West Village, Cornelia Street Between Bleecker Street and Sixth Avenue

Mary Sargent © 2008 …………………………………….. click to enlarge

First things first and I mean lunch. I had suggested Po earlier, but Luka hesitated, being on a diet. Now, however, after her hike, she saw things differently. She saw that she deserved to eat at Po. It was the first time either of us had been here, although it's been on my mind since it opened in 1993. Well, it is the perfect Village restaurant, small, charming, nice waitress, open windows, on a short side street. About half full for lunch. If only we had loved our food. I had grilled octopus not to my taste because it was sweet. But the menu made clear it came with balsamic reduction so it was my fault. But why would anyone want to make grilled octopus sweet? That was their fault. Luka didn't love her sausage, but I thought it was delicious. I think it's worth a repeat visit.

Here's a short New York Magazine review.

See map.

West Village, Cornelia Street

Mary Sargent © 2006

And here’s the last one on Cornelia Street. Three is enough for one little block! And this one is almost too pretty to put up. Or maybe it is too pretty. Anyone think it’s too pretty?



Mary Sargent © 2006

Map update. I am making progress and I must say my ambition intensifies. Sometimes I stand in front of the map lusting for more streets. How can I walk more, more? Now I’m trying to fill in the square around my office bounded by 23rd Street, Fifth Avenue, 34th Street and the East River. I should have finished that by October 1. At the same time, I want a LONG street, like Eleventh Avenue between 23rd Street and 65th, or Broadway between 180 and 120 Streets. Not so likely. Not by October 1.

West Village, Cornelia Street

Mary Sargent © 2006

Another shot on Cornelia Street.

I’m becoming more observant since beginning this blog, but I still need to work on it. I can’t picture where this shot is located on the street. Or for that matter, the last shot or the next shot. And the street is only one block long. And I’ve walked it dozens of times. I’m like the autistic author of Animals in Translation (a WONDERFUL book, if you haven’t read it, rush out and get it right away), who sees the details, but not the whole picture.

The author's name is Temple Grandin; she's quite remarkable and appealing.

West Village, Cornelia Street

Mary Sargent © 2006

Last Sunday, that miserable rainy day, I had brunch at Inside on Jones Street (fried oysters and baked grits with white cheddar and, of course, a bloody mary). A lovely little restaurant with windows opening onto a quiet street.

Attentive followers of this blog may remember that a couple of weeks ago, I mentioned looking forward to eating at Inside and photographing Cornelia Street. Luckily, by the time we arrived, the rain had stopped and stayed stopped long enough for me to fulfill that wish.