It’s amazing how quickly time seems to be passing by these days. It’s probably because we’re cramming in more activities than ever before.
Somehow, a couple of weeks ago, we started learning about a couple of special cocktail bars that are hard to find, and even harder to get in to. I don’t really know why it has taken us this long to learn about them, and I am more than a little sorry that we only have two more weeks to try them out. But we’re trying!
One of those bars we heard about is called Little Branch (place holder website, here’s a review). It turned out this one was not that hard to find, and not that hard to get in to. We found it around 10pm, after a very nice sushi dinner at a tiny place where we also occasionally order lunch from. The place doesn’t look like much. A completely non-descript door in a non-descript building, with a very small name plate on it. And a doorman outside.
There were a few people ahead of us and the doorman told us that there wasn’t much room in the bar, so they would only let people in as soon as there was enough space. Some suit-wearing people that arrived after us tried to get in quicker by trying to bribe the doorman, but he wouldn’t have anything of that. So they left. Probably better for the atmosphere in the bar.
After about 15 or 20 minutes, we could go in. It still didn’t look like much. A narrow staircase leads down to the cellar, where a little curtain hides what’s inside. Once through the curtain, it feels like you’re stepping back in time about 40 or 50 years. The sound of live jazz music hits you first. Then you take in the whole place, whihc isn’t big. Actually, it is pretty small. There is a bar, with two bartenders, both dressed in 40’s or 50’s gear, both sporting beards, and somehow looking like they belong there, in place & time.
The area around the bar is full, but not too crowded. Again, there isn’t much space here. And behind the bar is a sort of corridor where the booths are. They are two- and four-person booths, and everybody there is drinking cocktails. Or wine. It’s very nice and mellow, you don’t have to shout over the live music. Which, you then realize, has to be coming from somewhere. They have managed to fit three musicians in a space under the stairs. Piano, upright bass and a drumkit. It looks lilke they need someone to get them out of that space, in exactly the right order, because otherwise they would get stuck there forever.
We order our first cocktail at the bar. They have a cocktail menu, but it doesn’t hold many items. The idea is that you just tell the barman (’mixologist’) what you like. So I tell him I like whiskies and bourbons, and I don’t like my cocktails too sweet. And off he goes. Saskia tells them she would like a fresh, slightly sweet cocktail, and they oblige. Something cool about the cocktails: they have ice ‘cubes’ fit for each specific glass. This means your drink doesn’t dilute too quickly! Never knew you could take cocktails to this level.
Both of our cocktails are amazing. Really nice, unlike any cocktail I’ve had before. They’re not cheap (15 bucks, including tip), but they’re worth it! After our first cocktail, we get one of the booths, and order another cocktail, this time from one of the waitresses. They are also very nice and helpful, and Saskia got one of them to write a list of other, similar cocktail places.
After three cocktails each, we called it a night. Slightly intoxicated we walked home.
On Friday, Saskia really wanted to go out and have a drink on the roof terrace of the Metropolitan Musem. It was probably one of the last Fridays that their roof terrace was open to the public, as it is now quickly getting too cold to go there. We met up in the museum, and quickly passed the ancient Greek sculptures to find our way to the roof. We were just in time for an amzing show: the sun setting over Central Park.
The Jeff Koons exhibit is still on the roof (three huge sculptures, my favourite is the balloon dog), and the city skyline at dusk provides an amazing backdrop for these sculptures. We ordered a drink, and shot some pictures and video. And just stood there, taking in the amazing views.
With all the things that we’re doing these last couple of weeks, we’re starting to realize that “this is probably the last time we’re doing this”. Which is a strange feeling. We’re both actually looking forward to return to Amsterdam, see our family and friends, and start working for our companies again. But on the other hand, this has definitely become a second home, so we’re leaving home to go home. Which makes it all strange.
The weekend was beautiful, and warm! We took the A train to 168th street, hopped on a bus and got off at 190th Street. Deep in Harlem. First we walked around to find some coffee, and then we found our way to Fort Tyron Park. On a hill overlooking the whole park are the Cloisters. We walked around for a bit, and quickly found ourselves at the end of the park, so we crossed the street and walked into the next park, Inwood Hill, which is quite a bit bigger.
After a very nice walk around the park, we ended up at the northern-most tip of Manhattan, where a bridge connects this part of Manhattan to the Bronx. People were playing baseball in the park, a little league game was on in the ballpark, and some wonderful autumn colors on display throughout the park. We had some coffee on the corner of Indian Road & West 218th (!) Street, and then made our way back to the subway station.
On Sunday, we had a lovely brunch at Nancy & Paul’s place in the West Village. It was great to catch up with them, and I had my first Bloody Mary. After brunch, we walked to our bikes with Nancy and Paul, as they were interested in them. In the end, Nancy decided to buy Saskia’s bike!
