Midweek Blues
This week I ventured to the Upper East Side to try out a new Soul Cycle class (more on that at a later date!). Starving afterwards, I huffed and puffed my way a few blocks further uptown. I’d promised myself breakfast in the beautiful Bluestone Lane.
Bluestone Lane is Australian owned, and I especially like Australian coffee shops because they serve excellent flat whites – the tiny but wonderful Laughing Man in Tribeca is owned by Hugh Jackman. I picked up my flat white ‘habit’ in London, and was surprised to find after moving to New York that many coffee shops don’t make them, or even know what they are – see here if you are wondering too!
Needless to say, I heard the hostess’s Aussie accent (top marks for authenticity guys) and ordered one immediately.
The cafe serves delicious-looking granola, porridge, and some gluten free options like banana bread with ricotta and honey. I wolfed down the Avocado Smash (Bluestone Lane’s own recipe here) with a poached egg on top.
Bluestone Lane sources its bread from Balthazar bakery and has lots of nice lunch choices too – I heard a group ordering the soup special at 10.30am on the day I visited! It was so cold though, I couldn’t blame them.
I managed to avoid all the gorgeous cookies and cakes at the coffee counter, only on the premise that it would undo all the good of my exercise in the hour beforehand [insert eye roll here]. I’ll be ready next time!
Bluestone Lane UES sits next to the 19th century Church of the Heavenly Rest and shares its sandstone walls, soaring archways and vaulted ceilings. The interior was designed by Julia Sullivan of Caswell Design Group, which carries a number of the other NYC Bluestone Lane venues in its portfolio. Blond wood and industrial stools update the space and make it functional. Blue-green accents add to the comfort levels. See here for website pictures, the address details and cafe opening hours. My one small criticism relates the restrooms – they are outside the cafe in the church building next door. I imagine this was because of architectural and/or listed building constraints, but they don’t match the standard of everything else about Bluestone Lane.
This is a lovely spot for some sustenance if you are visiting ‘Museum Mile’ – I had other ideas though. Shivering as I passed the outdoor seating area (beautiful in summer I’m sure), I crossed Fifth Avenue into Central Park opposite.
I have been in Central Park a few times (not enough!) but this entrance brought me into new territory at the Jackie Onassis Reservoir.
It really is surprisingly large! There are lovely views to the Upper West Side across the water, and that expanse of navy blue makes it hard to believe you are standing in the middle of Manhattan…
It was absolutely freezing the day I visited – I felt like my fingers were gathering frost taking these photographs!
Worth the pain though, don’t you think?
I warmed up by walking downtown through the park, into the sunshine.
I am fascinated by the bright light in this city. Even when temperatures are below freezing, the sunshine can be incredible, the sky the deepest cornflower blue.
I even saw Hamilton – the hottest show in town!
The branches remain bare but still so beautiful – they take on an almost sculptural quality. That bright, clear light was casting some incredible shadows and there were still mounds of unmelted snow on the ground. All four seasons in one stroll.
It was just the most gorgeous day. To match that fairytale feeling, I spotted this house which surely belongs in a Hansel & Gretel storybook!
Central Park really is an oasis from the hustle and bustle of New York life.
I passed by the Boathouse too, looking empty as it was much too nippy to sit outside. Did I mention it was a cold day?! It’s funny because you really can’t tell from these pictures! I think the mix of the chill and the sunshine added to the magic though.
I’m sure the Boathouse was bustling inside but I will wait for warmer temperatures and some company to share it with.
Now that I think of it, that is another nice thing about Bluestone Lane – is is very suitable for visiting alone. Seating is at barstools and high tables, with a smaller mix of booth-style accommodation for groups.
Coming from downtown Manhattan, the UES is a really lovely place to spend time – it almost feels like a different city. I’ll be sharing some of the museums up there with you as I tick them off my list, and will certainly be getting my flat white fix at Bluestone Lane again.
Meanwhile, it’s time to step back out into city life…
I know the blues have a bad reputation but these blues – the cafe, the reservoir, the sky – would make me happy any day.