October 1, 2025 . Brooklyn/Manhattan . Day 6 . And then there were two.

Greetings from Brooklyn- Happy October (although the latest news from DC is foreboding and scary)

And then there were two; Adrienne headed back to Chicago to be sure to make it in time for Yom Kippur. Carol and I decided to have breakfast at the hotel and I had a very interesting conversation with the waiter who was from Albania. Clearly over-educated for his job and very interested in both Albanian politics and the state of American politics. Having visited Albania about 7 years ago, we chatted about the places I had been and the timing of my trip and what’s changed since my visit. Maybe it’s time for a return trip to Albania!.

Carol and I strolled the neighborhood (Boerum Hill) a bit, and then headed to Hertz to return the car. From there we took the subway to Manhattan for lunch at Franchia–a unique Korean vegan restaurant that I’ve eaten at before (even thought I’m no where near a vegan!). It’s a multi-level small space located on Park Avenue near 34th Street–traditional Korean decor with a mural ceiling. It’s got some great dishes and everything is presented beautifully, including the drinks (we had mocktails: raspberry lychee with some kind of fizzy water).

We strolled for a while, passing a crew of young people in beekeeper outfits near Times Square. Turns out they were promoting and giving samples of some kind of bacon and honey dish. I declined.

And then we walked (13,200 steps so far today; 5.1 miles) to the Music Box Theater to see “ART” with James Corden, Bobby Cannavale, and Neil Patrick Harris. I had seen this Yasmina Reza play on Broadway in the late 1990s when Alan Alda played one of the roles. This was a revival. The story revolves around three male friends (a dermatologist, an engineer, and a paper salesman)—one of them (the dermatologist) purchases an expensive, all-white painting which leads to debates with the friends about the painting’s value and then the nature of art itself. It’s lively, well written, funny, but also a commentary on friendship, as well as art, possessions, and the “value” of things.

After the play, we strolled to the St Regis to have cocktails at the King Cole Bar. The “King Cole” is home to the famous mural by Maxfield Parish. The mural was originally at the Knickerbocker Hotel bar and had been comnmissioned by John Jacob Astor. It shows a jovial King Cole on his throne, with humorous, subtle details of him passing gas. The bar is–supposedly–the place where the “Bloody Mary” was invented. Thus, the bar had a list of about a dozen different types of Bloody Marys. The mural was moved to the St. Regis Hotel in 1932.

Tonight we ate at Misi in Williamsburg. Food was quite good (Italian-ish) and the space was modern and loud! It was also larger than any of the other restaurants we’ve been in during this trip, so that was interesting. We ordered two appetizers: a slow-roasted tomato salad with “hot” honey; a roasted eggplant salad—followed by a pasta dish—bucatini with tomatoes. .. followed by great gelato (we shared pistachio).

Taxied back to the ACE… I leave tomorrow. Back to Oakland. Carol will move to Manhattan and stay another two days (at the Manhattan ACE). And as they say in Brooklyn — “Later” or “Be seein ya” or “Peace out.”

Take care. La Shana Tova.