Something nice to do in New York on the first week-end in November … walk to 72nd Street and York Avenue, free and no tickets required.
A great exhibition of Impressionist and Modern paintings, beautifully displayed, and nice toilets. The space makes me feel that I am in some SOHO or Chelsea art gallery but I am in the Upper East Side
Impressionist & Modern Art Evening Sale, Sotheby’s, 10 am – 5 pm, October 29 – November 2, 2008, Sotheby’s New York, 1334 York Avenue, at 72nd Street, 212-606-7000
There is a branch of Dean and DeLuca on the 10th floor with a lovely out-door terrace to enjoy a cup of coffee … or Matsu Sushi, 411 East 70th Street, New York, 212-744-5454. ….the best values are at lunch from their “lunch specials” from 11am – 4 pm … the sushi rice at Matsu Sushi is a stand-out … with the correct amount of rice wine blended into the sushi rice to give a nice sour and sweet taste, a very tasty sushi. Also they do not serve a huge piece of fish, just a nice size piece … and at the right temperature, i.e., luke warm and not ice cold … very close to Sotheby’s, the Tri-Institutional Friday Noon concerts at Rockefeller University  and the numerous hospitals in that area…
Speaking about lunch in this neighborhood, I must recommend the ILLY cafe at the Food Emporium on 69th Street & Third Avenue, very good Italian ILLY coffee, great sandwiches for $6.99, especially the mozzarella and prosciutto, numerous hot soups and $5.99 salad buffet … moreover, a whole roasted D’Artagnan chicken to go for $10.99, etc…