Out on the town in New York

Soho Grand Hotel on West Broadway

My wife and I decided to go for an evening drink in Manhattan, and save my life that night. She chose the Soho Grand Hotel on West Broadway, so my coat was on before she could blink. Boy the wind was cold, where did it come from? I certainly knew were it was going!The Subway journey was crazy as usual, but I loved it. I’ve now started taking a reporter’s notebook wherever I go. It makes great variety of material while traveling on the Subway.Ok, ok, back to our evening out! Arriving at the hotel Vyna went straight into the Grand Bar & Lounge, and I later learned it was an old favorite hunting ground of hers. 

Bar

Yes I said hunting ground although she accused me of deliberately misheard her! Who do you believe? We met Kelly, the General Manager; I thought she was very friendly and extremely professional, as well as astute. She greeted Vyna like an old friend, plus watched over us all evening like we knew each other for years. Upon leaving, we exchanged business cards. Thank you Kelly. I’ll be Back!On with the evening, entering the Bar Lounge, the atmosphere is enchanting, lights dimmed and music soft, food and drinks, all 5 Stars (credit to Kelly).

Lounge

All the tables have up to six seats, so sharing is customary.That evening, we shared our table with an out of town business guy named Mike. Soon afterwards, we were starting chatting about our lines of business etc. His food looked good! I nearly pinched his crab cake (pinch = steal, for my American cousins). Mike soon went back to his hotel room.Imagine this, if you can. From my seat, I was facing the entrance to the Lounge so I can see the new comers shown to their seats. By now, the Lounge is getting full! Here was the rub. Our table was pointed out to four different couples, and they all refused to seat next to us. We were beginning to have a complex. This particular woman walked over to our table, looked down her nose with that patronizing, sneering look and said ‘no’ in front of me!! (sorrrrry! I thought). Trust me, Vyna quickly assessed, they’re all tourists! Real New Yorkers don’t mind sharing seats in a hotel like this.

Amazing Stairway