Noël aux Etats-Unis: Christmas in the States !

Rockefeller Center tree

La dernière fois que j’ai voyagé aux Etats-Unis il y avait deux ans. Donc il m’avait plaît beaucoup de prévenir un séjour pour passer Noël avec ma famille à New York et à St. Paul. Avec les nouvelles de la contagiosité d’Omicron, j’ai pensé à annuler mon voyage. Mais le besoin de voir ma famille était très fort, alors je suis allée. Et je suis ravie que j’ai fait le voyage. Franchement, mon séjour était parfait.

It’s been two years since I traveled to the U.S. So I was thrilled in November to be planning a trip to New York and St. Paul MN to spend Christmas with my family. The week before Christmas, as the news of the contagiousness of Omicron became increasingly alarming, I considered canceling my trip. But the pull of family was strong and, in the end, I threw caution to the wind and went. And I am so very glad I did for the visit was perfect in every way.

First stop....Grand Central....practically deserted!

Then Park Avenue looking south to the Helmsley Building where I worked for many years....

Then Rockefeller Center to see the tree along with tout le monde

30 Rock, the tree and the crowd

30 Rock again.....

Saint Patrick's Cathedral

Sabrett's and street steam.....

Cartier

J’ai passé le temps avec ma sœur Carol, mes deux fils Patrick et Michael, ma belle-fille Nora et mon ex-mari, Pat. On a célébré Noël, on a mangé plusieurs plats délicieux, ils ont bu beaucoup de champagne et de vin, et on est allé à Big Apple Circus. En plus, il m’avait plaît beaucoup pour être à nouveau à New York.

My sister Carol flew in from Denver, son Patrick came from New Jersey and step-daughter Nora from Baltimore. We gathered on Christmas Eve at my ex-husband’s apartment and made a half-hearted attempt to trim the too-tall tree, Pat made a delicious dinner, I contributed a bûche de noël from Aux Merveilleux de Fred (there are now 2 in the City), gifts were exchanged and copious amounts of champagne and wine were consumed. Christmas Day found us ringside at the Big Apple Circus, reliving a family tradition established when the boys were small. Sunday Carol, Patrick and I laid low in Hightstown NJ, home to the Peddie School where Patrick is the head football coach and a teacher of French (if I could speak French half as well as he does, I’d be thrilled!).

With Carol at Little Island, created in 2013 by Barry Diller of the Diller-von Furstenberg Family Foundation, in partnership with Hudson River Park Trust.

Lower Manhattan as seen from Little Island

Renzo Piano's Whitney Museum of American Art

Entrance to Little Island

Little Island's unique "tulip pot" piles support structure

Sunset over New Jersey as seen from Little Island

Patrick and Nora by the too-tall tree

Ringmaster

With Patrick at Americana Kitchen & Bar .... an excellent restaurant disguised as a diner (in East Windsor NJ)

Après Noël, j’ai pris un avion à St. Paul, Minnesota pour voir mon fils Michael, qui ne peut pas voyager à New York. J’ai la chance de rencontrer sa belle copine LeeAnn et de manger au restaurant Hyacinth, où Michael était cuisinier et sous-chef pendant 3 ans. Maintenant il travaille au restaurant Estelle et il en aime beaucoup.

Monday I flew to St. Paul MN, where Michael has been living since 2016. He couldn’t come to New York so I went to him. It was an especially nice visit because I got to meet his lovely girlfriend LeeAnn. Though a quick trip, we managed a spectacular meal at Hyacinth, the Italian restaurant where Michael learned to cook. He was the sous-chef when he left this summer to join the team at Estelle. This was my third meal at Hyacinth and it did not disappoint. I cannot recommend it highly enough. Estelle was closed, so though I’m sure it’s wonderful as well, I’ve not yet had a meal there. Michael and I saw Spielberg’s “West Side Story” sitting in those movie Barcaloungers, something which to my knowledge has not come to France. The movie was wonderful as was my super comfortable lounger!

Rice Park as seen from St. Paul Hotel....after the snowstorm....3 degrees F (-16 degrees C)

LeeAnn and Michael (and me) at Hyacinth.....pasta course

Photos from my final day in New York, my second-favorite city in the world:

Guarding the great New York Public Library

Grand Central and the Chrysler Building - classic!

Skyline southeast from Grand Army Plaza

Old and new Central Park South skyline.....hate the new....

Hot dogs in Grand Army Plaza

Tiffany "pop-up" ....original building under renovation

Tiffany showcase....nice ice!

Central Park, horse-drawn carriage and Fifth Avenue.....au revoir New York!