only about four one-street blocks of very tourist-oriented restaurants. Once a large and thriving section of town, it was eventually cleaned-up by NY Mayor Giuliani and has now become gentrified, with expensive boutiques and new construction. It was sad to learn that much of the area’s original character has been erased.
The tour was interesting, educational and, as a bonus, we found out which were the better area restaurants with the most authentic family history. We all received an information sheet summarizing key spots visited and follow-up resources.
We ended our two-hour tour in the restaurant area. Eric stopped to say hi to actor Tony Danza, who was just hanging out, sitting outside by a cannoli vendor, reading a paper.
After the tour we took a break and enjoyed some pizza at the Mulberry Street Bar. This restaurant was the setting for regular scenes on the Sopranos and has appeared in Donny Brasco, Godfather III, and Law & Order. We made one more quick stop to grab a cannoli (for me) and gelato (for my husband), before we headed back uptown. Do you think Tony is an investor in that cannoli stand?
Tours are offered twice a week, on Saturdays and Wednesdays at noon and generally last 1.5 hours. For more info, check out:
http://www.leshp.org/index.php/walking-tours/60-mafia-tour
Who’s hanging out on Mulberry Street?
Tony Danza.
This charming enclave of The Met is housed in a re-constructed ensemble designed to resemble a medieval-era monastery on four acres in Fort Tryon Park. Located in the Bronx, the lovely park runs along the Hudson, with views across the river of the New Jersey Palisades’ plateau, and is beautiful in the spring.
The museum focuses on medieval art, architecture and gardens with the main focus on religious artifacts. It’s not large, but beautifully appointed and you truly feel you are transported to a hilltop somewhere in Europe. It’s hard to believe you are a short subway ride from the middle of Manhattan.
Open since 1938, The Met Cloisters has been heavily endowed by John D. Rockefeller, Jr., including the gift of the famous Unicorn Tapestries, my favorite. There is an incredible collection of striking tapestries on display. Exhibits span from the Romanesque through the Gothic periods. 
If You Go:
Open seven days a week, during the day from 10 AM, closing hours vary slightly by season, so check the website for up-to-date details. Adults $25; seniors $17; Students $12 and children under 12 free. Tickets also entitle same-day admission to other Met museums. If you go by subway, take the “A” train to the 190 Street stop and walk through the gardens to the museum. Or, grab an Uber to 99 Margaret Corbin Drive. There is a nice gift shop as well as a café (open April – October) on premises.
http://www.metmuseum.org/visit/met-cloisters
A few interesting scenes from around the city.
Central Park with orchid sculpture in the distance.
Although the bas-relief motifs seem like they should be on Communist Party headquarters, this Art Deco loft building was built in 1925. Located in SoHo, the building now houses a variety of companies, including the agency my daughter works for. The images are an interesting collection: weighing metal? fabricating? shaving wood or metal? mixing chemicals? Originally known as the Green Building, I’m still searching for answers about its early use.
While researching the art on the SOHO building above, I came across a great blog called Ephemeral NY: Chronicling an ever-changing city through faded and forgotten artifacts. Fellow history-lovers will enjoy it: https://ephemeralnewyork.wordpress.com
Love the entry portals to the diamond district.
The photo is not skewed, this gargoyle is one of two over doorways, Upper East Side.
Current sculpture at Rockefeller Center, “Van Gogh’s Ear.” Really?
