My tried-and-true cure for a case of the blues is a late-afternoon lunch at the historic Grand Central Oyster Bar, tucked into the bowels of the Grand Central terminal. The Guastavino tiles that arch overhead, the throwback lunch counters, the ship-shaped light fixtures. And, oh!, the oyster po'boy sandwiches! Divine. And I am smitten with the blue-and-white checked napkins, too!
Gang:
Yesterday was one of those days. I was sort of down in the dumps, and that is so not my style, n’est-ce pas? John refers to me his as little amped-up Pollyanna, and I usually wake up every day and say, “Hello, world.” But, yesterday, I felt peevish. And for no reason. Frankly, I like being peevish every once in a while, it helps to work out the kinks.
If I am in New York City and have one of these “mean reds” days, I hightail it straight to the Grand Central Oyster Bar for a late-afternoon lunch at one of the horseshoe-shaped, throwback counters. Lunch at the Oyster Bar quickly soothes my cares and woes. I take a seat at the counter manned by the lovely Irishwoman Mary Mac and ask for the sandwich menu and promptly order a cool glass of a Marlborough Sauvingon Blanc.
By the time my oyster po’boy sandwich has arrived and my wine half consumed, I have lapped up the old New York vibe and ogled both the crowds and the fabulous Guastavino tiled arches that hover overhead.
For Audrey Hepburn it was breakfast at Tiffany’s. For me, it’s a boozy lunch at the Oyster Bar. Next time you are in NYC, beeline it for the Oyster Bar. But skip the dining room, and saddle up to the lunch counter. It’s a true treat!
When you sit down at the lunch counter, they might offer you the lengthy "main" menu that's quite pricey (the wine by the glass is on the back). Ask instead for the "sandwich" menu that includes such favorites as the inexpensive and soul-sooting oyster po'boy sandwich.
Be sure to look up! The glorious ceilings at the Grand Central Oyster Bar are lavished with Guastavino tiles. Guastavino tiles make up the "Tile Arch System" patented in the United States in 1885 by Spanish architect and builder Rafael Guastavino (1842–1908). And how about those ship-bedazzled chandeliers?!
Here's my soon-to-be-consumed oyster po'boy sandwich with the accompanying glass of Sauvignon Blanc. Bliss!
Tags: Grand Central Oyster Bar, Guastavino, Jason Oliver Nixon, John Loecke, Madcap Cottage, New York, oysters
From my desk, this is a truly splendid recounting of a gem of NYC. Thank you for the virtual visit. I return to my tasks refreshed and with a buzz from the wine.